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
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Field, British Columbia
Twin Falls via Yoho Valley Trail
4.010.92 mi / 2274 ft gainAn 18 km hike with approx 300 m elevation gain, with good variety, several waterfalls, Twin Falls themselves, Twin Falls Tea House (especially if it's open), a walk through a rock field with great views, a dried up lake bed. Start at the Takakkaw Falls parking lot and follow the well marked trai...Read more -
Field, British Columbia
Camp at Takakkaw Falls
Takakkaw is the third highest waterfall in Canada. Mountain vistas, rushing glacial fed rivers, and waterfalls galore make Yoho a prime destination. This is the nicest drive-to campground around, and with little effort you have a semi-backcountry experience that is accessible to everyone.Take the...Read more -
Field, British Columbia
Rock Climb Takakkaw Falls
5.0Summit Elevation- 991 ftNamed after Bernie Schiesser and Sid Marty- Park warden at the time- Takakkaw is derived from a cree word meaning “It is wonderful”5.6- 12 pitches- MixedPark in the designated parking area for Takakkaw Falls in Yoho National Park, Follow a paved trail to the base of the wa...Read more -
Field, British Columbia
Takakkaw Falls
4.01.2 mi / 196.9 ft gainThis powerful waterfall is unquestionably, one of Canada's largest and most magnificent waterfalls. It falls at around a whopping 381 meters over the sheer cliff of the beautiful Canadian Rockies. The word 'Takakkaw' loosely translates from the language of 'Cree,' into the English phrase, "it is ...Read more -
Improvement District No. 9, Alberta
Mosquito Creek Backpacking Adventure
18.7 mi / 3822.2 ft gainThe Mosquito creek trailhead is on the east side of the Icefield parkway road just across from the Mosquito Creek Hostel. You park in front of the hostel, and hop across the road to begin the trek.The trail winds up the Mosquito Valley, occasionally popping into a clearing where you get good view...Read more -
Columbia-Shuswap A, British Columbia
Hike to Hamilton Falls, Yoho NP
4.01.76 mi / 474 ft gainHamilton Falls trail sign is across the parking lot from Emerald Lake and points you in the direction of the trail. The trail will start with a gentle incline which immediately places you into a lush forest as the noise of tourism begins to fade. Approximately 0.4 miles up the trail, you will rea...Read more -
Field, British Columbia
Hike the Emerald Lake Circuit
5.03.2 miEmerald Lake is without a doubt one of the most beautiful lakes in the Canadian Rockies and is the jewel (see what I did there...) of Yoho National Park. The circuit surrounding the lake allows great opportunities for pictures and views from all sides.Getting there: Just west of Field, BC turn of...Read more -
Field, British Columbia
Canoe Emerald Lake
4.32 miBeat the crowd at Moraine Lake and paddle Emerald Lake instead! This lake is a must for any Banff/Yoho explorer. It's an easy drive off HWY 1 but stop at the Natural Bridge along the way. There's a restaurant, Cilantro, inside the lodge with a patio along the shore. Canoe rentals are around $90 ...Read more -
Kananaskis, Alberta
Hike to Grizzly Ridge near Highwood Pass
4.2 mi / 1840.6 ft gainThe hike starts at 2206 meters elevation Highwood Pass, and takes you through beautiful Pocaterra Cirque up to the peak of Grizzly ridge at 2767 meters, an impressive altitude to attain with only a 561 meter climb.Park at the parking lot at Highwood Pass, and follow the interpretive trail to a s...Read more -
Kananaskis, Alberta
Hike Ptarmigan Cirque
4.03.1 mi / 754.6 ft gainPtarmigan Cirque is a great beginner hike in Highwood Pass. Take Hwy. 40 approximately 50 km's from Hwy. 1. You will find the trail head at the Highwood Pass Day Use Area. This interpretive trail heads north along the road for about 100 meters and then crosses the highway. The trail is easy to na...Read more -
Kananaskis, Alberta
Scramble Mount Rae
4.0Mount Rae has given me the slip a couple times before, so I opted to take it on solo in the hopes of getting a successful attempt in. Damn, this is a good one.Park at the Highwood Pass parking lot, and start off on the Ptarmigan Cirque Trail. Forested until you get to the cirque, check beforehand...Read more -
Kananaskis, Alberta
Hike Pocaterra Ridge
4.09 mi / 650 ft gainDuring the fall I find the biggest treat is the changing of the larch trees and the beautiful contrast they provide against the landscape with their intense golden yellow colors. One of the best places to experience this is Pocaterra Ridge, located in the Highwood Pass of the Kananaskis region in...Read more -
Kananaskis, Alberta
Explore the Pocaterra Cirque
Start at the Pocaterra/Highwood pass parking lot. The pond is about 1.5km directly west from the parking lot, but the trail head is not always obvious, especially if there is snow. Keep an eye out for the flagging tape that marks the trail. Consider bringing snowshoes in November.This makes for ...Read more -
Kananaskis, Alberta
Snowshoe Mount Tyrwhitt
1.05.6 mi / 2132.5 ft gainDescribing snowshoeing trails is always a bit difficult, but luckily the way up Mount Tyrwhitt gets used heavily by people going to Pocaterra Cirque - first thing to remember is to take the first fork off the main trail to the left after you cross the bridge.Even if the trail is snow covered and ...Read more -
Kananaskis, Alberta
Hike to Little Arethusa
2.8 mi / 2034.1 ft gainUnfortunately, pictures of larches in autumn never actually do them justice. It's worth it to go out and experience them for yourself. This hike is pretty scenic for the short distance it is, but my favourite part is that you get to be up close and personal with the larches as the forest is bathe...Read more