While we understand that many people are not up for death-defying mountain summits in the Canadian Rockies, check out these family-friendly, easy hikes in Banff.
Soul-stirring sights and the crisp mountain air of Banff National Park and the surrounding Canadian Rockies await you. Regardless of age, ability, or experience, everyone visiting should go on at least one hike!
It would be a disservice to you to travel to Banff and not take a few leisurely hikes or walks in the wilderness. These accessible hikes in Banff and nearby areas are suitable for all skill levels and offer exceptional views of the surrounding pristine wilderness and natural scenery. No matter your ability or level of fitness, these short hikes in Banff are guaranteed to be enjoyable as they take place on well-maintained trails.
The Best Easy Hikes in Banff
Fenland Trail
Just outside of town, Fenland is a short, easy loop through the forest. It’s also a fantastic way to get to know the town by taking a stroll to Vermilion Lakes’ docks for a lovely hike in the morning or evening. The picturesque path winds through the forest alongside Echo Creek, a tributary that links the Bow River with Vermilion Lakes.
This stroll is quite soothing and provides lovely views of the river as well as Mount Norquay in the distance. This is a great trail to see wildlife if you’re hoping to spot any. Elk frequently rut along Echo Creek, and many birds nest in the marshlands of Vermilion Lakes. Not much of a hike, but a wonderful opportunity to get some fresh air and exercise.
Stewart Canyon
If your plan is to spend the day exploring the loop drive just outside of Banff, the Stewart Cayon hike is a fantastic choice. The hike to and from Stewart Canyon is only 6 km. The majority of the trail offers beautiful views of Lake Minnewanka.
The trail eventually comes to a breathtaking wood bridge that spans the Cascade River and Stewart Canyon. Most people should be able to complete it because the course is well-graded and stays mostly flat.
While it’s a great place to see wildlife, be sure to check for trail closures and bring bear spray. The good news is that you can walk this trail all year round. Throughout the winter and early spring, you might have to deal with snow or ice.
You can hike an additional distance through the canyon or take the 30-kilometer Lake Minnewanka shoreline trail. The best course of action is to return whenever you’re ready, but everyone is welcome to hike to the wood bridge.
Sulphur Mountain / Cosmic Ray Station
Because of the Banff Gondola, you can hike along a mountaintop without having to climb to the summit. To reach the Cosmic Ray Station, take a fun hike along raised boardwalks from the top station of the gondola. Built in the late 1950s as a component of a global study on cosmic weather, the station continues to stand with its exceptional views.
There aren’t many stairs on the boardwalk—it’s all flat. You are free to take more time to enjoy the expansive views of the mountains surrounding you, as you won’t have to keep an eye on every step. We advise anyone riding the Banff Gondola to stroll down the boardwalk.
For a more difficult and affordable option, you can hike from the Banff Gondola base to the summit of Sulphur Mountain. Although the trail is simple, some fitness is necessary due to the moderate elevation gain. The hike up Sulphur Mountain is rated as moderate by us.
Panther Falls
This is a really quick hike of one kilometer along the Icefields Parkway, perfect for a leg workout. Any time of year is a good time to visit Panther Falls, a breathtaking waterfall. It’s a gorgeous waterfall with a rushing sound along the parkway in the summer.
In the winter, when the waterfall freezes and creates enormous icicles, it might even be more spectacular. It’s a good idea to bring some microspikes and possibly a helmet if you want to walk underneath if you’re planning a winter visit.
Two Jack Lakeside
Since Two Jack Lake is one of our favorite lakes in Banff, it makes sense that a hike around its perimeter would be fantastic. This gorgeous lake frequently reflects the recognizable Mount Rundle. The hike follows a trail that links the Cascade Canal, the nearby campground, and Two Jack Lake.
On a beautiful, sunny day, a lot of people visit the lake and water, but the hike itself is not crowded. Two Jack is a fantastic picnic area as well as a water sports playground. Although it’s often quiet, you won’t be alone on the hike. To follow the trail, begin at the parking lot and head along the shoreline towards Mount Rundle.
After leaving the campground, the trail continues along the lakeshore until it crosses the Cascade Canal, which is crossed by a bridge. That’s a good place to turn around, or you can go to Johnson Lake Road by crossing the bridge and following the canal. The only drawback is that you have to walk back towards the car park because the trail cannot be looped.
Cascade Falls
The Bow Valley is dominated by Cascade Mountain, which is visible to all visitors to Banff. The Cascade Falls, which cascade down the mountainside, are difficult to miss due to the size of the mountain. There is a small parking lot close to the TransCanada overpass from which you can walk through the trees and down to the waterfall.
The fall is only a short, steep scree climb away, taking no more than 20 minutes. You’ll be rewarded with the opportunity to touch the water and see glimpses of the Bow Valley below.
Because of its short length, we would still consider this hike to be easy even though it can be a little more challenging at times. Climbing the scree can be difficult, so use caution.
Bow Falls Viewpoint
One of our favorite walks in Banff is to the Bow Falls viewpoint. We’ll get coffee and walk the Bow Falls trail from town to Bow Falls whenever we need a change of pace. About 1.5 km separate the Bow Falls viewpoint from the heart of Banff’s downtown, and crossing the Bow River en route offers some breathtaking views of the Bow Valley from the bridge.
With the exception of one steep stair section that offers a view over the falls, the trail to the falls is very easy and either paved or gravel after the bridge. But the iconic vantage point is located a little further on and directly below the well-known Banff Springs Hotel. Consider going up to the hotel’s restaurant, Waldhaus, for stunning views and German beer on a pleasant summer’s day.
Athabasca Toe Glacier
The Icefield will astonish you, but Banff’s lakes will definitely take your breath away. At the boundary between Banff and Jasper, the Athabasca Glacier is situated directly beside the parkway, inviting exploration. Even though not everyone has the ability to climb mountains, the glacier offers a chance for everyone to do so.
If you don’t feel like paying over a hundred dollars to ride in a “Ice Explorer” vehicle, you can still hike to the glacier’s toe. From a parking lot across the street from the Discovery Center, it’s a quick hike to the glacier’s toe.
Athabasca Glacier during summer in Jasper National Park, Canadian Rockies, Alberta, Canada.
Some people might find it challenging because of the steep trail, loose rock, and elevation. The hike is short enough for almost anyone to finish, even with a few challenges. The katabatic winds from the glacier feel like standing in front of an open freezer, so bring along a warm jacket.
Boom Lake
Boom Lake is a stunning alpine lake that is only accessible on foot and is located close to the Kootenay National Park boundary. The trail is mainly level, making it a simple hike in Banff.
You’ll get to see some of the largest trees in the park on this pleasant hike through the forest. Gaining about 100 meters at the beginning of the hike makes it the most challenging, but after that, it’s easy going.
The hike to Boom Lake offers you the opportunity to spend some time alone in nature as opposed to many of Banff’s more well-known hikes and locations. But this short hike in Banff is a winner because of Boom Lake’s crystal clear water and expansive views of the surrounding mountains. The trailhead is located off 93s, right before Kootenay National Park and British Columbia’s borders.
Johnston Canyon
Year-round, one of Banff’s most popular attractions is Johnston Canyon, which often draws large crowds. Although there are plenty of reasons to visit in the summer, we prefer the hike in the winter because of the summer crowds.
The visceral experience of a summer hike is the sound of the roaring water echoing through the canyon and into your chest. As a hiker, you can get up close and personal with the canyon through a network of suspended walkways. Hikers may see several waterfalls, beautiful views of the mountains, and possibly even some wildlife along the route.
The waterfalls are hidden beneath a thick blanket of ice during the winter. This is a wonderful chance for you to see a frozen waterfall if you have never seen one. Unless otherwise specified by Parks Canada, the Johnston Canyon trail is open all year round.
If you are visiting Banff in the winter or early spring, we recommend renting or purchasing ice cleats in the town. Despite the well-maintained trail, it can get icy at times. It’s best to avoid slipping on the path altogether; ours came in very handy! It’s a simple hike along a well-maintained trail that’s appropriate for all ages, regardless of the season. Proceed to the Ink Pots for an extended hike.
Hector Lake
Few people ever make it to Banff’s glacier lake, Hector Lake. It’s also incredibly gorgeous, but there’s a catch: getting there involves hiking and a brief river crossing. Most visitors are put off by this, but the hike is easy and short.
It takes about 30 minutes to hike the two kilometers or so down to the river. The peace of sitting beside a stunning lake in solitude easily outweighs the trail’s minor drawbacks, which can occasionally be a little muddy. Due to snowmelt, the river will rise later on hot days, so be careful if you cross it.
Chephren Lake
Beautiful Chephren Lake offers breathtaking views of Mount Chephren above. The lake is a gorgeous aquamarine color, and it gets very few visitors each day, which makes it fantastic. It’s not as crowded as the park’s busier lakes, but you won’t be alone either.
A moderate hike of about 7.7 km with an elevation gain of 241 meters leads to the lake. This would make it one of the list’s more challenging hikes in Banff, but it would still be quite manageable for most people.
Once you get to the lake, though, the hike is well worth the effort. It is advised that you allow ample time to fully appreciate Chephren Lake. If you’re feeling very daring, change into a swimsuit and dive into the lake. The lake’s water is barely warm enough to swim in.
Sundance Canyon Trail
The Cave and Basin National Historic Site is the starting point of the fantastic Sundance Canyon trail. Due to its accessibility and two kilometers of trail that run alongside the Bow River, it is a fairly well-known trail. Along the way, there are some breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and the river.
Sundance Canyon is a bit of a journey with some elevation gain. On the other hand, we advise turning around before you start to gain elevation if you want to make the hike easier.
Consider walking the Healy Creek Trail, which stretches along the Bow River, if you’d like to extend your visit.
Boundary Lake
We think of it as a scaled-down version of Lake Louise, minus the crowds. If you come to this stop, you might even be the only hiker! Before the Icefields Discovery Center, one of Banff’s busiest locations, there’s Boundary Lake, which is a little known. The trailhead of this gem can be a little tricky to locate, but the effort is well worth it.
The little parking lot is located exactly where Banff and Jasper meet. From the trailhead, you descend a short distance to the valley and then climb back up the lake.
Lake Agnes
In the Lake Louise region, the hike up to the Lake Agnes Teahouse is a classic. Everyone who doesn’t mind a little elevation gain can enjoy this easy to moderate hike above Lake Louise. The historic teahouse, perched atop a high alpine lake, is located at the summit of the ascent.
This is one of those quick hikes in Banff you just must do; it’s an easy hike that takes less than two hours to complete. But be advised—it’s a busy one! Continue climbing to the Little or Big Beehive to get away from the crowds and for better views. Those hikes range from moderate to challenging, though.
