You know Banff, Jasper, Yoho. But within those big-name parks are pockets of silence, long shadows, and footpaths that feel untouched.

Ball Pass – Banff National Park

A steep climb that deters casual hikers. You’ll get meadows, solitude, and a hard-earned view back toward Shadow Lake.

Iceline Trail (via Little Yoho) – Yoho National Park

Skip the short loop and take the longer haul via Little Yoho Valley. Fewer crowds, better flow, and glacier views that don’t quit.

Fiddle Valley – Jasper National Park

Not flashy — which is exactly the point. This low-elevation network is ideal for quiet wildlife sightings and quiet legs.

Carthew-Alderson – Waterton Lakes National Park

Seldom gets the press that Banff and Jasper do, but it should. Big elevation, blue lakes, and a ridgeline that feels like it never ends.

Opabin Plateau – Yoho National Park

Tight permit controls keep numbers low, and the trail high. Bring a camera and time your hike to catch alpine light at its softest.

Adventure doesn’t always mean intensity. Sometimes it just means space — and knowing where not everyone else is going.