Banff, Alberta

This magical resort town is nestled within Banff National Park and provides the best access to the area's world-class outdoor activities and breathtaking scenery and wildlife.

Top Spots in and near Banff

  • Kananaskis, Alberta

    Hiking to Karst Spring in Kananaskis Country

    4.5
    Every year, over 5 million visitors make their way through Banff National Park to soak in the surrounding peaks, bountiful wildlife, and turquoise-colored lakes. With this many visitors, it's hard to find yourself alone, especially during the peak seasons of summer and fall. Right next door to Ba...
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  • Kananaskis, Alberta

    Bryant Creek Lodge via Watridge Lake Trail

    16.65 mi / 1401 ft gain
    This moderate-graded backcountry hike or ski in the winter can take 5-8 hours (one way). Most people hike or ski in from the Mt. Shark parking lot in Kananaskis Country, a 30 min. drive from Canmore, Alberta. From Mt. Shark Parking Lot (off the Smith-Dorrien Road), take the Watridge Lake Trail t...
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  • East Kootenay G, British Columbia

    Hiking in Marble Canyon

    1.2 mi
    Marble Canyon is easily accessible off of the 93S in Kootenay National Park between Banff and Radium.This is a really beautiful area and a nice easy walk for the family with some beautiful scenery to go along with it. Make a visit here in August when the the Fireweed is at its prime, lining the f...
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  • Kananaskis, Alberta

    Hike the Prairie View - Jewel Pass Loop

    5.0
    9.3 mi / 2050.5 ft gain
    Park at the Barrier Lake day use area on Hwy. 40. Make your way across the dam heading west. Follow the main trail slightly north west into the trees and begin your ascent. Mostly long switchbacks with some sections getting a bit steeper near the top. As soon as you break through the trees, you'l...
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  • Kananaskis, Alberta

    Hike Alberta's Mount Baldy

    4.0
    Rated as moderate to difficult due to scrambling sections. Estimated round trip is 4-5 hours depending on experience. From highway #1, the trailhead is located 13 kms South on highway 40. You will spot a small stream on your left with a small parking area for a few cars. The trail head is often m...
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  • Kananaskis, Alberta

    Ribbon Falls

    3.8
    12.4 mi / 1148.3 ft gain
    Ribbon Creek trail is accessible via Highway 40 at the turn off for Nakiska Mountain Resort. From there take a left at Centennial Drive and then a right onto Ribbon Creek Road. The hike begins at the far end of the Ribbon Creek Trailhead parking lot. There is an old coal mining cart at the start...
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  • Kananaskis, Alberta

    Hike Centennial Ridge

    9.9 mi / 4592 ft gain
    This hike can be done as a full traverse, starting at the Ribbon Creek Trailhead and taking you to Dead Man's Flats, just off of the Trans Canada Highway. Starting at the trailhead in the Ribbon Creek parking lot, go north on Hidden Trail. You will be on this trail for ~ 200 m before you need to ...
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  • Kananaskis, Alberta

    Winter Climb Mount Allan

    5.0
    8.7 mi / 4429.1 ft gain
    Mount Allan is a 14 km hike that gains 1400 metres of elevation and was one of my favourite hikes when I first moved to Calgary. On a recent snowshoe, a couple I crossed paths with mentioned they had just done Mount Allan in December, so I knew I had to put it on my winter list!The trail begins a...
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  • Kananaskis, Alberta

    Memorial Lakes

    9.9 mi / 2624.7 ft gain
    History Note: This hike commemorates 13 passengers of three different air crafts that went down in the region in 1986. The first was a passenger plane, and the second two were search and rescue aircraft. There is a plaque at the top of the hike to commemorate the lives that were lost.  Take Hwy...
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  • East Kootenay G, British Columbia

    Backpack the Rockwall Trail

    68 mi / 8530 ft gain
    The Rockwall trail is a famous 3-5 day trek in Kootenay National Park. We started from the North and camped at Helmet Falls our first night, and then continued south and exited out Floe Lake. I would recommend this direction for a backpack, and the opposite direction for a trail run (it's about ...
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  • Turner Valley, Alberta

    Hike to the Top of the Wasootch Ridge

    4.0
    8.7 mi / 3280 ft gain
    The start to this hike is located about 45 minutes west of Calgary and about the same East of Banff. Off the Trans Canada Highway take the highway 40 exit into Kananaskis and continue until you reach the Wasootch Creek area. There is ample parking, however during spring and summer months it can b...
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  • Turner Valley, Alberta

    Climb Wasootch Tower

    Park at Wasootch Creek, Walk 2kms past the practice slabs5.7 Mixed- North RidgeFollowing the drainage on the right side that leads to the base of the esthetic tower. Then hike up the faint forested trail to the beginning of the climb.I found this to be a fun- easy scrambling route with quite a fe...
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  • Kananaskis, Alberta

    HIke to Barrier Lake Lookout

    3.3
    From the parking lot, cross the dam, heading west onto the trail, with the lake on your left. Once you reach the forest, you will come to a 'Y' intersection, from which point you have two options:6.7 miles (10.8 km), 4 hours roundtrip, out-and-back For a shorter hike, go right at the 'Y' intersec...
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  • Turner Valley, Alberta

    Snowshoe to Midnight Peak

    7.5 mi / 3120 ft gain
    When exploring, sometimes the best days are when you bite off a bit more than you can chew and push your limits. On a summer day without a cloud in the sky, Midnight Peak would be challenging, but in winter it's a difficult test to be attempted by the prepared and able.The trail to Midnight Peak ...
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  • Turner Valley, Alberta

    Scramble up to Wasootch Peak

    Wasootch Peak is for people who's inner scrambler is screaming to push on when they're on Wasootch Ridge. This description will be focusing on the trail to the summit from the main cairn on Wasootch Ridge. For an excellent description on how to get to that cairn, check out Hike to the Top of Waso...
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  • Kananaskis, Alberta

    Raft the Kananaskis River

    4.7
    The river is perfect for first time rafters and families, but the Kananaskis River also provides enough thrills for even a seasoned whitewater enthusiast. You will spend approximately 2 hours paddling, surfing and, if you feel brave enough, swimming in this glacial fed river! The section of rive...
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