Hikes in Banff National Park

There are so many great Banff National Park hikes that we have broken the region up into three regions: hikes near the town of Banff, hikes near Lake Louise and Icefields Parkway hikes. You can see the best hikes in each part of Banff National Park by clicking on the icons below.

By breaking the best Banff National Park hikes down into three smaller regions, we can share more great hiking in the Canadian Rockies. The best hikes in Banff National Park take you to stunning viewpoints, whether they are in a secluded valley, along an incredibly blue lake or to a peak, with the Canadian Rockies below. Hiking in Banff National Park is famous for the abundant wildlife, stunning nature, and beautiful views, making it an ideal destination to get outside and explore the outdoors.

Top Hikes in Banff National Park

• Plain of Six Glaciers hike: the classic Lake Louise hike past a teahouse to glacier views
• Lake Agnes Tea House hike: an iconic teahouse hike above Lake Louise, with the Beehives to extend it
• Moraine Lake hike: the short Rockpile and Lakeshore walk at world-famous Moraine Lake
• Sentinel Pass hike: up through Larch Valley from Moraine Lake to a high alpine pass, superb in larch season
• Johnston Canyon hike: Banff’s busy but beautiful canyon walk to the waterfalls and the Ink Pots
• Sunshine Meadows hike: the easiest way into the alpine, with Rock Isle Lake and flower meadows
• Sulphur Mountain hike: a local favourite climb to the summit above the Banff Gondola
• Tunnel Mountain hike: a quick, rewarding climb right from the Banff townsite
• Peyto Lake hike: a short, family-friendly walk to one of the finest lake viewpoints in the Rockies
• Healy Pass hike: a larch-season favourite with wide pass views near Sunshine

What’s New When Hiking Banff National Park in 2026

The biggest thing to plan around in 2026 is access to the two famous lakes. Moraine Lake Road is closed to private vehicles, so the only ways to reach Moraine Lake and the Larch Valley and Sentinel Pass trailheads are the Parks Canada shuttle, Roam Transit with the Lake Connector, a commercial shuttle, a guided tour, or by bike. At Lake Louise, lakeshore parking is paid and fills before dawn in summer, so most hikers ride the Parks Canada shuttle from the Lake Louise Park and Ride, where parking is free with a reservation. One Parks Canada shuttle reservation covers both lakes using the Lake Connector.

Shuttle seats are released through the Parks Canada reservation service in spring and sell out quickly, especially for sunrise departures and the late-September larch weekends, so book as early as you can and check back about 48 hours before your date, when a further block of seats is released. You also need a Parks Canada pass to enter the park, and standard wildlife rules apply: stay at least 100 metres from bears, wolves and cougars, and 30 metres from elk, sheep and other large animals.

Other Activities in Banff National Park

In addition to the incredible Banff National Park hikes on offer, there are plenty of other activities to enjoy here. You can head out mountain biking in Banff or road biking in Banff National Park, take on remote terrain and backcountry lodges while backpacking in Banff National Park, or test yourself scrambling in Banff National Park on its rugged peaks. In winter, there is also cross-country skiing in Banff on the Nordic trails and snowshoeing in Banff along the popular summer hiking routes.

Best Family-Friendly Trails in Banff

Some of the best family hikes in Banff include the Johnston Canyon Trail and Fenland Trail. Another great family hike is the Bow River Trail, Banff’s popular walk along the Bow River to the Banff Springs Hotel.

Best Half-Day Hikes in Banff

There are many amazing half-day hikes in Banff National Park. Hikers particularly love the Cascade Amphitheatre hike, Sulphur Mountain Trail, and Lake Agnes Teahouse Trail.

Best Full-Day Hikes in Banff

Hikers can choose from many full-day hikes in Banff National Park. Popular full-day hiking trails in Banff include the Plain of Six Glaciers Trail, Helen Lake Trail with Cirque Peak, and Bourgeau Lake with Harvey Pass hike.

Best Time to Hike in Banff National Park in 2026

Banff’s main hiking season runs from late June, once the snow melts off the high passes, through to late September. July and August bring the most reliable alpine weather and the busiest trails, while June and October are quieter but can still hold snow up high. The headline event is larch season: for roughly two weeks from mid to late September, the alpine larches turn gold, and hikes such as Larch Valley and Sentinel Pass above Moraine Lake, along with Healy Pass near Sunshine, are the most popular in the park. Because Moraine Lake is reachable only by shuttle, larch-weekend seats book out early, so reserve well ahead.

Planning Your 2026 Banff Hiking Trip

Banff sits at the heart of the Canadian Rockies and is easy to combine with the rest of the range. For more options, explore hiking trails in Alberta and hiking across Canada. If you would rather travel with a group and have the logistics and lake shuttles handled for you, browse guided hiking tours in the Canadian Rockies.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hiking in Banff National Park

How do you get to Moraine Lake in 2026?

Moraine Lake Road is closed to private vehicles, so you cannot drive up. Reach it on the Parks Canada shuttle from the Lake Louise Park and Ride, by Roam Transit with the Lake Connector, on a commercial shuttle or guided tour, or by bike. Book the Parks Canada shuttle well ahead, as seats sell out, particularly for sunrise and larch season.

When is larch season in Banff?

The alpine larches usually peak for about two weeks from mid to late September. Larch Valley and Sentinel Pass above Moraine Lake and Healy Pass near Sunshine are the classic larch hikes, and they are extremely busy on those weekends, so go early or midweek.

Do you need a pass to hike in Banff?

Yes. Everyone in the park needs a Parks Canada pass, available daily or annually. Separately, Lake Louise lakeshore parking is paid and limited, while the Lake Louise Park and Ride is free to park at when you hold a shuttle reservation.

What are good beginner hikes in Banff?

Easy, scenic choices include the Johnston Canyon trail to the waterfalls, the Lake Louise Lakeshore, the Bow River walk to Bow Falls, and Sunshine Meadows for an easy taste of the alpine.