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Banff Adventure: The Johnston Canyon Ice Walk
If you’re looking for a fun, half day Banff adventure look no farther than the easy Johnston Canyon Ice Walk.
I wrote about slip sliding your way up Johnston Canyon last year but due to lack of time I’d only made it to the lower falls – 1.1 kilometers away. I went back on the weekend to finish the ice walk. Conditions were very different in January compared to when I did it in March last year. Last year it was so slippery that you needed Yactrax or something like them with a good grip. This year you could manage in boots. Last year in late March the Lower Falls were starting to flow. In January you hear them gurgling and sense movement behind the ice but they’re not quite as lively as they were in March.
The Johnston Canyon Ice Walk is a 5.4 kilometer return trip if you go all the way to the Upper Falls. And that is what you really need to do.
This is why.
Climbers are so small they look like ants from a distance
Putting your trust in the ice
Climbers look small against the frozen waterfall
Climber wedged between the icicles
Admiring onlookers at the end of the trail
The Upper Falls are at the end of the trail but there are lots of pretty scenes before you get there.
Looking through the tunnel at the Lower Falls
Looking down to the Lower Falls
On the way to the Upper Falls via a cantilevered boardwalk
A wintry scene with frozen waterfalls
The Johnston Canyon ice walk is a great family activity. You need a half day tops for it – and it’s the sort of outing where everyone will have fun. It can get busy so go early in the day before the tourists are up and at it. It’s free though you do need a valid Park pass to stop anywhere in the park.
Does this Banff adventure sound like one you’d like to do?
Leigh McAdam
HikeBikeTravel
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About Hike Bike TravelAvid world traveler. Craves adventure - & the odd wildly epic day. Gardener. Reader. Wine lover. Next big project - a book on 100 Canadian outdoor adventures.
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22 Responses to Banff Adventure: The Johnston Canyon Ice Walk
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About
I’ve been all over the world – to all continents but Antarctica and to a grand total of 53 countries. I’ve always got some sort of an adventure planned – even if it’s only a weekend. I thrive on change and travel provides that.
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leighmcadamtravels at gmail dot com
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How can they climb the icicles, when they haven’t got anything solid to attach their spikes to?
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@Mette They have an ice axe for each arm and then the picks on each boots so in theory there can be up to four points of contact. But the ice has to be good and solid. They are also on belay so again should they fall and the anchor holds – they shouldn’t fall to far. The anchors look pretty bomb proof so these guys are effectively top roping and not free climbing which would be a lot scarier. There was an avalanche in nearby Field the other day that swept over 2 ice climbers but they survived.
I might try this one as you made it sound like something I might do and your photos as always tempted me. . .then you had to go and mention avalanche. . .click! Good reason to leave this one in the armchair travel file and enjoy it vicariously through you!
Jackie Smith recently posted..Travel Tuesday: Waikiki (Sticker) Shock Waves
@Jackie NO!!! This place is entirely safe from avalanches. It was another area about an hour’s drive away that the ice climbers frequent that was hit. So please put it back in your must do file. Just go early to avoid the crowds.
For those that are interested in a guided experience of Johnston Canyon – Discover Banff Tours operate small guided tours (max 12) and provide the cleats, hot chocolate and cookies for the trail.
There are so many stories we share once inside the canyon, from the gold and silver swindle of ‘Silver City’, to pointing out the tiny ancient seabed fossils that dot the canyon walls, to chatting with the modern day thrill seekers ice-climbers.
New this year is an Evening Johnston Canyon IceWalk, where you get to keep a souvenir headlamp.
No matter how you enjoy it, it’s definitely a must while visiting Banff. It’s been recognized as a Canadian Tourism Commission “Signature Experience” in Canada.
@Meliisa Happy to approve the comment. Your fully guided experience sounds very interesting.
Sure. As long as I can watch the ice climbers and not have to participate. That looks pretty scary. Gorgeous place.
Sophie recently posted..Zip lining in Costa Rica
Great photos and agree, the Upper Falls is definitely worth the walk!
Laurel recently posted..My Favorite Travel Adventures of 2012
These photos are stunning! I can see why you recommend this excursion but I’m with Sophie- I’d like to watch the climbers from below
Debbie Beardsley @ European Travelista recently posted..European Dreaming in 2013
@Debbie I don’t think I’d be much for ice climbing either – maybe once but there are other things I’d like to do. And it doesn’t look very warm.
I love the stuff you call “easy.”:) I’d have a hard time just walking on the ice…not much of it here in Florida:) Awesome stuff though with the frozen waterfall…
D.J. – The World of Deej recently posted..Gone Shrimpin’ Aboard The Lady Jane
@Deej I bet you’d have a blast on a walk like this. It really is easy…until it becomes a sheet of ice but then it’s just fun…unless you fall and hurt yourself.
Beautiful ice sculptures, but I don’t see any snowy owls. Perhaps they will be here tomorrow.
Traveling Ted recently posted..The whole world will pass you by at the Guyana Oasis
Wow! The frozen waterfalls are some gorgeous scenery and those are some very adventurous people. This looks like such a fun place though and the ice walk sounds like kid magnet. Putting this on my things to visit when I get up there
Mary @ The World Is A Book recently posted..Memorable Sights of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
@Mary Your kids would totally enjoy the hike up there. It really is the perfect family outing.
I’m not sure how safe I’d feel climbing on something that has running water behind it, but if all I have to do is watch other people do it then I’d be in. Other people’s crazy is always entertaining to me.
Steve recently posted..Behind the Scenes on a Tour of Safeco Field
Yes, I’d try this. I can almost feel the rush I’d feel when I finish. Pretty darn cool and so beautiful!
InsideJourneys recently posted..New York’s Fashion Walk of Fame
@Marcia I loved the different colours of ice. And could for you for saying yes – now I just have to find you an instructor.
What? That looks absolutely amazing! Yes I want to do that. You give me “Fernweh” for Canada.
Christina recently posted..Things to do in Christchurch after the earthquake
@Christina – Very popular and well worth the half day visit to see.
I think this is the ice canyon I hiked when I was pregnant with my 1st kid. It was March and sooooo slippery that I wished I had cleats on my shoes. Definitely amazing scenery to see all that water frozen in place.
Michele @ Malaysian Meanders recently posted..Thieving Monkeys and Tips on Handling Them
@Michele Last year when I went it was wildly slippery – this year it was fine but I did wear Yactrax so that also helped. It would be a memorable walk if you were pregnant.