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Banff, Alberta

Looking for the best hiking in Banff? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Banff. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near Banff

  • 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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  • 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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  • Improvement District No. 9, Alberta

    Hike to the Johnston Canyon Cave

    4.4
    3.4 mi / 700 ft gain
    It’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...
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  • Improvement District No. 9, Alberta

    Hike to the Ink Pots via Johnston Canyon

    3.8
    7.5 mi / 1050 ft gain
    The 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...
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  • Improvement District No. 9, Alberta

    Hike Johnston Canyon

    5.0
    1.6 mi / 393.7 ft gain
    Getting 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...
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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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  • Kananaskis, Alberta

    Snowshoe to Old Goat Glacier

    6.2 mi / 2296.6 ft gain
    The 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...
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  • Improvement District No. 9, Alberta

    Snowshoe to Rockbound Lake

    3.0
    11 mi / 2460 ft gain
    This is an amazing trail, but not for the feint of heart!The trailhead is located on the Bow Valley Parkway (Highway 1A) in Banff National Park, AB at the Castle Mountain sign. The trailhead is marked by an information sign in the north of the parking lot and the trail initially heads north - not...
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  • Improvement District No. 9, Alberta

    Hike to Silverton Falls

    1.2 mi / 120 ft gain
    Starting at the Rockbound Lake trailhead you will want to follow the flat dirt path straight, until you see the junction in the road with the sign pointing you to Silverton Falls (it will be about 500 steps or a quarter of a mile). We made the mistake of taking the first junction which lead us to...
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  • Improvement District No. 9, Alberta

    Snowshoe to Silverton Falls and Rockbound Lake

    10.4 mi / 2493.4 ft gain
    Park at Rockbound Lake Trailhead, 0.2 km east of Castle Junction on Bow Valley Parkway (Highway 1A).The trail wanders through forest until coming to a fork to the right, leading to SilvertonFalls. This is a worthwhile 1 km side trip to a beautiful small waterfall dropping into a turquoise blue po...
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  • Canmore, Alberta

    Trail Run on the Wind Ridge-Bow Valley

    8.4 mi
    Wind 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...
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  • Canmore, Alberta

    Hike Pigeon Mountain

    Important note: trail closure from December 1 - June 15th.Altitude: 2,394m (7,852 ft)Elevation gain: 990m (3,247 ft)Round trip: 6-6.5 hours (15 kms)Heading West from Calgary on Trans Canada Highway #1 - take the Dead Mans Flats overpass, and go South for 1 -1.5 kms until you reach a parking lot. ...
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