Banff National Park, Alberta
Bannff National Park located approximately 90 minutes from Calgary spans 6,641 square kilometres (2,564 square miles). Banff is home to amazing destinations like Moraine Lake, Lake Louise, Icefields Parkway, and Peyto Lake, and Johnston Canyon. There are both campgrounds, hotels, and other lodging options near Banff for an overnight trip. Banff National Park is typically visited during two seasons: Summer and Winter. The summer provides for all of the great hiking opportunities whereas the winter provides great skiing at the big three resorts: Lake Louise, Banff Sunshine, and Norquay.
Top Spots in and near Banff National Park
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Field, British Columbia
Hike Iceline Trail
5.012.3 mi / 2867.5 ft gainThe trailhead is accessed at the Takakkaw Falls parking lot, and then you walk to the Whiskey Jack Hostel where the trail officially begins (you can not park here unless you are a guest). The well marked trail then begins its very steep ascent through the forest where you will catch glimpses of ...Read more -
Field, British Columbia
Twin Falls via Yoho Valley Trail
4.010.92 mi / 2274 ft gainAn 18 km hike with approx 300 m elevation gain, with good variety, several waterfalls, Twin Falls themselves, Twin Falls Tea House (especially if it's open), a walk through a rock field with great views, a dried up lake bed. Start at the Takakkaw Falls parking lot and follow the well marked trai...Read more -
Field, British Columbia
Camp at Takakkaw Falls
Takakkaw is the third highest waterfall in Canada. Mountain vistas, rushing glacial fed rivers, and waterfalls galore make Yoho a prime destination. This is the nicest drive-to campground around, and with little effort you have a semi-backcountry experience that is accessible to everyone.Take the...Read more -
Field, British Columbia
Rock Climb Takakkaw Falls
5.0Summit Elevation- 991 ftNamed after Bernie Schiesser and Sid Marty- Park warden at the time- Takakkaw is derived from a cree word meaning “It is wonderful”5.6- 12 pitches- MixedPark in the designated parking area for Takakkaw Falls in Yoho National Park, Follow a paved trail to the base of the wa...Read more -
Field, British Columbia
Takakkaw Falls
4.01.2 mi / 196.9 ft gainThis powerful waterfall is unquestionably, one of Canada's largest and most magnificent waterfalls. It falls at around a whopping 381 meters over the sheer cliff of the beautiful Canadian Rockies. The word 'Takakkaw' loosely translates from the language of 'Cree,' into the English phrase, "it is ...Read more -
Sawback, Alberta
Hike to Bourgeau Lake
9.3 mi / 2329.4 ft gainThe Bourgeau Lake trailhead offers easy parking and bathrooms before departing. The hike begins with approximately an hour and a half of fairly easy walking through forest with several glimpses of the surrounding mountains and Wolverine Creek. This first stretch ends with a gorgeous waterfall, ...Read more -
Sawback, Alberta
Hike to Bourgeau Lake and Harvey Pass
5.012.5 mi / 3360 ft gainThe trailhead for Bourgeau Lake/Harvey Pass is on the west side of Trans-Canada Highway approximately 5 miles west of Banff. The turn-off is approximately 0.9 miles past the Sunshine Village Ski Resort exit. There is a small parking lot and a restroom at the trailhead. Enter through the gate to...Read more -
Sawback, Alberta
Hike Mount Bourgeau
5.012 mi / 2460 ft gainTaking Hwy 1 West of Banff for approximately 8 miles you'll come to the Bourgeau Lake Trailhead. This trail starts with a 4.5 mile, 2460ft elevation through the forest to the beautiful Bourgeau Lake. This glacial tarn signals the start of the alpine and a wonderful morning hike on it's own. From ...Read more -
East Kootenay G, British Columbia
Backpack the Rockwall Trail
68 mi / 8530 ft gainThe 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 ...Read more -
Clearwater County, Alberta
Hike Maze Peak
4.05.3 mi / 2624.7 ft gainThere's not much of a trailhead for Maze Peak - in fact there isn't a trailhead at all. Bring up the start location from this post and pull over on the side of the dirt road once you get to it! The hardest part about this trail is just kind of finding it, really. The good news is that you're goin...Read more -
Field, British Columbia
Backpack Burgess Pass to the Iceline to Takakkaw Falls
5.042.3 miThis hike begins at a trailhead 1.5 km (0.9 mi) from Field, B.C., Canada. When heading west on the Trans Canada Highway towards Field, turn right 1.5 km before Field onto a small dirt road. Immediately turn left and continue driving straight for 500 m (0.3 mi) to a small open area for parking at ...Read more -
Improvement District No. 9, Alberta
Ski Tour the Crowfoot Glades
Park at the viewpoint for the Crowfoot Glacier, roughly 32 kilometers after turning off Highway 1. It does sometimes get busy so you might end up parking on the side of the road. From the parking lot head southwest, there is almost always a skin track here. No skin track? Freshies! YAY! After a s...Read more -
Sawback, Alberta
Climb Mt. Cory
3.0Park at the viewpoint parking lot on the left side of the highway, approximately 2.8 km (1.7 mi) after turning off of the Trans Canada Highway. The trailhead is easily located on the north side of the highway. The approach is short but steep and sustained. It starts as a trail and finishes as a s...Read more -
Improvement District No. 9, Alberta
Snowshoe up Crystal Ridge
2.04.3 mi / 2099.7 ft gainFor anyone looking to leave crowds behind but still have a killer day, Crystal Ridge might be up your alley! On an unseasonably warm January Saturday, I was the only one to access the trail. My singular trail was the only blemish on the pristine field of snow.The trailhead is located in the north...Read more -
Banff, Alberta
Snowshoe Mt. Norquay
2.2 mi / 1000 ft gainFrom Banff:Take the shuttle from the town lot to Mt. Norquay Ski Lodge, it is $10 CAD one way or $15 roundtrip, but you may want to walk back. If you decide to walk back there are two options; the road or the beautiful mountain trail. The trail head can be easily picked up in the parking lot, hik...Read more -
Sawback, Alberta
Climb Aftonroe
Route on Mount CoryThe spectacular view of the river and forest below is called Backswamp- in the past it was referred to as Aftonroe by a local writer Jon Whyte- The naming of this route was made in his memory5.7 Sport Route- 9 Pitches Approach: Park on the left side of the Bow Valley Parkway, H...Read more
