Welcome to our detailed guide to the hiking trails of Banff National Park. In an effort to assist you in selecting the perfect hiking trails that suit your interests and capabilities, we have categorized each path as easy, moderate, or difficult.
However, it’s important to recognize that these classifications are general guides and, depending on your fitness level, you may find some trails easier or more challenging than described.
We encourage you to click through and carefully read each trail’s description, assessing it against your own hiking ability and fitness level, to ensure the most enjoyable experience in Banff’s breathtaking landscapes.
Easy Banff Hiking Trails
These easy Banff hikes are perfect for beginners, families with young children, or those looking for a leisurely walk in nature. These trails are generally less than 5 kilometers (about 3 miles) round trip and have minimal elevation gain, usually less than 150 meters (about 500 feet).
The paths are well-maintained, with some of them being paved or flat enough that they are accessible for strollers and sometimes even wheelchair users. These hikes usually take 1-2 hours to complete, offering a pleasant experience without requiring significant physical exertion.
Click through to read each detailed post on the hike or read or Top Easy Banff Hikes post.
A visit to the Bankhead ghost town in Banff National Park is a unique opportunity to take an easy walk through a fascinating piece of Alberta history. In its heyday in the early 1900s, Bankhead, Alberta was a thriving town of nearly 1,000 citizens built next to the operations site of an anthracite coalmine.
Lake Minnewanka is a very popular day use area in Banff National Park. There are many great things to do at Lake Minnewanka including picnics, the Minnewanka Lake cruise, boat & kayak rentals or simply soaking in the spectacular Rocky Mountain scenery.
Tunnel Mountain is a popular and easily accessible hike in Banff offering panoramic views of the surrounding valleys and mountains, ideal for all skill levels.
The Silverton Falls hike is one of those special easy Banff hikes with an amazing payoff. After a short hike through a beautiful evergreen forest, with occasional mountain views, you’ll reach one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Banff National Park.
Some of the best hikes in Banff National Park can be found in the Moraine Lake area, but most of them are quite difficult. Thankfully, hikers looking for an easy Moraine Lake hiking trail can enjoy the Consolation Lakes Trail, one of our favorite easy hikes in Banff National Park.
Some of the best hikes in Banff National Park are to some of its most famous lakes. On any given day, you’ll see hordes of happy hikers on the trails to Agnes Lake, Boom Lake, the Consolations Lakes, etc. If you’d like to enjoy the beauty of a Banff lake without all the crowds, why … Read more
No matter what season it is, we always enjoy coming to Mt. Norquay for a quick hike on the Stoney Lookout trail. Without a significant amount of time or effort, the Stoney Lookout hike rewards hikers with an excellent viewpoint over the town of Banff and the majestic mountains of the Bow Valley and beyond.
One of the most underrated hiking trails in Banff National Park, the Johnson Lake hike is an enjoyable short hike around the shores of a beautiful lake. On this easy Banff hike you’ll enjoy a wide variety of beautiful Banff scenery, including beautiful stretches of forest, views of Johnson Lake and the surrounding mountains.
These moderate hikes in Banff are ideal for those with a fair level of fitness and offer a more challenging hiking experience. Typically, these trails range from 5 to 15 kilometers (3 to 9 miles) round trip, with elevation gains between 150 to 500 meters (500 to 1600 feet).
The terrain might include uneven surfaces, roots, and small rocks, with some steeper sections. Expect these hikes to take about half a day, providing a challenge without being overly strenuous. They are not usually recommended for very young children or those with limited mobility.
The Plain of Six Glaciers hike is a popular Lake Louise trail in Banff National Park. It starts along the Lake Louise shoreline, then climbs to a historic teahouse and glacier-filled valley, making it one of the most scenic moderate hikes in the area.
The Little Beehive hike at Lake Louise is accessed from the Lake Agnes trail. The Lake Agnes Tea House hike is one of the most beautiful hikes around Lake Louise. The views of Mt. Whyte and Devils Thumb behind the turquoise waters of Lake Agnes are truly special. But don’t stop there…
The Larch Valley hike is the most famous larch tree hike in Banff National Park. It’s a bit of an effort to climb from Moraine Lake up the lower slopes of Mount Temple to get to Larch Valley, but the payoff is worth it, no matter the time of year.
Tucked away at the very northern edge of Banff National Park, near the border with Jasper National Park, is one of the best short hikes in the Canadian Rockies. The Parker Ridge Trail blew me away with the stunning amount of scenery gained in such a short amount of distance. Not only will you enjoy … Read more
The Helen Lake Trail is one of the most popular hikes along the Icefields Parkway in Banff National Park. A moderate hike in both difficulty and distance, the Helen Lake hike is extraordinarily scenic, with a wide variety of mountain, lake and glacier views along the entire path. We enjoyed the Helen Lake hike so … Read more
The Bow Summit Trail is a scenic hike along the Icefields Parkway which provides epic views of the Canadian Rockies and elevated views of two scenic Banff lakes.
Hiking to the Ink Pots in Banff National Park offers a scenic trail that winds through Johnston Canyon, leading to a series of stunning, clear blue mineral springs set against a backdrop of lush forest and mountain peaks.
The Taylor Lake hike in Banff National Park is an enjoyable hike up the lower slopes of Mount Bell to a beautiful mountain lake. The forest along the Taylor Lake trail is quite lush, in large part due to the creek the trail follows for most of its length.
The difficult hikes listed here are designed for experienced hikers seeking a challenging and rewarding adventure. These trails often extend more than 15 kilometers (over 9 miles) round trip and feature significant elevation gains of over 500 meters (1600 feet). Hikers will encounter steep gradients, rough and potentially hazardous terrain including loose rocks, stream crossings, and exposed sections.
Completing these hikes can take most of a day or longer, requiring good preparation and a high level of fitness. These trails are not suitable for inexperienced hikers, young children, or anyone with health or mobility issues.
Castle Mountain is one of my favourite mountains in Banff National Park. It’s just so stately and majestic, my eyes are drawn to it any time I’m near. The Rockbound Lake hike is an excellent Banff hiking trail which takes you to two alpine lakes on the far side of Castle Mountain. The Rockbound Lake … Read more
It may not be the most well known of the Moraine Lake hikes, but the Eiffel Lake to Wenkchemna Pass hike could quite possibly be the most scenic. A reasonably difficult hike, the Eiffel Lake to Wenkchemna Pass showcases some of the best features the Lake Louise and Moraine Lake area. You’ll hike to a … Read more
The Lake Minnewanka trail is one of the best things to do at Lake Minnewanka in Banff National Park. Hiking along the Lake Minnewanka reservoir shoreline offers impressive views across the lake at mountain peaks and rocky shores. Lake Minnewanka is a popular place to visit in Banff in summer, but you can leave the … Read more
If you are looking to experience some of the best scenery in Banff, try the Aylmer Lookout trail. A challenging hike up a river valley along the lower slopes of Mount Aylmer, the payoff is a viewpoint atop a rocky outcrop with outstanding views of Lake Minnewanka and her surrounding mountains.
