Planning a trip to Banff, Alberta in the summer and fall would not be complete without incorporating some incredible hikes. There are countless hiking trails, ranging from easy to hard, in the Canadian Rocky mountains and they cannot be missed. We’ll provide you with some amazing hikes near Banff that you need to add to your Banff itinerary!
How to get to Banff | How to Travel Around Banff
If you are traveling to Banff from a national or international destination, you will want to book a flight to fly into the Calgary International Airport. Next, there are a couple options to get to Banff via the one-hour drive on Hwy 1 out west:
Rent a car: Renting a car is your best option because you will have a set of wheels to explore the surrounding area of Canmore and Banff with the luxury of going where you want, when you want! Additionally, you can have the freedom of stopping at the many viewpoints on your way to the Rocky Mountains.
Shuttle: There is a shuttle that picks you up directly from the Calgary International Airport and drops you off directly in Canmore. Vivo Green Shuttles are $55 for a ride from Calgary to the Rocky Mountains.
Pop-a-ride: This ride-sharing app is similar to Uber and has multiple rides a day from Calgary to Canmore. Download the app, create your profile and request a ride for your desired day. You can snag a ride directly from the airport or other areas of Calgary for as low as $16 per one way! We love a good deal!
Banff National Park | Other Parks Around Banff
Banff National Park is located in the province of Alberta and is surrounded by many other national and provincial parks that together form the Canadian Rocky Mountain parks. Some national parks around within close proximity to Banff are:
- Jasper National Park
- Yoho National Park
- Kootenay National Park
In addition to the national parks, there are several provincial parks and other protected areas located around Banff. These parks also offer beautiful scenery, outdoor activities and demonstrate the natural beauty of the Canadian Rockies. Some of the notable provincial parks are:
- Bow Valley Provincial Park
- Spray Valley Provincial Park
- Peter Lougheed Provincial Park
Something to note is that all of the provincial parks are located in Kananaskis Country, which is a vast recreational area located to the east and south of Banff National Park. It might be thought of as a single park but it is actually made up of multiple provincial parks and protected areas by the Government of Alberta.
What is a National and Provincial Park?
National and provincial parks are protected areas designated by the government to conserve natural landscapes and protect wildlife for the enjoyment of the general public, visitors and future generations. National and provincial parks aim to provide a balance between protecting the natural beauty of a place but also encouraging people to cherish and enjoy these natural environments. Rules to know when visiting national and provincial parks in Canada include:
- Leave no trace – Pack out what you pack in and leave the area nicer than you found it.
- Wildlife interaction – Respect that we are in wildlife’s natural habitat, therefore, never feed wildlife food and keep a safe distance.
- Trail etiquette while hiking – stick to designated areas and respect area closures.
- Permits and passes – A National Park Pass is required when entering a national and provincial park in Canada. Entry and service fees help support visitor services and facilities.
- Banff National Park passes can be purchased online, or in person at the Visitor Centres at Banff and Lake Louise. Additionally, there is a hut on Hwy 1 before entering the park. (Daily $21 for up to 7 people, Yearly Discovery pass $61.75-$145.25)
- Kananaskis Park Pass – Purchase Online (Daily $15, Yearly $90 for up to 2 vehicles)
- Waste Disposal – Please pack out all garbage and dispose of it in garbage bins in and around the park.
Amazing Hikes near Banff
B-Hive to Devil’s Thumb
- Rating: Hard
- Distance: 12.7km, 939m elevation
- Route Type: Out & back
This beautiful trail has some extremely rewarding views and is the perfect trail to hike near Banff. The trail starts at the Lake Louise parking lot, which tends to fill up extremely early in the summertime. We recommend you arrive before 7am in order to get a spot. Alternatively, you can take the Lake Louise shuttle from the Lake Louise ski resort, which you will want to reserve ahead of time.
The trailhead to Devil’s Thumb is opposite the Big Beehive lookout and is challenging and unmarked to deter inexperienced hikers. Only experienced hikers should attempt it for incredible views of four glaciers, Lake Agnes, Lake Louise, and more. The final section leading up to Devil’s Thumb after Big Beehive involves steep scrambling on loose rocks, so wear sturdy shoes with good grip and consider hiking poles. Avoid the trail in wet weather as it gets slippery and dangerous. It’s often crowded between Lake Louise and Lake Agnes.
Cirque Peak via Helen Lake Trail
- Rating: Hard
- Distance: 16.1km, 1,111m elevation
- Route Type: Out & back
Cirque Peak trail is along the Icefields Parkway on the way to Jasper. There are stunning views along the trail and plenty of scenic points to stop for lunch. If you are looking for more of a moderate hike rather than a hard one, hike to Helen Lake and skip out on the cirque peak, which is the most challenging part.
The trail starts at Bow Lake and ascends to Cirque Peak’s summit, offering stunning views of Dolomite Peak, Wapta Icefields, Peyto Lake, and the Bow River valley towards Banff. Accessible from the Icefields Parkway, the trail begins with a forested incline, crosses six creeks, and emerges onto Crystal Ridge. Beyond Helen Lake, it becomes a steady climb over scree, with wind and cold conditions at the exposed ridge summit. Hiking poles and extra layers are advised for the scree-covered ascent.
Floe Lake
- Rating: Hard
- Distance: 20.3km, 1,007m elevation
- Route Type: Out & back
Floe Lake trail is a beautiful hike located in Kootenay National Park. It is typically done as an overnight backpacking trip, as Floe Lake is the perfect place to spend the evening camping. Reservations for the season to camp at Floe Lake typically happen in March on the Parks Canada Reservation site. However, Floe Lake is still considered a great day hike (or trail run) and will take about 7 hours for hiking.
Checking trail conditions beforehand is recommended. The trail begins with two bridged river crossings on a flat stretch, followed by forest switchbacks. Beyond the treeline, it’s mostly flat until the final ascent, passing through meadows with fireweed flowers. The strenuous finish to Floe Lake involves steep switchbacks, rewarding you with a stunning view of the isolated glacial lake against granite cliffs.
Stanley Glacier
- Rating: Hard
- Distance: 10.9km, 610m elevation
- Route Type: Out & back
This beautiful hike is a popular trail on Highway 93 towards Radium and is a great option for a hike near Banff. Due to the forest fire in this area in 2003, the trees are still in their infancy, which provides amazing views of the surrounding mountains. Although this hike is on the longer side, it feels quite moderate due to the well built switchbacks at the beginning of the hike. Stepper sections occur on the final stretches of the hike but you will be rewarded with magnificent views of Stanley Glacier.
The initial trail section is relatively easy, but the ascent becomes challenging. Beginning with a creek crossing, the trail gains elevation through switchbacks in a new-growth forest. Near Lower Falls, waterproof footwear is advisable due to wet and muddy conditions. Poles are beneficial due to boulders and loose scree along the steep loop, though the final ascent might be tough for dogs. As a highly frequented trail, arriving early is suggested for a better chance at parking.
Upper Kananaskis Lake Trail
- Rating: Moderate
- Distance: 15.6km, 478m elevation
- Route Type: Loop
This scenic hike in Kananaskis will take just over 4 hours to complete. It is a unique trail that takes you all around the lake and provides incredible views of the surrounding mountains. In contrast to the other hikes we have suggested, this is a nice alternative that takes you around the base of the mountains, rather than up them! Don’t forget your conservation pass!
The Upper Kananaskis Lake Trail offers a scenic and adventurous day hike, recommended in a counter-clockwise direction for the most scenic start. The Interlakes segment is the rockiest part, optional to bypass after 4 kilometers. Crossing a stream via a wooden bridge, the final 6 kilometers are covered by thick forest, potentially snowy and slushy in winter; waterproof footwear is advisable. Due to grizzly bear presence, group recreation and responsible waste disposal are important, while caution is advised with the commonly seen moose.
Larch Valley
- Rating: Hard
- Distance: 8.9km, 604m elevation
- Route Type: Out & back
This is one of the most popular hikes in Alberta during the fall when the larches are golden! However, if you are lucky enough to escape work mid-week, this could be the perfect hike to see the beautiful larches and potentially avoid the weekend crowds. There is an option to make this trail more moderate by skipping out on the final climb to the summit. Lastly and most importantly, the Moraine Lake parking lot is closed to personal vehicles and will require you to reserve a shuttle up to the parking lot and the start of the trail head.
Beginning by the flat lakeshore, the trail veers right and ascends 2.4 kilometers through steep, long switchbacks in a captivating forest. Halfway, surprising glimpses of Moraine Lake through the trees offer a refreshing rest spot. At the junction, the path turns right, while Eiffel Lake lies to the left. Progressing, a steady climb unfolds through the enchanting larch forest, leading to a panoramic clearing with stunning mountain and larch views. During autumn, the yellow-hued trees exemplify Western Canada’s fall beauty.
Grassy Knob
- Rating: Hard
- Distance: 11.4km, 897m elevation
- Route Type: Loop
Grassy Knob is the perfect hike close to Canmore and Banff if you are looking for something challenging but worthwhile as the end provides a stunning view of the iconic Three Sisters Mountains! We’d recommend timing your hike so you are reaching the top just in time for golden hour – the lighting on the Three Sisters does not disappoint! However, don’t forget your headlamp for the hike down!
This trail traverses a sensitive wildlife corridor, so it’s important to adhere to trailhead signs and Alberta Parks closures. Travel within these regions is confined to designated trails exclusively. The Grassi Knob loop, particularly beyond the main Highline Trail, usually sees moderate traffic. However, the trail itself lacks clear markings; offline verified maps are suggested for download. While snowy conditions can be followed via footprints, summer trails are generally clear; carrying spikes and crampons might be beneficial.
Check out more outdoor activities to do in Canmore!
Pocaterra Ridge
- Rating: Hard
- Distance: 9.8km, 730m elevation
- Route Type: Point to point
Pocaterra Ridge is another great hike to schedule in for the fall to see the golden larches and experience the beauty of Canada in the fall! Of course it is also a very popular hike in the fall so you will want to try and hike during the week days. This can be completed as a point to point hike, in which you will have to coordinate two cars. Otherwise, you can also hike to the top of the mountain and turn around making it an out and back.
For a point-to-point hike on this trail, two vehicles are needed, one left at Little Highwood Pass parking lot (north) and the other at Ptarmigan Cirque/Highwood Meadows lot (south). Early arrival is advised due to limited parking, and overflow parking along the highway should be done legally to avoid ticketing. The trail includes a steep climb to the first peak, offering amazing views, and some hikers choose to descend after reaching this summit. While generally well-marked, some visitors get lost near the end where the trail crosses a stream; logs act as a bridge.
C-Level Cirque
- Rating: Hard
- Distance: 9.3km, 759m elevation
- Route Type: Out & back
This hike is near Lake Minnewanka and therefore the perfect day hike if you are staying in Banff or exploring the area. It is quite steep from the beginning and you can really feel the elevation gain while hiking along the switchbacks. However, the summit provides a stunning view of Lake Minnewanka and is totally worth the challenging work out!
The moderately challenging C-Level Cirque Trail winds through forests, old mining sites, and gains elevation towards Cascade Mountain’s east face. It offers constant elevation gains, with the initial forested stretch transitioning to open views of Cascade Mountain. Beyond the official trail’s end lies an optional steep hike or scramble for remarkable views of Lake Minnewanka from above the treeline. The heavily trafficked trail provides extensive parking and services at the base but expect crowds even with early arrival.
For more ideas on where to go hiking, check out the best hikes in Invermere!
Adios, Chicos!
Thanks for stopping by! We hope this list gets you inspired to hit the trails and explore all the amazing hikes near Banff this summer and fall! Don’t forget to subscribe for more outdoor adventures!
Information on each hike is provided by Alltrails.com.