Johnston Canyon Evening Icewalk
Overview
Johnston Canyon is one of Banff National Park’s most popular hiking spots, but most people don’t think to experience it at night. Your headlight (yours to keep after the tour) makes the frozen waterfalls shimmer as you hike along the suspended catwalk in quiet darkness. The evening icewalk is all about heightening your senses, appreciating the darkness, the scents of the fresh pine forest and enjoying the silence of a night spent beneath the stars as you follow your guide through this narrow, water-formed canyon.
Inclusions
- Professional guide
- Ice cleats
- Hiking pole
- Souvenir headlamp to keep
- Maple cookie snack, hot chocolate
- Small group size (up to 12 guests per guide)
- Pick up from the public bus parking located behind the Mount Royal Hotel.
What to expect
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Pass By: Bow Valley Parkway, Johnson or equal, Banff, Banff National Park, Alberta Canada
Travel through breathtaking scenery and nature on your way to the trailhead and learn about the history and geology of Johnston Canyon.
Stop At: Johnston Canyon, Banff National Park, Alberta Canada
Light your way through this narrow, water-formed canyon as your small group follows your guide to the Canyon’s lower falls. The suspended catwalks, built into the limestone walls, make this an easy trip for everyone. Along the way, your guide will highlight unique features by powerful flashlight and pause for moments of darkness and quiet to foster an appreciation for spending time in the canyon at night.
At the turn around point, your guide will illuminate the expanding ice that encases the rushing water and escort you through a natural tunnel onto the viewing platform, beside the cascading Lower Falls themselves. Warm up with hot chocolate and maple cookies while you look around the Lower Falls, the turnaround point.
The return journey is your opportunity to travel without your headlamp (should you wish!). You’ll be amazed as to how quickly your eyes adjust to the darkness, enough for you to travel through the pine forest guided only by the ambient light of the moon and the stars above your head.
What to expect:
• Walking Time: 1 - 1.5 hours
• Return Distance: 1.4 miles (2.2 kilometers)
• Elevation Gain: 213 feet (65 meters)
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Pass By: Bow Valley Parkway, Johnson or equal, Banff, Banff National Park, Alberta Canada
Travel through breathtaking scenery and nature on your way to the trailhead and learn about the history and geology of Johnston Canyon.
Stop At: Johnston Canyon, Banff National Park, Alberta Canada
Light your way through this narrow, water-formed canyon as your small group follows your guide to the Canyon’s lower falls. The suspended catwalks, built into the limestone walls, make this an easy trip for everyone. Along the way, your guide will highlight unique features by powerful flashlight and pause for moments of darkness and quiet to foster an appreciation for spending time in the canyon at night.
At the turn around point, your guide will illuminate the expanding ice that encases the rushing water and escort you through a natural tunnel onto the viewing platform, beside the cascading Lower Falls themselves. Warm up with hot chocolate and maple cookies while you look around the Lower Falls, the turnaround point.
The return journey is your opportunity to travel without your headlamp (should you wish!). You’ll be amazed as to how quickly your eyes adjust to the darkness, enough for you to travel through the pine forest guided only by the ambient light of the moon and the stars above your head.
What to expect:
• Walking Time: 1 - 1.5 hours
• Return Distance: 1.4 miles (2.2 kilometers)
• Elevation Gain: 213 feet (65 meters)
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Additional information
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- Minimum age is 8 years. All children aged 15 years and under must be accompanied by someone 18 years and older.
- All adults must sign a waiver prior to the tour. A waiver must also be completed by the parent or guardian of any child under the age of 18.
- Guests should dress in ski wear for this trip including hats, mittens, and warm boots. A detailed list of items to wear and bring is provided on your voucher.
- Group bookings of 9 or more guests have a 7 day cancellation period.
- In accordance with our Cold Weather Policy, if safety conditions deteriorate, we may cancel the tour, offering guests the option to receive a refund or reschedule for another date or time.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
Doug P
February 2020
We were picked up at our hotel by our guide, Jeff. A very knowledgeable gentleman, he took our group up the canyon on a perfectly clear - and moonless - night. We were provided head lamps, but often walked in the darkness so we could take in the whole experience. I don't believe we have ever seen...
We were picked up at our hotel by our guide, Jeff. A very knowledgeable gentleman, he took our group up the canyon on a perfectly clear - and moonless - night. We were provided head lamps, but often walked in the darkness so we could take in the whole experience. I don't believe we have ever seen so many stars so clearly, being urban dwellers. The hike was not overly strenuous, so it would be a good experience for virtually anyone as long as they don't mind the cold ;) We highly recommend this excursion if you are in Banff.Amy_K
December 2021
Night tour was amazing! Great views, interesting history and hot chocolate and cookies in the dark! Made a lasting memory.
Night tour was amazing! Great views, interesting history and hot chocolate and cookies in the dark! Made a lasting memory.StephaneLicina
February 2021
We had a wonderful experience with Discover Banff Tours, and our guide Jeff. Picked us up from our hotel, heard some great stories from Jeff on our drive up, and walked through Johnston Canyon under the moon lit sky. Equipment all provided, and kept our headlamps afterwards. Our group didnt want ...
We had a wonderful experience with Discover Banff Tours, and our guide Jeff. Picked us up from our hotel, heard some great stories from Jeff on our drive up, and walked through Johnston Canyon under the moon lit sky. Equipment all provided, and kept our headlamps afterwards. Our group didnt want to use lights throughout the walk, which was a great experience and definitely increased other senses. Very easy walk, delicious hot chocolate and cookies, and Jeff took pictures of us while stopping at various points to ensure we were all okay and to speak to some interesting things along the way. Would recommend this unique experience to everyone, thank you Discover Banff Tours and Jeff!Andrea D
February 2021
Wonderful tour! Especially when Mother Nature cooperates for a mild evening. Small group, knowledgeable and personable guide.
Wonderful tour! Especially when Mother Nature cooperates for a mild evening. Small group, knowledgeable and personable guide.Marwa_S
February 2021
Neil was our guide! Every knowledgeable and engaging. Despite the cold weather the canyon was much warmer with no wind. It was beautiful to see the canyon at night.
Neil was our guide! Every knowledgeable and engaging. Despite the cold weather the canyon was much warmer with no wind. It was beautiful to see the canyon at night.arnettm52019
March 2020
Beautiful hike during a snowy, winter night. We didn't see any nightlife or stars since it was snowing, but that didn't stop us from learning a lot and seeing the beautiful canyon! It was surprisingly brightener than we anticipated so we didn't need our headlamps the full time, which made it even...
Beautiful hike during a snowy, winter night. We didn't see any nightlife or stars since it was snowing, but that didn't stop us from learning a lot and seeing the beautiful canyon! It was surprisingly brightener than we anticipated so we didn't need our headlamps the full time, which made it even more exciting! Nick was full of knowledge and seemed genuinely happy to be there. I loved going at night because it made a simple hike, more mysterious. Hot chocolate and maple cookies at the end were a nice touch.