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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

  • Banff, Alberta

    Mount Assiniboine: Sunshine Village to Mount Shark

    5.0
    36.37 mi / 5869 ft gain
    This trek specifically covers the distance from Sunshine Village to Mount Shark. You will need a car at Mt. Shark, as there are no shuttles from that location to Canomre or any local areas. Otherwise, you can try to hitch a ride back – your best bet is to talk with some locals or visit the Canmor...
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  • Improvement District No. 9, Alberta

    Hike to the Hermit of Inglismaldie

    4.0
    2 mi / 34 ft gain
    As you drive towards Johnson Lake, the road will end at a parking lot where you should park. There are restrooms and picnic tables located in this same area.  Due to the low elevation, the trail around Johnson Lake is a gentle walk, but trail conditions should always be checked especially during ...
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  • Improvement District No. 9, Alberta

    Snowshoe to Johnson Lake

    2 mi
    This is a well-traveled hike, so if you stay on the path, you'll likely need only a good pair of boots. However, in the middle of winter, the lake freezes solid, and you might enjoy exploring a little out on the frozen lake like we did. Snowshoes definitely came in handy out there.This is a very ...
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  • Banff, Alberta

    Dawn to Dusk in Banff National Park

    5.0
    6.8 mi
    This is a micro adventure in one of the world’s most desired National Parks. The common excuse for those who tend to skip the great outdoors is lack of time. This one day adventure is an example that you can cram a lot into a day! Dawn: Sunrise hike up to South Ridge in Banff. Start at the famous...
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  • Improvement District No. 9, Alberta

    Peyto Lake Overlook and Bow Pass Summit

    4.9
    4.22 mi / 863 ft gain
    Peyto Lake is a scenic location on the Icefields Parkway about 40 km (25 miles) north of the town of Lake Louise. Access to the viewing area for this magnificent area is immediately off the parkway and is well signposted. From the parking lot at Bow Summit, a short paved trail leads to one of th...
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  • East Kootenay G, British Columbia

    Hike The Floe Lake Trail

    13 mi / 2350 ft gain
    Kootenay National Park is one of the lesser visited parks in a chain of spectacular parks in the Canadian Rockies between Banff and Jasper. Straddling the Trans-Canadian Highway, the park offers hot springs, awesome mountain views, and glaciers. As you enter the park, keep an eye out for the griz...
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  • Parson, British Columbia

    Hike to Wapta Falls, Yoho National Park

    5.0
    2.4 mi / 180 ft gain
    This short 1.2 mile hike leads you through a relatively level forest to a spot on the Kicking Horse River where the water crashes off a river-wide cliff, producing almost a guaranteed rainbow at the bottom. The trail starts at the Wapta Falls Trailhead, which is a short drive off the Trans Canadi...
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  • Bighorn No. 8, Alberta

    Scramble Up Black Rock Mountain

    4.0
    Fortunately, or unfortunately depending on your point of view, getting to/finding the trailhead is the most difficult part of this hike! On top of Black Rock Mountain is an abandoned fire lookout that was utilized from 1928 to 1950. Through all those years, the lookout was supplied by pack horses...
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  • Canmore, Alberta

    Hike to Grassi Lake

    4.5
    2.4 mi / 820.2 ft gain
    To get to the Grassi Lake trailhead, continue past the Nordic Center about 2km and take a small left when you reach a junction between a gravel road and a paved road. You want to be on the paved road, as this will lead you down to the Grassi Lake parking lot. The trail starts right behind the res...
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  • Kananaskis, Alberta

    East End of Rundle Scramble

    4.4
    4.7 mi / 2880 ft gain
    This well marked, fun hike that has a bit of everything, from easy forest walking, to steep slabs, minor hands on scrambling, and a scree slope to the summit.From the parking lot, head north up the hill, where the trail begins around the power poles. There a few different paths to start, so it's ...
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  • Canmore, Alberta

    Ha Ling Sunrise Hike

    4.1
    5 mi / 2296.6 ft gain
    Start at the Goat Creek parking lot and cross the road towards Ha Ling. There is an access road with a gate on the other side. Walk up the road and across the bridge. From there the trail is obvious and will lead you to the summit. Overall it's a fairly easy hike with switchbacksOnce above tree l...
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  • Canmore, Alberta

    Mount Lady Macdonald Scramble in Winter

    3.5
    The Mount Lady Macdonald trail begins at Cougar Creek, starting out as a leg burner through the forest, then meandering through boulders, halfway up. The boulders, sparse forest, and views of the Bow River Valley make for a classic mountain landscape that isn't always offered by forested walks to...
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  • Canmore, Alberta

    Rock Climb at Cougar Creek Canyon

    4.0
    3.1 mi / 49.2 ft gain
    From the TransCanada highway, take the second exit into Canmore (from either direction), and head uphill on Elk Run Boulevard. At the top of the hill, across from the Iron Goat restaurant, there is a three way intersection, head right across the bridge and take an immediate left into the parking ...
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  • Canmore, Alberta

    Hike Grotto Mountain

    7.5 mi / 4429.1 ft gain
    From Highway 1A take the exit to the Alpine Club of Canada. Park near the woodpile as the actual parking lot is for Alpine Club customers. The trailhead about 30 metres up the road from the woodpile.The start of the trail is fairly relaxed but it quickly becomes a steep uphill battle. There are t...
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  • Edgewater, British Columbia

    Hike to Windy Ridge

    10.6 mi / 1640.4 ft gain
    Windy Ridge is located by Og Pass in the Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park. Whether you start from any of the campgrounds, huts or the lodge, the way to the Windy Ridge Trail is well indicated and the trail itself is well worn. Beware that if you are using the Gem Trek map (1:100,000), the notes ...
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  • Edgewater, British Columbia

    Hike to Nub Peak

    5.0
    7.3 mi / 2789 ft gain
    Starting right at Mt. Assiniboine Lodge, there is very clear signage for this hike. The arrows will lead you over a wooden walkway right before you begin a gentle assent through the woods,gaining elevation the further you go, and then arrive at The Nublet which is before the peak. The Nublet has ...
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