Walking Banff’s Rivers in Winter

Walking Banff’s Rivers in Winter. I’m now convinced that April is the best month for the local town hikes. It’s fascinating to watch the spring breakup of rivers.

One night I saw elk crossing on Bow River ice. A few days later it was liquid.

By BestHike editor Rick McCharles.

In Banff, Alberta for medical tests — all labs in the big city of Calgary booked for weeks — I made time to walk all the hikes available directly from the Rocky Mountains townsite.

Gorgeous.

Walking Banff’s Rivers in Winter

Click PLAY or watch 1 minute of River highlights on YouTube.

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One of the must do day hikes in the Canadian Rockies is Maligne Canyon close to Jasper, Alberta.

… the canyon measures over 50 metres (160 ft) deep. Popular for sightseeing and exploration, the area contains waterfalls, underground stream outlets, birds and plant life. …

Best is to start from the main parking lot close to the tea house and the Hi Maligne Canyon Lodge.

The canyon is deep here.

The canyon was named by a zealous Jesuit missionary, who called the canyon “la traverse maligne”, after his horses were swept away by the swirling waters. There are six bridges built across the canyon to help one explore this magnificent work of nature : the first bridge was built in 1914.

I’d recommend you hike at least to the point of seeing the 5th bridge. From there you could loop back on the cycling / horseback trail.

There are interesting interpretive displays en route. This hike is great for kids.

With each bridge, you get closer and closer to the water.

When the river freezes over in winter, the experience is completely different. If you are one of the brave venturing to Jasper National Park in winter, consider doing a guided ice walk in Maligne Canyon in winter. It is an out of this world experience.