There are many different kinds of walks and hikes you can do in and around Banff National Park. The park area contains over 1,500 km of trails for you to discover more than any other national park in the world. You can’t possible see them all on one vacation (unless you had some sort of 5 year vacation). But you can at least get out and get a taste of Banff’s hiking trail wonders. Here’s the raw data on four great trails to get you started. They range from easy to moderate. If your body is a bit sore after some aggressive spring skiing, leave your hotel at your own pace and start at the Bow River Bridge and head away from the “hustle and bustle” of Banff’s six cars!
Easy Walk: Bow River Bridge
You are Pretty Likely to See an Elk or Two on your Casual Walks around Banff.
The path winds gently upwards alongside the Bow River which you can see flowing through the trees. The higher you get, the better the views are and it is pretty likely you will come across some grazing elk or deer on the way to drink some water. Soon enough, you will see across the valley the extremely impressive Banff Springs Hotel. It looks like Draculas Castle or one of Madonna’s homes. Same thing I suppose. There are a few different turn off options that you can do in summer but are a bit too icy outside the warmest months.
Eventually the path leads you to Surprise Corner where you can look over all the beauty of Banff. This is a great place to sit down and relax for a while after such an exhausting walk! It is also perfect for photos. The ultimate goal is just around the corner. The Banff Centre is a little hidden away from the town of Banff. You can finish your walk off with a swim and steam room in the Sally Borden gym. If this sounds like too much activity, then a beer or coffee is a nice alternative. You can take an equally beautiful short cut on the way back to town that will leave you right back to your hotel feeling somehow healthier but less strained!
Easy Hike: Silverton Falls Trail
This is a well-marked trail, with one of the tallest of many waterfalls in the Johnston Canyon area, yet it is usually less frequented by tourists than other trails, especially out of peak season.
To get here, start on the Rockbound Lake Trail, about 400 meters from the trailhead is the intersection of the Silverton Falls Trail and Rockbound/Tower Lake Trail. Take a right and head towards the creek. Beside the creek is a old trail that once followed the creek bed. That path is now blocked with some logs. Turn left and immediately begin the switchbacks take you to an overlook for the falls.
- Distance: 2.2 km
- Difficulty: Easy
- Elev. gain: 130 meters
- Time required: 1 – 2 hours
- Distance: 2.2 km
- Difficulty: Easy
- Elev. gain: 130 meters
- Bikes permitted: No
- Dogs permitted: Yes
Directions to trail head: Drive west on the Trans-Canada to the Castle Mountain Junction (highway #93) which is approximately 28 kilometers west of Banff. Drive east on highway #93 towards the #1A. Turn right at the store and cabins on Highway #1A and park in the parking lot for the Rockbound Lake Trail.
Easy Hike: Vermilion Lakes Trail
This trip has some fantastic views of some of Banff’s most beautiful lakes and is fairly easy, a total elevation gain of just 2 meters. From the parking lot you’ll walk take the Fenland Nature Trail, cross a bridge and take a right to the first intersection, then follow the creek. At the next intersection, about 600 meters from the trailhead, turn right and cross the bridge then turn left onto a roadway. Follow the roadway past Vermilion and Small Lakes. Across the lakes is Rundle Mountain.
- Distance: 10.6 km
- Difficulty: Easy
- Elev. gain: 2 meters
- Time required: 2 – 3 hours
- Directions to trail head
From the Banff drive north on Lynx Avenue towards the Trans-Canada Highway. After crossing the railway tracks and the bridge over Forty Mile Creek park on the west side of the road immediately after the bridge.
Moderate Hike: Rockbound and Tower Lake Trail
The hike is very well marked. Once you break through the forest, you will be rewarded with some great views of Eisenhower Peak and Castle Mountain which are comprised of layers of colourful stone.
Approximately 400 meters from the trailhead is the intersection of the Silverton Falls Trail and Rockbound/Tower Lake Trail. The trail to Tower and Rockbound Lakes continues straight ahead and begins to climb and maintains a consistent grade to Tower Lake.
- Distance: 17 km
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Elev. gain: 780 meters
- Time required: 4 – 6 hours
- Bikes permitted: No
- Dogs permitted: Yes
Directions to trail head: Drive west on the Trans-Canada to the Castle Mountain Junction (highway #93) which is approximately 28 kilometers west of Banff. Drive east on highway #93 towards the #1A. Turn right at the store and cabins on Highway #1A and park in the parking lot for the Rockbound Lake Trail.
Trail Hazards. This trail can get busy at times and there are sections with steep drop offs so be careful. Just take your time and you will enjoy this hike for its spectacular views.