The Canadian Rockies are a stunning sight that people from all over the world come to see. With tourism increasing in Banff National Park,
mountain hiking tours are becoming a popular thing. To meet this demand, our team at Rocky Mountain Cycle Tours are offering our hiking expertise and services to the public and tourists.
There are mountains and lakes at every turn, and jaw-droppingly beautiful scenery you won’t want to miss as soon as you arrive in the area. Exploring is a big must, but don’t just drive around looking at all of the beauty from the car because it will be hard not to stop for photos along your way. One great idea would be to embark on any one of Banff National Park’s amazing hikes – there really isn’t enough time or space here to list them all. The Canadian Rocky Mountains offer some truly spectacular sights and an endless amount of hiking trails. Here are some of the best places you can hike when you visit these majestic mountains.
1. Sulphur Mountain
The Sulphur Mountain boardwalk is one of the best ways to see Banff National Park from a bird’s eye view. Located at 7,500 ft on top of beautiful Sulphur Mountain, this family-friendly easy trail offers magnificent views and an opportunity for spectacular photos. The mountain also houses two research facilities that are home to important work done in geothermal engineering and environmental sciences, as well as a housing state-of-the-art visitor center where you can get useful information about all things geological or cultural related.
You can explore the mountain on this easy, scenic trail with minimal elevation. The beginning of the hike starts at a parking lot and leads to an out-and-back boardwalk trail up Sulphur Mountain in Banff National Park. Along your journey, you can enjoy views of Moraine Lake below as well as panoramic vistas overlooking Calgary’s skyline from the top.
2. Consolation Lakes Trail
Consolation Lakes Trail is one of the best hikes you can do from Moraine Lake in Banff National Park. This easy trail takes you a couple of kilometers through lush valleys and along beautiful rivers to two gorgeous blue lakes at the end! One thing that makes this hike so great, especially for those with young children or mobility issues, is how flat it is without any significant elevation change – perfect for taking your time and enjoying nature as much as possible.
It’s always a good idea to have something nearby for your family if you’re going on an adventure. We recommend packing snacks, water, and jackets. The first part of the hike is quite steep but not too difficult. Moraine Lake is one such highlight that comes after this initial climb up Mount Lefroy. The hike up to Moraine Lake offers a beautiful view of the mountains. You’ll also get your work out in, completing 3.6 miles (5.8 km) and climbing 65 meters (213 feet)! The trail is an easy one with plenty of natural beauty along its route!
3 . Tunnel Mountain Trail
The beautiful Banff Springs Trail is perfect for anyone who wants a short but scenic walk in the mountains. The trail starts off St. Julien Road, where there are plenty of parking spaces available and it can be accessed from any town along this route with minimal walking distance (about 1 km to 4km). The trail then meanders through forested terrain before reaching its final destination at Sulphur Mountain which offers breathtaking views of Mount Rundle, Castle Mountain, Bow Valley Parkway below as well as Lake Minnewanka when visibility allows.
A popular destination for locals and tourists alike, Tunnel Mountain is a favorite among hikers of all skill levels. With easy access to the trailhead from town via Banff Avenue, this half-mile hike only takes about an hour one way (making it perfect if you are short on time). The walk gains elevation quickly as you climb higher into the mountain range; however there’s something even more rewarding waiting at peak: sweeping views of Banff towards downtown and Fairmont Hotels sprawled below. The well-maintained path winds through pristine wilderness up to 4 kilometers in length without distraction – save for wildlife watching opportunities dotting along your journey or stopping off at nearby Lake Louise en route back down!
4. Stewart Canyon Bridge Trail
Stewart Canyon Bridge is a trail on the edge of Lake Minnewanka in Banff National Park. Going for 3 km (1.8 miles) this out-and-back hike explores an area rich with natural beauty and wildlife, including waterfalls, wetlands populated by beavers and trout as well as herds of elk roaming its hillsides! The route takes hikers past some spectacular scenery – look up to see Stewart Falls cascading down from above or stop at the lookout points overlooking Mount Rundle’s peaks across the valley below.
5. Last but definitely not least – Johnston Canyon & The Ink Pots Trail
The Johnston Canyon hike is a moderate-difficulty, 12km (7.5 miles) out and back trail that will take you to the breathtaking Blackswift Falls and through Johnstone Creek away from civilization for 4-5 hours of your day! Along the way, there are amazing views with short amounts of elevation gain or loss which make it an accessible trekking adventure for people of all fitness levels. There are also some great wildlife viewing opportunities including bighorn sheep in the area!
Parking costs $6 per carload up until 8:00 am Saturday morning after which time parking becomes complimentary but limited as space fills quickly during peak seasons, so be sure not to miss this opportunity and get there early.
Johnston Canyon and the Ink Pots is one of the best hikes in Banff National Park. The beautiful Johnston Canyon trail brings you through a canyon, past multiple waterfalls, and to green-colored mineral pools. The first half of this hike is an easy trek with ample rewards for those who go out early or late during peak season when crowds are significantly lessened.
The hike begins behind Johnston Canyon Lodge and wanders through the forest before descending into the canyon. It follows Johnston Creek for 0.7 miles to a beautiful waterfall with an incredible view, which is one of two upper-falls viewpoints that are available on this trail! The other viewpoint requires some climbing up steep rocks but if you set out early enough in your day then it will be worth every step because once at the top both views offer spectacular sights from all angles.
Final thoughts
Canada is a charming country with lots of natural beauty. One great way to experience some of it up close and personal without going too far out into the wilderness, or staying in one place for very long at all, is hiking. While they can be as short or difficult as you’d prefer, there’s always something important to remember before embarking on your next adventure: telling someone where you’re headed (and when), paying attention to signs which warn about tough terrain ahead and other hazards that may cause injury during winter months like bears. Just know that not only yourself but also wild animals might be around hiking trails because Canada has many creatures who could pose danger if precautions aren’t taken. Be sure to take necessary precautions and of course, enjoy the views!
