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Backpacking the Rockwall Highline

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Backpacking the Rockwall Highline
From $1,175USDBook Now
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5 days from $1,175USD
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Want to tackle your first backpacking trip, but not sure how to make it everything you dream of it being? The Backpacking the Rockwall Highline is a perfect introduction to backpacking. With no previous experience required (just some solid hiking fitness!) and a long reel of unbelievable scenery to discover, this is a backpacking trip you’re guaranteed to fall in love with!

Your guides will take you along the jagged, rocky ridgelines that make the Rockwall Highline so incredible, spotting the Bugaboos, countless glaciers, Floe Lake, and tumbling waterfalls below. Gaze up at one of the tallest waterfalls in Canada, and then climb along some of the most impressive peaks in the Kootenays. Each night, you’ll camp under a wide sky of stars, completely immersed in the wild beauty of the Canadian Rockies. You just can’t miss out on the Backpacking the Rockwall Highline tour!

Canada, North America
Happiness promise

Backpacking the Rockwall Highline

Take on one of Canada’s best backpacking trails, Rockwall Highline
4.60
(93 reviews)
5 days from $1,175USD
Easy quote
Duration
5 days
Season
Jul-Sep
Activity
Trekking
Type
Guided, Scheduled
Accommodation
Campsites
Difficulty
Hard (4/5)
From $1,175USD (see prices for this tour)
Get a quote
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National Geographic
Guardian
FodorsTravel
Time
Backpacker
National Geographic
Guardian
TaichiIshizuka
Personalized Service
Let our experienced travel advisors plan your perfect adventure

Want to tackle your first backpacking trip, but not sure how to make it everything you dream of it being? The Backpacking the Rockwall Highline is a perfect introduction to backpacking. With no previous experience required (just some solid hiking fitness!) and a long reel of unbelievable scenery to discover, this is a backpacking trip you’re guaranteed to fall in love with!

Your guides will take you along the jagged, rocky ridgelines that make the Rockwall Highline so incredible, spotting the Bugaboos, countless glaciers, Floe Lake, and tumbling waterfalls below. Gaze up at one of the tallest waterfalls in Canada, and then climb along some of the most impressive peaks in the Kootenays. Each night, you’ll camp under a wide sky of stars, completely immersed in the wild beauty of the Canadian Rockies. You just can’t miss out on the Backpacking the Rockwall Highline tour!

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

Embark on a legendary backpacking trip that requires no previous experience or special skills.

Marvel at the undulating ridgelines of the Rockwall Highline from your sky-high trails.

Spend each night cozied up in a new campsite, unplugging from it all and relaxing in the wilderness.

Walk through vast alpine meadows surrounded by the dramatic Bugaboos mountains.

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

Trip map

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Day by day itinerary
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Day 0
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Meet in Canmore and Gear Check
You’ll need to arrive in Canmore a day ahead of your first hike to make sure everyone’s gear is ready to go. It’s an early start in the morning, so find yourself a comfy hotel bed and rest up.
Distance None
Overnight Location None
Included Meals None
Day 1
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Paint Pots to Helmet Falls
Begin our adventure from the Paint Pots, a source of red ochre clay used by indigenous communities. You’ll hike along Ochre and Helmet Creeks, passing through mature forests to tonight’s campsite. You’ll be right in the middle of a stunning cirque dominated by one of the largest waterfalls in the Rockies, Helmet Falls (352 metres). Watch for mountain goats on the cirque as you set up camp and eat dinner together.
Distance 14.6km, 330m elevation gain
Overnight Location Camping in Kootenay National Park
Included Meals Lunch, dinner
Day 2
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Goodsir Pass Day Hike
Today and through the rest of the tour, you won’t stray too far from the lush subalpine meadows the Rockwall Highline is famous for. Hike out to Goodsir Pass, where stellar mountain views can be appreciated. Climb up through the larch forests to walk the ridges above the pass before descending back to camp.
Distance 6-10km, 450-650m elevation gain
Overnight Location Camping in Kootenay National Park
Included Meals Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 3
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Helmet Falls to Tumbling Creek
Today is going to be a stunning one! Hike to the base of Limestone Peak and the northern end of the Rockwall. You’ll hike through flower-dotted meadows, making a side trip to Wolverine Pass, an impressive cleft in the Rockwall. From the cleft, look over the jagged spires of the Bugaboos to the west. Drop down into the head of Tumbling Creek to make camp.
Distance 12.4km, 700m elevation gain
Overnight Location Camping in Kootenay National Park
Included Meals Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4
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Tumbling Pass to Numa Creek
An easier trail takes you up to Tumbling Pass this morning, where you can snap photos of Tumbling Glacier (not tumbling very far, usually). The pass is gorgeous, with larches and wildflowers flanking you. On the pass, you can choose some ridgewalks to maximize your views. Take a long descent into Numa Creek, where you’ll camp tonight.
Distance 7.1km, 330m elevation gain
Overnight Location Camping in Kootenay National Park
Included Meals Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5
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Numa Creek to Floe Lake
After coffee at camp, start hiking through Numa Pass, the highest point of your trail. The views here are exceptional! You’ll descend to Flow Lake, one of the most beautiful places in the Rockies, with its waters speckled with fallen ice. You’ll get to camp right next to this magical lake tonight.
Distance 10.2km, 860m elevation gain
Overnight Location Camping in Kootenay National Park
Included Meals Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 6
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Floe lake to Radium Highway
It’s your last day! It’ll be bittersweet as you pack up camp and hike through a forest regenerating after a forest fire in 2003. Watch for flowering perennials taking advantage of the extra sunlight. Arriving at the van and driving back to Canmore, you’ll feel equally accomplished, satisfied, and sad to be leaving. You can choose to go out for dinner tonight with the grou to toast your journey if you’d like!
Distance 10,7km, 690m elevation loss
Overnight Location None
Included Meals Breakfast, lunch

Why book with 10 Adventures?

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Founded by experienced travellers, active and adventure vacations are all we do.

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.

Packed with value

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 backpacking tour is run as a fixed-departure tour where you’d be joining a group.

Prices below are per person:

StartFinishDurationPlaces LeftPrice

2025-07-21

Canmore, Alberta

6 days / 0 Spaces Left

2025-07-25

Canmore, Alberta

60
$1,175USD

2025-08-25

Canmore, Alberta

6 days / 0 Spaces Left

2025-08-29

Canmore, Alberta

60
$1,175USD

2025-09-13

Canmore, Alberta

6 days / 5+ Spaces Left

2025-09-17

Canmore, Alberta

65+
$1,175USD
What’s included

Meals

4 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 4 dinners are included. Please pack any additional snacks you may want. Meals to suit dietary requirements are available but may incur an additional fee depending on your needs.

Accommodations

Accommodations for 4 nights are included. 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

You will be driven from Canmore to the trailhead on Day 1. You will be responsible for your own transportation to Canmore and back on the final day. We recommend booking shuttles or renting a car.

Also Included

  • Tents
  • Expert guide services

Not Included

  • Flights
  • Hotels
  • 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 Rockwall Highline

This tour is based in campsites in the Canadian Rockies. Facilities may be basic or limited, so you should be comfortable with a rustic experience. Tents will be provided.

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

Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
There are no single rooms available on this tour as all accommodations are communal. The minimum group size is 3 people, so please contact us about joining an existing group if you are a solo traveller.

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 Rockwall Highline tour?

We rate this tour as a 4/5. You don’t need any previous experience backpacking for this tour, but you should be fit enough to hike an average of 7-14km per day for consecutive days at high altitudes. You will also need to be comfortable sleeping in basic conditions on this tour, as well as carrying 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 Rockwall Highline tour?

4 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 4 dinners are included. Please pack any additional snacks you may want. Meals to suit dietary requirements are available but may incur an additional fee depending on your needs.

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.

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.

How do I get to Canmore to start this tour? 

Fly into the Calgary International Airport (YYC). We recommend renting a car or booking a shuttle as you’ll need to find your way to Canmore and back to the airport at the end of the tour.

Is the Backpacking the Rockwall Highline tour guided? 

Yes, you will be led by an experienced guide. 

What should I bring? 

Please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions concerning your packing list for this trip. As a start, we recommend bringing:

  • Boots
  • Multiday pack (55-75 litres)
  • Daypack
  • Bladder or water bottle (1-2 litres)
  • Sunglasses
  • Sleeping bag
  • Sleeping mat
  • Pillow
  • Sunscreen
  • Camera
  • Headlamp with spare batteries
  • Blister kit
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Bug spray
  • Utensils and bowl
  • Trekking poles
  • Insulated jacket
  • Fleece Jacket
  • Hiking pants
  • Light footwear for camp
  • Rain gear
  • Personal toiletries

Where does the Backpacking the Rockwall Highline tour end? 

The tour ends in Canmore. You will need to find your way back to the airport.

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 Canadian Rockies for this tour is between early July and mid-September when the weather in the mountains tends to be the 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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