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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Kananaskis, Alberta
East End of Rundle Scramble
4.44.7 mi / 2880 ft gainThis 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 ...Read more -
Canmore, Alberta
Ha Ling Sunrise Hike
3.95 mi / 2296.6 ft gainStart 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...Read more -
Canmore, Alberta
Indoor Rock Climbing in Canmore at Elevation Place
For those that aren’t skiers – or maybe for skiers who just want to stretch some different muscles – Elevation Place is a fantastic climbing gym in Canmore. It’s brand new and has tons of top roping, bouldering, and even seven auto-belays with climbs rating from 5.8 to 5.11d at the time we were t...Read more -
Canmore, Alberta
Mount Lady Macdonald Scramble in Winter
3.5The 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...Read more -
Canmore, Alberta
Climb the South East Ridge of Lady MacDonald
Lady Macdonalds South East ridge is a route that has grown in popularity in recent years thanks to it's proximity to Canmore, intro level alpine climbing, and wonderful views. The Rockies Central Guidebook has the best images and descriptions of this specific climb This route starts in Cougar Cre...Read more -
Canmore, Alberta
Rock Climb at Cougar Creek Canyon
4.03.1 mi / 49.2 ft gainFrom 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 ...Read more -
Canmore, Alberta
Hike Grotto Mountain
7.5 mi / 4429.1 ft gainFrom 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...Read more -
Improvement District No. 9, Alberta
Ice Climbing at Balfour Wall
Drive up the Icefields Parkway (Highway 93N) for 60 km. From there you will see a small rest stop like parking lot. From there the trail is quite obvious.The trail is short, but very steep. It shouldn't take more than 45 minutes to arrive at the climb. Once there enjoy the beautiful views and var...Read more -
Edgewater, British Columbia
Hike to Windy Ridge
10.6 mi / 1640.4 ft gainWindy 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 ...Read more -
Edgewater, British Columbia
Hike to Nub Peak
5.07.3 mi / 2789 ft gainStarting 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 ...Read more -
Edgewater, British Columbia
Explore Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park
5.0Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site sequestered 27 km from the nearest road. We took a helicopter in, and hiked out . You can also hike both ways, but the hiking once you are there is more amazing than on the way in. You can also ski in on backcountry skis in the Win...Read more -
Kananaskis, Alberta
Snowshoe to Old Goat Glacier
6.2 mi / 2296.6 ft gainThe trialhead is found on West Side Road on the west side of Spray Lakes Resevoir. In winter, West Side Road is closed to vehicles due to dogsled tours, but is still open to walking - it's a pretty neat experience to get passed by a dozen sled dog teams. Since the road is closed, it adds an extra...Read more -
Canmore, Alberta
Trail Run on the Wind Ridge-Bow Valley
8.4 miWind Ridge is a 7,217 ft / 2,200 m mountain peak near Canmore, Alberta, Canada, with spectacular views into the Bow Valley. The trail is primarily used for hiking and is accessible from May until November.Take the Spray Lakes Road from the town of Canmore for 22km. The trail head is just below th...Read more -
Bighorn No. 8, Alberta
Grotto Canyon
3.54.5 mi / 869 ft gainTo get to the trailhead, take Highway 1 and take the Seebe exit (Highway 1X). Continue north on Highway 1X and take a left at Highway 1A. A few kilometres after the town of Exshaw, turn into the parking lot marked by the Grotto Pond sign. The trailhead is well marked and follow the trail until t...Read more -
51.064574,-115.203550
Hike Grotto Creek
3.7 mi / 410.1 ft gainThis is a great hike that could be a quick 2 hour sprint or stretch into a full day affair. The trailhead is located just off Highway 1A at a fishing pond with outhouses and ample parking. The trail is well signed and in a quick kilometre, hikers will be at the actual creek bed. In summer, hike...Read more -
Clearwater County, Alberta
Siffleur Falls Trail
4.09.02 mi / 922 ft gainApproximately 93 miles (150kms) West of Rocky Mountain House along Highway 11, the trailhead begins at the Siffleur Falls Day Use Area. This spot offers restrooms and picnic tables to relax after your hike. Begin by following the trail along the North Saskatchewan River. Cross the very long susp...Read more
