Johnston Canyon is the top choice of hikers in Banff. But this popularity comes with a steep price. You will always find a large crowd irrespective of when you visit the Johnston Canyon. Summer draws in the maximum visitors, especially between 9 am and 5 pm. Visitors often complain about their struggles in parking. But you need not worry, as we have the five best alternative hike recommendations. Choose among any of them to enjoy the beauty of nature minus the crowd.
Let’s check alternative hikes to Johnston Canyon…
Marble Canyon
Enjoy the same thrill as Johnston Canyon sans the traffic by visiting Marble Canyon. Located in the vicinity of Kootenay National Park, this canyon promises a lovely hike. Prepare to enjoy the beauty of snow-covered terrain during winter and vibrant wildflowers in summer months. The trail will take you through the canyon, and you will cross multiple bridges over the Kootenay River. You won’t face any difficulty in following this well-marked trail.
The river takes a shimmering shade of blue during summer months. Hiking the Marble Canyon is easier than Johnston Canyon. It is also less time-taking. You can complete the entire trail in less than 1 hour. A Marble Canyon hike can be paired with the nearby Paint Pots visit for a day’s adventure.
Grotto Canyon
You can visit Grotto Canyon year-round. The trailhead is just a 20-minute drive from the town of Canmore. The months from November to April are the best time to go hiking to Grotto Canyon. During this time you can walk on the frozen creek. Additionally, you can enjoy the beauty of frozen waterfalls. Undoubtedly, this is one of the best winter hikes in Canmore. Grotto Canyon receives comparatively less footfall than Johnston Canyon. It is the best place to book an Icewalk tour without having to deal with crowds.
Stoney Lookout
The Stoney Lookout trail just outside Downtown Banff will take you to a viewpoint from where you can enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the town. Expect to walk for 4 km to complete the hike. It starts at the Mount Norquay parking lot and takes you towards the Cascade Mountains. There are multiple trees shading the trail and making it perfect for a hot summer day. You can also take your children along, as it receives fewer footfalls than the Johnston Canyon trail. Those without a four-wheeler can benefit from Mt. Norquay’s free summer shuttle for accessing this hike.
Sundance Canyon
The Sundance Canyon trail runs from the Cave and Basin National Historic Site and follows the Bow River for a few kilometers. While hiking through the trail, you can enjoy some majestic views of the river and the mountains surrounding it. The entire journey is a 9 km round trip with subtle elevation gain. You can ride a bike along the trail’s paved portion if it becomes too difficult for you. Bridges run over this canyon, attracting very few crowds. This makes it the perfect choice for travelers who wish to enjoy solitude. The hiking trail might be partially closed during winter months. It’s advisable to use micro spikes during this time.
Stewart Canyon
The 6 km Stewart Canyon hike has very little elevation gain. You can complete the hike in 90 minutes. The trail starts from Lake Minnewanka and offers excellent views of the Cascade River. Finally, it will reach a wooden bridge running over Stewart Canyon, and you can enjoy the surrounding view from here. Most of the trail is relatively flat so it can be enjoyed by all age groups. You may not find it as stunning as Johnston Canyon. If you are visiting it during a weekday, then you not will not find much crowd here.
