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Backpacking the Banff Highline Trail

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Backpacking the Banff Highline Trail
From $1,925USDBook Now
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7 days from $1,925USD
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Backpacking the Banff Highline Trail
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Backpacking the Banff Highline Trail is a quintessential Canadian Rockies adventure, and this tour takes you across countless unforgettable kilometres, walking underneath stone giants, across flower-dotted meadows, and past shimmering alpine lakes.

The Backpacking the Banff Highline Trail tour will push you physically, but it’ll be worth every step when you hike underneath the awe-inspiring Mount Assiniboine, crest the Continental Divide, and gaze at the crazy quartzite ridge of the Front Ranges. Every night, you’ll pitch your tent underneath a canopy of stars and the slumbering mountains. This is an unforgettable journey and one that tends to sell out quickly - don’t wait to book your spot!

Canada, North America
Happiness promise

Backpacking the Banff Highline Trail

Take 8 days to explore the backcountry of Banff National Park
4.60
(93 reviews)
7 days from $1,925USD
Easy quote
Duration
7 days
Season
Jul-Sep
Activity
Trekking
Type
Guided, Scheduled
Accommodation
Campsites
Difficulty
Hard (4/5)
From $1,925USD (see prices for this tour)
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National Geographic
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National Geographic
Guardian
Backpacking the Banff Highline Trail
Personalized Service
Let our experienced travel advisors plan your perfect adventure

Backpacking the Banff Highline Trail is a quintessential Canadian Rockies adventure, and this tour takes you across countless unforgettable kilometres, walking underneath stone giants, across flower-dotted meadows, and past shimmering alpine lakes.

The Backpacking the Banff Highline Trail tour will push you physically, but it’ll be worth every step when you hike underneath the awe-inspiring Mount Assiniboine, crest the Continental Divide, and gaze at the crazy quartzite ridge of the Front Ranges. Every night, you’ll pitch your tent underneath a canopy of stars and the slumbering mountains. This is an unforgettable journey and one that tends to sell out quickly - don’t wait to book your spot!

rating
Read about our scale for Tour Difficulty Ratings.
Trip highlights

Take on the Banff Highline Trail over 8 days, a challenging but highly rewarding trek.

Discover remote mountain scenery full of peaks, lakes, meadows, and dramatic ridgelines.

Hike underneath the constant watch of the “Matterhorn of the Rockies,” Mount Assiniboine.

Camp each evening in the Canadian backcountry, disconnecting from it all to fully experience the mountains.

We are Australian
We know Adventure
10Adventures only does Hiking, Cycling and Adventure Holidays. Its our mission to help you explore the world!

Trip map

Travellers love 10Adventures

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Day by day itinerary
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Day 0
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Meet and Gear Check
You’ll meet the day before you begin hiking to go over the trip details and make sure your gear is all ready to go. Get a good sleep tonight!
Distance None
Overnight Location None
Included Meals None
Day 1
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Vista Lake to Shadow Lake
Today’s the day! Get going with a pickup in the morning to the trailhead. You’ll begin your hike near Vista Lake, climbing up to Arnica Ridge past Arnica Lake. You’ll start to see Mt. Assiniboine nearly 100km in the distance. Hike down to Twin Lakes before the final climb of the day, reaching Gibbon Pass (2300m) and its extensive meadows. Drop down to Shadow Lake to set up camp and rest up.
Distance 14km, 1100m elevation gain
Overnight Location Camping in Banff National Park
Included Meals Lunch, dinner
Day 2
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Shadow Lake to Egypt Lake
Waking up in paradise, you’ll start the day with a hike to Ball Pass and through the Whistling Valley, named for the whistling marmots in the area. Keep going past Haiduk Lake, admiring the view of Mt. Ball. Head down to Egypt Lake, where you can swim, fish, and relax after setting up camp.
Distance 14km, 480m elevation gain
Overnight Location Camping in Banff National Park
Included Meals Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 3
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Egypt Lake to Howard Douglas Lake
Leaving Egypt Lake, you’ll start climbing to Healy Pass (2330m), where you’ll hike through extensive alpine meadows. Hike through Simpson Pass, then grind it out to Wawa Ridge overlooking Sunshine Meadows. The Monarch viewpoint here is one of the best of the whole trek! Cross the Sunshine ski area through the meadows, then make a short climb over Quartz Ridge to your campground for the night.
Distance 19km, 630m elevation gain
Overnight Location Camping in Banff National Park
Included Meals Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4
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Og Lake and Citadel Pass
Sip coffee in your sleeping bag, then get ready to hike up Citadel Pass (2360m) before descending into Golden Valley. Hike through the unique Valley of the Rocks to Og Lake, your home for the night.
Distance 16.4km, 400m elevation gain
Overnight Location Camping in Banff National Park
Included Meals Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5
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Og to Magog Lake
You’ll hike from Og to Magog today, taking a leisurely start through five kilometres of a gorgeous meadow. You’ll reach the historic Mt. Assiniboine Lodge, resting a bit here before continuing to Magog Lake. If you’d like, you can hike to Sunburst Lake, or just take a well-earned nap.
Distance 7km, 120m elevation gain
Overnight Location Camping in Banff National Park
Included Meals Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 6
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Day Hiking at Magog Lake
You’re staying at the same campsite tonight, so you can enjoy a slow morning at camp before heading out on some day hikes in the area. You can wander up Nub Peak to enjoy views of Mt. Assiniboine or just take today to rest and recover. You’ll have tea and cake at the lodge with a spectacular mountain vista all around you.
Distance 8-14km, variable elevation gain
Overnight Location Camping in Banff National Park
Included Meals Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 7
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Magog to Mount Shark Trailhead
Your last full day is going to be a big one! Pack up camp one last time, then head over Wonder Pass (2395m), descending steeply past three gorgeous lakes. Stop for lunch, then hike the final 12km to the Mt. Shark trailhead. This is the stopping point of your 8-day trek- congratulations! You’ll drive back to Canmore, where the group can opt to go out for dinner together to celebrate the trip.
Distance 26km, 280m elevation gain
Overnight Location None
Included Meals Breakfast, lunch

Why book with 10 Adventures?

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Experience the trip of a lifetime organized by a team of travel specialists who combine knowledge and passion for adventure travel.

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With over 600 tours across 30+ countries, we specialize in self-guided tours.

Combine the freedom of travelling on your own with the confidence that all of your logistics are taken care of.

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Get everything you need for your next vacation with one easy booking.

We take care of accommodations, luggage transfers, gear rentals, and more - so you can focus on making memories.

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4.60 (93 reviews)
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Dates and prices

This guided hiking tour in the Canadian Rockies is run as a fixed-departure tour where you’d be joining a group, however, custom private tours can be organized for those willing to travel with their group only (please contact us with your preferred date and the number of people in your group and we will create the itinerary just for you). Please note that due a very high demand and limited availability in campgrounds it is necessary to plan your trip a long time in advance.

Prices below are per person:

StartFinishDurationPlaces LeftPrice

2025-07-05

Canmore, Alberta

8 days / 3 Spaces Left

2025-07-12

Canmore, Alberta

83
$1,925USD

2025-08-03

Canmore, Alberta

8 days / 5+ Spaces Left

2025-08-10

Canmore, Alberta

85+
$1,925USD

2025-09-01

Canmore, Alberta

8 days / 5+ Spaces Left

2025-09-08

Canmore, Alberta

85+
$1,925USD
What’s included

Meals

6 breakfasts, 7 lunches, and 6 dinners are included. If you have special dietary requirements, these may incur an additional fee.

Accommodations

Accommodations for 6 nights are included on this tour. 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

This tour starts and ends in Canmore, from where all necessary transfers are included. You are responsible for getting to tour starting location yourself.

Also Included

  • Tents
  • Guide services

Not Included

  • Flights
  • Meals, drinks, or snacks
  • Travel insurance
  • Optional excursions
  • Visas if required
  • Anything not mentioned as included
  • GST (5%)

Optional Extras

  • Special dietary requirement meals

Not included

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Accommodation for Backpacking the Banff Highline Trail

This tour is based in campsites. You’ll be in 2-3 person tents with no or limited facilities. Participants should be comfortable with a rustic camping experience.

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

Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
You can book a single tent, however, the availability is very limited.

Non-Standard Cancellation

  • 60 days or more prior to departure: the cancellation fee will be 10% of the total trip cost (at least $150 CAD).
  • 59 days or less prior to departure: the cancellation fee will be 100% of the total trip cost. 
Frequently asked questions

How hard is the Backpacking the Banff Highline Trail tour?

We rate this tour as a 4/5. This tour is not recommended for beginner hikers. You should have experience hiking and a high level of fitness to enjoy this tour, as you’ll be hiking for up to 26km each day or consecutive days at high elevations and sleeping in very basic conditions, as well as carry a backpack of up to 16 kg (35 lbs).

Do I need a visa to travel to Canada?

Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.

Are meals included on the Backpacking the Banff Highline Trail tour?

6 breakfasts, 7 lunches, and 6 dinners are included. If you have special dietary requirements, these may incur an additional fee.

Do I need to carry my gear myself?

Yes, you will carry everything you need, as well as a share of the common food and equipment.

Do I need insurance?

Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip. Please verify that your insurance covers the included activities on this tour. Get your Travel Insurance.

How do I get to Canmore to start this tour?

Fly into the Calgary International Airport (YYC). We recommend you rent a car or book a shuttle as there is no included transportation between Calgary and the meeting point on this tour.

Is the Backpacking the Banff Highline Trail tour guided?

Yes, you will be led by an experienced guide.

Where does the Backpacking the Banff Highline Trail tour end?

The tour ends in Canmore. You will be responsible for finding your own way back to the airport after the tour.

What do I need to bring?

We’ve given a basic gear list below, but please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about your gear, as you’ll need to carry it!

  • Boots
  • Multiday pack (55-75 litres)
  • Pack cover
  • Daypack
  • Water bottle or bladder (1-2 litres)
  • Sunglasses
  • Sleeping bag and sleeping pad
  • Pillow
  • Sunscreen, SPF lip balm
  • Camera
  • Headlamp with fresh batteries
  • Blister kit
  • Earplugs
  • First aid items (guides carry a first aid kit, but you may bring your own Band-Aids and anti-inflammatory medication if desired)
  • Personal toiletries, including hand sanitizer
  • Bug spray
  • Plastic mug, bowl, and eating utensils
  • Trekking poles (optional)
  • Toque
  • Insulated jacket
  • Fleece jacket
  • Hiking pants
  • Light footwear for creek crossing or camping
  • Hiking socks
  • Long underwear

Do I need special vaccines to travel to Canada?

Check with your family doctor.

Are there any travel restrictions for Canada?

Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.

When is the best time to travel to Canada for this tour?

The best time to visit the Rockies for this tour is in August when the weather in the mountains is at its warmest and sunniest.

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Why travellers choose this tour
At 10Adventures, it’s easy to make memories with the following six optional inclusions on this tour:
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