Take 8 days to explore the backcountry of Banff National Park
Backpacking the Banff Highline Trail is a quintessential Canadian Rockies adventure, and this tour takes you across countless unforgettable kilometres, walking underneath stone giants, across flower-dotted meadows, and past shimmering alpine lakes.
The Backpacking the Banff Highline Trail tour will push you physically, but it’ll be worth every step when you hike underneath the awe-inspiring Mount Assiniboine, crest the Continental Divide, and gaze at the crazy quartzite ridge of the Front Ranges. Every night, you’ll pitch your tent underneath a canopy of stars and the slumbering mountains. This is an unforgettable journey and one that tends to sell out quickly - don’t wait to book your spot!
Highlights of the Backpacking the Banff Highline Trail
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Backpacking the Banff Highline Trail Itinerary
Day 0 Meet and Gear Check
You’ll meet the day before you begin hiking to go over the trip details and make sure your gear is all ready to go. Get a good sleep tonight!
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 1 Vista Lake to Shadow Lake
Today’s the day! Get going with a pickup in the morning to the trailhead. You’ll begin your hike near Vista Lake, climbing up to Arnica Ridge past Arnica Lake. You’ll start to see Mt. Assiniboine nearly 100km in the distance. Hike down to Twin Lakes before the final climb of the day, reaching Gibbon Pass (2300m) and its extensive meadows.
Drop down to Shadow Lake to set up camp and rest up.
Overnight Location: Camping in Banff National Park
Distance: 14km, 1100m elevation gain
Meals: Lunch, dinner
Day 2 Shadow Lake to Egypt Lake
Waking up in paradise, you’ll start the day with a hike to Ball Pass and through the Whistling Valley, named for the whistling marmots in the area. Keep going past Haiduk Lake, admiring the view of Mt. Ball.
Head down to Egypt Lake, where you can swim, fish, and relax after setting up camp.
Overnight Location: Camping in Banff National Park
Distance: 14km, 480m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 3 Egypt Lake to Howard Douglas Lake
Leaving Egypt Lake, you’ll start climbing to Healy Pass (2330m), where you’ll hike through extensive alpine meadows. Hike through Simpson Pass, then grind it out to Wawa Ridge overlooking Sunshine Meadows. The Monarch viewpoint here is one of the best of the whole trek!
Cross the Sunshine ski area through the meadows, then make a short climb over Quartz Ridge to your campground for the night.
Overnight Location: Camping in Banff National Park
Distance: 19km, 630m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4 Og Lake and Citadel Pass
Sip coffee in your sleeping bag, then get ready to hike up Citadel Pass (2360m) before descending into Golden Valley. Hike through the unique Valley of the Rocks to Og Lake, your home for the night.
Overnight Location: Camping in Banff National Park
Distance: 16.4km, 400m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5 Og to Magog Lake
You’ll hike from Og to Magog today, taking a leisurely start through five kilometres of a gorgeous meadow. You’ll reach the historic Mt. Assiniboine Lodge, resting a bit here before continuing to Magog Lake. If you’d like, you can hike to Sunburst Lake, or just take a well-earned nap.
Overnight Location: Camping in Banff National Park
Distance: 7km, 120m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 6 Day Hiking at Magog Lake
You’re staying at the same campsite tonight, so you can enjoy a slow morning at camp before heading out on some day hikes in the area. You can wander up Nub Peak to enjoy views of Mt. Assiniboine or just take today to rest and recover. You’ll have tea and cake at the lodge with a spectacular mountain vista all around you.
Overnight Location: Camping in Banff National Park
Distance: 8-14km, variable elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 7 Magog to Mount Shark Trailhead
Your last full day is going to be a big one! Pack up camp one last time, then head over Wonder Pass (2395m), descending steeply past three gorgeous lakes. Stop for lunch, then hike the final 12km to the Mt. Shark trailhead. This is the stopping point of your 8-day trek- congratulations!
You’ll drive back to Canmore, where the group can opt to go out for dinner together to celebrate the trip.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: 26km, 280m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Backpacking the Banff Highline Trail Price and Dates
This guided hiking tour in the Canadian Rockies is run as a fixed-departure tour where you’d be joining a group, however, custom private tours can be organized for those willing to travel with their group only (please contact us with your preferred date and the number of people in your group and we will create the itinerary just for you). Please note that due a very high demand and limited availability in campgrounds it is necessary to plan your trip a long time in advance.
Important note: This tour is subject to non-standard cancellation terms.
- If cancelling your program anytime between time of booking and up to 60 days before the program start, you will receive a full refund less a $100.00 (plus tax) administration fee.
- Between 59 days and 45 days before the program start, 60% of the program cost will be refunded.
- Cancellation less than 42 days before the program start and during the program results in a loss of the entire amount paid.
Prices below are per person:
Accommodation on the Backpacking the Banff Highline Trail Tour
This tour is based in campsites. You’ll be in 2-3 person tents with no or limited facilities. Participants should be comfortable with a rustic camping experience.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
You can book a single tent, however, the availability is very limited.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Camping in the Canadian Rockies
Spend each night camping in gorgeous spots in the mountains, enjoying an authentic backcountry experience with your group. Facilities may not be available.
What’s Included in the Backpacking the Banff Highline Trail Tour?
Meals
6 breakfasts, 7 lunches, and 6 dinners are included. If you have special dietary requirements, these may incur an additional fee.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 6 nights are included on this tour. Accommodations before or after the tour are not included but can be booked as a supplement. You should arrive to Canmore one day before the tour start for a briefing.
Transportation During the Tour
This tour starts and ends in Canmore, from where all necessary transfers are included. You are responsible for getting to tour starting location yourself.
Also Included
- Tents
- Guide services
Not Included
- Flights
- Meals, drinks, or snacks
- Travel insurance
- Optional excursions
- Visas if required
- Anything not mentioned as included
- GST (5%)
Optional Extras
- Special dietary requirement meals
Frequently Asked Questions about Backpacking the Banff Highline Trail
Located in Canmore, Alberta at the gates of Banff National Park, Yamnuska Mountain Adventures is one of Canada’s premier providers of mountaineering, rock & ice climbing, backcountry skiing, hiking, and trekking experiences in the Canadian Rockies. For over 40 years, we have hosted thousands of clients from Canada and all over the world. Our brand is known for quality mountain experiences, safety, and well-organized itineraries. We have some of the best mountain guides and hiking guides in the industry. All Yamnuska Mountain Adventures climbing guides are certified through the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides.
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