Walking on ice? It sounds like a broken hip in the making. However, the Grotto Canyon ice walk, done with the right gear (see the last section of this article), is an easy hike on a frozen creek to spectacular ice falls. Winter hiking on the Grotto Canyon trail, is a family friendly outing with stunning scenery. In addition, the icy adventure is less than an hour drive west of Calgary.
Grotto Canyon Ice walk
Table of Contents
Where is the Grotto Canyon ice walk trailhead?
How to get to Grotto Canyon
To get to the Grotto ice walk from Calgary, head west on Highway 1 toward Banff. Watch for the Seebee Exshaw 114 exit on the right to the 1A highway.
Drive past Exshaw and watch for the sign for Grotto Pond Day use area on the right. There you will find a moderatley sized parking area, with outdoor vault toilets.
Parking lot for Grotto Canyon hike – busy on a weekday morning
The Grotto Canyon hiking trail is popular. We suggest arriving early and avoiding weekends. Do not park on the highway. Expect a ticket on your vehicle if you do. In other words, if the lot is full, we suggest coming back another day.
For other ideas of what you can do in the Canmore area, read Leigh McAdam’s article on Things to Do In Canmore on a 2 Day Winter Visit.
Route finding on the Grotto Canyon ice walk
Look for the start of the ice walk at the mid point in the parking area. After that follow the signs for the Grotto Creek Canyon hike.
Initially the trail follows an old road bed, passing by power lines and the Baymag magnesite processing plant. The noise from the plant can be off-putting. Carry onward to the ice walk which will be far more peaceful. Hike until the trail swings north (right) and drops into the Grotto Canyon floor.
With the quiet of the canyon now surrounding you, the power of glacial meltwater some 12,000 years ago is seen in the canyon walls.
Gazing at rock climbing walls in Grotto Canyon
Grotto Canyon Pictographs
In only a handful of locations in the Candian Rockies has art from First Nations peoples been found. Grassi Lakes and the Grotto Canyon trail, hold some of these treasures, for those with a keen eye.
Rock wall with pictographs in Grotto Canyon
At the last bend in the Grotto Creek Canyon before the waterfall, look for a smooth rock wall on the left hand side. Thought to be between 500 and 1300 years old, the most notable ochre painting is that of a Hopi character.
Legend tells of Kokopelli, the flute player, being left in the north migration of the Hopi people, when they ventured to the land of ice and rock. When unable to melt ice, their guardians directed them to move south. They settled in a far warmer area, known today as Arizona.
Grotto Canyon pictographs
Above all, please refrain from touching the pictographs in Grotto Canyon. The historical art continues to fade.
Grotto Canyon Ice Climbing – Etiquette for watching
At approximately the 2 km mark of the Grotto trail, frozen waterfalls cling to the limestone rock. A popular spot with the Calgary climbing community, you may see ice climbers.
For your own safety, never walk near or under the ice climbers. As they swing ice axes and kick with crampons, chunks of ice can easily fall. In other words, prevent your own head injury by staying clear.
Ice climbing on the frozen waterfalls of Grotto
Do not speak to the belayer (the person holding the rope at the bottom) or the climber on the frozen waterfall. Distracted climbing leads to accidents. Above all, observe from a distance.
From my own past ice climbing experience, I can attest that curious onlookers hollering questions is not helpful.
Should you go to the Grotto Canyon cave?
Facing the ice falls, a short slot canyon appears to the right. Often completely covered by uphill, rippling ice, it ends soon with a smaller ice waterfall.
The trail opens up past the ice falls
To the left, Grotto Canyon soon widens out. You can continue to walk for several kilometres. About 10 minutes after the canyon opens, the Grotto cave is visible in hoodoos high above the trail.
Although an enticing feature of Grotto mountain, we do not recommend the steep uphill. Coming down can be a perilous winter hiking adventure. Those sliding down on their bottoms, which may be the only safe way to descend, cause rocks and debris to fall on hikers below.
What you need for Grotto Canyon winter hiking
The following section of the post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchasre through one of these links, we received a small percentage of the sale at no additonal cost to you.
As the saying goes there is never bad weather only bad gear. Therefore, should you want to prevent the Grotto Canyon ice walk from becoming a bone cracking adventure, wearing icers over your boots is recommended.
The Grotto Creek Canyon is one of the easy hikes in the Canmore area. However the winter blanket of ice makes the footing treacherous without proper footwear.
Icers that we use for Grotto Canyon ice walk
We also recommend hiking poles if you are heading to the Grotto Canyon trail in winter. Not only for balance, ours served as testing slushy parts of the ice canyon to ensure we would not step through soft sections of the ice surface.
Using hiking poles to test the strength of ice in Grotto Canyon
Have you been winter hiking or tried an ice walk?
Other winter in Alberta articles you may enjoy
Banff Family Activities for Toddlers, Teens and Grandma
Winter Glamping Mountain Escape – Mount Engadine Lodge
10 Tips To Make Skiing Fun For Kids
Thank you for sharing a fascinating and comprehensive post, Sue. I also appreciate the map as to where you are. Wow, less than one hour from Calgary. An accessible adventure. Very interesting about the art treasures found along the way and the legends. Very good point about distracted climbing. We have had the opportunity to do Winter hiking when we lived in the North and at Mount Baker. I still recall the beauty and the quiet. An excellent post, especially for this time of year. Erica
Erica thank you for that feedback. We do like to include a map when possible. I think many visitors miss the pictorgraphs as without directions to them or what to watch for they are easily walked by. Glad to hear you have done some winter hiking as well. These days as we all look for quiet and safe space outdoors, exploring new areas is vital. I appreciate your visit and taking the time to comment.
It sounds like a wonderful experience if one that we are unlikely to do any time soon — feeling old.
Ray we are happy to take you on this one virtually. The ice can be treacherous but with our icers on our feet we were amazed how sturdy we felt.
You find the most amazing things to do, and not far from your home. I love the pictographs. I didn’t know there were any in the area.
Darlene we used to spend a great deal of time in Grotto Canyon in our rock climbing days. We snowshoed in once but it became clear what we really needed were icers. The pictographs are not easily spotted unless you know where to look for them. Thanks kindly for sharing the post on Twitter. Very much appreciated.
What a beautiful landscape and unique hiking experience. With the right gear, it does sound rather fun.
The gear makes all the difference Ingrid. I’m thinking with your photography skills the various ice formations would make for some amazing captures.
I would really enjoy this experience, but definitely with the correct footwear. We did a glacier walk in New Zealand in 2013 and it was incredible.
The glacier walk sounds fabulous! As I think I may have mentioned, New Zealand was where we planned to be next month prior to the arrival of COVID. Can I ask where in New Zealand you had the experience?
Hi Sue, I’m butting into another reader’s comment, but we hiked on Fox Glacier in NZ. Very fun! Maybe The Eternal Traveler will have another option, too.
I appreciate the tip Lexie. It looks like we will be waiting for some time to make the NZ trip a reality. I’ll make a note of your suggestion.
Hi, Sue – Although I do tons of winter hiking, I have never tried an official ‘ice walk’. It is now on my list!
Donna I think you will enjoy it. The key is being sure you have the right gear. I hope you are able to tick that off your list sometime soon.
Looks so beautiful there, Sue. You do have the most amazing adventures. Thanks for sharing something which I’m sure I’ll never do especially at this stage of my life. 😅
Sylvia we are always so happy to take you along on an adventure. This one can be a bit chilly but with the right gear the Grotto Canyon ice walk is doable for most anyone. Not exactly Florida temperatures I will admit. 🙂
Now this sounds like an exciting and unique winter experience, Sue! Thank you for sharing. You truly live in an amazing area. And I can imagine that spikes underneath your soles are a must. When you talked about the pictographs and Kokopelli, the flute player, I immediately had to think about Arizona, where his image is omni-present (as well as in parts of Mexico). And, low and behold, you immediately talk about the natives’ migration to Arizona. I’m glad you’re discovering all these wonderful places and adventures in your backyard during these days of “close-to-home” travel.
Liesbet I too have seen the ‘flute player’ art in Arizona and Mexico as well. I smiled at the legend of the Hopi and the guardians directing them to move south. Perhaps the original Canadian snowbirds escaping the icy chill of winter. We are very grateful to live near the Rockies, especially during these days of sticking close to home. It has been heartening to explore new spots or even ones well known to us in different seasons.
That looks amazing. I never would have imagined that.
Happy to share this icy hike with you Jacqui. Even here, ice hikes are not that common but such a fun adventure if one has the right gear.
We’ve done a bit of icy and snowy hiking this winter in Colorado. My new microspikes (you call them icers, which sounds cuter!) are the best thing since sliced bread! Love them! They open up so many more possibilities. Your hike looks amazing – both fun and surrounded by such beauty!
Lexie I think they come by all kinds of names but whatever you call them I agree that they make such a difference. Glad to hear you have been able to get out and enjoy the ice and snow of Colorado. Grotto Canyon has long been a favourite of mine. For years we rock climbed there in the summer. Now looking at those walls I can hardly imagine it.
I have to admit, it’s spectacular, Sue, but I think I’ll pass on this one 🙂 🙂
Fair enough Jo. One has to choose walks that suit one best and an ice walk is not for everyone.
I have never seen anything like this. Stunning pictures and great descriptions of all that this adventure entails. I would love to try this at some point……..great post!! Loved it!
Kirt I am smiling at having given you a new destination to seek out. I think with your creative photography and art there would be many opportunities. It’s a lovely spot in summer as well. Thank you for the enthusiastic feedback. Always truly appreciated.
Grotto Canyon looks like quite the canyon to visit in winter, Sue. Doesn’t sound too far to get to in your area and the rock climbing walls are a sight to marvel at. Lovely shot of you gazing at the climbing walls – really puts into perspective just how vast they are. I like the safety tips you gave. As you mentioned at the start, walking on ice is already precarious on the body itself. The belayer has a very important job and so agree it is best not to talk to them as they are helping the climber. One time I was climbing a rock wall in the forest and I always, always looked down to make sure the belayer was looking at me and doing his job 😄
Mabel I admit that during my rock climbing days I was very demanding of the full attention of my belayer. The person certainly holds your life in their hands.
Grotto Canyon is a short drive for us and thus why it is so popular. Such magnificent scenery winter and summer is hard to resist.
Thanks so much for dropping by. I hope you are doing well. Best wishes from Canada. XO
Very good you demanded your belayer their full attention and that’s why you are a very safe climber and adventurer. Hopefully you get to go there soon especially in the warmer months for some exercise and fresh air. I am well over here. Take care, Sue 🙂
Thank you Mabel. spring is in sight, well if one squints and looks very hard. Glad to know you are well. Best wishes to you. XO
After spending most of my life trying avoid walking on ice, it seems odd to seek it out; but the scenery would be worth it! 🙂 It’s interesting to see that the blue-green water that’s visible in summer also makes blue-green ice in the winter!
Good eye Diane! The colour isn’t as vibrant but definitely there. As we look for more ways and areas to explore during the winter close to home it does seem odd to seek out ice. Not to be done woithout some kind of spike footwear in our opinion.
Yes, my ice-treads were my best friends when I lived in Calgary. Now that we’ve moved to the west coast, I don’t even remember where I put them when we unpacked. 😉
Lucky you! What a difference they make in getting out and enjoying winter safely here.
not sure about walking on ice but the views are stunning! 🙂
It is a winter wonderland in Grotto Canyon but definitely not safe to do without proper footwear.
For those who can brave the cold, it looks amazing. I love you have continued to find adventures in a year with so many travel restrictions. Wishing you and Dave lots of adventures in 2021!
Thank you Laura. this past year we have found many places close to home to enjoy and explore. It looks like there will be more of that ahead for some time. Thank you for the good wishes and the very same back to you.
I am in awe of those adventurerers who walk in the ice/snow/freezing temps.I love to walk beyond any other kind of exercise, but I have yet to find the joys in ice-walking. ;-0 You make it seem so worthwhile here in this post. The photos are glorious. The view outside my home office is beautiful also – fluffy white snow, red cardinals at the bird feeder, the morning full moon shining through the window, the wind blowing at 7 degrees (-12 with wind chill). I know, I know, I just need the right gear. If I ever get up your beautiful way, I will walk IF YOU GO WITH ME!! 🙂
Of course! I would love that. I know I ramble on about the right clothes and gear but this is the key. I suppose here, where snow often is on the ground for 6 months, it becomes a necessity. The day we did the ice walk at Grotto Canyon it was well above freezing. Being in the canyon one is protected from the wind for the most part so that makes a difference too.
I love the description of the view out your window. No red cardinals here I’m afraid. Stay warm and I’ll hope for the day we can welcome you at the doorstep.
I found this absolutely fascinating, Sue. Walking an icy trail does sound like “a broken hip in the making,” as you so humorously put it, but after reading this I see there are all kinds of tools for being safe. At first I was surprised that the parking lot was so full on a weekday, then as the post unfolded, I saw how appealing and stunningly beautiful it was, and it’s easy to see why it would be so popular. The massive canyon walls are breath-taking, the ice is beautiful, and Hopi ochre canyon paintings are truly a delightful find. I found the icers to be brilliant and appreciated your links to them and the walking poles. A salute to you and Dave and yet another great adventure.
Jet always a delight to take you on an adventure you may not have done yourself. The close proximity to Calgary makes Grotto Canyon popular in all seasons. I admit to cringing seeing even seniors without any traction/I er devices on their shoes. It’s a much more enjoyable outing when one is not worried about a fall and subsequent injury.
The pictographs are missed by most people, which perhaps for their preservation is a good thing. It would have been a harsh land in winter for the early people.
Thanks ever so much for the visit. Always a sincere pleasure to receive your thoughts and feedback.
sounds like a great adventure here
and by the way – love the TOC to
start the post! helpful
I appreciate that feedback on the Table of Contents. I think in a blog post where people are looking for information it can be a very helpful tool. Thanks for letting me know.
This looks awesome Sue! I have been there in summer, but the winter scenery with the snow and bluish ice is just magical. It sounds like your outdoor attractions are as “over-loved” as some of the ones here. I don’t even bother with the weekends anymore; I’m glad I have the flexibility. You did ice climbing? Impressive! It scares me.
Caroline for about 15 years I was a passionate rock climber. Obsessed might be a better word. About 10 years ago it just began taking a toll on my body. Some of my climbing friends were also avid ice climbers so I went along several times. I found it pretty scary even on top rope. I decided it was one of those things that I was glad I tried but it never became something I loved.
Yes weekends one has to be creative to find space. Grotto Canyon is easily accessed and close to the city so very popular.
Good for you for giving ice climbing a go! I’ve definitely witnessed the allure of rock climbing through the passion of my nieces, sister, and now my son.
Sounds like you have quite the family of rock climbers! I loved it so much for the time that we were able to do it.
This was a magnificent virtual tour – Thanks!
Happy to have you along GP! Thanks for the visit.
I’m about to head out shortly on any icy hike, armed with icers and poles, but it won’t be even remotely as picturesque as this adventure. It looks stunning!
Enjoy your hike Joanne. Hopefully one day you can try this one. Would love to take you.
Beautiful photos and how interesting too. However, at my age I would be the one with the broken hip, leg or arm! Ha ha! Good to have someone else go and write a great blog about it!
This definitely is a walk to be done with icers/mini crampons on over boots. Happy to take you on this icy adventure and appreciate your kind comment.
Sue, wimpy southern boy that I am, I cringe at the thought of ice hiking: not that I couldn’t do it, just that it would be so coooolllllddd … well the broken hip. However, I realize that in cold climates everyone needs to find an outdoor release to prevent the cabin crazies. But it really is all about having the right gear isn’t it? I sometimes wonder about the First Nations rock painters and how on earth they made it through those frigid winters. I guess their gear was the right kind of skins. ~James
James you make me smile. Yes I imagine looking at this from your far warmer home, ice hiking holds little appeal. The gear makes or breaks, hips included, the outing. These days we are reaching out to find ways to get out and about.
As I was researching the rock paintings I smiled at the Hopi being guided to move south after being unable to melt ice. I have no idea how they would have survived not being indigenous to the area. A far better climate in Arizona.
I would definitely be up for this adventure.
Amy I think you would love it! thanks kindly for sharing the article on Twitter. Much appreciated.