If you are visiting Banff in winter or anytime between October and April, it’s very likely you’ll be seeing snow. Here in the Canadian Rockies, the snow typically starts to fly well before the official start of winter and that’s when all the Banff winter activities will start. While waiting for more popular winter activities like skiing, the shoulder season in Banff is the perfect time to do some of these winter hikes in Banff and the surrounding area.
Hiking
7 Great Larch Hikes in Alberta
For a few special weeks every fall, Alberta hikers go crazy with larch tree fever. Parking lots for the best larch hikes in Alberta fill before dawn and social media feeds fill up with images of these beautiful trees and their brilliant golden needles.
Sheol Valley Hike in Banff National Park
There is so much to love about the Sheol Valley Lake Louise hike. Sheol Valley is a connector hike between the Saddleback Pass Trail and the Paradise Valley Trail – two outstanding Lake Louise hikes on their own merits.
Saddleback Mountain Hike – Banff National Park
With so many famous hiking trails around Lake Louise, the Saddleback Mountain hike is often overlooked, which is a shame as it’s a very enjoyable Lake Louise hike.
Blackshale Suspension Bridge Hike – Kananaskis Country
The Blackshale Suspension Bridge is a super fun outing for kids of all ages in Kananaskis Country. I mean, who doesn’t love crossing a bouncy suspension bridge??
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Plain of Six Glaciers Hike – Banff National Park
Lake Louise is a magical place within Banff National Park. The mountains and the brilliant turquoise color of Lake Louise must be seen to be believed. With such a landscape, it’s no surprise that you can enjoy many iconic Lake Louise hikes in the area, including the Plain of Six Glaciers hike.
Miners Peak Hike in Kananaskis Country
The Miners Peak hike is an excellent alternative or add-on to the very popular Ha Ling Peak hike near Canmore, Alberta. Miners Peak and Ha Ling follow the same steep hiking trail up Ha Ling Mountain but they diverge at a T-intersection at The Saddle.
Ha Ling Peak Hike in Kananaskis Country
The Ha Ling Peak hike is a popular day hike with Canmore and Banff locals. It a short, but very steep slog up the north-western slope of Ha Ling Mountain, a dramatic mountain nestled just minutes outside the Town of Canmore.
Wind Ridge Hike – Kananaskis Country
Wind Ridge is one of my favorite hikes in Kananaskis Country. It’s a bit of a grind to get to the top, but the views of Mt. Lougheed you get from the alpine meadow are simply incredible.
East End of Rundle Hike (EEOR) – Kananaskis Country
The East End of Rundle hike is a popular day hike with Canmore and Banff locals. EEOR (pronounced “Eeyore”) is a short, but very steep slog up the eastern ridge of Mount Rundle, a huge mountain separating the 12km between the Town of Banff and Canmore.
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