Grotto Canyon Trail – Bow Valley Provincial Park

Hiking through the narrow Grotto Canyon is a special experience that’s totally different depending on the time of year. In winter, the stream and waterfalls freeze over completely and you’ll trudge through the snow. Frozen conditions persist until early summer, so you may be able to cross the snow bridges in shorts. Later in the year, the canyon almost dries up and its riverbed is revealed. It’s often a little slippery in the canyon but, if you are sure-footed, you’ll make it to the famous rock paintings. For information about the current trail conditions, see: https://www.albertaparks.ca/parks/kananaskis/kananaskis-country/advisories-public-safety/trail-reports/bow-valley/

From the car park, the trail starts off parallel to the highway up until the riverbed of Grotto Creek. You’ll follow the creek uphill to the entrance of the canyon. It’s likely you’ll lose your GPS and mobile phone signal, but the canyon’s twists and turns will keep you on the right track with its high limestone walls towering above. At its narrowest point, the canyon forks – keep to the right and approach the waterfall.

You’ll pause for a moment to take in the surroundings. To the left, at about eye level and during the summer months, you’ll see the rock paintings at eye level. These murals are between 500 and 1,300 years old. Don’t touch the drawings, as their ochre hue is very sensitive to human transmission of acids and fats. Although the motifs have faded due to wind and water, you can still recognise the forms of animals and people. The flute player is particularly significant because it indicates that the drawings originate from the Hopitu tribe, from what is now Arizona. Their name means ‘peaceful people’.

After you’ve visited the waterfall, go back to the fork in the path and follow the other canyon further up until the valley widens. Here, you’ll come across an even older Canadian tradition, the Inukshuiit. These are stone figures erected by the Inuit of northern Canada and Alaska to mark the landscape. An Inukshut has a human-like silhouette, but there are also pole- or window-shaped stone formations that point the way or indicate rules.

It’s an out and back, so you’ll return the way you came. The canyon is usually frozen over from December onwards. If you’re interested in the hike but are unsure about the equipment needed, you can book guided tours with several local providers.