Explore the scenic Bow Valley Parkway on a guided e-bike ride and hike to Johnston Canyon. These tours include an e-bike, helmet, and professional interpretive guide for a seamless outdoor experience.
Free Cancellation Cycle the Bow Valley Parkway by e-bike and explore the waterfalls of Johnston Canyon on a guided day trip.
Free Cancellation Ride e-bikes from downtown Banff along the Bow River to reach a guided hike through the secluded Sundance Canyon.
Read what travelers share about their experience visiting Johnston Canyon — from practical tips to personal highlights.
Combine the thrill of cycling the Canadian Rockies with a spectacular gorge hike on a Johnston Canyon e-bike tour. These guided experiences allow you to effortlessly cruise along the scenic Bow Valley Parkway using pedal-assist e-bikes, completely bypassing the notorious summer parking congestion. Once at the trailhead, you will transition to foot to explore the canyon's iconic suspended catwalks, thundering waterfalls, and deep limestone pools.
Cruise along the scenic Bow Valley Parkway on a pedal-assist e-bike. This route is famous for its sweeping mountain views and frequent wildlife sightings.
Walk along the famous steel catwalks bolted directly into the 300-million-year-old limestone cliffs, hovering just above the rushing waters of Johnston Creek.
Feel the mist on your face as you pass through a natural rock tunnel to view the Lower Falls, or hike further to witness the dramatic 30-meter drop of the Upper Falls.
Learn about the area's unique karst topography, Indigenous history, and endangered wildlife from a professional interpretive guide.
Enjoy a seamless experience with premium e-bikes, helmets, and often a convenient one-way vehicle shuttle back to Banff included in your tour.
Planning an e-bike and hike tour to Johnston Canyon requires a bit of preparation to ensure a safe and enjoyable day. Here is what you need to know before securing your spot.
Most options are small-group guided tours that combine a scenic e-bike ride from Banff with a guided hike. Tours typically last between 3 and 4 hours, depending on whether you visit Johnston Canyon or the nearby Sundance Canyon.
While the e-bike's electric motor assists with rolling terrain, travelers should still possess a moderate level of physical fitness. You must feel confident and comfortable riding a bicycle on paved roads.
For safety reasons, e-bike tours have strict size and age limits. Riders must be at least 5'0" (152cm) tall, and the minimum age requirement is generally between 14 and 16 years old depending on the specific tour operator.
Close-toed shoes are absolutely mandatory; sandals or flip-flops are not permitted while biking or hiking. You should also dress in layers, as the canyon interior is heavily shaded and noticeably cooler than the open parkway.
While there is no entrance fee for the canyon itself, a valid Parks Canada Park Pass is required to be in Banff National Park. Check with your tour operator to see if this is included, or purchase one in advance for $12.25 CAD per adult.
Standard guided tours include the e-bike rental, a safety helmet, and a professional interpretive guide. Some premium Johnston Canyon tours also include a one-way vehicle shuttle back to Banff so you don't have to bike both ways.
Most tour operators offer a flexible cancellation policy. You can typically receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before your scheduled departure time.
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| Johnston Canyon eBike & Hike | Sundance Canyon eBike & Hike | |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 4 hours | 3 hours |
| Best for | Active adults & wildlife lovers | Families with teens & beginners |
| Includes | E-bike, guide, 1-way vehicle shuttle | E-bike, guide, paved pathways |
| Price from | $152 USD | $119 USD |
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Trail Access: Johnston Canyon is open year-round, 24 hours a day. However, doing an e-bike tour is generally restricted to the warmer months (May through October) when the roads are clear of snow and ice.
Important 2026 Closure: The entire Johnston Canyon trail is scheduled to close to the public for routine rockfall hazard maintenance. This closure will last for two to three months starting right after Canadian Thanksgiving on October 12, 2026.
Road Restrictions: From May 1 to June 25, 2026, vehicle travel is prohibited between 8:00 PM and 8:00 AM on the eastern 17-kilometer section of the Bow Valley Parkway to protect local wildlife.
Location: Johnston Canyon is located approximately 25 kilometers west of the Banff townsite along the scenic Bow Valley Parkway (Highway 1A).
By E-Bike: Cyclists can ride from downtown Banff along the Banff Legacy Trail to access the Bow Valley Parkway. The ride takes about an hour.
Public Transit: If you are not biking, you can take Roam Transit Route 9 from the Banff High School Transit Hub. It operates daily from mid-May to October and costs $5.00 CAD one-way for adults.
Vehicle-Free Cycling: The absolute best time for an e-bike tour is during the special vehicle-free periods on the Bow Valley Parkway. From April 30 to June 25 and September 1 to October 6, 2026, the eastern 17 kilometers are closed to public vehicles from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, providing an incredibly safe and peaceful ride.
Avoiding Crowds: The peak summer months of June through September bring extreme crowds to the canyon between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM. Booking an early morning e-bike tour helps you beat the worst of the foot traffic on the narrow catwalks.
Lower Falls Trail: The 1.2-kilometer trail to the Lower Falls is considered wheelchair and stroller accessible. It features a paved path and flat steel catwalks with safety rails, maintaining a gentle average grade of about 4%.
Upper Falls Trail: Reaching the Upper Falls requires navigating a steeper 2.5-kilometer one-way path with 120 meters of elevation gain, which is not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers.
E-Bike Limitations: E-bikes are strictly prohibited on the hiking trails. You must park and lock your bike at the designated racks near the trailhead before continuing on foot.
Restrooms: Heated restroom facilities are available at the main parking lot. Note: There are absolutely no public bathrooms available along the hiking trails, so be sure to go before you start walking.
Food and Drink: There are no water stations or concession stands on the trail. You can fill your reusable water bottles at the designated filling station in the main parking lot. After your hike, you can grab a bite at the BlackSwift Bistro located at the historic Johnston Canyon Lodge.
No, you do not need to be an elite athlete, but a moderate level of physical fitness is required. The e-bike's pedal-assist motor makes the rolling terrain of the Bow Valley Parkway highly manageable, though you still need to be comfortable balancing and riding a bicycle for several hours.
No, bicycles and e-bikes are strictly prohibited on the hiking trails and elevated catwalks. Tour groups will park and lock their e-bikes at the trailhead before continuing into the canyon on foot.
For safety reasons and to ensure the bikes fit properly, riders must be at least 5'0" (152cm) tall. The minimum age requirement is typically 14 or 16 years old, depending on the specific tour operator.
Usually, the Parks Canada Park Pass is not included in the tour price. Visitors are responsible for purchasing their own daily pass ($12.25 CAD per adult) or holding a valid Discovery Pass before entering the park.
Close-toed shoes, such as running shoes or hiking boots, are absolutely mandatory for both safety on the bike and traction on the trail. Sandals, flip-flops, and open-toed shoes are strictly prohibited by tour operators.
The hike to the Lower Falls is a 2.4 km round trip that takes about 1 hour. If your tour goes all the way to the Upper Falls, it is a 5.0 km round trip that typically takes 2 to 3 hours to complete.
No, recreational drone use is strictly prohibited everywhere within Banff National Park, including the Bow Valley Parkway and Johnston Canyon. Flying a drone without a commercial permit can result in massive fines of up to $25,000 CAD.
Tours generally operate rain or shine, so clients are required to wear clothing appropriate for the day's weather. However, if the weather is dangerously severe, operators may cancel, or you can utilize the 24-hour cancellation policy for a full refund.
It is possible but rare, as they nest high up in the steep limestone cliff walls. To protect their habitat, it is strictly illegal to venture off the designated trails between May 15 and November 15.
There are no public bathrooms along the hiking trails inside the canyon. You must use the heated restroom facilities located at the main Johnston Canyon parking lot before you begin your hike.
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This guided tour combines a scenic ride along the Bow Valley Parkway with a hike through Johnston Canyon. Starting from Banff, you’ll travel by e-bike along the parkway, a route known for its mountain views and frequent wildlife sightings. The electric assist makes the rolling terrain manageable for most fitness levels, allowing you to focus on the scenery rather than the effort. Upon reaching Johnston Canyon, you’ll park the bikes and head into the canyon on foot. The trail follows a series of suspended catwalks built into the limestone walls, leading past several powerful waterfalls. Your guide will share details about the local geology and history as you navigate the path. After the hike, the tour concludes with the return ride back along the parkway.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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This tour starts in downtown Banff and is designed for families or those new to e-biking. You will begin by cycling along the paved Bow River pathway, passing local landmarks while heading away from the busy town center toward the Sundance Canyon trailhead. Once at the canyon, you will switch to a guided hike that follows the water through a quiet, forested area. While the hike is short, it features some steady inclines that offer a moderate challenge. This combined experience allows you to see the highlights of the park and explore a secluded canyon without needing a car.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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