Ten gorgeous day hikes in Banff National Park

Banff National Park is one of the most beautiful parks on earth. A massive 6600+ square kilometres of area, Banff National Park is full of a variety of attractions that draw in massive crowds every year. With a charming town nestled in the Rocky Mountains, local museums, nature centres, and restaurants, there’s no shortage of things to do. For those tempted to explore the scenery up close, Banff National Park offers so many outdoor recreation opportunities it will make your head spin! If you are looking for a low-risk way to engage with the Rocky Mountains up close without the commitment of a multi-day trip, take a look below for some easy-to-find day hikes!

I have sorted these hikes by difficulty, to make it easier to find something right for you. If you are hunting for more specific information, have a look at the Banff National Park website or visit the information centre in person!

Johnston Canyon: A great easy day hike with rewarding waterfalls

Distance: 5.4 km return

Time: 45 minutes to 1.5 hours

Trailhead: Johnston Canyon Resort

Special Features:

Johnston Canyon is one of the most popular destinations for visitors to Banff National Park looking for an easy jaunt to a breathtaking view. One of the shortest and easiest on this list, this hike doesn’t skimp out on rewarding views just because of its difficulty. In fact, I would definitely put this hike at the top of my to-do list. The trail starts you at Johnston Canyon Resort and continues along the canyon through narrow catwalks to bring you alongside some gorgeous waterfalls. These breathtaking falls freeze and transform during the winter season, it’s almost like an entirely new hike. If you find yourself near Johnston Canyon in winter or spring, give this hike a look.

Good for:

• A short, easy day hike for families

• A group looking for a short winter excursion

• A balance of minimal effort for rewarding waterfalls!

Tunnel Mountain Summit: A simple and easy summit with a great view

Distance: 4.8 km

Time: 1-2 hrs return

Trailhead: One of two starting points, one right in town and the other further up

Special Features:

The Tunnel Mountain Hike is one of the first hikes newcomers to Banff go to. That is because this hike is a near-perfect intersection of short, easy, and rewarding. The trailhead is just outside of town, and the trail stays hike-able through almost all seasons. This trail is a great one for entry-level hikers and belongs on anyone’s bucket list. The short length of the Tunnel Mountain trail leaves you open to plan other activities for the rest of the day, so it is a perfect fit for any itinerary. Nearing the top of the small summit, peek over the edge to look for rock climbers trying a different type of ascent than using the trail!

Good for:

• A very short hike with great views of the town

• A brisk way to start your mountain day

• A perfect hike for beginners

Lake Agnes Teahouse: An excursion with a picturesque reward

Distance: 7 km return

Time: 2-4 hours

Trailhead: Lake Louise

Special Features:

This hike features some navigation through the busy Lake Louise to ascend into a mountain valley just beyond the lake. Although this hike is moderately busy, it is significantly less packed than the general grounds of Chateau Lake Louise. Escape the crowd up to the Lake Agnes Teahouse, a small and cosy cabin sitting on the lakeside. This hike offers the chance to grab a patio table in the summer months and enjoy a mid-afternoon snack or cup of tea in a rare setting. The elevation gain is not too hard, and the views of Lake Louise from a distance and the surrounding peaks are worth it.

Good for:

• A chance to escape some of the summer crowds at Lake Louise

• Couples who have an interest in the experience of afternoon tea by the lake

• Groups looking for a half-day hike with opportunities for more exploration

Ink Pots: A gentle and accessible half-day hike

Distance: 11 km

Time: 3-4 hrs round trip

Trailhead: Johnston Canyon Day Use Area

Special Features:

Are you looking for an accessible, well-trafficked hike in Banff National Park? You might be looking for the Ink Pots circuit in Johnston Canyon. This hike is the easiest of the long-distance hikes on this list, mostly due to its popularity among tourists. Although it is a full 11 km, the hike itself is not difficult at all. The Ink Pots Hike brings you just above Johnston Canyon, leading along forest meadows containing five mountain spring deposits known as the Ink Pots. Each ‘pot’ has a unique colour due to the mountain sediment brought up through the rock, hence their unique name.

Good for:

• Beating some of the crowds around Johnston Canyon

• An easy hike with some great picnic stops

• Accessible four-season hiking

Castle lookout: A consistent climb to an old fire tower site

Distance: 6.4 km return

Time: 3-4 hrs

Trailhead: Castle Lookout parking area

Special Features:

Castle Lookout is the first hike on this list that some consider ‘moderate’. The trail is easily marked out and fairly easy to follow, but it does include a fairly long switchback section. This hike is a great one for a half-day journey, as it brings you up a consistent incline right to the site of an old fire lookout tower in the park. The trail even has signs of other cabins, including an abandoned structure along the trail! The view leading up to the lookout and the lookout itself offers a revealing view of the Bow Valley, tucked just under the larger cliffs on the Castle Mountain summit.

Good for:

• A brisk, challenging hike

• Getting a dose of Banff National Park History

• Dramatic views of the Bow Valley

Plain of Six Glaciers: A longer hike for a larger payoff

Distance: 10.6 km return

Time: 4-6 hrs

Trailhead: Lake Louise

Special Features:

For a more remote teahouse experience, I recommend the Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse Hike. Many hikers don’t even know that this teahouse exists, opting instead for the more popular Lake Agnes Teahouse. Although a bit of a longer hike, this trail is not much more difficult than others around Banff National Park. This trail is a great day hike with plenty of spots to take in spectacular views along the way, with a hot cup of tea at the end!

Good for:

• Less-crowded teahouse views

• A rewarding day-long excursion

• A moderate challenge with glacial views

Bow Glacier Falls: See firsthand the glacial origins of the Bow River

Distance: 9.5 km return

Time: 3-4 hrs

Trailhead: Num-Ti-Jah Lodge

Special Features:

This lovely trail begins at the historic Num-Ti-Jah Lodge and tracks all the way up to the genesis of the Bow River itself. The Bow Glacier Falls cascades straight from the glacier and descends all the way back to the valley. This hike is a fairly easy half day’s journey, taking hikers through many different aspects of mountain scenery. Beginning along the Bow Lake, Bow Glacier Falls Trail tracks upwards along a gorge, opens on to glacial flats, and ends at the roaring falls. A great trail for beginners and moderate hikers alike.

Good for:

• Experiencing the birthplace of the Bow River

• A great variety of mountain scenery

• An easy half-day excursion in the Icefields Parkway area

Sunset Lookout: An old fire tower site with a dramatic finish

Distance: 8.4 km

Time: 3-4 hrs

Trailhead: Turn off along Highway 93

Special Features:

This moderate-difficult trail takes advantage of another old fire tower site to give hikers a sweeping view of the valley below. The hike is fairly easy to access and is a steeper one on this list. The hike itself takes advantage of switchbacks to climb close to 600 metres in 4.2 km but at a relatively slow pace. The view from the final lookout is well worth the climb. Featuring a sheer drop overlooking the Alexandra and North Saskatchewan Rivers at its final point, the hike also highlights a waterfall tucked just off the trail. Sunset Lookout is a turn off of the popular horse trail Sunset Pass, sometimes making it muddy, even in summer.

Good for:

• Secluded mountain hiking

• Moderate difficulty with a steady climb

• A slow ascent towards a grand final vista

Glacier Lake: A gateway into the Rocky Mountain backcountry

Distance: 18 km

Time: 6-10 hours

Trailhead: Turn off along Highway 93

Special Features:

This is one of my favourite beginner backcountry hikes, but it is easy enough to be converted into a long day hike instead! This long trail is lovely in the summer, mostly through alpine woodlands that emerges once in a while to overlook some rarely seen countryside. The trail ends opening out onto Glacier Lake, the fourth largest lake in Banff National park and a campground featuring a cabin that is still standing. If you have the time, I recommend reserving a spot in the campground and taking the time to check out the area. Glacier Lake Hike is a great way to unlock the Rocky Mountains' hidden beauty without too much strain.

Good for:

• Varied terrain leading to a huge natural lake

• A long but easy hike to a picturesque destination

• Frequent viewpoints to stop and take in the backcountry

Lake Minnewanka: A challenging hike along Banff’s largest lake

Distance: 23 km return

Time: 6-10 hrs

Trailhead: Lake Minnewanka Day Use Area

Special Features:

The longest hike on this list, Lake Minnewanka is so massive it deserves a hike of this length. A whopping 21 km long, Minnewanka is the largest lake in Banff National Park, and this hike brings you alongside it. This trail is closed in August and September because it is a critical foraging territory for bears, but the hike is well worth it in the summer season. This hike is a challenging trek that brings you to Alymer Lookout, a spot with a special view of Lake Minnewanka. If you have the time and you manage to get a reservation, there are some campsites along Minnewanka to turn this long day hike into an easier multi-day journey. Make sure to follow bear safety guidelines along this trail.

Good for:

• Non-stop lakeside vistas

• A walk alongside the largest lake in Banff National Park

• A lengthy day trip with an unbelievable final view

Banff National Park is full of some world-class attractions. Beat some of the tourist traffic by doing a day hike instead of sticking to just the townsite! Check out the Banff National Park website for more information.

• Hiking
• family-friendly
• Banff
• Beginner
• Alberta