8 Best Hikes in Banff
The Canadian resort town of Banff and nearby Banff National Park, have long bewitched visitors with a stunning scenic beauty they can’t look away from. Established in 1885 as Canada’s first national park, Banff stretches over 2,500 square miles in the Canadian Rocky Mountains of Alberta. It holds a UNESCO World Heritage Site status for its sheer natural delight full of towering peaks, mountain-craddled glaciers 45 to 120 million years old, and of course, its iconic turquoise lakes. It’s home to grizzly bears, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, coyotes, and a chorus of bird life.
For hikers, Banff is a draw because of its endless opportunities offering some of the best hikes of the rockies. More than 1,000 miles of trails weave throughout the park. There are trails for the tentative first timers and rugged mountain athletes alike. The area is a hub for outdoor pursuits of all sorts, and for good reason. Banff sees upward of 4 million visitors a year, most drawn by the call of its nature.
There’s no bad time to visit this national park, but if it is hiking you are after, the window from July through the middle of September offers the best hiking in Banff. The high country clears out of snow and wildflowers grace the meadow. June too can offer good weather if hikers stick to lower elevations or south-facing slopes that dry out faster. But expect mud on the steeper trails and lingering snow up higher until the height of summer. By October, the larch trees turn a striking gold, but shorter days and early cold snaps mean picking your trails more carefully.
Our roundup of the best hikes in the Banff pulls four main zones–Banff National Park and its greater area, the Lake Louise area, the Castle Junction area, and the Icefields Parkways stretching north towards Jasper. We zeroed in on eight of the best hikes across those pockets, mixing easy walks with more challenging terrain to suit different legs and moods. Each one’s a standout for what it has on display.
Best Hikes in Banff Area
Johnston Canyon to Upper Falls Hike
This moderate out-and-back hooks you early without leaving you destroyed, clocking in at about three miles and 400 feet of elevation gain, Families and day trippers gravitate here for the catwalks securely bolted to sheer rock faces, turning a simple canyon stroll into something with more of a thrill. Follow the path as it ducks under overhangs and crosses swaying bridges until you reach the waterfalls.
Hit the Lower Falls first, a 100-foot drop that tunnels through limestone, then continue onwards to Upper Falls, where the water sheers off in a misty veil. It’s immersive without being overwhelming, and from the viewpoint, the canyon unfolds in beautiful green hues that firmly land this hike on any list of the best hikes in Banff. If you have another upwards push in you, continue through the forested extension another mile or so to the Ink Pots. These geothermal springs bubble up in shallow pools in the middle of a wide meadow. A short adventure with so much to see..
The trailhead is at Johnston Canyon Day-Use Area, a quick drive from town on the Bow Valley Parkway. Parking can fill up easily, so go early.
Sunshine Meadows
An easy hike covering just over six miles and 656 feet of elevation gain, this trail is less of a hike and more of a high-country wander with numerous interconnected loops perfect for a choose your own adventure. To access the trailhead, ride the gondola up to arrive amongst the blooming wildflowers in peak summer. The path gently wanders, eventually crossing the Continental Divide with incredible views of the jagged Rocky Mountain peaks and bright shimmer of Rock Isle Lake.
This trail offers incredible views of the mountains and a not-so-visited lake. Great for those wanting to wander without the crowds. Negligible elevation gain and variable choices or length make this one of best hikes in Banff for a group of mixed energy and ability.
Park at Sunshine Village parking lot where the gondola runs for $40-60 CAD round-trip.
Best Hikes in Banff - Lake Louise
Lake Louise Lakeshore
Everyone wants to see this iconic lake. Almost adding up to three miles with next to zero elevation gain, this easy shoreline trail feels more like decompression than exertion. It’s a flat, well-maintained loop that skirts the lake’s eastern edge from the Chateau to the Plain of Six Glaciers trailhead.
The path hugs the iconic lake’s water, edging up to the milky blue color that is fed by silt from upstream glaciers. The silt catches the sun’s rays and offers up brilliant greens and turquoise against the backdrop of the rocky peaks making this not just one of the best hikes in Banff–but also most scenic. The creek that feeds the lake is at the far end of the lake. The landscape does the heavy lifting here, not your lungs or legs.
Park at the Lake Louise Lakeshore lot, which can easily overflow by 7 a.m., or take a park shuttle.
Plain of Six Glaciers
Take it up to a more challenging level with this 8.6-mile out-and-back trek that gains nearly 2,000 feet as it climbs from the lakeshore into the alpine. It starts out tame before climbing into forest that eventually thins out into open plains. Here, the six named glaciers surround visitors. Continue onwards to the iconic Swiss teahouse, open seasonally for a cup of tea or soup with expansive views of the valley.
It’s open mid-June to mid-October and only takes cash. If you’ve been reenergized from the teahouse, extend via the Highline Trail to loop in Lake Agnes for nine miles of ridgeline trail and exploration.
Access this hike from the Lake Louise Lakeshore lot, at the western end where the trail forks upward.
Larch Valley to Sentinel Pass
This challenging trail covers 3.5 miles one way (seven round trip) with 2,460 feet of elevation gain. It’s a steep affair that trades forest for alpine and a payoff sure to deliver. Switchbacks grind up through a massive larch grove offering golden leaves during fall, and slowly emerges into the meadow.
Views of the Minnestimma Lakes and the Valley of the Ten Peaks dot the skyline, many summits topping 10,000 feet. The pass itself splits Larch and Paradise Valleys, providing incredible panoramic views that easily secure the trail’s spot on our best hikes in Banff list. Visitors can even spot Fay Glacier as it calves in the distance and Lake Louise below. This one is for those who crave a summit.
Take off from Moraine Lake Lodge.
Best Hikes in Banff - Icefields
Parker Ridge Trail
This moderate trail comes in at 3.4 miles and 1,000 feet of elevation gain, and is easily one of the best hikes in Banff. It switches back and forth until hikers reach the ridges crest, unveiling wondrous views of the Saskatchewan Glacier in Kool-aid blue ice against the backdrop of the black moraine. The headwaters of the Saskatchewan River carve through the land below, and the icefields dominate the landscape in the north.
This trail is absolutely epic and worth every switchback. It is entirely non-technical with zero scrambling, just a broad trail leading to the divine, I mean, the divide.
Head out from the Parker Ridge parking lot on Highway 93 just north of the Saskatchewan River Crossing.
Best Hikes in Banff - Castle Junction
Taylor Lake
This trail is a challenging 7.8 miles with 1,919 feet of elevation gain. It begins in a lush forest and follows the meandering creek before bursting into the subalpine meadow that frames the trailhead’s namesake. Taylor Lake shines like a glacial jewel beneath the sheer rocky walls that rise nearby. The trail is broken up by creek crossings and wildlife sightings. It’s less busy than Louise Lake and is a solid alternative if the parking and park shuttles are full.
If you enjoy a little more solitude, this is one of the best hikes in Banff for you.
Start at Taylor Creek Day-Use Area on Highway 1.
Castle Lookout Trail
This moderate trail covers 4.6 miles and 1,700 feet of gain while following a host of switchbacks through thick woodlands that fall away to the site of a long-gone fire tower. The views are what you’re after here. The climb is steady, but when it opens up, the Bow Valley below spills out below you. It’s uncrowded at the top, so take your hard earned time and bask in the views.
The trailhead is three miles west of Castle Junction on Highway 1.
Guided Hiking Tours
For those itching to combine Banff’s highlights into a longer storyline, or push into neighboring national parks, Wildland Trekking offers small-group trips that peel back the endless layers of the Canadian Rockies.
We offer a small group lodge based tour in the Banff area tackling some of the best hikes of Banff, Kootenay, and Yoho National Park. Or for a more immersive experience, consider an intro to backpacking with our approachable 4-day itinerary on the Iceline Trail and Emerald Lake Loop in Yoho National Park. Highlights include incredible views of the country’s second largest waterfall, Takakkaw Falls.
Looking for more of a challenge? Explore one of the highest peaks in the Canadian Rockies on our Mt. Robson and Berg Lake backpacking experience. These trips provide everything you need to enjoy nature to its fullest, including expert guide, gear, transportation, and more, so you can focus on being present in one of the most beautiful places on earth.
