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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

  • Bragg Creek, Alberta

    Rock Climb at White Buddha

    4.0
    1.9 mi / 492.1 ft gain
    To reach White Buddha, park at the Powerface Creek parking lot. Between December and May, Route 66 is closed at Elbow Falls, so you may need to park at the gate and walk in, about 0.3 miles (500 m). The trailhead is well marked from the parking lot.The first section of the trail is mellow, though...
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  • Bragg Creek, Alberta

    Hike White Buddha via Powderface Trail

    3.0
    2.5 mi / 1148.3 ft gain
    Follow Hwy. 66 until you come upon the Powderface Staging Area. This is the trailhead. If you are coming between December & May, park at the Elbow Falls Day use area and walk along the road approximately 100 meters. This trail is easy to find and is quite wide. Follow the Powderface Creek Tra...
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  • Bragg Creek, Alberta

    Winter Hike Up Vent's Ridge

    Whether it was the unseasonably warm weather; the forested, uneven, foot-wide, root-covered trail; limestone cliffs towering above me; the view of Myosotis Peak from the ridge; or exploring along Powderface Creek on the descent, this trail was an absolute blast.If you do this hike in February lik...
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  • Bragg Creek, Alberta

    Prairie Mountain and Elbow Falls

    4.4
    22 km west of Bragg Creek, turn off Highway 66 at the Elbow Falls Parking Lot. Park on the North side of the road on the shoulder at the winter closure gates. The trail is well-defined and heads straight up (North) from the highway.The trail begins with some steep switchbacks, but then levels out...
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  • Bragg Creek, Alberta

    Hike Iyarhe Ipan

    3.0
    2.5 mi / 1476.4 ft gain
    Iyarhe Ipan means "mountain point" in Stoney, and while it's far from the highest peak you'll ever climb, it certainly is worth it. Iyarhe Ipan was the fix for the scrambling itch I've had all winter.Before Highway 66 opens in the summer, you'll have to park your car at Elbow Falls parking lot an...
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  • Bragg Creek, Alberta

    Cross-Country Ski and Scramble to Oldforgetmenot for Sunrise

    9.9 mi / 2395 ft gain
    I think it's because I tend to watch football on Sundays that I've started doing more sunrise hikes --- can't say I regret it either! Oldforgetmenot is a perfect objective to take in a sunrise on: elevation gain isn't too intense, distance isn't too trying, and there are quite a few stretches tha...
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  • Bragg Creek, Alberta

    Scramble Mount Glasgow

    3.0
    14.3 mi / 4265.1 ft gain
    As with most hikes in the Bragg Creek/Little Elbow area, the trail begins at the Little Elbow campground. To make the hike a tiny bit shorter, most people bike for the first 4 km on the Big Elbow trail to South Glasgow Creek. If you're not using a GPS trail, you'll know you're at the creek once y...
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  • Bragg Creek, Alberta

    Hike Nihahi Ridge

    4.5
    8.1 mi / 2624.7 ft gain
    This year on the summer solstice, I was invited to go up Nihahi Ridge to celebrate. It's in one of my personal most underrated areas of the Rockies just west of Bragg Creek, and it's a popular objective, but less so during the evening. The trail begins once you park your car at the Little Elbow p...
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  • Field, British Columbia

    Hike "A Walk in the Past Trail," Yoho NP

    3.0
    2 mi / 396 ft gain
    The trail begins towards the backside of Kicking Horse camp area near the washrooms. Please know that access to this area is typically closed between October and June. Look for the large trail sign and be sure to grab a brochure  to enjoy the self-guided tour. The brochures may not be available, ...
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  • Bragg Creek, Alberta

    Hike to Bragg Creek Ice Cave

    4.0
    4.3 mi / 5879.3 ft gain
    Also known as Moose Mountain Ice Cave, Canyon Creek Ice Cave and Ing Mine.The cave is located on the west side of Moose Ridge andhas a huge entrance, it is approximately1,600 ft. in depth. Take Highway 22 past Bragg Creek, continue on the 66 towards Moose Mountain.  Turn off at Canyon Creek Road...
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  • Kananaskis, Alberta

    Hike Mount Indefatigable

    4.5
    If you choose to do this hike, you'll find yourself at Kananaskis Lakes, one of my favourite spots in K-Country! Park your car at the Interlakes parking lot, have that one last bathroom break, and make your way north to get to the trailhead. The trailhead is impossible to miss as it's blocked off...
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  • Field, British Columbia

    Backpack Burgess Pass to the Iceline to Takakkaw Falls

    5.0
    42.3 mi
    This 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 ...
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  • Improvement District No. 9, Alberta

    Hike to Hector Lake

    5.0
    3.1 mi
    Hector Lake is one of the larger lakes in Banff National Park. It is surrounded by the Waputik Range to the west, and offers pristine views of the mountains. Hector Lake is idyllic and peaceful. Most tourists drive past the trailhead on the parkway, which means the hike is not at all busy. An...
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  • Improvement District No. 9, Alberta

    Ski Mt. Hector

    8.6 mi / 5275.6 ft gain
    Mt Hector's main route requires a ski mountaineering ascent. It moves through a lot of complex avalanche terrain, across glaciers, and through many terrain traps. Most people will do this route in spring, aiming to be off the mountain before noon.  This route should be attempted only by very fit ...
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  • Kananaskis, Alberta

    Backpack the Northover Ridge Loop

    5.0
    25 mi / 4000 ft gain
    While most people opt to hike this route as a 2 or 3 day trip, camping at Aster and Three Isle Lakes, this description is for a 1 day loop. This is NOT an easy hike to do in 1 day, however, and the ridge is no pushover for any length trip. Exercise caution and don't be afraid to backtrack if weat...
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  • Kananaskis, Alberta

    Rawson Lake & Sarrail Ridge

    4.0
    6.8 mi / 2427.8 ft gain
    Take Hwy. 40 to Kananaskis Lakes Trail. Continue on this road until you reach a turn off for Upper Kananaskis Lake Day Use Area. This is your trail head. Follow the trail along west side of the lake. After about 1 km you will reach Sarrail Falls. Shortly after crossing the bridge, take the trail ...
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