
Grassi Lake and Grotto Canyon Hiking Calgary/Canmore/Banff
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 6 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Grassi Lake and Grotto Canyon Hiking Calgary/Canmore/Banff worth booking?
Grassi Lake and Grotto Canyon Hiking Calgary/Canmore/Banff is a 6-hour experience in Banff, Canada, from $109 per person. It scores 63 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 6 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 63 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (6)
- Duration
- 6 hours
- From
- $109 per person
Discover the natural wonders just beyond Canmore and Banff, where every stop offers a new story and unforgettable views. The journey begins with Grassi Lake, a hidden gem tucked in the forest. In the warmer months, its crystal-clear turquoise waters sparkle under the sun, while in winter, the lake transforms into a quiet frozen scene, surrounded by snow-dusted evergreens and dramatic mountain peaks. Nearby, Grotto Canyon offers a completely different kind of adventure — walk through towering rock walls where ancient pictographs still whisper stories of the past. In winter, the frozen creek becomes a natural ice path, leading you past hanging icicles and frozen waterfalls; in summer, it’s a peaceful trail lined with flowing water and striking stone formations.
What you get
About this experience
Discover the natural wonders just beyond Canmore and Banff, where every stop offers a new story and unforgettable views. The journey begins with Grassi Lake, a hidden gem tucked in the forest. In the warmer months, its crystal-clear turquoise waters sparkle under the sun, while in winter, the lake transforms into a quiet frozen scene, surrounded by snow-dusted evergreens and dramatic mountain peaks. Nearby, Grotto Canyon offers a completely different kind of adventure — walk through towering rock walls where ancient pictographs still whisper stories of the past. In winter, the frozen creek becomes a natural ice path, leading you past hanging icicles and frozen waterfalls; in summer, it’s a peaceful trail lined with flowing water and striking stone formations.
What's included
Included
- GST (Goods and Services Tax)
- Pickup and dropoff available in Calgary, Canmore and Banff
- Crampons
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Tour Guide
Not included
- All meals
- All personal expenses including activities and travel insurance
- Gratuities for guide CAD$15/head
What you'll see and do
Grotto Canyon
Grotto Canyon is a stunning natural attraction near Canmore, Alberta. Known for its unique rock formations, the canyon features impressive limestone cliffs, ancient Indigenous pictographs, and a scenic creek that freezes in winter, creating an ideal spot for ice walks. The trail through the canyon offers a peaceful and adventurous experience, making it a favorite destination for hikers and nature lovers year-round.
120 minutes here · Admission included
Grassi Lakes
Famous for their crystal-clear, vibrant turquoise waters and panoramic views of the Bow Valley. In winter, the lakes and surrounding area take on a serene, magical quality, with snow blanketing the trails and cliffs. The frozen lakes create a stunning backdrop for winter photography, and the area is also popular with ice climbers. It's a tranquil winter escape, perfect for outdoor enthusiasts.
120 minutes here · Admission included
Banff
Travelers will discover a charming mountain retreat surrounded by awe-inspiring natural beauty. They can explore the vibrant streets lined with boutique shops and restaurants, visit historic landmarks like Banff Avenue. (Lunch at Banff Town)
120 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 15 minutes before departure.
Options you can book
Canmore
Canmore pickup from: Canmore Visitor Information Centre (2801 Bow Valley Trail, Canmore) Pickup included
Calgary
Calgary pickup from: Calgary Downtown Delta Hotel by Marriott Pickup included
Banff
Banff poickup from: Banff Caribou Lodge Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- cmn, yue, en, fr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Banff Journey
Know before you go
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- All pick-up times and locations are fixed. Please carefully review the pick-up detail and choose the location that best suits you. If you have any special requests, please don't hesitate to contact us directly.
- This is a local bus tour, and you will join the tour with other travelers locally. If you would like a private tour, please contact us directly.
- If there are not enough participants for a tour in your selected language, we will contact you to discuss joining a tour in another language.
- If the minimum number of participants is not met, we reserves the right to cancel your booking or change the tour date. We will contact you prior to the departure to inform you of any changes.
- Total tour duration includes travel time
- We will send a reminder the day before your tour. Please be sure to check your email or messages.
- Due to the unpredictable road conditions and weather, the itinerary may be subject to adjustments. We will inform you of any changes to the itinerary the day before the tour.
- Kindly let us know if you'll be bringing luggage, a wheelchair, stroller, or anything that may require extra storage space, as there may be an additional charge.
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 6 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
5 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Physical effort
2 mentionsExpect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
Traveler reviews
6 verified traveler reviews for Grassi Lake and Grotto Canyon Hiking Calgary/Canmore/Banff. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Thank you!
Tour was well organized. Guide was professional and knowledgeable. We recommend this tour for anyone even beginner hikers. Guide kept us safe and at a manageable pace. Grassi Lake was amazing!!! Walking along the frozen creek through Grotto canyon was also incredible.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for the recommendation! We are thrilled to hear that you felt safe and comfortable with our guide's pace. We truly believe the beauty of places like Grassi Lakes and Grotto Canyon should be accessible to everyone, regardless of hiking experience. Walking along that frozen creek is a magical experience, and we’re so glad you enjoyed it! We hope to see you back for another adventure soon.
via Viator
Great tour with a good combo of activities for nature and scenery lovers
We joined this tour as a young family with a 6 year old. It was a small group so we got a good chunk of the guide's attention. Our guide Tony was friendly and attentive. As a party with a kid, we hiked slower than other guests but Tony was very patient with us. The 2 hiking sessions feel a bit challenging for kids without outdoor experiences (average adults would finish them easily) but we pulled through and the reward was amazing. The trails were great with unqiue sights along the way with icy river and snowy mountain views but the finale were spectacular wonders forged by nature.. As the last part of the tour which should have been Banff town, I asked if Tony could drop us off at the first Vermilion lake right outside of the town, would save us a long walk. Upon understanding my goal to let my daughter try skating on a lake, Tony told us this last part of the tour is quite flexible as long as time permits and counter-offered taking us to Lake Minnevanka instead which should much improve our experience. Cannot praise him enough for this. Highly recommend this trip and our guide Tony.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for sharing your family’s experience with us! We were touched to hear about your daughter's goal to go skating. Tony is a wonderful part of our team, and his ability to adapt the tour to make a child’s dream come true is exactly what we strive for. We are so glad he could take you to Lake Minnewanka for a better experience! We also appreciate your feedback on the hikes—it's great to hear that even though they were a bit challenging, the 'spectacular wonders' at the end were worth the effort. We hope your daughter has wonderful memories of her first time on the ice! Please come back and see us again when she's ready for her next big hike.
via Tripadvisor
Totally recommendable 2
Once again, my experience today was completely AMAZING. William does everything possible to make you feel good and enjoy the tour... In two days, I knew many beautiful places and incredible landscapes. :)
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your lovely message! We're so happy to hear that you had another amazing experience. It’s wonderful that you got to discover so many beautiful places and breathtaking landscapes in just two days. We’ll be sure to share your kind words with William — he’ll be thrilled to know his efforts made your trip even more special. We hope to see you again for more adventures!
via Tripadvisor
Awesome Tour with Banff Journey!
This trip with Banff Journey was amazing! Our tour guide, William, was so knowledgeable, flexible and made my tour so memorable.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear you had an amazing trip with us and that William helped make your experience so memorable. We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to see you again on another adventure in the Rockies!
via Tripadvisor
Unique Experience
I highly recommend this tour as it provides 3 unique experiences from a winter canyon walk, to a beautiful Canadian lake, to the charm of Banff Town. Grotto Canyon Ice Walk (winter only) – Great tour/hike in the Grotto Canyon! Beautiful photo opportunities along the hike. I appreciate how safety is a priority. Crampons and hiking sticks (on request) are provided so travelers don’t slip on the snow/ice. As a solo female traveler I also appreciate how friendly and helpful the tour guides are. They are always offering to take everyone’s photo and are helping those that may need a little extra help on the hike. Grassi Lake – Beautiful turquoise waters with sooo many photo opportunities! Once you reach the top, you’re able to walk around the lake giving beautiful angles and views of the lake. Banff – The tour guides gave us the option of seeing the Banff Gondola or spending time in Banff Town. As I was staying in Banff, I appreciated the flexibility. William truly goes above and beyond. He took us to Banff Town and other less traveled scenic spots. I felt as if I was getting the local experience making this tour one of the most memorable tours I’ve been on.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your kind words! We're so happy to hear you had such a memorable time on the tour. It’s great to know that the Grotto Canyon Ice Walk and all the stunning spots along the way left a lasting impression. We’re also glad you felt safe and supported during the hike, and that our guides could make your experience even more enjoyable. We really appreciate your feedback about the flexibility in Banff—it’s always our goal to make sure our guests get a taste of the local vibe. It sounds like you had an amazing adventure, and we’re thrilled to have been part of it. Hope we get to welcome you again soon for another unforgettable journey!
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 6 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $109 to $149
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 2
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Banff Journey, who run 22 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 63.8.
See everything Banff Journey runsWhy this scores 63
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Grassi Lake and Grotto Canyon Hiking Calgary/Canmore/Banff: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Banff.
How much does Grassi Lake and Grotto Canyon Hiking Calgary/Canmore/Banff cost?
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Prices start at $109 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Banff usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Grassi Lake and Grotto Canyon Hiking Calgary/Canmore/Banff take?
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Plan for about 6 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Banff is not rushed.
Is Grassi Lake and Grotto Canyon Hiking Calgary/Canmore/Banff worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 63 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 6 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Banff, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Grassi Lake and Grotto Canyon Hiking Calgary/Canmore/Banff?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Grassi Lake and Grotto Canyon Hiking Calgary/Canmore/Banff suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 6-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Grassi Lake and Grotto Canyon Hiking Calgary/Canmore/Banff?
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Around 2 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Banff can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Banff and add a light layer if any part of the 6-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Grassi Lake and Grotto Canyon Hiking Calgary/Canmore/Banff start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Banff within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Banff?
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On Outty we rank every Banff experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Explore Banff, Moraine Lake, Louise, Johnston Canyon & Bow Falls, 8 Iconic Stops. 12 Comfy Seats. See Banff's Best in First Class., Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Banff Tour from Calgary/Canmore/Banff. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Banff?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Banff?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Grassi Lake and Grotto Canyon Hiking Calgary/Canmore/Banff?
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Included: GST (Goods and Services Tax); Pickup and dropoff available in Calgary, Canmore and Banff; Crampons; In-vehicle air conditioning; and Tour Guide. Not included: All meals; All personal expenses including activities and travel insurance; and Gratuities for guide CAD$15/head. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Grassi Lake and Grotto Canyon Hiking Calgary/Canmore/Banff include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 4 listed pickup locations in and around Banff. Be ready about 15 minutes before the start time.
What languages is Grassi Lake and Grotto Canyon Hiking Calgary/Canmore/Banff offered in?
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It is offered in Chinese, Cantonese, English, French and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Grassi Lake and Grotto Canyon Hiking Calgary/Canmore/Banff?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Grassi Lake and Grotto Canyon Hiking Calgary/Canmore/Banff wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Specialized infant seats are available; and Kindly let us know if you'll be bringing luggage, a wheelchair, stroller, or anything that. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Grassi Lake and Grotto Canyon Hiking Calgary/Canmore/Banff if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Grassi Lake and Grotto Canyon Hiking Calgary/Canmore/Banff?
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Across 6 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, photo opportunities. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works. One thing to know: Expect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
What booking options are available for Grassi Lake and Grotto Canyon Hiking Calgary/Canmore/Banff?
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There are 3 options to choose from, including Canmore, Calgary, Banff. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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