Backpacking the Rockwall Highline
TaichiIshizuka

Backpacking the Rockwall Highline

5 days

TaichiIshizukaWaterfall near the Rockwall TrailHiking along the stunning RockwallApproaching Floe Lake from Numa PassFloe Lake as seen from the aboveRockwall, J WhitneyWildflowers at Rockwall, J WhitneyRockwall Pass in Kootenays

Take on one of Canada’s best backpacking trails, Rockwall Highline

Want to tackle your first backpacking trip, but not sure how to make it everything you dream of it being? The Backpacking the Rockwall Highline is a perfect introduction to backpacking. With no previous experience required (just some solid hiking fitness!) and a long reel of unbelievable scenery to discover, this is a backpacking trip you’re guaranteed to fall in love with!

Your guides will take you along the jagged, rocky ridgelines that make the Rockwall Highline so incredible, spotting the Bugaboos, countless glaciers, Floe Lake, and tumbling waterfalls below. Gaze up at one of the tallest waterfalls in Canada, and then climb along some of the most impressive peaks in the Kootenays. Each night, you’ll camp under a wide sky of stars, completely immersed in the wild beauty of the Canadian Rockies. You just can’t miss out on the Backpacking the Rockwall Highline tour!

Highlights of the Backpacking the Rockwall Highline

Embark on a legendary backpacking trip that requires no previous experience or special skills.
Marvel at the undulating ridgelines of the Rockwall Highline from your sky-high trails.
Spend each night cozied up in a new campsite, unplugging from it all and relaxing in the wilderness.
Walk through vast alpine meadows surrounded by the dramatic Bugaboos mountains.

Prices

From $1,150USD
5 days
Difficulty
Guided
Campsites
  • No Booking or Credit Card Fees
  • Save Money
  • Happiness Guaranteed
Check Availability Group Savings Customize This Trip
Backpacking the Rockwall Highline

Backpacking the Rockwall Highline Itinerary

Day 0 Meet in Canmore and Gear Check

You’ll need to arrive in Canmore a day ahead of your first hike to make sure everyone’s gear is ready to go. It’s an early start in the morning, so find yourself a comfy hotel bed and rest up.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: None

Day 1 Paint Pots to Helmet Falls

Begin our adventure from the Paint Pots, a source of red ochre clay used by indigenous communities. You’ll hike along Ochre and Helmet Creeks, passing through mature forests to tonight’s campsite. You’ll be right in the middle of a stunning cirque dominated by one of the largest waterfalls in the Rockies, Helmet Falls (352 metres).

Watch for mountain goats on the cirque as you set up camp and eat dinner together.
Overnight Location: Camping in Kootenay National Park
Distance: 14.6km, 330m elevation gain
Meals: Lunch, dinner

Day 2 Goodsir Pass Day Hike

Today and through the rest of the tour, you won’t stray too far from the lush subalpine meadows the Rockwall Highline is famous for. Hike out to Goodsir Pass, where stellar mountain views can be appreciated. Climb up through the larch forests to walk the ridges above the pass before descending back to camp.
Overnight Location: Camping in Kootenay National Park
Distance: 6-10km, 450-650m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 3 Helmet Falls to Tumbling Creek

Today is going to be a stunning one! Hike to the base of Limestone Peak and the northern end of the Rockwall. You’ll hike through flower-dotted meadows, making a side trip to Wolverine Pass, an impressive cleft in the Rockwall. From the cleft, look over the jagged spires of the Bugaboos to the west.

Drop down into the head of Tumbling Creek to make camp.
Overnight Location: Camping in Kootenay National Park
Distance: 12.4km, 700m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4 Tumbling Pass to Numa Creek

An easier trail takes you up to Tumbling Pass this morning, where you can snap photos of Tumbling Glacier (not tumbling very far, usually). The pass is gorgeous, with larches and wildflowers flanking you. On the pass, you can choose some ridgewalks to maximize your views.

Take a long descent into Numa Creek, where you’ll camp tonight.
Overnight Location: Camping in Kootenay National Park
Distance: 7.1km, 330m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 5 Numa Creek to Floe Lake

After coffee at camp, start hiking through Numa Pass, the highest point of your trail. The views here are exceptional! You’ll descend to Flow Lake, one of the most beautiful places in the Rockies, with its waters speckled with fallen ice. You’ll get to camp right next to this magical lake tonight.
Overnight Location: Camping in Kootenay National Park
Distance: 10.2km, 860m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 6 Floe lake to Radium Highway

It’s your last day! It’ll be bittersweet as you pack up camp and hike through a forest regenerating after a forest fire in 2003. Watch for flowering perennials taking advantage of the extra sunlight.

Arriving at the van and driving back to Canmore, you’ll feel equally accomplished, satisfied, and sad to be leaving. You can choose to go out for dinner tonight with the grou to toast your journey if you’d like!
Overnight Location: None
Distance: 10,7km, 690m elevation loss
Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Book Now

Backpacking the Rockwall Highline Price and Dates

This guided backpacking tour is run as a fixed-departure tour where you’d be joining a group.

Prices below are per person:

Jul 21, 2025
Jul 25, 2025
From Canmore, Alberta
To Canmore, Alberta
USD$1,150
6 days / 5+ Spaces Left
Aug 25, 2025
Aug 29, 2025
From Canmore, Alberta
To Canmore, Alberta
USD$1,150
6 days / 5+ Spaces Left
Sep 13, 2025
Sep 17, 2025
From Canmore, Alberta
To Canmore, Alberta
USD$1,150
6 days / 5+ Spaces Left

Accommodation on the Backpacking the Yoho Valley and Iceline Trail Tour

This tour is based in campsites in the Canadian Rockies. Facilities may be basic or limited, so you should be comfortable with a rustic experience. Tents will be provided.

In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.

Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
There are no single rooms available on this tour as all accommodations are communal. The minimum group size is 3 people, so please contact us about joining an existing group if you are a solo traveller.

Hotels on Standard Tour

Night 1-4

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 Rockwall Highline Tour?

Meals

4 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 4 dinners are included. Please pack any additional snacks you may want. Meals to suit dietary requirements are available but may incur an additional fee depending on your needs.

Accommodations

Accommodations for 4 nights are included. 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

You will be driven from Canmore to the trailhead on Day 1. You will be responsible for your own transportation to Canmore and back on the final day. We recommend booking shuttles or renting a car.

Also Included

  • Tents
  • Expert guide services

Not Included

  • Flights
  • Hotels
  • 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 Rockwall Highline

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.

Learn More

Backpacking the Rockwall Highline

Click map for a larger version

Is this tour for me?

We rate this tour as a 4/5. You don’t need any previous experience backpacking for this tour, but you should be fit enough to hike an average of 7-14km per day for consecutive days at high altitudes. You will also need to be comfortable sleeping in basic conditions on this tour, as well as carrying a backpack of up to 16 kg (35 lbs).

Ask a Question

Got any questions regarding the tour? Interested in promotions for groups or want to customize this tour to fit your needs? We are here to help you!
Ask a question

Related Tours

    Backpacking the Rockwall Highline




      Backpacking the Rockwall Highline






        Backpacking the Rockwall Highline







          Backpacking the Rockwall Highline