TravelingbeebryantRN & Flicks_withNick

Hello friends, readers, and fellow travelers,

One of the biggest highlights of our trip to Banff and Canmore was getting out on the trails. The scenery here truly feels unreal—turquoise lakes, towering peaks, waterfalls, and dramatic mountain views in every direction. Even short hikes feel incredibly rewarding. 

Between wedding events and exploring the towns, we fit in a mix of easy walks, scenic viewpoints, and a few more classic hikes. Here’s a look at the trails and viewpoints we visited. 

🌊 Johnston Canyon (Lower & Upper Falls)

⭐ 4 / 5 
📍 Banff National Park 

Johnston Canyon is one of the most popular hikes in Banff for good reason—it’s accessible, well-maintained, and scenic the entire way. The trail follows catwalks built into the canyon walls, with rushing water below you almost the entire time. 

We hiked to both the Lower Falls and Upper Falls. The Lower Falls is an easy, short walk, but continuing on to the Upper Falls is worth it for the larger, more dramatic waterfall. 

It’s busy, but still absolutely worth doing. Hopefully you’ll be lucky enough to see a bear like us!  

🌄 Grassi Pond Trail (Grassi Lakes Area)

⭐ 4 / 5 
📍 Canmore, Alberta 

We explored the Grassi Lakes area. We took the easier route on the way up (towards the right) and took the interpretive loop on the way down (towards the left). I actually think I would recommend doing the opposite.  

The forested path opens up to calm, reflective water and mountain views, making it a relaxing and scenic walk rather than a strenuous hike. A great option if you want something lighter but still very pretty. 

🏔 Three Sisters Viewpoint

⭐ 4 / 5 
📍 Canmore, Alberta 

This was more of a scenic viewpoint stop than a full hike, but still worth including. The view of the Three Sisters mountains is one of the most iconic sights in Canmore. 

It’s an easy stop with minimal walking, but the payoff is huge—especially in good light. Perfect for a quick scenic moment between activities. 

🌿 Policeman’s Creek Boardwalk (Policeman’s Walk)

⭐ 3.5 / 5 
📍 Canmore, Alberta 

This is a peaceful, easy walk right through Canmore. The boardwalk follows the creek and winds through wetlands with mountain views in the background. 

It’s not a dramatic hike, but it’s really nice for a slow morning or sunset stroll. Very accessible and great if you want something low effort. It’s near downtown and we actually walked downtown afterwards.  

TIP: Park at elevation place. It’s a short walk to the policeman’s creek boardwalk and it’s free parking! 

🏔 Marble Canyon

⭐ 4 / 5 
📍 Kootenay National Park (near Banff) 

Marble Canyon is a short but impressive stop featuring deep canyon walls and bridges overlooking rushing water below. 

It’s quick to explore but visually very striking. The contrast of narrow canyon walls and turquoise water makes it feel a bit hidden compared to the more famous Banff spots. 

We were supposed to do this on our Viator tour… but we’ll get to it. We ended up doing it on our way to Montana! 

✨ Final Thoughts on Hiking in Banff & Canmore

What stood out most about hiking here is how quickly the scenery changes. One day you’re walking through a canyon, the next you’re at a glacier-fed lake, and then you’re standing at a viewpoint overlooking an entire mountain range. 

Even the shorter stops—like Three Sisters or Policeman’s Creek—felt just as memorable as the bigger hikes because the views are constant everywhere you go. 

Banff and Canmore are the kinds of places where you could return again and again and still find new trails to explore. There were so many hikes we didn’t get too! I can’t wait to go back. 

Stay tuned for future blogs covering our adventures throughout Canada and Montana! To keep up with all things travel, nursing, and Flicks with Nick movie reviews, be sure to follow us on Instagram and subscribe to the blog.