Marble Canyon is a must see if you find yourself driving down Highway 93 south or are in Lake Louise or Banff and looking for an easy but rewarding trip. Often overlooked compared to the more famed Johnston Canyon hike. Marble Canyon doesn’t see the same crowds, although it does get very busy on a summer weekend.
This short hike involves some stairs and numerous bridges crossing over the canyon which is home to a bright blue river flowing below.
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The Marble Canyon Trail
Distance: 0.9km one way
Elevation: 65m gain, 35m loss
Straight from the parking lot the Marble Canyon trail is beautiful, you get your first glimpse of the river immediately and shortly after you have the ability to detour from the main trail, down some steps. There is a small bench and you can reach the waters edge. A perfect spot to sit and relax on a nice warm day.
Back on the main trail it follows above and parallel to the river, the colour of the water is breathtaking! You’ll soon reach the first bridge. Enjoy the blue pool on one side and the first glimpse of Marble Canyon on the other. Straight ahead there are a fair number of steps to navigate. Although this trail is easy, if you are comfortable with steps, this may be the turnaround point for you.
At the top of the steps the trail crosses the canyon on a series of bridges, with each crossing of the canyon it gets thinner and thinner. Check out the arch over the canyon at one point, created by erosion long before our time.
Heading up the trail, towards the end, there is a spur trail which takes you to a set of Parks Canada red chairs. If they are free this is a great spot to take in the mountain views.
Continuing on the trail you’ll know you’ve reached the end when the fencing stops at the waterfall. Look up the valley and marvel at the river which soon cascades over the edge into Marble Canyon.
This is a great picnic spot. Sit, listen to the cascading water and enjoy the incredible mountain views which are all around. The Marble Canyon trail really doesn’t disappoint for insane mountain views.
The Marble Canyon trail is open year round but is considerably more peaceful in winter and you can marvel at the ice falls. I completed the trail in spring just as everything was melting, a glorious time, when the water really shimmers a beautiful blue.
Marble Canyon Trailhead
The Marble Canyon trailhead is around 17 kilometers south on Highway 93S from Highway 1. If you are coming from Radium Hot Springs, it is approximately 87 kilometers north on Highway 93S.
Note, the washrooms are closed in winter so make plans to use one of the open restrooms as a different trailhead you pass along the road if you need to go.
What You Might Need To Complete The Hike
Marble Canyon is an easy hike. On a warm summer’s day I’d easily complete the trail in my favorite Chaco Cloud sandals. However in Winter or Spring I’d recommend hiking boots or waterproof shoes. It was very wet and muddy when I did it in spring so I wore my La Sportiva Raptor 2 hiking boots. These had perfect grip and kept my feet dry on the trail.
During winter you’ll want to wear ice cleats. I packed my Yaktrax but they weren’t needed on a warm and slushy spring day but they definitely would have been needed on a cooler day.
Even though the Marble Canyon hike is short, you should still carry bear spray. This is prime bear country and you shouldn’t head out without it.
Where To Stay Nearby
On the opposite side of the Highway you’ll find the Marble Canyon campground, only open in peak summer season, this makes a great base for exploring the edge of Kootenay National Park and into Banff National Park.
Looking for something a little nicer, check out the Castle Mountain Chalets on the junction of Highway 93 south and Highway 1. These cute cabins are a great base for exploring the mountains while having a little more space than a typical hotel room. There is a small shop on site too, a great spot to stop and grab a post adventure snack or drink if you need one.
Heading South you end up in the town of Radium which has lots of accommodation options and makes a great base to explore the Columbia Valley. Check out the Bighorn Meadows Resort and Golf Course for a modern and comfortable spot just outside of town.
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