12 Best Hikes in Banff National Park (For Every Skill Level!)

Banff National Park had been on my bucket list for years, and when I finally made it up there, it honestly blew me away! It’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been – it’s Canada’s oldest national park, and nestled in the heart of the Canadian Rockies in Alberta, the landscapes are just unbelievable. Think turquoise glacial lakes, massive jagged peaks, sprawling icefields, and wildlife around every corner. Whether you’re looking for an easy stroll to a picture perfect lake, or a challenging summit scramble, there’s a hike for you here. This guide will tell you about the best hikes in Banff National Park (including easy, moderate, and difficult hikes!), and give you everything you need to know to plan your trip.

Head’s up: some of these links are affiliate links, so I get a commission if you make a purchase (at no cost to you). But that’s great, because I was going to share anyway, and this helps me keep making free guides for you!

Where is Banff National Park?

Banff National Park is located in the province of Alberta, Canada, about 1.5 hours west of Calgary. The town of Banff is right inside the park, and serves as the main hub for visitors.

Flights to Banff National Park

If you’re flying in for your trip, the closest major airport is in Calgary. The Calgary International Airport (YYC) is about a 90 minute drive from Banff. From the airport, you can rent a car, or take a shuttle to Banff.

Expedia is a good way to find flights and rental cars, I also super recommend signing up for Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) – they send you amazing deals, so you can find cheap flights to destinations all over the world. The free account is great and totally worth the few minutes it takes to sign up, and I do recommend the premium account too!

Driving to Banff National Park

A car is the best way to get to Banff, and for exploring the park!

If you fly, you can rent a car through Discover Cars or Rental Cars. From Calgary, it’s an easy drive to Banff – you just take the Trans-Canada Highway the entire way.

Shuttles and Tours to Banff

You can also get to Banff National Park on a shuttle, so that you don’t have to drive! There are a lot of options that start in Calgary, such as this tour that takes you to some of the glaciers and lakes in Banff. You can find plenty of day tours on Get Your Guide, including wildlife tours, guided hikes, and more.

Getting Around Banff National Park

You’ll need a car to get to most trailheads in Banff, though the town of Banff itself is walkable and has some shuttle services. Parks Canada also runs a Roam Transit bus that connects Banff town to some popular trailheads like Lake Louise and Moraine Lake – this is actually the only way to get to Moraine Lake during peak season, as the parking lot fills up extremely fast and private vehicles are restricted. If you fly in, you can rent a car through Discover Cars or Rental Cars.

Leave No Trace At Banff National Park

Anytime you’re outdoors, it’s essential that you practice Leave No Trace (LNT). LNT is a set of seven principles that help us understand our impact on the outdoors – because while we usually have good intentions, the environment is more fragile than we think, and one snap-second decision can cause damage to the environment that will take the earth years, even decades to repair. This is a pretty popular hike, so it’s super important to make sure to prevent damage!

Leave No Trace means enjoying the outdoors without disrupting nature, as much as it’s possible to do so. Here are the 7 principles of LNT, and how they apply when you hike in Banff!

• Plan ahead and prepare – read this guide, know what to expect on trails, and bring water. Make sure to have a map handy anytime you hike! I use All Trails for maps.
• Travel and camp on durable surfaces – stay on the trail and don’t take any shortcuts, as this causes erosion, kills plant life, and damages trails.
• Dispose of waste properly – don’t leave trash, or anything else, behind. Pack it out!
• Leave what you find – I know it can be tempting to take a cool rock or leaf, but leave these things where they belong! Animals often use these, and if everyone takes one, the trail won’t be as pretty.
• Minimize campfire impacts – there are often burn bans in the summer, so make sure to check campfire regulations. If you make a fire, use existing fire rings, and practice campfire safety.
• Respect wildlife – don’t approach wild animals, and never feed them. There are often bear and moose sightings on these trail, so be careful, make noise as you hike, and bring bear spray!
• Be considerate of other visitors – yield to uphill hikers, and be respectful – no speakers or loud music.

What is the Best Time to Visit Banff National Park?

Because Banff is in the Canadian Rockies, the hiking season is shorter than many parks in the US. The best time to visit Banff for hiking is generally July through September, when most trails are snow-free and the weather is the most pleasant. That said, here’s a breakdown of each season!

Banff in Winter

Winter in Banff is cold and snowy, with daytime temperatures often well below freezing. But, it’s also incredibly beautiful – and this is when the park transforms into a world-class ski and winter sports destination. If you’re into skiing, snowshoeing, or ice skating on frozen lakes (yes, really – Lake Louise freezes over!), winter can be an amazing time to visit. Just know that most hiking trails will be inaccessible due to snow and ice.

Banff in Spring

Spring in Banff is unpredictable. Snow can linger well into June, and some higher elevation trails won’t be accessible until July. That said, late May and June can be lovely in the valleys, and the crowds are smaller than in peak summer. Just make sure to check trail conditions before you go, and always read recent AllTrails reviews to see what hikers are reporting. Be prepared for mud!

Banff in Summer

July and August are peak season in Banff – and for good reason! Temperatures are warm, most trails are snow-free, and the wildflowers are blooming. This is also when the park is the busiest, so expect crowds, especially at Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. Getting to popular trailheads early (before 7 AM) is the best way to beat the crowds and snag a parking spot.

Banff in Fall

September and early October are honestly some of the best times to visit Banff. The crowds thin out after Labor Day, the larches turn golden in late September (it’s absolutely stunning), and the weather is still comfortable for hiking. Snow can start earlier at higher elevations, but valley trails are generally accessible through October.

Banff National Park Entrance Fee

To visit Banff National Park, you’ll need to pay the park entrance fee. As of 2025, it costs $12.25 CAD per adult per day, or $24.50 CAD per group/family per day. For my Americans, that’s about $9 USD and $18 USD, but conversion rates fluctuate of course. If you plan to visit multiple national parks in Canada, it’s worth getting an Annual Discovery Pass, which gets you into all of Canada’s national parks for an entire year for $83.50 CAD per adult.

You can buy the pass at the park entrance gate!

Things to Bring to Hike in Banff National Park

To help you pack for your Banff National Park trip, here are some essentials to bring with you! To see all of my favorite gear picks, you can check out my Rockporch.

What to Wear to hike in Banff National Park

• Sun Shirt – this is my favorite thing to wear on hikes, as it provides sun protection while keeping you cool. I like the Mountain Hardware Crater Lake Hoodie, and the REI Sahara Shade Hoodie.
• Hiking Pants – I love the REI Trailmade Shorts and usually hike in them, but if you’re hiking in the cold, or want protection from bugs, I recommend the Trailmade Pants.
• Layers – it can definitely get chilly, so a lightweight windbreaker or a fleece is a good idea. For cold weather hikes, a down jacket will keep you warm.
• Hiking Shoes – I prefer hiking in sandals and pretty much always hike in my Chacos, but only do this if you have experience and are very confident doing so. Boots are a good idea if you need more ankle support, or for the snow. I love my Danner boots!
• Socks – I love the Darn Tough socks whether I’m wearing sandals or boots. They’re wool, so they stay warm even when wet, and have some padding that’s extra comfy for long days on the trail!

What to Bring to Day Hike in Banff National Park

• Backpack – you’ll need a backpack for water and snacks. I use a Gregory Nano 18 Hydration Pack for day hikes.
• Water – water is a must, always – and bring more than you think you need. The Gregory backpack comes with a 3L reservoir, which I usually bring, along with a Nalgene water bottle that I put electrolytes in.
• Sunscreen – no matter the time of year, make sure to protect yourself from the sun.
• Headlamp – if you want to get an early start, or stay to watch the sunset, make sure to bring a headlamp. It’s also a good idea to always bring one just in case!
• Trekking Poles – hiking with poles can help with stability, and can be especially helpful if you have knee pain going downhill.
• Bear Spray – bear spray is non-negotiable in Banff! Grizzly and black bears are common, and you’re required to carry bear spray on many trails.
• Bug Spray – the mosquitos in Banff can be brutal in the summer, so I definitely recommend bringing some bug spray.

What to Bring to Backpack in Banff National Park

If you want to backpack some of the trails, here’s what you need!

• Water Filter – There are plenty of options for filtering water along the trail, so you don’t need to pack a ton of water in for this one. I use a Sawyer Squeeze with a CNOC bladder for filtering, and I filter it into this CNOC collapsible water bottle.
• Tent – somewhere to sleep! I love my super light Big Agnes Tiger Wall tent, along with the footprint.
• Sleeping Bag – I actually use a quilt instead of a bag, and I love this one from Enlightened Equipment.
• Sleeping Pad – an essential for a comfy night of sleep! I use this Therm-a-Rest pad.
• Camp Stove – there’s nothing like having a hot meal on the mountain. I use an MSR Pocket Rocket stove, which is incredibly small, along with this GSI Cookset.
• Food Bag – most campsites in Banff have a bear hang hangs, so make sure to bring a bag that can be hung up, along with some cord.
• Backpack – I recently got a ULA Circuit, and absolutely love it!
• Headlamp – an essential for seeing after it gets dark.
• Trowel – use the pit toilets whenever possible. But, sometimes… shit happens. Bring a trowel for backcountry bathroom needs.
• Bidet – I like to bring a bidet so that I can carry less toilet paper. I use this one and attach it to my CNOC water bottle.
• Kindle – essential for entertainment at camp!
• Bear Spray – it’s highly recommended to carry bear spray! Hopefully you never need it, but it’s always better to have it.

Bonus Tip: A lot of these links are for my favorite place to buy outdoor gear – Backcountry. If you install the free Lolli extension on your browser, you can earn free Bitcoin when you shop online at certain retailers, including Backcountry. You can transfer it to a crypto wallet, or just cash out to your bank account.

The Best Easy Hikes in Banff National Park

Keep in mind that difficulty level is super subjective – what’s easy for one person might not be easy for another. Always take into account your own hiking experience and comfort level! For this guide, I’m considering hikes under 3 miles to be easy hikes.

Peyto Lake Viewpoint

Peyto Lake is an insane shade of turquoise and wolf-shaped (yes, really!), surrounded by mountains and fed by the Peyto Glacier. The viewpoint is a short, mostly paved walk up from the parking lot at Bow Summit, right off the Icefields Parkway. It can get really crowded – especially when tour buses roll through – so try to get there early in the morning. If you want to escape the crowds, continue past the main viewing platform to the upper viewpoint, which is quieter and actually has even better views.

• Distance: 0.8 miles (1.3 kilometers) round trip
• Elevation Gain: 252 feet (77 meters)
• Difficulty: Easy
• Hike Time: This trail took me 18 minutes total. You can check out my hike on Strava!

Hector Lake

Hector Lake’s trailhead is just a tiny wooden sign and a dirt pullout off the highway, and the walk itself is short and flat through the forest to the edge of the lake. The catch? You have to ford the glacial Bow River to reach the lakeshore, and that crossing can be cold, swift, and thigh-deep depending on the time of year. Bring water shoes or sturdy sandals for the crossing! If you’re willing to get your feet wet, you’ll be rewarded with a beautiful, isolated turquoise lake that you might have completely to yourself. This is one of the best hikes in Banff National Park for solitude. There are also a handful of backcountry campsites here.

• Distance: 2.9 miles (4.7 kilometers) round trip
• Elevation Gain: 380 feet (116 meters)
• Difficulty: Easy
• Hike Time: This trail took me 1 and 17 minutes. You can check out my hike on Strava!

Boundary Lake

Boundary Lake is a hidden gem, sitting right on the border between Banff and Jasper National Parks. It’s one of the best hikes in Banff National Park if you want to go somewhere that won’t be super busy. The trail winds through a beautiful, lush forest before opening up to a gorgeous icy-blue alpine lake ringed by big mountain peaks. It’s one of those trails where most people just drive right past, which means you’ll often have it almost entirely to yourself. The trailhead can be a little tricky to spot from the highway, but once you find it, the trail is easy to follow. Keep an eye out for muddy sections, and bring bug spray in the summer!

• Distance: 1.9 miles (3 kilometers) round trip
• Elevation Gain: 390 feet (119 meters)
• Difficulty: Easy
• Hike Time: This trail took me 52 minutes total. You can check out my hike on Strava!

Lake Louise Lakeshore

This is one of the best hikes in Banff National Park because you’ll see the iconic Lake Louise. The easy path follows the north shore of Lake Louise from the Fairmont Chateau all the way to the back of the lake, where a small waterfall tumbles down from the glacier above. The turquoise water, Victoria Glacier towering overhead, the mountains all around – it’s genuinely breathtaking at every step. If you keep going past the end of the lake, you’ll find yourself on the Plain of Six Glaciers trail (see the moderate hikes section!). This trail gets very busy during the day in peak season, so go early or late for the best experience.

• Distance: 2.9 miles (4.7 kilometers) round trip
• Elevation Gain: 321 feet (98 meters)
• Difficulty: Easy
• Hike Time: About 1-1.5 hours

The Best Moderate Hikes in Banff National Park

If you don’t mind a little huffing and puffing, but don’t want to spend an entire day on a hike, here are some moderate trails with more-than-moderate views!

Parker Ridge Trail

The Parker Ridge Trail is hands down one of the best hikes in Banff National Park for the effort it takes to get there. It’s a short but steady climb through switchbacks to a ridge high above the treeline, and once you crest it, the view of the Saskatchewan Glacier is absolutely jaw-dropping. It’s this huge, sweeping panorama of ice and mountains. The trail gains elevation quickly, but it’s well-maintained and there’s nothing technical about it. This one is along the Icefields Parkway near the Banff-Jasper boundary, so it makes a perfect stop on a drive between the two parks. Snow can linger into July on the north-facing slopes, so check conditions before you go!

• Distance: 4.1 miles (6.6 kilometers) round trip
• Elevation Gain: 1131 feet (345 meters)
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Hike Time: This trail took me 2 hours and 10 minutes total. You can check out my hike on Strava!

Plain of six glaciers

The Plain of Six Glaciers trail starts at the iconic Lake Louise, so you get that stunning turquoise lake view right from the trailhead – and it only gets better from there. The trail climbs through a forest, opens up into a dramatic rocky alpine valley, and eventually delivers you to a historic teahouse (open in summer!) perched at the base of massive glaciers. If you’re up for it, you can continue past the teahouse to a viewpoint with panoramic views of the Victoria Glacier and the surrounding peaks.

• Distance: 8.8 miles (14 kilometers) out and back
• Elevation Gain: 1938 feet (591 meters)
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Hike Time: About 5 hours

Helen lake trail’

The Helen Lake Trail climbs steadily through the forest, then opens into sweeping alpine meadows with jaw-dropping views of the Crowfoot Glacier, Dolomite Peak, and Bow Lake. In mid-July and early August, the meadows are absolutely blanketed in wildflowers. Helen Lake itself sits in a wide-open meadow at the base of Cirque Peak, and you can see the scramble route straight up from the shore. Plenty of people stop here for lunch and the view before heading back. Helen Lake itself isn’t particularly impressive – it’s more of a small pond. But, the views around it are incredible! If you’re feeling ambitious, you can continue up to Cirque Peak – see the hard hikes section.

• Distance: 7.5 miles (12 kilometers) round trip
• Elevation Gain: 1,801 feet (549 meters)
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Hike Time: About 4 hours

Cirque Lake

The Cirque Lake Trail is a quiet, beautiful hike that’s often combined with the nearby Chephren Lake hike. The trail winds through dense forest and crosses several creek bridges before arriving at a gorgeous little lake nestled in a rocky cirque. It’s less visited than most lakes in the park, and the surrounding peaks and walls of the cirque make for a really dramatic, intimate setting. If you can do both Cirque and Chephren in the same day, I highly recommend it.

• Distance: 5.6 miles (9 kilometers) round trip
• Elevation Gain: 1174 feet (358 meters)
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Hike Time: About 3 hours. I recommend combining this with Chephren Lake! That’s what I did, and it took me 4 hours and 23 minutes total. You can check out my hike on Strava!

Chephren Lake

The Chephren Lake hike (pronounced “kef-ren”) winds through beautiful boreal forest before opening up to a stunning turquoise lake backed by the dramatic walls of Mount Chephren. Because it’s not as well-known as the Lake Louise area trails, it’s a lot quieter and more peaceful. If you combine it with the Cirque Lake trail, you’ll get two gorgeous lakes in one day.

• Distance: 5.1 miles (8.2 kilometers) round trip
• Elevation Gain: 902 feet (275 meters)
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Hike Time: About 3 hours. I recommend combing this with Cirque Lake! That’s what I did, and it took me 4 hours and 23 minutes total. You can check out my hike on Strava!

The Best Hard Hikes in Banff National Park

If you want a challenge, Banff has some incredible high effort high reward hikes! Here are the best difficult hikes in Banff National Park.

Sulphur Mountain Trail

Once you break out at the top of this trail, the panoramic view of the Bow Valley, Mount Rundle, and the surrounding ranges is completely worth it. From the terminal, you can walk the boardwalk to Sanson Peak for an even better 360-degree view. A fun bonus: you can hike up and take the gondola back down (half fare), or even hike down and take the gondola up. This trail is accessible right from the town of Banff near the Upper Hot Springs, which makes it super convenient.

• Distance: 7.3 miles (11.7 kilometers) round trip
• Elevation Gain: 2503 feet (763 meters)
• Difficulty: Hard
• Hike Time: About 5 hours

Cirque Peak (via Helen Lake Trail)

The scramble to Cirque Peak frankly kicked my ass – but it was also the absolute best hike I did in Banff National Park. All of the difficulty is in the last mile to the peak! After Helen Lake, the route climbs steeply up a headwall, crosses a rocky ridge, and then ascends loose scree and sand to the summit. The final few meters involve a short scramble over a rock band – nothing super technical, but I was basically on all fours getting up there. The views from the top are completely spectacular: Bow Lake and the Wapta Icefield stretch out to the west, and you can see peaks in every direction for miles. This is a fantastic intro to scrambling in the Canadian Rockies, just make sure you’re comfortable on steep, loose terrain before you commit to the summit push. Check recent trail reports and avoid if there’s snow on the route.

• Distance: 10.6 miles (17 kilometers) round trip
• Elevation Gain: 3736 feet (1139 meters)
• Difficulty: hard
• Hike Time: This trail took me about 7 hours total. You can check out my hike on Strava!

Sentinel Pass Trail

The trail starts at Moraine Lake (you’ll need to take the shuttle – no private vehicles in peak season!) and climbs through Larch Valley. In late September, the larch trees turn gold and the whole valley looks like it belongs in a movie. From Larch Valley, the trail continues up a steep series of switchbacks to Sentinel Pass. Looking back south from the pass, you get an incredible vista of the entire Valley of the Ten Peaks. Looking north, you can see down into Paradise Valley. The views are breathtaking from every angle.

• Distance: 7.2 miles (11.6 kilometers) round trip
• Elevation Gain: 2,604 feet (794 meters)
• Difficulty: Hard
• Hike Time: About 5 hours

Tips for Visiting Banff National Park

Here are a few things you need to know before you visit, and when you do some of these best hikes in Banff National Park!

Get to Popular Trailheads Early

Banff is one of the most visited national parks in Canada, and the parking lots at places like Lake Louise fill up fast – sometimes by 6 or 7 AM in peak season. If you want a parking spot, get there early. For Moraine Lake, you cannot drive your own vehicle during peak season (late May through mid-October) – you must take the Roam Transit shuttle, book a tour, or arrive before 6 AM on a bike.

Book Campsites and Backcountry Permits in Advance

If you’re planning to camp in Banff, especially at frontcountry campgrounds like Tunnel Mountain or Two Jack Lake, book through Parks Canada Reservations well in advance. Backcountry campsites also require permits, which you can reserve online – these go fast!

Bear Safety

Banff is grizzly and black bear country. Always carry bear spray, know how to use it, and make noise on the trail (especially in dense brush). Never hike alone in areas with recent bear activity, and never approach or feed wildlife. Check the Parks Canada website for trail closures due to bear activity before you head out.

Cell Service

Don’t count on having reliable cell service once you leave the town of Banff or Lake Louise. Download offline trail maps on AllTrails before you go, and let someone know your hiking plan for the day.

Currency

Canada uses Canadian dollars (CAD), and the entrance fee and campsite reservations are priced in CAD. Just a heads up that prices may look a bit different if you’re used to USD! You don’t really need cash at all, cards are accepted everywhere!

Budgeting in Banff

Banff is honestly a pretty expensive travel destination. It’s remote, and it’s a popular destination that people travel from all over the world to come to because it’s so stunning. That being said, there are definitely ways to save money! Hotels and eating out are going to be big expenses, so to see Banff without breaking the bank, you can camp (in the park for a fee, or there are plenty of free campsites outside of the park), and make your own food. It all depends on the kind of experience you want to have, so just be prepared!

Where to Stay Near Banff National Park

camping in Banff National Park

There are several frontcountry campgrounds inside the park, including Tunnel Mountain, Two Jack Lakeside, and Lake Louise Campground. All can be reserved at Parks Canada Reservations. Backcountry camping is also available throughout the park with a wilderness pass.

There are also plenty of options for free camping outside of the park – so check out this guide to learn how to find free campsites!

hotels in Banff

The town of Banff has tons of options for places to stay. These book up fast in the summer, so make reservations early!

Some options for places to stay:

• Fairmont Banff Springs – the iconic castle hotel in Banff, set dramatically against the Bow Valley. It’s a bucket-list experience!
• Banff Caribou Lodge & Spa – a beautiful, rustic lodge right in the heart of Banff.
• HI Banff Alpine Centre – a great hostel option for budget travelers, with stunning mountain views.

Cabins, Glamping, & Yurts

For a unique place to stay during your trip, check out Hipcamp! It’s like Airbnb for campsites – and you can find yurts, cabins, glamping sites, and more. 

You can even get $10 off your first booking here!

More Adventures Near Banff National Park

Have you done any of these hikes, or have some recommendations in Banff National Park? Let me know in a comment below!

For more adventures, check out some of my other national park guides:

• Best Hikes in Arches National Park
• 12 Best Hikes in Olympic National Park
• Best Hikes in Redwood National Park

Pin any of these photos to reference this Banff National Park Guide later!