All Trips > Canada > Banff Canada Hiking Hut-to-Hut Backpacking Banff Canada Hiking Hut-to-Hut Backpacking Book Your Banff Trip AT A GLANCE Canada 12 Explorer Chicks Hotel, Mountain Huts Backpacking, Bucket List, Glacier Trek, Hiking, International, Multiday Treks 6 Days 5 - Highly Strenuous Physical demand level for this trip This is Wild Canada, sister! Photos Itinerary Logistics Activity Level What's Included Book Your Banff Trip Share This is Wild Canada, sister! Join us on a Banff Canada Hiking and Hut-to-Hut Backpacking trip for women! During your 6-day trip, backpack hut-to-hut in the remote backcountry of Banff National Park. Enjoy day hikes through the towering mountains and glacier fed lakes of the Canadian Rockies. This is not the maple syrup harvest your aunt went to that one time. This is Wild Canada, sister! First, spend three days hiking in and exploring nearby national and provincial parks. The town of Banff is surrounded on all sides by them, boasting some of the most beautiful landscapes that Canada offers. Experience the iconic hiking trails in the surrounding parks, the atmosphere of the quaint mountain town, and the quiet backcountry bliss amongst flanneled femmes. Day-hike to turquoise glacier fed lakes, past waterfalls, along pointed mountain ridge lines, and through luscious green valleys. Snap an iconic photo by Moraine Lake to add to your Instagram feed. You’ll feel as if you’re in a fairy tale admiring the chateau from Lake Louise. Also enjoy exploring lesser known trails as our local guides share their favorites hikes. You could be hiking to glacier fed lakes in Banff National Park, past stunning waterfalls in Yoho National Park, up and over a mountain pass in Kananaskis Country and more. Each evening, we’ll return to our downtown Banff hotel, roll on some deodorant, and head out on the town to dine as a group. In your free time, soak your beautiful bones in one of the outdoor hot tubs or curl up cat-like beside the outdoor fireplace. Buzzed storytelling is encouraged. On the final three days of your adventure, we leave behind the hustle and noise of Banff and its tourists. Load up a 70L backpack with glacier crossing gear and all of the essentials for a hut-to-hut trek across the Wapta Icefields of the Canadian Rockies. The Icefields are rolling, gentle glaciers that you will trek up and over during the course of three days. Experience first hand a rapidly disappearing mountain landscape while immersing yourself in a truly remote and unique, backcountry environment. Your destination each evening is rustic, remote alpine huts high up in mountains. There aren’t many backcountry treks that you can get the alpine trifecta—glaciers, mountains, and cozy alpine huts! Photos Itinerary Expand All Days Day 1 - Welcome to the Canadian Rockies! Welcome to Calgary! Your adventure begins on Day 1 at 8:00 am at our Rendezvous Hotel located in Calgary. Be sure to eat a hearty breakfast before meeting up with the group. You’ll be greeted by your Explorer Chick Leader in the morning with an official orientation to follow. We’ll then hop into our Explorer Chick Private Transport for our 1.5 hour drive to our first day hike in Kananaskis Country. On your first hike in the Canadian Rockies – Tent Ridge Loop, you will loop through some of the most dramatic mountain landscapes Canada has to offer. Your first hike has it all – colorful meadows, shimmering lakes, alpine ridgelines, and mountain views in every direction. You’ll even muster of some courage for a bit of scrambling high above Spray Lakes. We’ll wander for roughly 6.2 miles through a remote area of the Canadian Rockies that doesn’t see very much traffic. Afterwards, we’ll hop in our transport and head to the quintessential mountain town of Banff. Every evening over the next 3 nights, you’ll return to our downtown, centrally located Banff Hotel. Feel free to relax in one of the outdoor hot tubs or next to the outdoor fireplace with mountain views on the horizon. We’ll head out on the town each evening to dine as a group at a local restaurant. Time: 5-6 hours Distance: 6.2 miles Elevation Gain: 2,114’ Highest Elevation: 8,252′ Accommodation: Downtown Banff Hotel Meals: L, D (Note – Breakfast is not included on Day 1) Day 2 – Yoho National Park: Waterfalls and Ridgelines We’ll enjoy a scrumptious breakfast at our Hotel before loading up our daypacks and heading out for today’s hike! We’ll transfer north to Yoho National Park. Today’s loop hike – Iceline Trail Loop – will take you past thundering waterfalls and through alpine meadows with glacier-clad peaks on the horizon. You’ll ascend 2,380 feet in the first 4.5 miles to earn the best views. You’ll get up close and personal with glaciers. From our highpoint at 7,310 feet, you’ll hike along ridgelines enjoying bird’s eye views from each direction. The rest of the hike is all downhill boasting views of distance lakes, valleys, and waterfalls with a different view around every bend in the trail. Time: Around 9 hours Distance: 13 miles Elevation Gain: 2,380′ Highest Elevation: 7,310′ Accommodation: Downtown Banff Hotel Meals: B, L, D Day 3 – Banff National Park and Moraine Lake We’ll have a leisurely morning at our hotel enjoying breakfast and coffee with mountain views from our hotel. We’ll then head north to Banff National Park to explore one of the most picturesque lakes in the Canadian Rockies – Moraine Lake. Your guide will take you to the best spots to photograph the lake while getting your Glamour Shot in front of the turquoise waters. Afterwards, we’ll take a moderate trail through the valley behind Moraine Lake. You’ll follow a babbling creek up the valley catching glimpses of Mount Temple peeking through the trees. We’ll enjoy a packed lunch on the shores of an alpine lake before returning the way we came. You’ll have a few hours of free time today after we return to Banff to rest up for the backcountry portion of our trip, explore the town of Banff, or sip a local brew soaking in the mountain town feels. Time: Around 5 hours Distance: 8 miles Elevation Gain: 850′ Highest Elevation: 6,510′ Accommodation: Downtown Banff Hotel Meals: B, L, D Day 4 – Backpacking from Bow Lake to the Backcountry It’s an early morning packing up all of our gear for the next three days. You’ll be outfitted with a 70L backpack, mountaineering boots, crampons, a helmet, harness, ice axe, shared gear, and more. Don’t worry if you are a beginner. You’ll learn how to use all of your gear. Just be sure to show up strong having trained with a weighted pack and your boots. Afterwards, it’s an hour and a half drive north to the trailhead at Bow Lake. We start on the main trail which follows the lake shore to the head of turquoise colored, Bow Lake then up the river flats beyond. We’ll leave behind the main trail by a small, but spectacular gorge the river has cut into the limestone. Then, you’ll cross over the gorge bridged by a enormous boulder to reach the mountaineer’s trail. The trail leads us past old moraines then up through the forest until it opens out into a massive alpine cirque surrounded by peaks and glaciers. The last section is in the rough and rocky alpine until our final ascent brings us to our Alpine Hut. From your home for the evening you’ll have magnificent views of the surrounding peaks, glaciers, and down the canyon to the valley where we started our day. Time: 3-5 hours Distance: 4.5 miles Elevation Gain: 1,310 ft Accommodation: Alpine Hut at 7,710′ Meals: B, L, D Day 5 - Crossing Icefields Hut to Hut We’ll get an early start and commence one of the most scenic stretches of Banff National Park. We’ll lace up our mountaineering boots and strap on our crampons to cross the Icefields. First, we’ll walk the gentle slopes of the Bow Glacier below the remarkable crag of Mt. St. Nicholas to top out on the flat expanse of the Wapta Icefield. The Bow Glacier is the source of the Bow River which flows down valley through Lake Louise, Banff, Canmore and finally out onto the plains then past Calgary to eventually join the south Saskatchewan River. Then it’s a side trip to Polaris Peak where you’ll enjoy spectacular panorama views with peaks in every direction. We’ll then continue across the glacier to our second alpine hut that sits on a flat part of the mountain with glacier views below. During our glacier trek, we’ll be wearing a harness and roped together for maximum safety. As a group, we’ll be walking slow navigating crevasses as a group and taking in the views. Walking on the glacier is fairly easy and suitable for beginners who have been properly training on inclines with weighted packs. Time: 4-6 hours Distance: 3.8 miles Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,020’/770′ Accommodation: Alpine Hut at 8,200′ Meals: B, L, D Day 6 - Hike Out and Hugs Goodbye The hike today is mostly downhill as we descend to the tongue of the glacier. We’ll share in the gratitude to be on a backcountry trek that maximizes our exposure to a quickly disappearing landscape. The opportunity to see glaciers up close in this environment will not be as abundant in the future. You will witness first hand the effects of global warming as Peyto Glacier is in full retreat. Our local guides will be our resource educating us as to where the glacier was recently and sharing how the glaciers preserve elements of the past. We’ll leave behind the glacier to cross over to the main trail and down the moraine wall track. Eventually, we reach Peyto Lake – one of the most photographed lakes in the area. Here our trek ends as we join the paved tourist trail and take a shuttle back to the Bow Lake trailhead. After returning gear, we drive the 1.5 hours back to Calgary. Plan to fly out of Calgary after 9pm or anytime on the following day. Time: 4-6 hours Distance: 6.5 miles Elevation Loss: 1,900′ Meals: B, L *Explorer Chick reserves the option to modify trip itineraries at the discretion of your tour director as necessary due to weather, conditions, illness, injury, group dynamics, or other unforeseen incidents. Logistics What to Pack Check out our recommended hiking gear for all trips. You’ll receive a complete packing list in your Travel Guide upon booking; note that backpacking trips may require additional specialized items. Arrival Airport City: Calgary, Canada (YYC) Pick Up Location: Lobby Rendezvous Hotel, Calgary Meeting Time: 8am on Day 1 Departure Departure City: Calgary, Canada (YYC) Drop Off Location: Rendezvous Hotel Return Time: 6pm. Fly out after 9pm You will receive a Travel Guide with all the rendezvous hotel, packing, and additional information you’ll need to prepare for your epic trip. We require a minimum of 5 Explorer Chicks for this trip. Please confirm your trip is guaranteed before booking airfare. Activity Level Rated 5 – HIGHLY STRENUOUS This trip is rated highly strenuous due to the final 3 days backpacking hut to hut across icefields (glaciers). Not only will you be carrying approximately 30lbs of yours and shared gear, but you’ll be doing it in heavy footwear – mountaineering boots with crampons attached. The surface will be uneven and the pace slow. There will be scree and boulders. No glacier experience is necessary. You will receive instruction on safe mountain travel and your tools. However, you MUST have a strong level of fitness as glacial travel is much more demanding than hiking. Daily Hikes: Day 1: Tent Ridge Loop. 6.2 miles. 2114′ gain. 8252′ altitude. 5-6 hours. Day 2: Iceline Trail Loop. 13 miles. 2380′ gain. 7310′ altitude. 9 hours. Day 3: Moraine Lake. 8 miles. 850′ gain. 6510′ altitude. 5 hours. Day 4: Bow Lake. 4.5 miles. 1310′ gain. 7710′ altitude. 5 hours. Day 5: Peyto Hut. 3.8 miles. 1020’gain/770′ loss. 8200′ altitude. 6 hours. Glacier Travel. Day 6: Peyto Lake. 6.5 miles. 1900′ loss. 6 hours. Glacier Travel. Please consider your ability to meet the physical demands very seriously. It is for the safety and enjoyment of both you and your group. All Explorer Chicks will be required to sign an Acknowledgement of Physical Demands as part of their waiver upon booking. Read more about our Activity Levels. What's Included Lodging 3 nights downtown Banff Hotel accommodation with mountain views, 2 outdoor hot tubs, steam room, sauna, outdoor fireplace, Wi-Fi, hot breakfast, and within walking distance to local shops and restaurants. Shared 2 per room. 2 nights backcountry alpine huts in Banff National Park. Backcountry huts sleep up to 30 guests in bunk style accommodation. Bunks are in one room, mixed gender. There will be other outdoor folks sharing the hut with us. No electricity. Composting toilets. No Wifi. Remote and Rugged! Helping with meals and clean up is expected and part of the mountaineering experience. Activities All activities and entrance fees as outlined in the itinerary Backpacking and Mountaineering Gear: 70L pack, sleeping bag, mountaineering boots, climbing harness, climbing helmet, crampons, ice axe, ropes, and all group safety gear All National and Provincial Park entry fees Meals All meals as indicated in itinerary: B-5, L-6, D-5 Gratuities for included meals Practical Professional leadership team with local backcountry guide(s) and Explorer Chick Guide Gratuities for local guides Private Explorer Chick land-transportation throughout itinerary A detailed Travel Guide with everything you need to know for your trip The freedom to enjoy your vacation and mindlessly wander! Not Included Rendezvous or Departure hotels Airfare Airport Transportation Alcoholic beverages Travel Insurance Meals exclusive of itineraries Costs for additional activities Gratuity for your Explorer Chick Guide (read our tipping guidelines here) Explorer Chick reserves the option to modify trip itineraries at the discretion of your tour director as necessary due to weather, conditions, illness, injury, group dynamics, or other unforeseen incidents. More from Banff 🤔Crave an adventure that’s truly off the beaten path?🧊Escape the crowds and head into the mountains to hike from hut to hut across ice fields!🥾Want all the details about Banff’s best adventure? 💬Drop ‘Banff’ in the comments, and I’ll send it your way!#ExplorerChickBanff #Solofemaletravel #Banff #huttohut #womenhiking 75 14 Open 75 14 🔥2025 Banff Hut to Hut Backpacking Drops Tomorrow (with $500 OFF!).💬Comment “waitlist” to get the dates and be the first to get dibs on booking your spot!#explorerchickbanff #banff #huttohut #hikingmeme 73 8 Open 73 8 💪 "Easy doesn’t change you right?!" EC Guide Kat sums up her latest adventure in Canada with these 12 bada$$ women taking on 6 intense days in BANFF. 🇨🇦 "One lady’s mom texted “be tough” before we started and I like to think we all lived up to her expectations.Here are the highlights:🥾 Over 30 miles hiked in mountains with ~ 6,000ft of total elevation gain🩱Saw 5 glacier-fed lakes and swam in 2 (temps below 40 degrees )❄ Traversed 8 miles on glaciers with crampons and ice axes🪢 Tied in to explore a crevasse🎂 Celebrated a birthday while staying in alpine huts😉 Wore matching onesies while watching the sunset on the Wapta IcefieldThank you to each and every woman on this trip. It was incredible to see how quickly you adapted to every challenge. Also, what we think is a first in the history of the huts - the bunks were exclusively full of women. It was our group plus a collection of female scientists studying the very glaciers we were there to explore.Look out, women changing the world 🤟"🔥Can we get a "HELL YEAH" if experiencing Banff like THIS on your adventure list? Surrounded by stunning peaks, lakes and wonderful women 🤗.#ExplorerChick #WomenWhoTravel #AmongTheWild #IdHikeThat #WanderWomen #AdventureTravel #OutdoorWomen #EasyDoesntChangeYou #WomenWhoHike #WomenTravelingTogether #WildernessExplorer #WeAreExplorerChick #HikingCulture #HikeLikeAWomen #SheIsNotLost #WomenWhoExplore #WeAreNature #WomenSupportingWomen #HikingTips #PositiveMindset #OutdoorTherapy #NatureTherapy #BucketListTrip #BucketListTravel #explorerchickbanff #banff #albertacanada #lakelouise #alpinelake #hikecanada 152 7 Open 152 7 Load More Let's Do This Starting from $4,099 Book Now Save $200 with our Early Bird Discounts! Just book at least 6 Months in Advance! Discount is automatically applied. Non-Refundable Deposit: $300 due at booking to secure your spot Questions About Banff? Book a call with our Destination + Guest Experience Manager, Amy, or fill out the form below. Name(Required) First Name Last Name Email(Required) Enter Email Confirm Email Send us your Banff questions!(Required)CommentsThis field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. In Her Words Book with Confidence Your wanderlust doesn’t have to wait. Our payment plans make booking your dream trip easier than ever. The best part? Zero additional fees. Payment Plans We want nothing more than for you join us. However, we understand emergencies do occur that may cause you to cancel your reservation. Cancellation Policy To protect your travel investment and your hide, we recommend purchasing travel insurance. Receive a no-hassle, online quote in less than 2 minutes. 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