Banff National Park, Alberta
Looking for the best hiking in Banff National Park? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Banff National Park. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
Top Hiking Spots in and near Banff National Park
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Improvement District No. 9, Alberta
Eiffel Lake via Valley of Ten Peaks
5.07.35 mi / 1647 ft gainHike with amazing views of Valley of Ten Peaks, including Mount Fay (10,613 ft), Mount Little (10,131 ft), Deltaform Mountain (11,234 ft), and Wenkchemna Peak (10,401 ft) to two breathtaking glacial lakes in the heart of the Continental Divide. From the lake, the trail is quite easy to follow, a...Read more -
Improvement District No. 9, Alberta
Hike to Consolation Lakes
4.03.7 mi / 196.9 ft gainOnce at Moraine Lake, the directions to Consolation Lakes are quite clear. From the parking lot, head northeast past the rockpile, which provides fantastic views of Moraine, then follow the Consolation Lakes Trail for another 2.9 km (1.8 miles) past Taylor Lake until you reach the lake. Depending...Read more -
Improvement District No. 9, Alberta
Larch Valley Trail to Minnestimma Lakes
5.05.61 mi / 1909 ft gainStarting at the Moraine Lake parking lot take, take the main trail the leads down past the cafe and lodges on the lake shore. A short way down the trail splits, to the left is just the lakeside walk. For Larch Valley take a right, it is clearly signed. Depending on the time of the year there are ...Read more -
Improvement District No. 9, Alberta
Eiffel Peak
5.07.14 mi / 3917 ft gainTake in stunning alpine views of the famous Valley of the Ten Peaks as you head to Eiffel Peak. A much more unique photo opportunity of Moraine Lake. Views of several prominent glaciers and the gorgeous Paradise Valley. The Eiffel Tower rock formation viewable from the summit. 11km roundtrip. 130...Read more -
Improvement District No. 9, Alberta
Scramble Mount Temple
4.512.4 mi / 6430.4 ft gainMount Temple is a stunning iconic mountain in Banff National Park located in the Canadian Rockies. It overlooks the Lake Louise area and stands at a massive 3542m (11,624ft) , making it one of the many sought after 11,000ers.To reach the mountain you will be headed down highway #1 and take the tu...Read more -
Improvement District No. 9, Alberta
Sentinel Pass: Larch Valley to Paradise Valley
5.010.45 mi / 2618 ft gainThis popular hike starts out by the one the most iconic lakes in Banff National Park, Moraine Lake. Though the trail from Larch Valley attracts herds of tourists, this is a majestic hike you don’t want to miss. Before your hike, contact the park office at Moraine Lake about possible hiking restr...Read more -
Improvement District No. 9, Alberta
Hike to Hector Lake
5.03.1 miHector Lake is one of the larger lakes in Banff National Park. It is surrounded by the Waputik Range to the west, and offers pristine views of the mountains. Hector Lake is idyllic and peaceful. Most tourists drive past the trailhead on the parkway, which means the hike is not at all busy. An...Read more -
Improvement District No. 9, Alberta
Hike to Boom Lake
4.06.2 miBoom Lake offers amazing views of Boom Mountain and the ridge separating Alberta and British Columbia. It is not as popular as many other hikes in the area, which means exclusion for anyone willing to explore the lake. The abundant wildlife in the area includes wolves, bears, mountain goats, de...Read more -
Improvement District No. 9, Alberta
Hike Johnston Canyon
5.01.6 mi / 393.7 ft gainGetting There: The Canyon is very well marked, but here are directions anyway if you're coming from Banff: Head West on the Trans-Canada Highway for about 5 km or so. Take the Bow Valley Parkway exit, and continue West for another 18km - you'll then see signs to your right for Johnston Canyon. Th...Read more -
Improvement District No. 9, Alberta
Hike to the Johnston Canyon Cave
4.43.4 mi / 700 ft gainIt’s amazing how much varied scenery you see over the course of the very short 1.7 mile hike. Follow the catwalks through the canyon as the stunning turquoise water flows below. If you’re feeling up for a longer hike, you can continue along the trail to the Ink Pots (makes for a great winter hike...Read more -
Improvement District No. 9, Alberta
Hike to the Ink Pots via Johnston Canyon
3.87.5 mi / 1050 ft gainThe hike through Johnston Canyon to its Upper and Lower falls is one of the most popular hikes to do in Banff - mostly due the little effort required for the great reward.To start, take the Bow Valley Parkway (Highway 1A) - the parking lot and trailhead are clearly marked by a Johnston Canyon sig...Read more -
Improvement District No. 9, Alberta
Ski Mt. Hector
8.6 mi / 5275.6 ft gainMt Hector's main route requires a ski mountaineering ascent. It moves through a lot of complex avalanche terrain, across glaciers, and through many terrain traps. Most people will do this route in spring, aiming to be off the mountain before noon. This route should be attempted only by very fit ...Read more -
Field, British Columbia
Ski Tour/Snowshoe Mt. Paget
6.8 mi / 8399 ft gainTrailhead: Approximately 5.5km West of the Alberta/British Columbia border sits the Great Divide Lodge. Towards the back left of the main building is the trailhead. Route: The trail is clear from the trailhead and for most of the way to the summit of Mt. Paget. Be aware on your descent if you ...Read more -
Improvement District No. 9, Alberta
Mosquito Creek Backpacking Adventure
18.7 mi / 3822.2 ft gainThe Mosquito creek trailhead is on the east side of the Icefield parkway road just across from the Mosquito Creek Hostel. You park in front of the hostel, and hop across the road to begin the trek.The trail winds up the Mosquito Valley, occasionally popping into a clearing where you get good view...Read more -
Field, British Columbia
Explore Lake O'Hara
4.8Hidden deep in the Canadian Rockies is Lake O'Hara, a diamond among the rough peaks. Ten minutes drive east of a small town called Field in British Columbia, or sixty minutes west of Banff, Alberta; is a small parking lot where the adventure begins. A $25 return, 30 minute bus ride from there tak...Read more -
Field, British Columbia
Hike to the Opabin Prospect
5.02.5 mi / 820 ft gainLocated in Yoho National Park, Lake O'Hara is said to be the crown jewel of the Canadian Rockies (rightly so!). Callum Snape has described a bit of the process on what it takes to gain access to Lake O'Hara at this post here. Once you arrive at Lake O'Hara, either at the lodge or at the neighbori...Read more