Hikes in Banff National Park
Banff National Park Hikes
There are so many great Banff National Park hikes that we have broken the region up into three regions: around the town of Banff, around Lake Louise and around the Icefields Parkway. 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.
Other Activities in Banff National Park
In addition to the incredible Banff National Park hikes on offer, there are plenty of other activities in Banff National Park that can be experienced. Whether you are looking to go mountain biking in the Rockies, cycling through mountain passes, backpacking to remote lodges, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter, or scrambling through some rugged terrain, there is no shortage of exceptional outdoor adventures to be had.
Get the 10Adventures App
For those who want to explore Banff National Park and the rest of the Rocky Mountains without a guide, the 10Adventures trail app is the perfect resource. Easily navigate the trails offline and track the stats of your hike, bike, or snowshoeing adventure by using the 10Adventures app.
Hiking regions in Banff National Park
Best Hikes in Banff National Park
North Molar Pass
The hiking trail to North Molar Pass takes you to one of the most amazing, vast alpine meadows in Banff National Park. This long day hike has ample rewards for strong hikers. Add the North Molar Pass hike to your bucket-list!
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Hidden Lake
Hidden Lake is a very pretty lake in the Skoki Region. There is also a backcountry campground here that you can use to better explore the Skoki region. In autumn the views are very pretty with the golden larches on this hike.
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- Technical Difficulty
- Physical Difficulty
Cirque & Chephren Lakes
Hiking around Cirque & Chephren Lakes is an easy hike that goes to two classic, and seldom visited, Canadian Rockies Lakes on the Icefields Parkway. These lakes are situated at the base of the rugged mountains making up the continental divide.
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Bow Hut
Hiking to Bow Hut is a wonderful way to hike the day away if you're going to be on the Icefields Parkway. Bow Hut is an Alpine Club of Canada Hut, and the route to get there is challenging but also spectacular! Book a night at Bow Hut for a true Canadian hiking experience.
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Lake Louise Ski Hill
If you have kids, taking the gondola up the Lake Louise Ski Hill is a great trip for the whole family. Not only do you get great views across the valley, but you can add on the Trail of the Great Bear guided hike and the whole family can learn about Grizzly Bears in Banff National Park.
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Tramline Trail
Taking the Tramline trail to the central Lake Louise area is an amazing way to explore the trail system without taking on anything too strenuous. This multi-use trail is a beautiful forested route that avoids any driving or parking at all. See the lake and all its glory without the headache of trying to find a spot in the hectic parking lot.
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Herbert Lake
The Herbert Lake hike is a short loop around a beautiful roadside lake. Often bypassed by those driving the Icefields Parkway, the Herbert Lake trail is a wonderful way to stretch your legs, walk the dog, and hop in for a swim!
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Big Beehive Hike
The Big Beehive not only boasts a stunning viewpoint soaring high above Lake Louise, but it offers steady highlights along the way. Starting at Lake Louise itself is satisfying enough for some, and it only gets better as you continue. Many lakes and options to extend the trail into a loop, or add on viewpoints, make the Big Beehive an excellent hike for those visiting the Lake Louise area of Banff National Park.
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Hoodoos Trail
The Hoodoos Trail near Banff is an excellent choice for those with families and dogs. With minimal elevation and unrivalled views of the area, you won’t be disappointed with this easy hike. It is a great way to get some exercise and explore the area directly from town. Watch out for wildlife; you might get lucky!
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Mistaya Canyon
Mistaya Canyon is a less frequented trail along the Icefields Parkway. Easily missed, this short yet unforgettable trail is a wonderful way to take a break when driving the scenic route between Banff and Jasper. It is an accessible and family-friendly loop that will make you feel like you are deep in the wilderness rather than steps from the car.
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Peyto Glacier Hike
The Peyto Glacier Hike follows the trail to Cauldron Lake, which is an optional side trip from the glacier. Although it starts at one of the most populated viewpoints on the Icefields Parkway, it quickly leaves the crowds behind. You will cross glacial creeks, climb glacial moraine, and get up close and personal with the incredible Peyto Glacier as peaks loom above.
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Bow Summit
Bow Summit is a popular hike, but not as popular as its precursor, Peyto Lake viewpoint. You may feel discouraged when you see the crowds, but as you continue you will leave them behind. This is an excellent way to see glaciers, lakes, rivers and peaks from a height without a full-day excursion. This close-to-the-car trail is a great way for the entire family to stretch their legs along the Icefields Parkway.
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Two Jack Lake Trail
Hiking along the shore of Two Jack Lake in Banff National Park is the perfect add-on to a day spent exploring the Minnewanka Scenic Drive. This trail is accessible to everyone and features an excellent picnic area equipped with Banff’s famous red chairs.
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Mirror Lake Trail
This heavily populated trail leads up from the Lake Louise Lakeshore to Mirror Lake. It is a small lake that boasts tranquility and other-worldly reflections of the Big Beehive that towers above. There are benches and flat areas to rest and enjoy the scenery.
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Surprise Corner Hike
Surprise Corner is a viewpoint that can be reached by foot easily from downtown Banff! The trail connects the Bow River trail system to one of the most popular viewpoints in town. Surprise Corner is a stunning scenic stop while visiting Banff National Park.
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Lake Louise Lakeshore
If you are making a stop to see the world-famous Lake Louise, you should take a side trip along its lakeshore to see what the lake has to offer. You’ll walk along the shore where the turquoise waters become a milky texture from the glacial rock silt that is turned up from the bottom of the lake. Continue past rock climbers, mountaineers, paddlers, and horses until you reach the impressive alluvial flats where the moraine and glacial stream meets the lake.
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Cascade Falls Hike
The Cascade Falls hike follows an easy trail from a roadside parking lot. Enjoy the short route winding to Cascade Falls, where you can admire the rushing waterfall from up close!
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Katherine Lake
Hiking to Katherine Lake will take you beyond the famed Helen Lake through fields of wildflowers beneath gigantic peaks. It is a great way to extend your day through the incredible scenery the area has to offer. This is an excellent option for those looking for a longer day hike with lots of views.
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Twin Lakes
The Twin Lakes hike at the edge of Banff and Kootenay parks is an incredible trail that passes by four different lakes and gains elevation over the Bow Valley. This is an excellent trail for wildflower blooms and shows off its fall colours during larch season. It has many options to connect with other trails in the area to create a lengthy backpacking route.
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Sulphur Mountain
The hike up Sulphur Mountain is a local’s favourite that is surprisingly skipped by visitors. The Banff Gondola is a distracting tourist destination that draws people in with its newly renovated summit building equipped with dining, viewing decks, and interpretive centre. Put your wallet away and head up the Sulphur Mountain trail to earn your summit views and save some cash.
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Other Activities in Banff National Park
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