Hiking

Surrounded by the rugged peaks of the Canadian Rockies, Icefall Lodge is the perfect base for trekking in wilderness solitude. Although the lodge shares a border with Banff National Park, it is far from the crowded hiking trails of Lake Louise and Banff. With over 200 square km of wilderness, Icefall Lodge is far from any towns, roads or signs of civilization. While this is more than can be explored in a week, it does ensure plenty of options and no crowds.

 

Lush alpine meadows start right outside the door. With over 100 species of flowers, you are walking through a brightly colored carpet. The mountains are some of the highest in the Canadian Rockies. These include Mount Forbes, the highest peak in Banff National Park.

Tumbling, blue glaciers and vast icefields form the backdrop to all the hikes. There are over 30 glaciers at Icefall. The seracs and tumbling icefalls of these glaciers gave the valley it's name.

 

The geology that created these rugged mountains is revealed in the bending and folded strata of the rock faces. There are numerous cave systems, many of them unexplored. The outflow stream from Kemmel Glacier disappears into a cave only to reappear 2 km down valley from a pair of caves. There are other streams that are sprayed up into the air from the mouth of caves; the pressure and narrow cave mouth acting as a nozzle.

The hiking season runs from July to September. Hiking from Icefall offers you flexibility with options for fully catered, guided hiking weeks, or a self guided trip where you are left to explore on your own.