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
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Turner Valley, Alberta
Scramble up to Wasootch Peak
Wasootch Peak is for people who's inner scrambler is screaming to push on when they're on Wasootch Ridge. This description will be focusing on the trail to the summit from the main cairn on Wasootch Ridge. For an excellent description on how to get to that cairn, check out Hike to the Top of Waso...Read more -
Kananaskis, Alberta
Hike Along Tent Ridge
4.5Starting off just past the Mt Engadine Lodge there is a make shift parking lot on your right hand side (usually filled with 10 or so cars depending when you go) This trail is a loop so there are two trail heads. The first is easily seen about 500m up the road on your left and the second was about...Read more -
Kananaskis, Alberta
Running on the Tent Ridge
1.06.3 mi / 2706.7 ft gainTent Ridge is located in Kananaskis Country, a 45 minute drive from Calgary, Alberta. Start on Mount Shark Road at the pull out to your right. You will have to walk a few 100 meters back down the road to access the trail head to begin this hike.Some decent elevation is gained during the hike with...Read more -
Turner Valley, Alberta
Hike Porcupine Ridge
5.9 mi / 2231 ft gainThis trail was really easy to find and follow, unfortunately that means the description will be short.Park your car at Porcupine Creek on Highway 40 and take off to the southeast! The path follows the creek and requires a couple of creek crossings on makeshift bridges, but once the creek forks yo...Read more -
Kananaskis, Alberta
Scramble Smutwood Peak
5.011.8 mi / 2772.3 ft gainThe trailhead is is located at the first left after the bridge past Engandine Lodge in Kananaskis. The trail forks after a while and you need to take a right which takes you into Smuts Pass. This trail is actually really cool and fun to walk - undulating, narrow, rooted, and right along the edge ...Read more -
Kananaskis, Alberta
Hike Old Baldy Ridge
9.3 mi / 2952.8 ft gainPark at the Evan Thomas parking lot to and the trailhead is in the south of that parking lot. It follows a well-defined trail up for most of the way before you start gaining elevation. When the trail starts heading south, keep an eye out for a small trail that will keep you heading east. This por...Read more -
Kananaskis, Alberta
Hike up Galatea Creek to Lillian Lake
Located on Highway 40 (Kananaskis Trail) and marked by the "Galatea" sign, there's not much more to this hike other than putting one foot in front of the other, but the amount of traffic it sees is a testament to the quality of this hike.Even on the backend of winter the numerous shades of green ...Read more -
Kananaskis, Alberta
Hike to Lillian Lake and Galatea Lakes
2.09.3 mi / 3018.4 ft gainMake the trek down Hwy. 40 (about 33 km’s) to the trail head - Galatea Day Use Area. It’s very easy to find, as this is one of Kananaskis most popular day hikes. The trail leads into the forest, crossing a suspension bridge and a couple more bridges after that. Due to some flood damage, the bridg...Read more -
Turner Valley, Alberta
Photograph Wedge Pond
3.00.25 mi / 10 ft gainJust off Highway 1 in Kananaskis Country is a beautiful pond that makes for a wonderful spot to enjoy the first light on the Canadian Rockies. Bring warm clothes as this place can be especially cold. Don't forget a camera and a blanket. I recommend going for sunrise as this is when the lighting i...Read more -
Kananaskis, Alberta
Scramble the Wedge
5 mi / 3444.9 ft gainDrive south on Highway 40 and your adventure begins at Wedge Pond. Parking in the parking lot is easy enough if you're there early enough in the day (before 10:00). The trail up the Wedge starts near the bathrooms, and heads south - not southwest towards the pond. After only a few minutes of walk...Read more -
Improvement District No. 9, Alberta
Climb the Grand Sentinel
8.6 mi / 3612.2 ft gainThe Grand Sentinel has two routs on it. While it is hard to access it is a modern classic with bolted anchors, and Cardia Arete is a Sport climbing route. While I could offer my take on this classic, Chris Perry' Banff Rock is a far better resource than I. To access the climb park at Moraine Lak...Read more -
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