7 Hikes In Banff That Are Easy To Get To
You may have heard about the iconic and beautiful mountain town of Banff, Alberta. I’ve had the good fortune to live there a couple of times in my life - and visit it several more times. You don’t have to walk far in order to see stunning beauty everywhere. I was able to experience some great hikes and views that didn’t take too long to get to.
Here are 7 of the hikes you can do that are close to downtown Banff!
#1 Tunnel Mountain
You hike up Tunnel Mountain within an hour and there are gorgeous views from lookout points on the way up to the summit. At the top, you can overlook the gorgeous rocky mountains and the little city in Banff. It’s a great hike that gives unforgettable views.
Here’s a view from Tunnel Mountain!
#2 Sulphur Mountain
Sulphur Mountain takes 1.5 to 2.5 hours for most people in Banff, but of course there’s no rush to hike up. I hiked with a friend and we made it up there within 2 hours (Had I gone alone, I think I could have done it closer to an hour, but it was fun going with my coworker and we joined up with a lone hiker along the way). Some people prefer to take the gondola up, but the hike is worth it if you enjoy being active and slowly taking in the views. You can grab a bus from downtown Banff that takes you to the trail head, bike, or drive.
The views on the way up are breathtaking and it’s a great workout, too. Once you reach the top (where I am in the photo above) you will see endless mountains all around you. It’s a spectacular experience and definitely worth visiting Banff for! There is a Starbucks and a bistro there so you can nourish yourself after the hike. Then you can take the gondola down for free!
#3 Vermilion Lakes
Vermillion Lakes is such a beautiful place. It became my favourite spot back in 2016 when I did a fall term there. It’s generally quiet and just a 10–15 minute walk from downtown Banff. It’s a popular skating area in the winter and the sunrises there are gorgeous.
#4 Banff Sunrise From Juniper Lodge
Juniper Lodge is located on the outskirts of Banff and overlooks Vermillion lakes. It gives an impressive view of the mountains and it also faces the sunrise for a breathtaking scene as you’re higher up. You get a great vantage point from there. I’m really grateful I got to work at this lodge in 2016 as I got to experience more of this area, especially the striking sunrises before work in the fall. It’s quieter and you can easily walk from downtown Banff to view the sunrise in the morning or even drive up if you have a car. There is a viewing area outside of the lodge with picnic tables.
#5 Bow Falls Walk
The Bow Falls are conveniently located within walking distance to downtown Banff. The views from the bridge and the trail itself are out of this world. There are two trails you can take and I prefer the one with the view of the Fairmont hotel! It looks like a castle in the mountains. You may even see some deer or elk grazing by the riverbank!
#6 Sundance Canyon
The cave basin walk is a good one hour walk on a flat path along the pristine Bow River. It’s beautiful and when you reach the canyon, you are led to a little fantasy land of waterfalls and moss. It’s such a cool trail. Some people prefer to bike since it’s a longer trail, but if you love long walks in the mountains going by foot will suit you just fine! I went here with a buddy but if you do go alone, I recommend taking bear spray with you as this trail’s a little quieter than the others.
#7 Downtown Banff
Located within walking distance to pretty much all the hotels in the area (and 10 minutes from the bus/train station), downtown Banff offers a cool view from the street level’s perspective. If you walk to the end of the main road (Banff Avenue), you’ll pass over the Bow River. Several trails actually can be found off the main road (Including Bow Falls and the Cave Basin trail). There is much to see and do right in the downtown core from dining, shopping, billiards, live music, clubbing, and coffee/baked goods. There’s no place quite like it!!
Thank you for reading until the end. I hope you enjoyed learning more about this beautiful town in Alberta.
