Johnston Canyon

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What people say

"Drive to Johnston Canyon, about an hour and a half from Cochrane. Putting Johnston Canyon into your maps app will get you to the trailhead. Before you go, make sure you check the trail conditions to ensure the sections you want to complete are open. When you arrive, there will be parking lots on both sides of the street. The one closest to the trail head is smaller and often fills up. The parking lot on the other side is much larger and is only a few extra steps away. Both parking lots have bathrooms. The canyon is an out and back trail with three distinct sections, so you can choose how long of a hike you want to do. The lower falls section is about 1.2 km from the trailhead and takes an hour for a round trip. The upper falls trail is 1.3 km from the lower falls and is a 2 hour round trip. These to sections take you through the canyon and you'll see seven different waterfalls! This creates a 5 km for a round trip hike. I recommend allowing lots of extra time so you can stop and really appreciate all the views, the frozen waterfalls are breathtaking. The first two sections of the trail are easy and not very steep. In the winter you will benefit from having ice cleats. It can be possible to complete the hike without them but your life will be much easier on the short steep sections if you have them. Once you reach the upper falls, there is an option to continue up to the Inkpots. We chose not to do this section of the hike as we still had a lot of exploring to do. While the ink pots do not freeze in the winter, I personally feel that they are more beautiful in the summer. If you choose to add this section of the trail to your day, you will hike approximately 12 km with 579 meters of elevation gain from the trailhead to the ink pots and back. Adding the ink pots also increases the difficulty of the hike to moderate. We brought along sandwiches for lunch and ate them at the lower falls."
Sydney Blazanin
"Johnston Canyon is a great family hike located along Highway 1A! Johnston Canyon is a great spot for hikers of all experience levels. With different lookouts along the way, you'll have the opportunity to stop at the Lower Falls or continue to the Upper Falls. For those looking for a longer hike, you can continue past the Upper Falls to the Ink Pots. I've visited Johnston Canyon many times but haven't been past the Upper Falls yet. Lower Falls ⏱️ 1 hour 🥾 2.75 km round-trip Upper Falls ⏱️ 2 hours 🥾 6 km round-trip "
Rachelle Rutgrink
"Johnston Canyon is a natural wonderland that invites you to wander through a spellbinding world of water and rock. The trail weaves along suspended catwalks and bridges, guiding you deep into the heart of the canyon, where crystal-clear waters cascade into emerald-hued pools and ancient geological formations reveal the captivating story of time. Hiking through Johnston Canyon is a journey into the very essence of nature's artistry, where the forces of water and earth converge to create a symphony of beauty and wonder."

Mentioned in these guides

Welcome to the pristine wilderness of Canada's most iconic national parks – Banff, Yoho, Kootenay, Glacier, and Jasper. Embark on an unforgettable journey through these breathtaking landscapes, where towering mountain peaks, turquoise glacial lakes, and verdant forests await your exploration. Lace up your boots, breathe in the crisp alpine air, and let our guide lead you through a tapestry of natural wonders, immersing you in the untamed beauty and rich biodiversity of these remarkable wilderness areas. Your next unforgettable adventure begins here. *** WHAT YOU GET IN THIS GUIDE *** - 70 curated spots. Way more than any traditional guide! - A FREE 7 day itinerary - Discount suggestions where possible - A collection of EASY, MEDIUM and HARD trails for day hiking. - Beautiful pictures of Canada's rocky mountains - A collection of good cafes, restaurants and coffee shops. - A collection of outdoor stores for mountain gear. - Fun trips for beginner and seasoned adventurers. - A packing list for outdoor adventures. - A list of important, must-know information such as a wildlife, seasonal information and useful tips from someone who has hiked the Rockies. *** WHO YOU SUPPORT THROUGH YOUR PURCHASE *** Meet Rachelle, a fervent outdoor enthusiast hailing from Maastricht, whose very essence thrives amidst the beauty of the natural world. With an unyielding passion for outdoor travel and a profound love for hiking, Rachelle has become a modern-day explorer, traversing untamed paths and scaling peaks in pursuit of exhilarating adventures. In sharing her outdoor odysseys, she kindles a spark within others to embrace the allure of the great outdoors. Their adventurous narrative beckons fellow wanderers to heed the call of the wild, lace up their boots, and set forth on the trail of discovery. As we embark on this journey alongside her, their story becomes an anthem to the joys of hiking, reminding us that the path less traveled is often the most rewarding.
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So, you're going to the Canadian Rockies? After living in Montana for many years, I knew and expected the terrain to be quite similar. I was in for quite the surprise when this area of Canada turned out to be one of the most beautiful places I've EVER visited. Below you'll find my favorite stops (separated by location) that we found along the way from Edmonton to Calgary (and a few stops over in BC!), along with tips on the area and an interactive map. I've included the hotels used personally, as well as some additional top rated stays at several price points. I've also included some stops that we didn't make it to this first time around, but we will definitely be heading back for them! Quick Disclaimer: Respect nature and wildlife. Wildlife is WILD and nature is natural. Treat them as such. Leave no trace when outdoors, and respect wildlife by giving them space. Locations included: 🏔️ Edmonton 🏔️ Jasper National Park 🏔️ Banff National Park 🏔️ Banff, Alberta (town) 🏔️ Lake Louise (town) 🏔️ Canmore, Alberta 🏔️ Calgary, Alberta I've added quite a few hotel options, as they all book up extremely quickly and are not cheap. I did highlight the ones we stayed at as well as provided descriptions of those! Pssst. Above is the exact route we drove also! We drove up from Montana, but flying in to Edmonton and renting a car or RV to drive this itinerary down through to Calgary is an awesome option. If you wish to continue this trip further like we did, drive down to Yoho and Kootenay National Parks in BC and Glacier National Park in Montana from Calgary! I have a separate guide for Glacier, but highly recommend if you have the time! I have listed a variety of different things from nature and hiking to food and craft beer to a few select "other" options (that don't involve hiking). However, this guide primarily focuses on the true beauty of nature in Canada. You won't run out of options! We found the Parks in Canada to be extremely accessible, dog friendly, and overall pretty clean. The red Adirondack chairs were the coolest thing, and I'm not going to explain that... You'll see what I mean.
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About Johnston Canyon

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