Best trails in Banff National Park
In the fall of 1883, three Canadian Pacific Railway construction workers stumbled across a cave containing hot springs on the eastern slopes of Alberta's Rocky Mountains. From that humble beginning was born Banff National Park, Canada's first national park and the world's third. Spanning 6,641 square kilometres (2,564 square miles) of valleys, mountains, glaciers, forests, meadows and rivers, Banff National Park is one of the world's premier destination spots.
Top trails
Visitor info
Banff National Park charges a fee to enter.
Parks Canada offers free admission and access to programs for support persons traveling with a visitor who has a disability and depends on the support person to travel and experience a Parks Canada destination.
The Banff and Lake Louise Visitor Centres are wheelchair accessible, with accessible restrooms and water fountains. They are also equipped with information and resources for individuals with hearing, vision, mobility, or cognitive disabilities.
Many museums are accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers, with accessible restrooms and water fountains. Assisted listening devices and closed captioning are provided for video presentations. The Cave & Basin National Historic Site is a visitor favorite for its accessible features.
Additional information about accessibility at Banff National Park can be found on their website: https://www.banfflakelouise.com/accessibility.
Roam, Banff's public transport service, operates buses that are wheelchair friendly, with a fold-out ramp and low floor to assist in getting on and off. Visit the Roam Transit website for details: https://roamtransit.com/about-us/transportation-policies/.
The Banff Scooter Company at the Banff Train Station offers mobility scooter rentals.
The Banff and Lake Louise Visitor Centres are wheelchair accessible, with accessible restrooms and water fountains. They are also equipped to provide information and resources for individuals with hearing, vision, mobility, or cognitive disabilities.
Many of the museums are accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers. Assisted listening devices are available, and closed captioning is provided on video presentations. The Cave & Basin National Historic Site is a visitor favorite, with facilities for those with hearing and sight challenges, an all-terrain wheelchair surface, a wheelchair-friendly bathroom, and guides upon request.
The Banff Upper Hotsprings has a water-accessible wheelchair. The Banff Gondola is fully wheelchair accessible.
Wheelchair accessible restrooms are available throughout the town of Banff, in the picnic areas near Lake Louise, and along the Bow Valley and Icefields Parkways.
All frontcountry campgrounds in the Banff area have accessible facilities except for Two Jack Main, Two Jack Lakeside, Mosquito Creek, and Silverhorn Creek Campgrounds.
All service dogs must have an Alberta Service Dog Identification Card to ensure access to public places.
Trail reviews for Banff National Park
So pretty!!! The hike up to the lake is first through a predominantly spruce and fir forest, with a few pines. Creek crossings; wildflowers and mushrooms; old, new, and burnt out forest; and beautiful sprawling views keep the hike interesting. Closer to the lake, the hike opens up into alpine meadow. The dirt path is wide and solid, but quite rooty at the beginning. It was damp today but not very muddy or slick. Incline varied from flat to moderately steep, with ups and downs, but nothing technical. The lake itself is small but beautiful and very peaceful. A fantastic spot for a picnic before heading down. Lots of sun exposure, some wind exposure. Minimal bugs. As usual, Icefields parkways is higher altitude and chillier than Banff town if that’s where you’re starting your day. Saw some grouse, lots of ground squirrels, chipmunk, a marmot, and some small birds. Also saw horse poop but no horses. I left around 2pm on an overcast Wednesday in mid-August. Medium-sized parking lot was about 3/4 full and I saw folks fairly regularly throughout the hike up. Much quieter on the way down, and the parking lot was almost empty when I got back. Whole hike took me 4.25 hrs, with a lunch break. Outhouse in the parking lot and additional parking across the highway. No cell coverage on Icefield Parkway (or gas).
Tunnel Mountain is a moderate hike that begins in the town of Banff itself. This trail is great for a first hike on your trip and offers stunning 360 views. Hiking takes less than two hours, including plenty of time to stop along the climb and fully soak in the panoramic views.
The trail is a little beast but the Parks Canada information and descriptions here are accurate. A Banff icon worth waiting for the right time to visit. For the effort you put in it is worth waiting for clear weather. The markings are not super clear so if it is your first time bring a downloaded tracker and follow it until you get out of the tree line. When you hit the canyon the next marker is on your right and hidden a bit behind some tree branches. Do not turn left up the canyon. Breathtaking views that will stay with you. It was clear but windy and chilly on top but worth all the time you take to spend up there. Some things are worth waiting for and enjoying. If you are visiting and only have time for a few options this is a good one. Lots of scree and slippery surfaces on the final approach. There was a family there with young kids who were making it. I had a moment of jealousy and wish I had the option to do that when I was a kid. The elk were out but I missed them. I used running gaiters and they did the trick.
Took the 6am shuttle from Banff HS. Started the trail just before 7am. Made it to the summit in about 1:45. The switchbacks near the summit was where the work was. Great views. Watched them helicopter out the trash from the tea house. Too tired to complete the devils thumb. Getting back into hiking shape but this was a great 7.5 mile hike Saw a ton of people starting the hike after 9am. Highly recommend the early start.
We arrived at 1:40 and got access to the parking garage because we were staying at the Fairmont Banff. Walked up to Lake Agnes and enjoyed delicious tea and sandwiches. My brother, sister and I added the Big Beehive section and went down the backside of the mountain, would definitely recommend! Lots of horse poo and people on the way up, which is unfortunate, but worth it once you get to the top.
easy trail Shouldn’t known better than to come to Banff on a Sunday. Parking lot was full. Beautiful and relatively easy hike.