Photo: Norton Ip from Hong Kong, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
📍 Banff Easy
TODAY'S STATUS (OFFICIAL SOURCE)
Closed
⛔ Closed · 2026-10-16: Check the important bulletins for more information Parks Canada ↗
4.8 km
Distance
+215 m
Elevation gain
2 h
Time
Easy
Difficulty
✓
Dogs on leash
✓
Family friendly
An uneven paved path into the depths of a canyon on narrow bridges with railings. It leads to the Lower Falls and the 30 m-high Upper Falls; 265 m further there is a viewpoint at the top of the Upper Falls.
It is busy and hard to pass in narrow sections; strollers are not recommended. To the Lower Falls it is 1.1 km one way (1 hour return) and to the Upper Falls 2.4 km (2 hours).
Note: from October 13, 2026, Parks Canada is closing the trail and the P1 parking lot for rock slope remediation work. The Upper Falls and the Ink Pots remain accessible via the Moose Meadows Trail.
The trailhead is at the Johnston Canyon Day-use Area on the Bow Valley Parkway, 25 km northwest of Banff and 33 km southeast of Lake Louise. Parking fills quickly: park only in designated spots. Roam route 9 runs in summer.
📍 Highway 1A (west), Canadá
Spring to fall. In winter the canyon is icy: wear ice cleats.
This is bear country. Hike in a group, make noise, carry bear spray within reach and know how to use it. Keep at least 100 m from any bear.
User experiences, not official information. Always check the official status before you go.
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