Hiking in Banff and the Canadian Rockies

Tunnel Mountain Trail

Panoramic views over Banff townsite, the Bow River, and Vermilion Lakes from a small rocky summit directly above town.

Bow River Loop

Flat riverside walk through the lower townsite. Good legs-stretch option before or after a longer drive day.

Sulphur Mountain Trail

Earn the gondola summit via the hiking trail or take the gondola up and walk the ridge to Sanson Peak. 360° Rockies panorama either way.

Grassi Lakes Trail

Two brilliant turquoise lakes above Canmore with a waterfall mid-route and an optional harder loop with rock scrambling.

Ha Ling Peak

Steep switchbacks to a rocky summit above town. Views of the Three Sisters, Bow Valley, and the full Banff Range on a clear day.

Lower Falls

Catwalks to the first canyon falls. Suitable for most ages. Gets crowded mid-morning in summer. An early start helps.

Upper Falls

Continue past the Lower Falls to a 30m cascade. Significantly fewer people above this point.

Ink Pots

Seven cold mineral springs in a wide open meadow beyond the Upper Falls. Best as a full half-day or easy full-day hike.

Stoney Squaw Trail

Dense forest followed by a rocky summit with sweeping Bow Valley panoramas. One of Banff's quieter moderate hikes with an outsized payoff.

Cascade Amphitheatre

An expansive alpine meadow at the base of Cascade Mountain's north face. Wildflowers in July; relatively uncrowded throughout the season.

Troll Falls Trail

Family-friendly trail to a beautiful waterfall through Kananaskis forest. One of the most accessible waterfall hikes in the entire region.

Baldy Pass Trail

A high mountain pass with panoramic views over Kananaskis Country. Remote feel, close to Calgary, far fewer people than comparable Banff routes.

Sunshine Meadows

Open tundra meadows with 360° Rockies views. Gondola access via Sunshine Village (gondola fee not included in CT pricing).

Healy Pass

A sweeping backcountry pass with expansive alpine meadows. One of Banff's best full-day hikes for experienced hikers.

Two Jack Lake Loop

Flat lakeside trail with views of Mount Rundle and Cascade Mountain. Short and accessible; good as a half-day pairing with a drive along the Minnewanka loop.

Lake Minnewanka Shore (adjacent)

Banff's largest lake has a shore trail extending as far as you want. Popular with trail runners and families for its flat, scenic terrain.

Lakeshore Trail

Flat walk along the lakeshore to a teahouse viewpoint at the far end. Good for all ages and fitness levels.

Lake Agnes Tea House

Historic 1905 mountain tea house at 2,135m. Cash only, no reservations, closes in bad weather. Start early for the best seats on the porch.

Plain of Six Glaciers

Victoria Glacier dominates the view ahead; tea house at the 5.4km mark. Crowds thin significantly above the tea house.

Big Beehive

Exposed rocky summit above Lake Agnes with panoramic views down to Lake Louise. Branch off the Lake Agnes route at the tea house.

Rockpile Trail

The Valley of the Ten Peaks panorama. One of the most photographed views in Canada. About 20 minutes round trip for any fitness level.

Consolation Lakes

Boulder fields and two alpine lakes below the Wenkchemna Peaks. Bear activity is frequent. Hiking in groups of four is strongly recommended.

Larch Valley & Sentinel Pass

Golden larch forest and a 2,611m alpine pass. Peak colour late September to mid-October. That window typically lasts two to three weeks.

Lakeshore Walk

Flat stroll along the turquoise shoreline below Crowfoot Glacier. Good option for a short stop on a longer Parkway day.

Bow Glacier Falls

The lakeshore walk gives way to a canyon approach and a 120m waterfall at the base of Wapta Icefield. Requires a full half-day.

Peyto Lake Viewpoint

Short steep climb to the main overlook. The glacier-fed wolf-head lake and surrounding peaks fill the frame completely.

Bow Summit Lookout

Extended tundra ridge walk above Peyto Lake with wider panoramas. Far fewer visitors than the main viewpoint platform below.

Toe of the Athabasca Glacier

Walk to the glacier's melting edge. Interpretive markers show the retreat since the 1800s. No guide required, striking and accessible for everyone.

Wilcox Pass

The best elevated view of the Athabasca Glacier from above. Bighorn sheep are frequently seen on the open slopes near the pass.

Bow River Loop

Flat riverside walk through the lower townsite. Good legs-stretch option before or after a longer drive day.

Sulphur Skyline

Panoramic summit above Miette Hot Springs with views across Jasper and the Fiddle River Valley. Often paired with a post-hike hot springs soak.

Cedar Lake Trail

Lush old-growth forest walk to a tranquil lake. Accessible most of the year, a good family option when alpine routes are snowed in.

Mount 7 Summit

World-famous paragliding launch with 360° views of the Columbia and Kicking Horse Valleys. One of the longest climbs in the region.

Lake Windermere Whiteway

Paved path along the Columbia River flats. Walk as much or as little as you like; the world's longest naturally frozen skating path in winter.

Johnson Trail Network

Multiple trails above Invermere with Columbia Valley panoramas. A quieter half-day option without driving deep into the mountains.

Coyote Ridge

Open alpine ridge with Golden and the Columbia Valley below. Gondola access shortens the approach significantly.

Dogtooth Ridge Trail

360° views of the Rocky and Selkirk mountain ranges from a dramatic ridgeline. A full day for fit hikers and one of the most rewarding summit routes in the region.

Valley Trail

Gentle forest walk along Toby Creek at the base of the Purcell Mountains. A good warm-up or rest-day option.

Hopeful Creek Trail

Dramatic viewpoint high above Panorama Resort with sweeping Purcell Mountain panoramas. A serious climb for fit hikers who want something beyond the groomed resort terrain.

Giant Cedars Boardwalk

Accessible boardwalk through 800-year-old western red cedars. Stroller and wheelchair friendly. A 20-minute awe-inspiring stop on a longer drive day.

Mount Revelstoke Summit Trail

Drive partway up Summit Road and hike the final 5.6km, or hike the full route from the valley. 360° summit views over the Selkirk and Monashee ranges.

Fairy Creek Falls Trail

Forest trail to a beautiful waterfall through the Lizard Range foothills. Family-friendly and a good introduction to what Fernie's trail network offers.

Mount Fernie Trail

Steep ascent with rewarding views over the Elk Valley and surrounding Lizard Range peaks. One of Fernie's signature full-day hikes.