Johnston Canyon: Lower Falls or Upper Falls?
The trail through Johnston Canyon reaches two waterfalls, and the tours on this site do not all go to both. The Lower Falls are a short walk; the Upper Falls take a steady climb. Below, the trail stretch by stretch, then which tour reaches which.
The trail in numbers
Both falls sit on one trail from the parking area on the Bow Valley Parkway. The figures come from the tour listings, so read them as close rather than exact.
| Stop | One way from trailhead | Climb | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower Falls | About 1.2 km (0.75 mi) | About 50 m (165 ft) | Rock tunnel to a platform facing the falls |
| Upper Falls | About 2.7 km (1.7 mi) | About 135 m (440 ft) | A tall fall at the head of the canyon, often climbed in winter |
| Ink Pots | Roughly 3 km beyond the Upper Falls | More climbing | Spring-fed pools in a meadow; no tour here goes |
Walking back adds the same distance again. A round trip to the Upper Falls is about 5.4 km (3.4 mi), so plan on a few hours with stops, longer on ice.
Catwalks bolted to the canyon walls
The first stretch is the reason people come. Steel catwalks hang off the limestone walls, carrying the path above Johnston Creek where the gorge is too narrow for a trail.
Railings run along both sides, and the creek runs close below, open in places even in winter. In the cold the steel grates hold packed snow, which is why the tours hand out ice cleats.
In summer the same catwalks run above fast green water, and mist from the falls keeps the rock dark and wet. The steel can be slick then too, so shoes with good grip help in any season.
Between the catwalks the path climbs gently through forest. Stretches of the trail sit in shade all winter, and those are the icy parts.
The Lower Falls and the rock tunnel
The Lower Falls come after about 1.2 km. A bridge crosses the creek, and a short natural tunnel through the rock leads to a small platform right in front of the fall.
In winter the fall freezes into columns and curtains, and the spray coats the tunnel mouth. Expect a queue for the platform at busy hours, since it holds only a handful of people.
Summer brings the opposite problem. The tunnel can fill with spray, and anyone who lingers on the platform tends to walk out damp.
This is where many casual walkers turn back. The climb so far is mild, so the Lower Falls suit families with small children and anyone short on time.
On to the Upper Falls
Past the Lower Falls the trail climbs more steadily, and forest path takes over from the catwalks. The gain to the Upper Falls is about 135 m (440 ft), which feels steeper on ice.
Smaller cascades show up along the creek on the way. At the top, a viewing platform faces the Upper Falls, the taller of the two.
In winter, ice climbers are often on the frozen Upper Falls, roped up on the pillars. Watching them is a highlight of the walk on many days, though nothing guarantees they will be there.
Both waterfalls with a guide and cleats
Discover Banff's day icewalk walks the full 2.7 km to the Upper Falls and stops at the Lower Falls on the way. About 4 hours from Banff.
Which tour goes where
Only one tour here names both falls on its listing. The others stop lower, or do not say.
- Discover Banff day icewalk, ~$78: Lower Falls and the cave, then up to the Upper Falls
- Discover Banff evening icewalk, ~$78: the listing does not say how far it goes
- White Mountain e-bike and hike, ~$143: a guided hike to the Lower Falls bridge, in summer
- Rockies Journey day tour, ~$58: the winter trail and cave up to the frozen falls in the Lower Falls area
For the evening walk, the day walk is the safer bet if the Upper Falls are the goal. Our day-or-evening comparison goes into both walks in depth.
The e-bike tour puts its hours into the ride, so the walk is short. Our e-bike guide covers that day, and the Lake Louise day page explains how little time a lakes tour leaves for the canyon.
The Ink Pots, for walkers on their own
The trail goes on past the Upper Falls, roughly 3 km more to the Ink Pots, a group of cold spring pools in an open meadow. No tour on this site goes that far.
It makes a long day on foot, and in winter the upper trail gets less traffic and less packing. Our page on Johnston Canyon without a tour covers parking and cleats if you want to try it.
Choosing how far to go
If you have a free afternoon and normal fitness, go to the Upper Falls. The climb is steady rather than hard, and the second fall repays the extra climb.
If you have small children or limited time, the Lower Falls give you the catwalks and the tunnel. Our page on what you see in the frozen canyon explains the ice along both stretches, and what each tour costs sets the fares side by side.
Turning back costs nothing, since the trail runs the same way there and back. On a self-guided walk you can head past the Lower Falls and decide at the first steep stretch.