Pick the right hike.

Tunnel Mountain

Banff's backyard climb. 90 minutes, town and valley views almost the entire climb.

• • Trailhead is close to town with limited roadside parking at busy times.
• • Often reachable from town on foot plus a short approach.

Johnston Canyon Lower Falls

Catwalks bolted into a canyon. Easy, magical, get there before 9am.

• • Large trailhead lot can fill early on peak summer days.
• • Used year-round, with winter traction often needed.

Johnston Canyon → Ink Pots

Push past the falls. Six bubbling springs in a meadow. Worth the extra hour.

Lake Agnes Tea House

Climb up, drink tea by an alpine lake. Bring cash as backup; payment options can vary season to season.

• • Lakefront parking fills early; transit or shuttle is often easier.
• • Commonly done via Roam or shuttle when parking is tight.

Plain of Six Glaciers

Glacier views, a second tea house, a moraine that feels like Mars.

Sulphur Mountain (skip the gondola)

Switchbacks for 2 hours. Top is the same view, half the crowd.

C-Level Cirque

Old coal-mine ruins on the way to a hidden cirque. Locals love it.

Stewart Canyon

Easy forest-and-canyon walk from Minnewanka with a river bridge and mellow grades.

Bow River Loop

Flat, paved, riverside. Coffee in hand, no excuses.

Cory Pass Loop

The hard one. Knife-edge views, screaming quads. Pack snacks.

Moraine Lake Rockpile

20 minutes up. The postcard view. Yes, it's that blue.

• • Personal vehicle access is restricted; plan around shuttle/transit windows.
• • Well-suited to no-car visitors using shuttle or transit services.

Boom Lake

Quiet forest, glacier-fed lake at the end. Pack a sandwich.

Fenland Trail

Short forest loop close to town with gentle terrain for flexible days.

Bow Falls Viewpoint Walk

Quick riverside viewpoint walk with strong payoff and low effort.

Vermilion Lakes Path

Flat shoreline path popular for sunrise reflections and low-effort scenery.

Banff Upper Hot Springs

Outdoor experience · Outdoor mineral hot pool with mountain views. Good after hiking, skiing, or bad-weather days.

Banff Gondola

Outdoor experience · Gondola ride to Sulphur Mountain summit with boardwalks, restaurants, and big views over Banff.

Johnson Lake Loop

Easy lake loop with picnic spots, forest sections, and summer swim potential.

Lake Louise Lakeshore

Flat lakeside walk along Lake Louise with classic mountain and glacier views.

• • Lake Louise access is high-demand; expect parking pressure in peak windows.
• • Strong no-car option via Roam and shuttle services.

Fairview Lookout

Short climb to a viewpoint over Lake Louise and the Chateau.

Little Beehive

Short extension above Lake Agnes with wide views over Lake Louise and the Bow Valley.

Big Beehive

Classic viewpoint above Lake Louise with one of the best lake panoramas in the area.

Moraine Lake Lakeshore

Easy lakeside trail with close-up views of Moraine Lake and the Valley of the Ten Peaks.

• • Shuttle/transit/commercial transport required for most visitors.
• • No-car friendly when shuttle bookings are secured.

Consolation Lakes

Moraine Lake side hike leading toward alpine lakes and boulder fields beneath high peaks.

Larch Valley

Famous alpine trail above Moraine Lake, especially popular during golden larch season.

• • Transit/shuttle planning is essential because personal vehicle access is restricted.
• • Feasible without a car if shuttle/transit is booked ahead.

Sentinel Pass

High alpine pass above Larch Valley with dramatic views over the Ten Peaks and Paradise Valley.

• • Requires Moraine Lake shuttle/transit access plus early start timing.
• • Doable car-free with pre-booked transport and early departures.

Sunshine Meadows

High alpine meadow network with wildflowers, lakes, and larch views near Sunshine Village.

Peyto Lake Viewpoint

Short walk to one of the most recognizable turquoise lake viewpoints in the Rockies.

• • Road-trip stop with dedicated viewpoint parking that can fill midday.
• • Best in snow-free months; road weather can change quickly in shoulder seasons.

Parker Ridge

Short but steady climb to huge views of the Saskatchewan Glacier.

Emerald Lake Loop

Easy loop around Emerald Lake with turquoise water, forest sections, and mountain views.

• • Road-access lake loop with paid/managed parking periods depending on season.
• • Usually best in late spring through fall.

Takakkaw Falls

Short walk to a huge waterfall in Yoho National Park. Strong road-trip stop.

Marble Canyon

Short canyon walk with bridges over a narrow limestone gorge.

Paint Pots

Short walk to ochre-coloured mineral pools with cultural and geological significance.

Grassi Lakes

Popular Canmore hike to two clear turquoise lakes with mountain views and nearby climbing walls.

Ha Ling Peak

Steep Canmore summit hike with big views over town and the Bow Valley.

Chester Lake

Popular Kananaskis hike to an alpine lake with meadows, mountain views, and fall larches.

Galatea Creek / Lillian Lake

Creekside Kananaskis hike with bridges, waterfalls, and an alpine lake destination.

Legacy Trail (Banff ↔ Canmore)

Outdoor experience · Paved multi-use bike path connecting Banff and Canmore with mountain views.

Lake Minnewanka Boat Tours

Outdoor experience · Scenic boat cruise across Lake Minnewanka with mountain views and interpretive guiding.

Banff Canoe Club

Outdoor experience · Canoe and kayak rentals from town, with access to the Bow River and Vermilion Lakes.