Grotto Canyon Ice Walk: Winter Trail Guide & Tips

The Grotto Canyon ice walk is a very fun and unique thing to do in Kananaskis in winter. The transformation of the cute little Grotto Creek from summer to winter is quite amazing! In summer, Grotto Creek is a gentle mountain stream running through a beautiful canyon. Over the course of winter, this modest little creek becomes a large sheet of brilliant blue uphill ice.

If you are lucky enough to catch it at a time with large ice buildup and minimal snow cover, chances are good that the Grotto Canyon ice walk will be one of your favourite easy winter hikes in Kananaskis.

Brewer child standing beneath two frozen waterfalls on the Grotto Canyon ice walk. — Our daughter below the frozen waterfalls at the end of the Grotto Canyon ice walk.

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Grotto Canyon Trail Distance, Elevation & Difficulty

Aside from walking on the slippery ice, Grotto Canyon is one of the easiest winter hikes in Kananaskis.

How Long is the Grotto Canyon Ice Walk?

The round-trip distance of the Grotto Canyon Ice Walk trail is approximately 4.2 km.

Grotto Creek Canyon hiking trail sign beside a snow-covered path in Kananaskis.

How Steep is the Grotto Canyon Ice Walk?

The Grotto Canyon winter hike starts with a gradual uphill section, but the incline is gentle. Once you enter Grotto Canyon, you’ll be walking upstream in a mountain canyon, so the trail gets a little steeper, but it’s never too bad. Grotto Canyon is where the ice walking occurs, so chances are you’ll be having so much fun you won’t even notice the uphill.

We have recorded our walks on AllTrails several times and it consistently shows the total elevation gain on the Grotto Canyon ice walk between 250 – 260 m.

The Brewer kids climbing over rocks and a fallen tree on a narrow section of the Grotto Canyon trail. — Celine watches our kids climb the rocks leading to Grotto Canyon.

How Difficult is the Grotto Canyon Trail?

The only thing that’s hard about the Grotto Canyon ice walk is managing the slippery ice surfaces. It’s a short and reasonably flat ice walk, so as long as you have the proper gear with you, almost everyone should be able to enjoy this unique Kananaskis winter activity.

We provide our recommendations for winter gear and traction devices for the ice walk below.

A Brewer child snowshoeing on the frozen creek during the Grotto Canyon ice walk. — Our son uses snowshoes for traction on the ice walk.

How Long Does the Ice Walk Take?

Most adults can complete the Grotto Canyon ice walk in approximately 60–75 minutes.

If you are visiting the Canadian Rockies in winter with kids, this is a very popular activity. Kids are slower hikers and will always want to stop and play on the ice. We recently hiked Grotto Canyon with our kids (ages 5 & 7) and we completed the ice walk in just over 2 hours.

Alternatives to the Grotto Canyon Ice Walk

Aside from walking on ice, the Grotto Canyon ice walk is pretty easy, but it’s not for everyone. If you don’t wish to walk on ice, there are many easy winter hikes in Kananaskis Country to enjoy. Some of our favourites which are nearby include the Grassi Lakes Trail and the Heart Creek Trail.

If you are interested in the ice walk, but are nervous about going it alone, there is a very popular Grotto Canyon Icewalk Tour by Discover Banff Tours. We discuss more about this tour below.

Dan Brewer and his kids approaching the frozen waterfall along the snowy Grotto Canyon trail. — Standing with my kids near the frozen waterfalls.

What to Expect on the Grotto Canyon Ice Walk

The Walk to Grotto Canyon

Let’s start with the least exciting part of the Grotto Canyon ice walk. The first 0.8 km of the trail is quite possibly one of the least scenic stretches of hiking in Kananaskis.

You walk along a power line near Highway 1A towards the big and loud Baymag magnesium oxide plant. Don’t worry, as the Grotto Canyon ice walk is so fun that you’ll soon forget all about it.

Once you pass the Baymag plant, the hike starts to feel more like a wilderness trail as you enter the forest.

Baymag industrial plant and power lines beside the snowy Grotto Canyon trail.

Walking Through the Frozen Canyon

Before long you’ll arrive at the mouth of Grotto Creek Canyon where you can sit on a park bench to put on your microspikes and enjoy amazing views of the mountains surrounding Canmore. If you look closely, you may even see people wild ice skating on nearby Gap Lake.

Wooden bench overlooking snow-covered mountains along the Grotto Canyon winter hike. — This scenic bench is the perfect spot to put your microspikes on.

The magic of this Kananaskis ice walk becomes immediately apparent as you enter Grotto Canyon. A small waterfall at the canyon entrance is often frozen over, giving you your first taste of ice walking.

Dan Brewer carries his son on the rocky creek bed between the walls of Grotto Canyon. — Carrying my young son into the mouth of Grotto Canyon.

Once in Grotto Canyon, depending on your luck with ice conditions, you’ll alternate walking between long sheets of slick canyon ice and packed down snow. Some years it feels like the entire width & length of the canyon is full of ice and others it’s mostly snow.

Regardless of the ice and snow conditions, we recommend visiting Grotto Canyon as it’s a magical thing to do in Kananaskis in winter.

Two Brewer kids walking with snowshoes along the frozen creek on the Grotto Canyon ice walk. — Our kids walk along the icy Grotto Canyon Trail using their snowshoes.

The 1.5 km walk through Grotto Canyon to the frozen waterfalls is very beautiful in winter. In addition to the icy canyon floor, the canyon walls can get quite narrow and high above.

This fun combination of winter elements will make you feel like quite the winter adventurer! The ice walk sections are an especially fun and memorable experience.

Frozen creek winding between tall limestone walls on the Grotto Canyon winter hike. — Perfect conditions for the Grotto Canyon ice walk.

The Frozen Waterfalls

At the end of the Grotto Canyon ice walk, you’ll arrive at a towering frozen waterfall. The brilliant blue ice is something you really need to see in person. Get up close to the frozen waterfall to enjoy the details of the huge icicles and to listen to the sound of water still flowing underneath.

Brewer child beneath towering blue icefalls at Grotto Canyon in Kananaskis. — Our daughter at the base of the frozen Grotto Canyon waterfalls.

It’s hard to resist grabbing and sucking on a crystal-clear icicle, but you’re not supposed to drink the water in summer (beaver fever anyone?), so try to resist the frozen variety in winter.

Close-up of blue and white icicles hanging from a frozen waterfall in Grotto Canyon.

Exploring Beyond the Waterfalls

Most people stop their ice walk on the Grotto Canyon Trail at the frozen waterfalls, but it actually continues to the left and right if you wish to extend your Kananaskis winter adventure. Both options are beyond the scope of the traditional Grotto Canyon ice walk.

To the right, you have the chance to walk up a narrow slot canyon, often fully covered by ice. If the conditions are right, it’s a steep sheet of rippled ice which is incredibly fun to walk up with the right traction device. (I was able to do it confidently in my Kahtoola MICROspikes, but my friend was unable to do it in his Yaktrax). There’s a smaller, hidden frozen waterfall at the end of this section.

Do not attempt this without full confidence in your winter traction device.

Steep sheet of blue ice rising through a narrow side canyon in Grotto Canyon. — The hidden frozen waterfall at the end of the steep river of ice.

To the left, the Grotto Canyon Trail continues for several kilometres. The trail extension is not official, nor maintained beyond the frozen waterfalls. This section of Grotto Canyon is much less popular, but if you are looking for a longer winter hike or snowshoe, this is a satisfying option.

Here, the Grotto Canyon Trail transitions into a wide valley which offers some really good mountain vistas. The snow can get quite deep on this section of Grotto Canyon trail, so we recommend snowshoes.

Best Time for the Grotto Canyon Ice Walk

The best time to experience the Grotto Canyon ice walk depends on a lot of variables, including luck. For example, how early and quickly did the creek freeze in fall? How much snow has fallen recently? How many freeze-thaw cycles have there been this winter?

Although this may vary from year-to-year, we have found that the Grotto Canyon ice walk is better towards the end of winter.

Irregular clear icicles hanging beside blue ice on the Grotto Canyon trail.

Grotto Canyon in December vs. March

For example, in December there isn’t typically much ice on the floor of Grotto Canyon. You can still enjoy an ice walk at Grotto Canyon during this time, but you may find that the trail alternates between patches of ice and rocky snow.

You may also find your boots break through the ice into the shallow stream below the ice. The Grotto Canyon waterfalls are frozen, but are much smaller in size than later in winter.

Hikers crossing the rocky, partly snow-covered creek bed on the Grotto Canyon winter hike. — Celine and our kids on the Grotto Canyon Trail in December.

By comparison, in March, you’ll typically find the ice coverage at Grotto Canyon much better. There’s no guarantee, but the canyon floor will likely be completely covered with brilliant blue ice. The frozen waterfalls at the end of the trail should also be very well formed.

The Brewer kids walking on the frozen Grotto Canyon ice walk between high rock walls. — Our kids enjoy perfect conditions for the Grotto Canyon ice walk in March.

How Snowfall Affects the Ice Walk

The Grotto Canyon ice walk experience is best when you are walking on a brilliant blue layer of ice. If it has snowed heavily in Canmore or Kananaskis recently, you may wish to wait until the snow has had a chance to melt and turn into a fresh top-layer of ice.

If you aren’t sure about the Grotto Canyon trail conditions, you can always check out the latest trail reports on AllTrails.

Grotto Canyon Pictographs

The Grotto Canyon ice walk isn’t just a super fun thing to do in Kananaskis in winter – you can also see a bit of Alberta history. As you near the Grotto Canyon waterfalls, look to the left to see some pictographs of humans and animals, thought to be drawn between 500-1,300 years ago by the Hopituh Shi-nu-mu people (“Hopi” for short).

Faded reddish Indigenous pictographs on a limestone wall in Grotto Canyon.

One of Grotto Canyon pictographs is thought to be a flute player (also known as a “Kokopelli”). This symbol has been described as their symbol of fertility and as a traveler. As Hopi clans explored new territory, they left paintings of the flute player along the way.

It took me years of hiking and ice walking Grotto Canyon before I finally found the pictographs. Probably because the pictographs are near the waterfall, which is beautifully distracting. But another reason is because the Grotto Canyon pictographs are faded and hard to see.

Where are the Grotto Canyon Pictographs?

The Grotto Canyon pictographs are very easy to miss. The location of the Grotto Canyon pictographs can be found as you near the end of the hiking trail heading towards the waterfall. The easiest way to find them is on the way back from the Grotto Canyon waterfall.

Walk away from the waterfall down the same hiking trail which got you there. The canyon will be straight for approximately 50-100m and then it will make an abrupt right-hand turn. As soon as you make the right hand turn, look down at the canyon wall on your right and you will see a smooth rock face with the Grotto Canyon pictographs on them.

Two Brewer children examining the faded pictographs on a Grotto Canyon rock wall.

— Don’t touch the pictographs —
Oil from human skin is very damaging to the pictographs. If you are lucky enough to spot them, please help preserve these treasures for future generations.

Grotto Canyon Trailhead, Parking & Map

The Grotto Canyon ice walk is located between Canmore and Exshaw in a unique part of Bow Valley Provincial Park in Kananaskis, making it an ideal outing for anyone visiting Canmore in winter.

You’ll find the Grotto Canyon ice walk trailhead at the parking lot near Grotto Mountain Pond. As Grotto Canyon is in Kananaskis Country, you will need a Kananaskis Conservation Pass to park here.

If the Grotto Canyon parking lot is full, another fun trail is just 5 minutes down the highway. The kid-friendly Jura Creek winter hike features two slot canyons and often has sections of ice walking.

Grotto Creek Trail information board beside the snowy trail entrance.

What’s interesting about the Grotto Canyon Trail is that the Bow Valley Provincial Park includes all the areas south of Highway 1A, but north of the highway the only area in the provincial park is the land around Grotto Mountain Pond and the full length of the Grotto Canyon Trail. All the mountainous land just outside the Grotto Canyon trail is not included in the Bow Valley Provincial Park.

Grotto Canyon Trail Map

The Grotto Canyon Trail is well-signed and really easy to follow; once you find the trailhead (in the middle of the Grotto Pond parking lot) simply follow the signs all the way to Grotto Canyon.

Brewer kids passing a Grotto Creek Canyon trail sign on a snowy forest path.

We used the AllTrails app while on the Grotto Canyon ice walk, but to be honest, we didn’t need it for navigation purposes. We use AllTrails for all our adventures in the Canadian Rockies and hiking with kids around the world. In addition to helping stay on the trails, we like the ability to track our stats (distance, elevation gain, etc.).

To find the Grotto Canyon ice walk map in AllTrails, simply search for “Grotto Canyon Trail”. You are close enough to Exshaw that you should get intermittent cell service on the ice walk, but just to be safe, download your hiking maps prior to leaving.

A recent App of the Year winner, AllTrails is also one of the best apps for visiting Banff! Enjoy map downloads and many more premium features with a 7-day free trial of AllTrails+!

Two Brewer kids standing beside a tall frozen waterfall on the Grotto Canyon ice walk.

What to Wear for the Grotto Canyon Ice Walk

If possible, wear waterproof or water-resistant winter boots on the Grotto Canyon ice walk. It’s common for the water in Grotto Creek to continue running under the ice all winter long. The ice can be thin in places, and your boots may break through into the shallow water below, although it’s rarely very deep.

Regardless of what you wear on your feet, be cautious of thin spots in the ice. You’ll be glad your boots are waterproof if you are unlucky enough to break through the upper layer of canyon ice.

Brown winter hiking boots fitted with red Kahtoola MICROspikes on an icy trail.

Also, keep in mind that you will be hiking in a narrow canyon in the middle of winter. This means the walls of Grotto Canyon will block the sun, making it feel colder than the forecasted temperature.

The canyon can also act like a wind tunnel, making it feel even colder. We recommend dressing in layers and having a good daybag to store unused layers in.

Local Tip

Heading out for a winter adventure in Kananaskis? The same layering principles we use in Banff apply here too. See our Banff winter packing list for our local advice on warm layers, winter boots, traction devices and the cold-weather gear we rely on throughout the season.

Dan Brewer, owner of TravelBanffCanada.com, hiking with his kids on a snow-covered trail in winter.

Best Traction Devices for the Ice Walk

This is kind of obvious, but your biggest risk on the Grotto Canyon ice walk is slipping on the ice. Having good quality traction on your winter boots is essential. Winter hikers to Grotto Canyon have several options for traction devices, which we discuss in our post on traction devices for winter hiking.

For the Grotto Canyon ice walk, we highly recommend Kahtoola MICROspikes. Their steel teeth dig into the ice, providing excellent traction.

Close-up of metal microspikes fitted over a winter hiking boot for icy trails.

Snowshoes are ok for traction on the ice, but not great. If you already own snowshoes, but not micro spikes, it probably doesn’t make sense to shell out for more winter traction devices.

Brewer child wearing snowshoes and raising his arms on the icy Grotto Canyon trail.

I recently hiked Grotto Canyon in winter with a good friend who was wearing Yaktrax. He was able to make it to the frozen waterfall, but he had much more trouble with his footing on the ice than I did.

Another fun winter trail to enjoy your MICROspikes is the Green Monster winter hike. This fun Kananaskis winter hike features 8 frozen waterfalls!

Grotto Canyon Ice Walk Safety

Taking care of your foot traction on ice isn’t your only safety concern at Grotto Canyon in winter.

No matter what activity you do in Kananaskis in winter, it’s always a good idea to check the trail report before you go to check for any area closures, dangerous animals in area, etc. Please check the Grotto Creek Canyon trail report by Alberta Parks before you head out.

Even in winter, it’s important to stay aware of wildlife while hiking in Grotto Canyon. Bears should be hibernating, but wolves, cougars, elk, etc. still provide a safety risk to Kananaskis visitors. Take a few minutes and read “Living with Wildlife” by Alberta Parks.

This Kananaskis ice walk follows a narrow canyon nestled in-between Grotto Mountain and Gap Mountain. Any time you venture towards the base of a mountain in winter, you need to assess the avalanche risk. Avalanche.ca is an excellent resource for assessing your Kananaskis avalanche risk.

The Brewers walking along a frozen creek between towering walls on the Grotto Canyon trail.

Grotto Canyon Ice Walk with Kids

Hiking the Grotto Canyon ice walk with kids is a super-fun thing to do in Kananaskis in winter. Walking uphill on a frozen creek through a beautiful mountain canyon is an exciting experience for kids. The Grotto Canyon trail is short and flat enough that most kids should be able to complete it without issue, as long as everyone has the proper traction gear.

Celine Brewer, host of the Banff Travel Podcast, helping her child slide on ice during the Grotto Canyon winter hike.

We’ve done this fun Kananaskis ice walk with our kids several times and they love it. Our kids were just two and four years old the first time we took them on the Grotto Canyon ice walk. They do not make traction devices for very small kids, so we alternated between carrying our kids backpack carriers and simply holding their hands tightly.

Dan and Celine Brewer, owners of TravelBanffCanada.com, with their kids beneath a frozen waterfall in Grotto Canyon.

Before going on the Grotto Canyon ice walk with kids, be sure to have a plan for your foot traction. For the adults, it’s very important to have excellent traction with the ability to move quickly in case you need to go help a little one who slipped. We personally use and highly recommend Kahtoola MicroSpikes.

Brewer child wearing snowshoes while walking through the frozen Grotto Canyon.

Small kids can wear snowshoes, or if they are big enough, they can wear children’s microspikes. If you opt for kid’s snowshoes, look for a pair with good quality front and back crampons.

There are traction devices for kids too. Kahtoola doesn’t make microspikes for kids, but you can often find smaller versions by other manufacturers. Our kids have High Stream Gear Ice Cleats for Kids.

Brewer girl holding a long icicle beside the frozen waterfall at Grotto Canyon.

Looking for more kid-friendly activities in Kananaskis? The Heart Creek Trail is another nearby fun winter activity for kids.

Grotto Canyon Facilities & Practical Tips

On-leash dogs are allowed on the Grotto Canyon ice walk trail.
The Grotto Canyon parking lot serves the Grotto Canyon Trail and the Grotto Pond day use area. It’s a medium sized parking lot, but these are two popular things to do in Kananaskis, so the lot can fill quickly especially on weekends. Be aware, there is a warning sign here regarding vehicle break-ins. Bring your valuables with you or better yet, leave them at home.
There are toilets at the end of the Grotto Canyon parking lot.
There are many picnic tables around Grotto Pond.
There are no drinking water facilities at Grotto Canyon, so top up your refillable water bottles before you leave home.

Snow-covered ice climbing through a narrow side canyon off the Grotto Canyon trail.

Guided Grotto Canyon Ice Walk Tours

By this point, you’ve read all the info you need to enjoy the Grotto Canyon ice walk. If, like many people, you don’t have the proper winter hiking gear, transportation, etc. then check out this Grotto Canyon Icewalk tour by Discover Banff Tours.

This popular Kananaskis ice walk tour includes ice cleats and hiking poles as well as hotel pick-up and drop-off. As a bonus, unlike me, they know where to find the pictographs!

Smooth blue ice covering the creek bed between narrow rock walls on the Grotto Canyon ice walk.

Whether you enjoy the Grotto Canyon ice walk on your own or on a guided tour, we hope you enjoy it as much as we do!!

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Dan Brewer

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Dan Brewer, a life-long Alberta resident, calls Canmore home along with his wife and two kids. He is the co-owner of Travel Banff Canada, where he gets to share his passion for the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Dan, along with his family, love being outdoors doing one of the many activities they enjoy in the mountains: hiking, mountain biking, paddleboarding, skiing, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

When he's not in Canmore enjoying one of his favourite local hikes, you can find him hopping on a plane to explore a new country with his family or working on one of their other two travel sites: Family Can Travel and Baby Can Travel.