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Banff, Alberta

This magical resort town is nestled within Banff National Park and provides the best access to the area's world-class outdoor activities and breathtaking scenery and wildlife.

Top Spots in and near Banff

  • 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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  • Improvement District No. 9, Alberta

    Climb Achilles Spire

    5.0
    Established in 2012 by Eric Dumerac, Sid Cupido and Chad Casey.  This 13-pitch, 300m route of relatively easy climbing provides some decent exposure on a dolomite tower attached to Mount Andromache, Banff National Park. 2 hr approach, expect 8-10 hour day.  Approach - Park in the pull out on the ...
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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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  • Kananaskis, Alberta

    Rawson Lake

    4.5
    5 mi
    Getting There From Highway 1, Take Highway 40 South to Kananaskis Lakes Trail, and turn left at Upper Kananaskis Lakes Drive. The Trail The trail to Rawson Lake starts at the end of the "Day Use Area" at Upper Kananaskis Lake. The lake gently laps the shoreline to the right and moss carpets the...
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  • Kananaskis, Alberta

    Hike the Aster Lake Trail in Kananaskis Provincial Park

    7.5 mi / 1969 ft gain
    A long day hike or perfect backpack trip, this alpine lake surrounded by high peaks, starts out relatively easy from the upper Kananaskis Lake parking lot, at the far end of the south side of the lake, with a short tour around the east side of Hidden Lake, you start, what at some points will seem...
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  • Field, British Columbia

    Explore the Natural Bridge in Yoho NP

    4.5
    Whether you are traveling north or south on the Trans-Canada Highway in Yoho National Park you will see a sign that directs you west to travel on Emerald Lake Road. When you turn west you will travel about one mile, or 1.6 km, and then you will see the parking area for the Natural Bridge. After p...
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  • Parson, British Columbia

    Hike to Wapta Falls, Yoho National Park

    5.0
    2.4 mi / 180 ft gain
    This short 1.2 mile hike leads you through a relatively level forest to a spot on the Kicking Horse River where the water crashes off a river-wide cliff, producing almost a guaranteed rainbow at the bottom. The trail starts at the Wapta Falls Trailhead, which is a short drive off the Trans Canadi...
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  • Field, British Columbia

    Hike Iceline Trail

    5.0
    12.3 mi / 2867.5 ft gain
    The 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 ...
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