At the start of the Canadian Rocky Mountains lies a town called Banff... from waterfalls, lakes, shops and everything in between see why this should be on your travel bucket list.
Banff is a resort town located in the province of Alberta right in the centre of Banff National Park, surrounded by the Rocky Mountains, especially the peaks of Mount Rundle and Mount Cascade. The town is a popular destination not only for hikers and skiers but shopping tourists as the main street has a number of boutiques and restaurants mixed with hotels and souvenirs stores.
Famous for it's vibrant lakes and majestic mountains it's the ideal place for outdoor adventures of all kinds - spanning an incredible 6,641sq kilometres in the vast wilderness of the Canadian Rockies. Banff National Park was actually Canada’s first national park and the world’s third so it's heritage and history is inspiring! There’s no shortage of unforgettable ways to immerse yourself in Banff National Park.
Banff Guide
Summary: Mountainous range with picturesque villages and towns Distance: various Time: 1 hour - 7 hours Max elevation: 1,383 metres Difficulty: Easy to Hard Best time: Spring/Autumn |
If you just spend your holiday here you won't be disappointed! With amazing shops, hikes, boat tours and incredible scenery there is something for everyone. The perfect time to visit is Spring or Autumn with temperatures around 10 - 25 degrees, it's the ideal time before the crowds in the summer. It is also an amazing place to ski - as it's home to three world class resorts!
How to get to Banff National Park
Flying in to Calgary it's only an hour and half drive to Banff along the TransCanada Highway. One of five national Parks, Banff is the first one you come across in Alberta.
There is plenty of accommodation in the area from Banff itself to Canmore and Lake Louise (however I cover that in the Yoho National park guide) so there is no shortage of places to stay.
I recommend hiring a car as it is accessible on the bus/shuttle but it can get expensive and unpredictable especially if you are wanting to visit come of the more popular destinations they get very busy and also don't run early enough.
However I did this trip on the train via the Rocky Mountaineer! It certainly was a trip to remember and I couldn't yell about it any louder on what an incredible experience it is. For those looking to experience a picturesque, stress free journey the Rocky Mountaineer offers regularly scheduled train services from April to October via many different routes, services and experiences. More on that in my guide here.
Banff National Park - Things to do
Helicopter flight:
One of the best ways to see the mountain range is from the sky! Take in the whole picture of Banff National Park at 6,000ft. I used Alpine Helicopters - which have seven different bases around Western Canada and have been running since 1961! They have very knowledgeable staff and piolets who give you the most amazing experience from start to finish, from the safety talk to the actual flight it was something to remember. It is quite pricey but it's totally worth saving up!
Lake Minnewanka:
A glacial lake located about five kilometres northeast of Banff, it's 21km long and 142m deep, making it the second longest lake in the National Parks of the Canadian Rockies! There are loads of hiking and biking trails around here from an hour to a couple hours the most popular is the lakeshore trail that leads to Stewart Canyon, carved by the Cascade River that flows into the lake. However I recommend going on one of the boat tours, this is one of the most scenic ways to see this glacial lake. Open May to October it gets very busy in the summer with tourists so plan ahead and book as well as arrive early to find a parking space.
Hoodoo Viewpoint:
A unique sight to see are the sandstone pillars known as Hoodoos! Towering at 5/7 metres tall they have a shale base topped off with a rock cap. They are very fragile and are a protected so stay on the trails to avoid dislodging the ecosystem. They are a great stopping point along the TransCanada Highway!
Bow Falls and Surprise Corner:
Two separate places but they are opposite each other on the Bow River. Bow falls can be seen just behind the Fairmount Banff Springs hotel, it's another popular destination and although the falls are not overall impressive the sheer volume and noise are something to experience in person!
Surprise corner just above the falls on the other side, so it's a 10 minute drive or 30 minute walk to the viewpoint around the river to the bridge. It's an amazing view point overlooking the 1888 Fairmount hotel as well as the Bow river.
Banff Gondola:
If you don't get the chance to ride in a helicopter, the Banff Gondola is the way to go! Ride the rails 700 metres all the way to the top of Sulphur Mountain from here you can see six different mountain ranges stretching into the horizon. Open all year round with various amazing events and activities you can stroll along the boardwalk to the Cosmic Ray Station and Sanson's Peak or learn about Canada's first National Park in the museum. There is also an amazing café and restaurant too!
Hiking Routes
Obviously the hiking in this area is incredible! It's hard to summarise what's available but I have picked my top four. Please do your research before heading out, these mountains are very unforgiving, so the right equipment and kit are necessary.
Sundance Canyon:
A very easy hike is the 7km hike to Sundance Canyon - the trail starts at the Cave and Basin National Historic Site just outside of Banff and is one of the best local hikes. If you continue past the Cave and Basin a wooded trail leads you downhill to the Bow River. The trail then opens up to see the mountain range in front of you where you climb steadily upwards until you reach the canyon. You can do the optional 1.6km loop around the falls or make your way back.
Mount Smutwood:
Now this hike on the other hand is not something for the faint hearted, 19km one way hike to Mount Smutwood! Located technically in Kananaskis Country is it one of the most breath taking views and is totally worth the 3,000ft elevation gain.
With Mount Assiniboine and Mount Birdwood in full view at the top it should take around 6/8 hours depending on your walking speed and photo stopping time. You are in grizzly country here, so be prepared and carry bear spray with you and to stay as safe as possible try and hike in groups of more than four people.
Mount Assiniboine:
Bordering the British Columbia boarder is Mount Assiniboine! Another incredible all day (even two day) hike nestled in the backcountry, surrounded by jagged mountain peaks, colourful lakes and the remoteness of this location make it one of the best places to see in Canada. The 26km hike is totally worth it for the views and incredible landscape, starting at Mount Shark trailhead, it is quite easy going for the first 13km, it does get quite steep with a lot of switchbacks with a 580 metre elevation gain.
However if the hike is not for you, there is a helicopter ride which takes 8 minutes and drops you at Assiniboine lodge right next to Magog Lake.
Rawson Lake:
Technically in Kananaskis country, Rawson Lake is an easy 7km round trip hike, with a 235 metre elevation from the car park. Passing Upper Kananaskis Lake on your right once you have left the car park, passing a few waterfalls and bridges the path opens up to Rawson's Lake. You can continue up to Sarrail Ridge which is an epic view point! If you go in the off season be careful as it's a known avalanche area so follow signs and directions when you're there.
Banff Kit Essentials
Hiking equipment |
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Hiking boots - Scarpa Women's Ranger 2 GTX Activ Lite Walking Boots |
Hiking backpack - Osprey Women's Tempest 34 Daysack |
Hiking poles - OEXX-Lite Trigger Trekking Poles |
Keeping hydrated - Osprey Hydraulics™ LT 2.5L Reservoir |
Must-have lightweight jacket - Jackpine Recycled Insulated Jacket |
If you found this useful check out some other guides below and follow me on Instagram @alice.wonders_
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