As mountain weather can be unpredictable, we suggest you dress in layers and take along a waterproof poncho or pile jacket. Sneakers are great for short, paved paths. For longer treks, sturdy hiking boots will provide ankle support and keep your feet dry. Depending on the time of year, you might also want to include gloves, a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses and insect repellent. It’s also a good idea to pack water. A small first-aid kit might come in handy for longer hikes, as well as a compass and whistle to attract the attention of a passerby, or to discourage animals from approaching. As a rule of thumb, the temperature drops one half degree Celsius for every 100 metres (328 feet) of elevation gain. So, although it may be sunny and warm in the townsite, you will want to be prepared for more refreshing temperatures up top.
Stopping along your route for a leisurely picnic is a delightful way to enjoy the scenery. Unless you find a picnic site with trash cans, you will have to pack out your garbage. Therefore, lighter is better. Take care not to leave anything behind that will spoil the natural environment or attract animals. In Banff National Park, it is illegal to share your lunch with the wildlife.
While hiking can start as early as mid-May on low elevation trails and south-facing slopes, most hikers wait until early summer to head out. Even then, high trails may remain muddy and wet. When choosing a route, consider the time you have to hike and the degree of challenge you desire.
The friendly staff at the Visitor Information Centres in Banff and Lake Louise can provide further information on the hiking routes within this feature, as well as many others, plus they can make visitors aware of any closures or other important pertinent information. Please call the Banff Visitor Information Centre at (403) 762-8421, or the Lake Louise Visitor Information Centre at (403) 522-2744.
SHORT HIKES
Fenland Trail
Time: 30 minutes Distance: 1.5-km loop Elevation Gain: negligible Difficulty: Easy
This is a self-guiding nature walk. It passes through a rich breeding ground for birds and mammals. There are opportunities to see beaver, bald eagles and osprey near the banks of Forty Mile Creek, which loops beside First Vermillion Lake on its way to Echo Creek and the Bow River.
Moraine Lake Rockpile
Time: 30 minutes Distance: 0.6 km (0.4 miles) Elevation Gain: 35 m (115 feet) Difficulty: Easy
It won’t take you long to hike to the top of this moraine, but you’ll want to schedule in time to take in the fantastic view of Moraine Lake and the surrounding peaks. Watch for golden-mantled ground squirrels and the occasional pika or marmot.
Tunnel Mountain
Time: 1.5 hours (return) Distance: 2.3 km (1.4 miles) Elevation Gain: 240 m (790 feet) Difficulty: Moderate
Most of this hike is easy to moderate, with a few short steep sections to get your heart racing. You can avoid the steepest section by driving to the upper trailhead on Tunnel Mountain Drive. The trail meanders between shaded Douglas fir forest and open scenic viewpoints atop sheer cliffs—make sure to approach with caution.
Larch Valley
Time: 1.5 hours (return) Distance: 2.4 km (1.8 miles) Elevation Gain: 350 m (1,150 feet) Difficulty: Moderate
Larch Valley is one of the most visited hiking area in the Canadian Rockies. The hike starts at Moraine Lake and follows the lakeshore for a short distance. The trail is well marked with two intersections. At both keep to the right. The trail climbs through the forest along a series of switchbacks. At points you will see Moraine Lake below. After climbing 350 meters in elevation and walking 2.4 km, you will enter Larch Valley.
Hoodoos from Bow Falls
Time: 2.5 hours Distance: 5 km (3.1 miles) Elevation Gain: 105 m (345 feet) Difficulty: Moderate
Although you can drive to the Hoodoos, the best way to experience the area is by the trail, which has views of large Douglas firs, the Fairholme Range and Mt. Rundle. The grade varies from gentle to moderate.
HALF DAY HIKES
Johnson Canyon to Ink Pots
Time: 3 hours Distance: 12 km (7.4 miles) Elevation Gain: 396 m (1,300 feet) Difficulty: Easy
Make your way to the Lower Falls along a paved walkway with the hordes, but then loose some of the masses as you continue on to the Upper Falls and the Ink Pots. Birders take note: this is one of only three known breeding sites for Black Swifts in Alberta.
Plain of the Six Glaciers
Time: 3 hours Distance: 10.8 km (6.7 miles) Elevation Gain: 335 m (1,100 feet) Difficulty: Strenuous; steep sections
This hike starts with an easy warm up trail that follows the north shore of Lake Louise, but quickly gets more challenging as it climbs towards the glaciers. Stop at the teahouse for a break, but then be sure to continue on to the Abbot Pass Lookout for a dramatic view of the six glaciers.
Sulphur Mountain from Hot Springs
Time: 4 hours Distance: 11.4 km (7.1 miles) Elevation Gain: 640 m (2,100 feet) Difficulty: Strenuous, steep sections
This historic hike was once the path of Banff weatherman, Norman Sanson, who took this route from 1903 to 1931 to record meteorological data at the observatory. You can also cheat and take the gondola to the restaurant and gift shop that sits on the ridge of Sulphur Mountain, about 400 m from the peak of Sanson.
Beehive Circuit
Time: 4.5 hours Distance: 12 km (7.6 miles) Elevation Gain: 671 m (2,200 feet) Difficulty: Strenuous, steep sections
A great way to see three of the most scenic locations at Lake Louise: the Little Beehive, Lake Agnes and the Big Beehive. Surrounded by steep cliffs, the rich blue-green of Lake Agnes is seen from a variety of vantage points on the way. Stop at the Lake Agnes Teahouse for refreshments along the way.
FULL DAY HIKES
Healy Pass
Time: 5-6 hours, Distance: 9.3 km (5.58 miles) Elevation Gain: 710 m (2,329 feet) Trail: Long day hike. The last half is steep.
Despite a tedious approach through forest, during the last 2km to Healy Pass, you traverse scenic meadows, passing lakelets beneath Monarch Ramparts, and getting views back to Mt. Assiniboine, Banff Park’s highest summit. From Healy Pass, you can see Egypt, Scarab and Talc Lakes. Since it is not flanked by large mountainsides, Healy Pass has an unusually fine panorama. To access, from the TransCanada Highway, take the Sunshine turnoff and drive to the Bourgeau parking lot, 8km from the turnoff. The trail begins at a bridge and kiosk behind the Gondola building.
Alymer Lookout & Pass
Time: 8-10 hours, Distance: 27 km (16.8 miles) Elevation Gain: 579 m (1,900 feet) Trail: Easy, with some short steep sections
The trail with the best views of Banff’s largest lake is the one to Alymer Lookout. From the Lookout site you see most of Lake Minnewanka. Strong hikers can reach the Alymer Lookout and return in a day (23.6 km). Those bound for both the lookout and the pass may prefer to camp at the Aylmer Pass Junction Campground and hike from there.
Boulder Pass & Deception Pass
Time: 5-6 hours (return) Distance: 8.7 km (5.22 miles) Elevation Gain: 655 m (2,149 feet) Trail: Steep, gravel road for 3.9 kilometres, then a wide trail with steep sections.
Used by people travelling to Skoki Lodge, the route is also an incredibly scenic day hike. The first 3.9km follows a service road reached by the Fish Creek Parking Lot from Whitehorn Road. To get to Boulder Pass and beyond to Deception Pass, you want to follow the signs to Skoki Lodge, which can been seen just past the van drop-off point near Temple Lodge. The trail leads into the woods on the far side of the trail. Eventually, the trail breaks out of the woods into a large open alpine meadow surrounded by beautiful mountain views. Stay to the right as you continue up the valley. Beyond Boulder Pass is open meadow and Ptarmigan Lake. The trail curves along the north shore of Ptarmigan Lake, then cuts sharply toward Deception Pass, the steepest part of the trail—a climb of about 180m, which provides from the top, a breathtaking view of the Skoki Valley with Skoki Lakes in the distance.
