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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

  • Edgewater, British Columbia

    Hike to Nub Peak

    5.0
    7.3 mi / 2789 ft gain
    Starting right at Mt. Assiniboine Lodge, there is very clear signage for this hike. The arrows will lead you over a wooden walkway right before you begin a gentle assent through the woods,gaining elevation the further you go, and then arrive at The Nublet which is before the peak. The Nublet has ...
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  • Edgewater, British Columbia

    Explore Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park

    5.0
    Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site sequestered 27 km from the nearest road. We took a helicopter in, and hiked out . You can also hike both ways, but the hiking once you are there is more amazing than on the way in. You can also ski in on backcountry skis in the Win...
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  • Kananaskis, Alberta

    Hike Spencer Creek

    2.5 mi / 1968.5 ft gain
    South of the Driftwood turnoff (approximately 4 km) on Spray/Smith-Dorrien Trail a large creek bed on the east of the road is the beginning of Spencer Creek. The trail is easy enough to find, just have to do a bit of looking.Once on the trail, you'll basically have no trouble at all. The trail it...
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  • Bighorn No. 8, Alberta

    Hike through McGillivray Canyon

    1.0
    Between Pigeon Mountain and Mount McGilliveray, pull off the road and slow down until you see a little dirt road turn off to the large parking area.Follow the trail heading south- don't take the transcanada trail- further up you will find another small trail that takes you to the creek bed. Follo...
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  • Bighorn No. 8, Alberta

    Climb McGillivray Slabs

    Morningside RouteLocated on the North side of Mount McGillivray5.7 Sport Route- 4 PitchesWalk off or RappelGetting there: Located across from Lac Des Arc. Theres a small gravel road turn off just before McGillivray Ponds- easy to miss! Then follow a small trail on the right side that leads up to ...
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  • Bighorn No. 8, Alberta

    Scramble Up Black Rock Mountain

    4.0
    Fortunately, or unfortunately depending on your point of view, getting to/finding the trailhead is the most difficult part of this hike! On top of Black Rock Mountain is an abandoned fire lookout that was utilized from 1928 to 1950. Through all those years, the lookout was supplied by pack horses...
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  • Edgewater, British Columbia

    Scramble the Towers

    12.4 mi / 3937 ft gain
    From the Assiniboine Lodge (or your campsite or your hut), follow directions to Wonder Pass. After the pass, there are two ways to get up to The Towers, which you can see on the map in the pictures. The first option is to keep going on Wonder Pass Trail a bit further, lose some elevation and cut ...
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  • Bighorn No. 8, Alberta

    Heart Mountain and Grant MacEwan Scramble

    2.0
    A bit of a jaunt is required to get to the start of the scramble - follow the Heart Creek Trail, and after crossing the creek, look for a yellow sign that marks the scramble route. There will be exposure as well as use of hands, but it is totally do-able as long as you keep your head right!After ...
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  • Kananaskis, Alberta

    Scramble up Mount Sparrowhawk for Sunrise

    7.5 mi / 4527.6 ft gain
    Mount Sparrowhawk was the first mountain I ever fell in love with -- I knew it well, and I knew that the summit would still be accessible with a bit of snow on it in October. With waning daylight hours, it was a perfect option - albeit intense - for a sunrise hike.The trailhead is located on the ...
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  • Bighorn No. 8, Alberta

    Summit Door Jamb Mountain and Loder Peak

    4.0
    If you're looking for views, vistas, and great scrambles in the Rockies, this is a great place to start. For any geology enthusiast, furthermore, this hike cannot be missed, offering great opportunities to search for some seriously ancient fossils.The trail begins on the west side of the parking ...
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  • Bighorn No. 8, Alberta

    Hiking Jura Creek

    5.0
    From the parking lot find the trail head that leads away from the highway. This is an easy, but very interesting hike that will take you through a winding slot canyon.Take your time and explore all the various options, there are small waterfalls, and if you're feeling really adventurous you can c...
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  • Improvement District No. 9, Alberta

    Hike to Boom Lake

    4.0
    6.2 mi
    Boom Lake offers amazing views of Boom Mountain and the ridge separating Alberta and British Columbia. It is not as popular as many other hikes in the area, which means exclusion for anyone willing to explore the lake. The abundant wildlife in the area includes wolves, bears, mountain goats, de...
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  • Eldon, Alberta

    View the Castle Mountain Lookout

    Castle mountain, so named for its fortress-like shape, is a quick hop away from the town of Banff.  If you don't have time to hike to Rockbound Lake (at the base of Castle), head to the viewpoint just off of Highway 91 and snap some pictures of this epic mountain. Drive north for about 10 minutes...
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  • Bighorn No. 8, Alberta

    Hike Mt. Yamnuska

    4.3
    5.4 mi / 855 ft gain
    This Alberta classic start just a few minutes off the Trans Canada. The trail begins gently through forests of Aspen. In spring and fall these are particularly lovely. Steadily the trail heads upwards bringing you to a three-way junction. Head right, and follow the trail Eastwards, as it zigs int...
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  • Bighorn No. 8, Alberta

    Grillmair Chimneys Climb - Mount Yamnuska

    First route put up on Yamnuska by Hans Gmoser, Leo GrillmairSome say this was the start of modern climbing in Canada5.6 Trad Route- 8 PitchesThis climb is very unique once you get to the last pitch- squeezing your way into a cave, once at the cave you climb through a small hole which brings you o...
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  • East Kootenay G, British Columbia

    Hike The Floe Lake Trail

    13 mi / 2350 ft gain
    Kootenay National Park is one of the lesser visited parks in a chain of spectacular parks in the Canadian Rockies between Banff and Jasper. Straddling the Trans-Canadian Highway, the park offers hot springs, awesome mountain views, and glaciers. As you enter the park, keep an eye out for the griz...
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