Hike Lush Alpine Meadows
Away From the Crowds

Tumbling, blue glaciers and vast icefields form the backdrop to all Icefall hikes

Summer at Icefall Lodge

Situated at treeline, Icefall Lodge is the perfect base for incredible hiking trips in the Canadian Rockies. Lush alpine meadows start right outside the door, and the seracs and tumbling icefalls of nearby glaciers gave the valley its name. A well-maintained network of trails gives easy access to some of the most scenic viewpoints in the area. Enjoy guided or self-guided hiking trips among some of the highest peaks in the Canadian Rockies.

Most guided and self-guided hiking trips are based at Icefall Lodge, with day trips returning to the lodge every night. For the more adventurous, there is a non-technical hut-to hut-hiking trip between the Rostrum Cabin, Waterfall Cabin and Icefall Lodge. The Rostrum Cabin and the Waterfall Cabin offer comfortable accommodations and are equipped with a wood-fired sauna, a large sunny deck, and an indoor pee toilet.

For the mountaineers, there is the multi-day Icefall Traverse that links up two high-elevation huts. The Lyell Hut is perched on a rock outcrop at 2860m, and the Mons Hut sits at the toe of the Mons Glacier. While this is a mountaineering trip with glacier travel, strong hikers with no previous mountaineering experience can do this trip with a guide.

The lodge itself consists of two main buildings and a sauna with two separate shower stalls. The new lodge is a bright, three-story building with log posts, and much of the lumber was milled on site. The original lodge provides additional bedrooms and a second living room. Icefall lodge can comfortably accommodate 18 guests in 9 bedrooms with double or single beds. Each building has sweeping glacier views out the front window, a wood stove and satellite internet access

Availability

White Line to Tivoli

The prominent rock buttress that is seen out the front window of the lodge. The trail contours through forests, meadows, crosses several streams and eventually ends up at a flat viewpoint directly across from this 300m cliff. These rolling meadows are an interesting area to explore with several small streams that have carved interesting forms out of the rock. For those with more energy, you can cross the La Clytte stream and head up to the summit of Luna Peak. The route leaves the alpine meadows at 2400m and follows a and of white rock which forms a natural break leading to the ridge. At 8800′ (2700m) Luna Peak offers a 360-degree panorama, looking down on the lodge, the La Clyttle Glacier and across at the Mons and Lyell Glaciers. This is also the approach to the Lyell Hut. Despite being such a high peak surrounded by rugged glaciers, this hike is completely non-technical.
Distance: 7km one way
Elevation gain: 750m one way

Espresso Ridge

This is the long scenic ridge that rises up directly behind the lodge. The trail takes a long detour through alpine meadows and wildflowers before traversing back to the ridge. The high point is a lookout on the ridge at 2350m (7800 feet). There are outstanding views of Mount Forbes, the highest peak in Banff National Park. From the lookout, the trail descends the opposite side through meadows and small streams, eventually traversing beneath the base of the ridge back to the lodge. 4-5 hours. Another option is to continue up the bench on the west side of the ridge to Troll Pass. This high vantage point looks across at the glaciers and icefalls on the north face of Mt Kemmel. To the north, you can see the Columbia Icefields.
Distance: 5.5 km for the loop
Elevation Gain: 480m

Sunny Ridge to Keffi

The hike to Keffi is a scenic loop to a treeline pass which looks across at the blue ice on the toe of the La Clytte Glacier. The path crosses several small streams and meadows starting the same way as the Tivoli Trail. The trial branches off and follows a spectacular ridge to the saddle we call Keffi. There is one short section on this ridge which is exposed and the rest is a broad rounded ridge with wildflowers. Along this ridge you have views to the blue ice of La Clytte Glacier to the east. From Keffi the route descends gradually to the meadows. For those concerned abut the exposed section you can go out and back along the descent route.
Distance: 7km
Elevation: 500m

Icefall Canyon

This is truly one of the most spectacular hikes anywhere. The Lyell and Mons Icefields, which cover over 50 square km, send glaciers down to the rim of this canyon. Waterfalls, up to 600m high, spillover from all sides of the canyon. This trail starts from valley bottom beside Icefall Brook. As you get closer, the thunder increases. After 1.5 km you beak out of the trees into the open valley bottom. The sheer limestone walls stretch for 2 km, with countless waterfalls and many caves. Standing there, you feel the pure, untamed power of nature.

Rostrum Trail

This trail traverses above Kemmel Valley at treeline, offering spectacular views of the Lyell Glacier and Division Peak to the east. There is little elevation gain as you traverse out to the ridge. From the ridge, you have a unique perspective with a view into the Icefall Canyon to the east, the high massive of Rostrum Peak with its tumbling glaciers and seracs to the west. The trail turns the corner into the Rostrum Valley and leads to the newly completed Rostrum Cabin.
Distance: 8km one way
Elevation: 500m one way