Hiking Trails in Banff
THE 10 BEST Banff Hiking Trails (2025)
Hiking Trails in Banff
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Outdoor Activities
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Travellers' Choice Awards winners (including the "Best of the Best" title) are among the top 10% of listings on Tripadvisor, according to the reviews and opinions of travellers across the globe.
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- Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, number of page views, and user location.
Mountains • Climbing Tours
What travellers are saying
- travelwhileukanMarietta, GA73 contributionsGreat hike with expansive views at the summit. October 10, 2024. There was snow on the trail. 6 degrees Celsius at the trailhead that day. Walking poles and snow cleats were a huge help! Very blustery on parts of trail. A hat with a hood will keep you warm. Wear good boots. Leg gators or rain pants will keep snow off your feet /legs. 2.5 hours round trip for us.Written October 12, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Christian MCopenhagen, Denmark6,227 contributionsWe, being somewhat middle-aged, huffed and puffed our way up, up, up the +2 km of Tunnel Mountain, until we reached the top with its stunning view of Banff (which is actually prettier at street level), the green valley, the blue river, and the surrounding mountains...
...while children aged 4 and up cheerfully jogged alongside their sweating parents, enjoying the unfamiliar surroundings.
The hike is highly recommended for anyone in reasonably good shape. And, seemingly, no one else experienced the mild bouts of vertigo that I did near the top (and I made it; just with a bit of a racing heart).
The +2 km descent takes less than half the time of the climb, and the sweat quickly dries off as you go down.Written August 11, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - David nManchester, UK4,873 contributionsThis "corner" is a short - maybe 15 minutes - from Banff's main street. Well-signposted and on gravel / tarmac to the viewpoint.
The viewpoint itself is up two flights of stairs but the best views of the iconic Fairmont hotel are from the road leading the this viewpoint. When we were there mountain deer were walking around which is a bonus at this quiet time of year.Written February 9, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Stewarts Vacation1,532 contributionsWe found these rock formations, on the banks of the Bow River, intriguing. Composed of sedimentary rock covered by harder rock that is more difficult to erode, a needle or tower like natural obstacle is created as the softer rock erodes away. Well, that's the explanation we were given. There is a clear path from the car park to the viewing areas, though some people may struggle with the incline. If you are on Tunnel Mountain, stop by to see these unique formations!Written January 1, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- KellyNagle553 contributionsExcellent trail, even if it's a bit smoky. Cirque Peak is close enough to see well in the morning sunlight. Highly recommend going past Helen Lake up the Dolomite Ridge and then down past Katherine Lake. Very colourful rock formations with interesting textures and layers. Awesome views. Lots of wild flowers and butterflies. Some horseflies escorted us most of the way. Minimal mosquitoes July 15th. There is a hidden glacier and lovely waterfall if you continue past Katherine lake and go a bit right off the main trail. The Dolomites look better in the afternoon once the sun comes around.Written July 26, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Jim BGrapeview, WA1,839 contributionsWe enjoyed the ride from Banff to Canmore and back on a beautiful, warm fall day. It parallels the highway so there is traffic noise, but it doesn't ruin the ride. It's just nice being on a trail where you don't have to worry about high speed vehicles passing. We found the majority of other cyclists we met to be very courteous. The views of the mountains along the way are beautiful! As an old road geek, I wondered if this trail followed the old highway alignment. Turns out that part of it does as we found an old stone highway mileage marker at 6 miles out of Banff. I'm assuming it was miles since Canada used miles instead of kilometers up until 1970 and this marker was much older than that.Written September 28, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Lee LValhalla, NY2,289 contributionsThis is a nice relatively flat trail along the river. if you already did a big hike or are looking for something easy this is for you. Nice views along the river. You can walk up a bit to Surprise Corner on 1 side and head back or continue on or on the other side head down to check out Bow Falls.Written October 25, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- David nManchester, UK4,873 contributionsThe trail is circular and well-signposted and only a short walk from Banff town. In winter, its like a small winter wonderland with only a few other people around. At one entrance to the trail is a large town sign spelling out Banff which many use as a photo op.Written February 9, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Gluke Ye4 contributionsWe saw pikas and they were the cutest things. The only thing is that the water level was low when we went (mid-late August) so there was no water... The views are breathtaking regardless!!Written September 13, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- tsullivanmd3Chantilly, VA15 contributionsAn excellent hike worthy of the effort required on a very difficult trail. The initial climb up Cory Pass is long and steep after which the pitch flattens some although still a ways to the summit. The trail is poorly marked so strongly advise access to online trail app to help stay on track. We did not have such and got off track; luckily connected with others who had such access and made a world of different.
There is a long hike along ridge line with superb views and several rock scrambles including a steep downward section. We are 68 and able to finish the loop although a bit slower than most.
Along with the suggestion to have access to a trail app I would also advise not doing in inclement weather as trail would be very slippery.Written October 9, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Justin CAlberta, Canada277 contributionsMy wife and I walked this trail on a weekday during an Alberta staycation while staying at the Banff Springs. The trail was easily accessible within walking distance, as the trailhead was just to the south of the hotel parkade.
The trail is a 12km loop around the Spray River, with a clearing and picnic area at a bridge at the half way mark. There was a fair amount of elevation gain/fall with the walk. We walked the trail in late October, there was a thin layer of packed snow on the trail from frequent use and occasional bare areas of gravel.
Lots of signs of wildlife around - human footprints were interspersed with lots of footprints of other fauna. Two other hikers waved us off from doing the east side of the trail after showing us a picture of a rather fresh looking bear footprint!
I look forward to doing this trail again in the future either on my mountain bike or a rented fat bike!Written November 1, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Kipley C13 contributionsA nice respite from the hubbub downtown. We saw no elk..only horses and mosquitos. Wear sunscreen and bring bug spray. Yes, there’s horse poop on the trail, that’s what horses do. By design, the trail is meant to be shared by hikers and horses.Written July 31, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Tom CWinnipeg, Canada54 contributionsThis was the first day of a four day hike through to Sunshine via Egypt Lake.
The scenery is stunning and well worth the hike.
The campground is good, with a nice food preparation area with bear lockers far from the campsites.
Water is available from the lake, the area farther down from the food prep area is the easiest spot to get water from.
This is a steep climb - 8.17km, 688m gain based on a crappy old phone.Written August 6, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Andrew REdmonton, Alberta, Canada67 contributionsMy Sister Dad and I went here for the Very First time and we had a half day and Just Skied to the First Cascade Bridge but just as Fun and Skied a few Minutes Beyond the Bridge and Beatuiful but might Still Climb Easy but Didn't make it to the Cabin as that was 12 to 13 km One way and First Bridge only 6.6 Km but Return trip would take too long and a full day ski. The Downhill on Return near t Bridge and was fun you can ski just to the first one and go a little distance and turn back Anytime. But the First Bridge area and through the forest is just as interesting trail starts at lake Miniwanka Parking lot Area at Locked gate on the left.Written December 28, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Joey W5 contributionsA cant-miss experience in the Banff area and a highlight of our trip! We had the best guide, Matt, who made our experience great. He was calm, encouraging, and made a great coach! His optimism and attitude toward life will stick with me long past this excursion.
Highly recommend Mt Norquay Via Ferrata and especially Matt!Written September 16, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.