16 Best Banff Hikes To Discover in 2023

With near to 1000 miles of well-kept routes, blue-green waters, towering fields, as well as lavish woodlands, Banff National Park is among one of the most attractive locations to trek in Canada.

We have actually been to Banff National Park a variety of times in every various period as well as consider it among our favored locations in Canada whatever season. But to truly absorb all that this park needs to provide you need to venture out as well as walking. From the less complicated routes like Sulpher Mountain to even more arduous walks in Banff like Corey Pass this overview will certainly assist you pick which are the most effective walking routes in Banff to include in your following browse through.

Our Best Banff Hikes

When placing this Banff treking overview with each other we wished to ensure to include walks for all degrees of fitness. Most of the ones provided below are achievable with a typical degree of physical fitness however some need even more endurance as well as experience. We wished to supply all the information required for you to pick the walking that is ideal for you. The charm of treking in Banff National Park is that a number of them come within a brief drive from the community of Banff or Lake Louise Village. 

Whichever method you make a decision to go, the looming hills of the Canadian Rockies in Alberta border you, producing picture-perfect views every which way.

Up next we are mosting likely to inform you regarding the 16 Best Banff walks you won’t wish to miss out on. To browse through Banff National Park you require a Parks Pass as well as you can buy it below.

Traveling to Alberta? Read much more: The 52 Best Things to do in Alberta, Canada – The Ultimate Guide

1. Tunnel Mountain Trail

Although Tunnel Mountain has no passage, it does have striking sights of the Banff location from its top. The trailhead lies near to Banff town hall as well as you can quickly stroll to it. Whether you’re strolling to it or taking a car, you’ll wish to reach St. Julien Road, which is simply off Grizzly Street in Banff midtown. There is a car park offered for those making use of lorries.

The route begins with well rated switchbacks as well as it can obtain a little high in position so treking boots are an excellent suggestion. Once you obtain closer to the top, you obtain a consistent climb. You’ll see sights of Vermillion Lakes, the community of Banff, the Banff Golf Course, as well as the enforcing Mount Rundle.

Despite the high areas, the Tunnel Mountain route walking is taken into consideration simple as well as is feasible to do with the entire family members. It is additionally an ideal walking for dawn or sundown as it doesn’t take also lengthy as well as the sights are amazing.

2. Lake Agnes Trail as well as Beehive Circuit (Little as well as Big Beehive)

This walking is among the leading points to do in Banff as well as among the most effective Banff walks also. The trek itself is not also arduous as well as is quickly available from the village of Lake Louise. The Lake Agnes Trail starts on a smooth course that takes you along the north coast of Lake Lousise with spectacular sights of the Victoria Glacier. You will certainly after that go up right into the spruce woodland along some switchbacks prior to you get to the glowing Mirror Lake, towering fields, the drops, as well as the preferred cliff called the Big Beehive.

As you leave Mirror Lake remain to the right for the very best sights. I am not mosting likely to exist, there’s something quite unique regarding locating on your own in an antique teahouse while bordered by the famous Rocky Mountains, blue-green blue lakes as well as bears, as well as deer too. Lake Agnes Tea House has actually been offering tea considering that 1905 as well as is the excellent area to order a treat prior to continuing to Little Beehive as well as Big Beehive where the sights are much more incredible.

The Lake Agnes Tea House itself was constructed by Canadian Pacific Railway in 1901 as an area where walkers might quit as well as relax. In 1905 it began offering tea as well as hasn’t quit considering that. 

This walking is incredibly preferred as well as can be truly hectic in the high period. This is since it is among the simplest Banff walks that can be finished in under 2 hrs. We suggest doing it in October, prior to the snow to prevent all the groups. Regardless, of when you check out however, it is certainly worth it.

3. Sulpher Mountain

Sulphur Mountain is among one of the most preferred walks in Banff National Park. Not just since it has incredible sights as well as is close to the community Center of Banff however additionally since you can take a Gondola up or down if you such as. If you make a decision to raise (or down) you will certainly be dealt with to scenic sights of the bordering hills as well as valleys.

The raise is taken into consideration arduous as the altitude gain comes rapidly with a collection of switchbacks which finishes on top of the gondola for Sulphur Mountain. The trailhead lies at the Upper Hot Springs car park, as well as when you get to the top, you’ll have the ability to see incredible sights of Banff, the Bow River Valley, as well as the bordering tops of the Canadian Rockies.

Because this is so near to the community of Banff it is among one of the most preferred points to do. That indicates in the summertime it will certainly be unbelievably hectic. But we believe the sights deserve it particularly if you remaining in Banff.

4. Helen Lake Trail

The Helen Lake Trail creates an ideal walking where you’ll be going across rivers as well as streams as well as undergoing wildflower fields as well as fir woodlands. There is a great deal of experience as well as enjoyable to be carried this walking, however ensure you’re using the appropriate shoes as well as garments to be able to experience it comfortably. 

You need to certainly go up to the ridge over Helen Lake through Dolomite Pass if you can, from there you obtain wonderful sights of the less-known as well as consequently uninterrupted as well as totally blue Lake Katherine cupped in the hill comes to a head.

The Helen Lake Trail walking is found off the Icefields Parkway at the Crowfoot Glacier Viewpoint as well as is a terrific different to Moraine Lake as well as Lake Louise if those walks are also hectic.

5. Bourgeau Lake Trail

It is taken into consideration a modest route that will certainly take you with woodlands of lodgepole want as well as spruce right to Bourgeau Lake.

The lake itself beings in a glacially sculpted amphitheater as well as it’s an excellent suggestion to load along an outing so you can appreciate it when you arrive. You could additionally be signed up with by chipmunks, squirrels, as well as pikas if you’re fortunate.

The start of the route is quite stable up until you strike Wolverine Creek. The creek is charming, however the falls that puts below it is definitely spectacular. Enjoy those sights since afterwards you’re mosting likely to be entering high switchbacks, some posts might be unbelievably useful. 

After all the huffing as well as blowing you’re mosting likely to get to the green luster of Bourgeau Lake as well as have sights of Sunshine Meadows as well as Rock Isle Lake. It’s the excellent area to quit, have a treat, as well as nod to on your own that the huffing as well as puffing deserved it. If you are really feeling daring you can additionally incorporate this with a top proposal to Mount Bourgeau which is a 2,931-metre (9,616 feet) high top. This would certainly make it a full-day walking so ensure to prepare appropriately.

You can reach the route by taking the departure for Sunshine Village Ski Resort off of the Trans Canada Highway. You can park in the car park as well as there are washroom centers. 

6. Lake Louise Plain of the Six Glaciers Trail

This is among one of the most excellent slowly raised routes in the national forest that enables a leisurely walking. You obtain wonderful sights of Lake Louise in the process in addition to Mount Victoria as well as the Victoria Glacier. You need to note this route can obtain a little bit sloppy as you’re along the water a great deal of the moment so put on proper footwear.

You can additionally bring your pet dog along this route so you as well as your four-legged good friend can take pleasure in the plant as well as hill blossoms along your stroll. The Plain of the Six Glaciers Teahouse is a wonderful area to quit as well as absorb the nature that borders you while appreciating some tea as well as deals with.

Note: you can additionally reach the Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House by treking from Big Beehive to the teahouse. The downhill walking is quite simple from Big Beehive.

This is a 13.8 kilometres round-trip trek that begins around the Lake Louise coastline. To reach the route you will certainly require to head to the Chateau Lake Louise car park. Do note that this certain parking lot fills quick as it leads site visitors to several routes in addition to the Chateau. 

7. Cascade Amphitheatre Trail

Cascade Mountain is called therefore because of the falls that cascade one side of it. Looking at Cascade Mountain from afar paints a daunting image as well as the idea of climbing it appears difficult.

It is certainly a tough as well as harsh climb, which’s why treking to the Cascade Amphitheatre is an excellent option to obtain near to the hill without needing to top it.

You’ll be treking with the thick woodland at the start which is not all that fascinating, once you obtain closer to the amphitheater the trees begin opening as well as the skies shows up. And you really do seem like you’re in an amphitheater due to the impending hill comes to a head bordering you.

Before you reach the attractive field of the amphitheater be gotten ready for all type of wild animals discoveries. There have actually been records of bears as well as elk as well as also cougars in the location. 

This is a 13 kilometres walking with an altitude modification of 3000 feet as well as is taken into consideration a modest walking. You can reach the Cascade Amphitheatre Snowshoe Trail from the Mt. Norquay ski location. From the car park, you’re mosting likely to head in the direction of the Spirit chairlift which will certainly obtain you onto the route.

8. Johnston Canyon Hike off Bow Valley Parkway

One of one of the most preferred Banff Hikes, the Johnston Canyon Trail will certainly take you right into a significant experience film type of landscape. Let’s simply start with the reality that when you jump on the route you’re mosting likely to be hopping on some strong iron pathways that hang over the canyon (except the pale of heart).

We have actually done this walking in both the wintertime as well as the summertime as well as really enjoyed it much more in the wintertime. The factors for this are that there are much less individuals, the falls are iced up, that makes for a various watching experience, as well as we reached see ice mountain climbers on a variety of the drops. If you do the walking in the wintertime ensure to order some Ice Cleats from community as the routes were rather icy.

If you exist in the summertime it is still really remarkable. Make certain to go up to the top succumbs to bird’s-eye views of the drops putting down right into a swimming pool bordered by canyon wall surfaces. Then, if you wish to make even more of a day of it go out to the Ink Pots. You can access them from the top of the top drops where it is one more 2 kilometres bent on the Ink Pots.

From the Bow Valley Parkway, you’ll be driving to the Johnston Canyon Lodge as well as Bungalows. You can park there as well as accessibility the trailhead near the lodge.  Alternatively, you can take the Johnston Valley shuttle bus to arrive from the community of Banff. 

9. Cory Pass as well as Edith Pass Trail

If you wish to test on your own however restrict that obstacle to a day trek, the Cory Pass as well as Edith Pass Trail is among the most effective routes in Banff National Park for you. Right off the top, you’re mosting likely to experience some significant slopes as well as you’re mosting likely to need to go with a river, nonetheless, when you struck the top the rating ends up being even more also as well as the walking ends up being less complicated. 

There have actually been bear discoveries in the location so bring along your bear spray. In reality, you need to be bringing your bear spray along no matter what component of the Canadian Rockies you’re treking.

Overall it’s a tough walking, however truly provides you a terrific preference of truth sturdy nature of the park. The Cory Pass trailhead goes to the Fireside Picnic Area which is found off 1A Bow Valley Parkway. It is a 13 kilometres walking as well as among the highest possible altitude routes in the park with a gain of 1168 meters.  

10. Saddleback Pass Trail

For an enjoyable walking that’s not mosting likely to leave you out of breath as well as rushing over rocks, you’ll wish to look into the Saddleback Pass Trail.

Unlike a great deal of various other experiences in Banff National Park, this walking is mosting likely to conceal a great deal of the consider as you trek with thick woodlands. But that’s ok, you’ll inhale the tasty fresh air as well as obtain an opportunity to see adorable wild animals like ptarmigans as well as marmots in the process. 

The orgasm of everything is when you reach the real saddle as well as locate on your own flanked by Saddle Mountain as well as Mount Fairview. You have the choice of taking the simple method up or a steeper method up and after that returning down vice versa to produce a little bit of a loophole. There are indicators in the process so you can make a decision which method you’re mosting likely to go.

You need to keep in mind that it can be snowy along the route well right into April as well as May so overcoming the rocks can be unsafe, particularly when you’re attempting to succeed.

This is a 7.4 kilometres walking as well as will certainly have you making an altitude gain of 603 meters. It is taken into consideration a very easy walking. You’ll obtain sights of Mount Temple in addition to Lake Louise.

To reach the Saddleback Pass Hike you’ll wish to leave the TransCanada Highway at the departure for Lake Louise town and after that drive on Chateau Lake Louise as well as park in their incredibly hectic car park. You can access the route from below, simply ensure to keep an eye out for the indicators to jump on the appropriate route as there are several walks you can access from below. 

11. Larch Valley Trail / Sentinel Pass

Although every one of Banff National Park feels like a remote as well as sturdy component of Alberta, if you truly wish to obtain a preference of a backcountry route after that the Larch Valley Trail is it.

This route is among the most effective Banff walks for splendid sights of the Canadian Rockies from Banff National Park. At initially, you will certainly be undergoing thick larch woodland however as you obtain higher you’ll obtain sights of Moraine Lake and after that better up a sight of those Rocky Mountains.

The route brings you to Sentinel Pass where you obtain sights of Paradise Valley. Hiking right into Paradise Valley is a journey by itself; the route rises 3750 feet. So continue your method with the Larch Valley Trail as well as conserve that for one more day.

One of one of the most spectacular sights you’ll see is if you take place this route in the loss as larch trees do look a great deal like evergreen, however they really alter shade in the loss. So you’ll see Christmas trees that are snuffed in yellow in September, October, as well as November.

Although it can be appealing to go off-trail in some components, adhere to the assigned routes as it threatens for you as well as for the wild animals if you don’t. This is an 11 kilometres walking with an altitude gain of 792 meters. It is taken into consideration a tough walking so you’ll require your walking footwear as well as posts.

You can reach the route from the Moraine Lake car park however since Summer 2023, you can just accessibility Moraine Lake through the shuttle bus solution from the Lake Louise Area, Roam Transit, or various other industrial transport. This will certainly set you back $8, senior citizens $4, as well as youngsters aged 6 as well as under are cost-free. Parking at the Lake Louise Lodge is advised or there are additionally shuttles offered from the Lake Louise location. 

No exclusive lorries are permitted when traveling to Moraine Lake or the Parking Lot unless you have an impaired tag.

12. Moraine Lake Shoreline Hike

You’ll really be treking on the Rockpile as well as Lakeshore Trail when you do the Moraine Lake Shoreline Hike. This walking is for every person in the family members as well as can be performed in under 2 hrs.

You’ll be doing a 3 kilometres trip that is level around the lake. There is the well known Rock Pile naturally that you can pick to trek over, but also for a flatter family-friendly walking, you can simply walk around it. 

Along the method, you’ll see sights of Fay Glacier as well as the Ten Peaks. The Ten Peaks Valley provides you a shot of 10 imposing hill comes to a head side-by-side, consisting of Mount Tuzo, Mount Bowlen, as well as Wenkchemna Peak. This is the renowned “Twenty Dollar View” as this point of view was included on the old Canadian twenty-dollar costs. One of the most effective sights on the planet in our viewpoint 🙂 You’ll wind up near to a streaming as well as serene stream that is the excellent area for an unreal outing.

You can also lease a canoe ($130 CAD/canoe/hour) as well as take pleasure in the views from the center of the lake. In wintertime (note that the roadway to Moraine lake is shut to web traffic throughout the wintertime)as well as also throughout the springtime as well as drop the water degrees do obtain high so the path can obtain overfilled with water so guarantee you’re using waterproof footwear.

There is absolutely nothing like paddling while appreciating the charm of the bordering hill tops.

Please keep in mind of the accessibility constraints as well as regulations over as they have actually altered since Summer 2023.

13. Bow Glacier Falls

This is a fairly simple walking for any ages. The Bow Glacier drops walking begins at Num-Ti-Jah lodge as well as runs along with the attractive Bow Lake, with a chasm, as well as lastly onto a beautiful falls cascading a tough high cliff.

Most of the route along with the spectacular Bow lake is level with a little uphill climb in the direction of completion. The walking is well worth it simply for the incredible sights of the attractive blue waters. The falls at the end of the walking is additionally rather remarkable as well as a terrific incentive for rather little initiative.

The trek just takes a number of hrs that makes it a terrific quit along the Icefields Parkway. We ensure to quit below whenever we check out.

14. Sunshine Meadows

Sunshine Meadows is among one of the most preferred Banff treking routes with stunning sights of the Canadian Rockies, immaculate sights of the towering lakes, growing wildflowers, as well as towering fields.

It’s quickly among one of the most attractive treking routes on the planet as well as seems like you are strolling in a storybook or film.

The trailhead begins at Sunshine town hotel on a tough roadway that takes you with a prompt altitude gain that supplies a bird’s-eye view of the bordering locations. You will certainly adhere to the coastline of Grizzly as well as Larix lakes, go across a larch woodland, as well as quit at Simpson Viewpoint for an unbelievable sight over Kootenay National Park. To reach the trailhead you can take a 20-minute gondola flight from Sunshine Village that supplies picturesque hill sights prior to you begin your walking or take a shuttle.

15. Healy Pass

Healy Pass is one more walking that begins with Sunshine Village as well as fall is the most effective time to check out the Healy pass as you reach experience the larch trees in complete blossom with attractive golden-yellow shades.

The pass is ruled out a very easy walking as it’s lengthy as well as tough with a consistent workable slope. However, you’re compensated with incredible sights of the neighboring hills, lavish larch woodlands, as well as, growing wildflowers. The major failure of this walking is that you remain in the woodland for primarily the very first 8 kilometres so there is not excessive to see. But when you arise you are dealt with to spectacular sights of Egypt Lake as well as the bordering tops.

As we stated above, the walking starts on a dust roadway and after that onto a thick woodland filled with fir, spruce, as well as larch trees with periodic sights of the hill. This is additionally among the only Banff walks on this listing that provide you an excellent sight of Mount Assiniboine, the highest possible top in the park.

16. Sawback Backpacking Trail

If you wish to backpack as well as invest a couple of evenings under the celebrities, the Sawback Trail is excellent. It is a 71.3 kilometres route as well as includes an altitude gain of 2122 meters. You will certainly require to schedule your journey on the Parks Canada web site to book your outdoor camping places.

This route will certainly have you playing in all type of nature from travelling with towering fields to rushing over rocks as well as working out limited switchbacks. You’ll additionally be going across significant wild animals hallways so be gotten ready for that as well as maintain your bear spray helpful.

You can reach the route through a couple of trailheads. One of the trailheads you can access by leaving the TransCanada Highway at the Lake Louise Village departure as well as driving in the direction of Lake Louise Ski Resort. You’ll require to transform appropriate onto Fish Creek Road going in the direction of Skoki Lodge as well as the trailhead lies at the Fish Creek Parking Lot.

The various other trailhead lies at the Mt. Norquay Parking Lot on Mt. Norquay Road which is a brief drive from the community of Banff.  Since this is a point-to-point route, you’ll require to park at one end as well as take a shuttle bus to reach the various other end.

Our Recommendations

What is the most effective walking in Banff?

That is an extremely tough inquiry to address as Canada’s earliest national forest has remarkable walks all over. One of the most effective might be the Tunnel Mountain trek as it provides you a large sight of the entire park. For something that’s historical, sturdy, as well as heart-warming, you need to go out on the Lake Agnes Trail as well as check out the Lake Agnes Tea House.

How several treking routes remain in Banff National Park?

There are thousands of routes in the park however the well established ones complete 160.

Is it secure to trek alone in Banff?

It is constantly far better to trek in teams, particularly in situation of pet experiences. You need to additionally constantly allow a person understand where you’re preceding you go out on the routes. If you occur to get here in Banff alone, you can constantly work with an overview to take you on the routes. 

How long are the walks in Banff?

The walks in Banff can vary anywhere from 2 kilometres to practically 100 KILOMETRES. The fastest of walks will certainly take you much less than a hr however the lengthy walks like the 72 KILOMETRES Sawback Backpacking Trail can take you 3-5 days depending upon your speed. Of training course, there more than happy tools in between the fastest as well as lengthiest routes as there are a lot of day walks offered that variety from 10 to 15 KILOMETRES.

Tips for Banff National Park Hiking

Be gotten ready for the weather condition: Banff can have unexpected adjustments in weather condition, so it’s important ahead ready with proper garments as well as equipment. Plan in advance: Before you go, investigate the route you prepare to trek as well as ensure you have a map or general practitioner tool, in addition to sufficient water as well as food. Stay on the assigned route: To secure the native environment as well as prevent obtaining shed, it’s important to remain on the assigned route as well as prevent faster ways. Be bear mindful: Keep a secure range from bears as well as various other wild animals, as well as lug bear spray if it’s offered. Respect the park’s regulations as well as guidelines: Follow all published regulations as well as guidelines, consisting of those relating to outdoor camping as well as fires. Leave no trace: Pack out all garbage as well as leave the park as you discovered it, so future generations can appreciate it also. Get the appropriate info: Always examine the park web site or site visitor facility for the most updated info on route problems as well as closures, in addition to info on authorizations, campground appointments, as well as bear task.

Conclusion

There is no question that Banff National Park has several of the most effective walking on the planet. If you are seeking all-natural charm, backcountry, or simply an area to leave everything after that we understand that a minimum of among these Banff Hikes will certainly attract you.

After many journeys to this component of Canada, we can quickly claim that whatever your walking experience you will certainly locate a residence you will certainly bear in mind in Banff National Park.