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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

  • Field, British Columbia

    Twin Falls via Yoho Valley Trail

    4.0
    10.92 mi / 2274 ft gain
    An 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...
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  • 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...
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  • Field, British Columbia

    Rock Climb Takakkaw Falls

    5.0
    Summit 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...
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  • Field, British Columbia

    Takakkaw Falls

    4.0
    1.2 mi / 196.9 ft gain
    This 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 ...
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  • Improvement District No. 9, Alberta

    Mosquito Creek Backpacking Adventure

    18.7 mi / 3822.2 ft gain
    The 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...
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  • Columbia-Shuswap A, British Columbia

    Hike to Hamilton Falls, Yoho NP

    4.0
    1.76 mi / 474 ft gain
    Hamilton 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...
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  • Field, British Columbia

    Hike the Emerald Lake Circuit

    5.0
    3.2 mi
    Emerald 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...
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  • Field, British Columbia

    Canoe Emerald Lake

    4.3
    2 mi
    Beat 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 ...
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  • Kananaskis, Alberta

    Hike to Grizzly Ridge near Highwood Pass

    4.2 mi / 1840.6 ft gain
    The 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...
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  • Kananaskis, Alberta

    Hike Ptarmigan Cirque

    4.0
    3.1 mi / 754.6 ft gain
    Ptarmigan 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...
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  • Kananaskis, Alberta

    Scramble Mount Rae

    4.0
    Mount 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...
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  • Kananaskis, Alberta

    Hike Pocaterra Ridge

    4.0
    9 mi / 650 ft gain
    During 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...
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  • 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 ...
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  • Kananaskis, Alberta

    Snowshoe Mount Tyrwhitt

    1.0
    5.6 mi / 2132.5 ft gain
    Describing 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 ...
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  • Kananaskis, Alberta

    Hike to Little Arethusa

    2.8 mi / 2034.1 ft gain
    Unfortunately, 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...
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