Pick a Banff hike by time and season
The trails below start from three bases: Banff town, Lake Louise and the Icefields Parkway. Distances are one way unless marked as a return trip.
A park pass is needed to stop anywhere in the park. In 2026 an adult day pass costs CAD 12.25. Snow is possible in any month at higher elevations, and high passes are often still covered until the end of June. The main backcountry season is July and August.
Banff trails compared
Distances and times for the walks most visitors choose.
| Trail | Distance | Time | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fenland Trail | 2.1 km | 40 minutes | Short forest loop near Banff town |
| Tunnel Mountain | 2.4 km one way, 260 m climb | About 2 hours return | Summit hike close to town |
| Lake Agnes Tea House | 3.5 km one way, 400 m climb | 1 to 2 hours each way | No reservations, no drinking water at the tea house |
| Peyto Lake lookout | 0.6 km one way | 30 minutes return | Viewpoint walk on the Icefields Parkway |
| Peyto Lake shore | 1.3 km one way | 2 hours return | Steep and rough, a different trail from the lookout |
| Bow Glacier Falls | 3.8 km one way | About 3 hours return | Starts at Bow Lake |
| Sulphur Mountain | 5.5 km to the top station, plus 0.5 km to Sanson Peak | – | About 655 m of climb |
| Johnston Canyon, Lower Falls | 1.1 to 1.2 km one way | 1 hour return | Closed 13 October to 11 December 2026 |
| Johnston Canyon, Upper Falls | 2.4 to 2.5 km one way | 2 hours return | Closed with the canyon trail |
| Johnston Canyon, Ink Pots | 5.5 to 5.7 km one way | 4 hours return | Longest of the three |
The Johnston Canyon figures are measured from the start of the trail. Do not add them together. Peyto Lake has two separate walks, so check which one you mean before you set off.
Guided hikes and day trips from Banff
Lake Louise, the Icefields Parkway and the Rockies with a guide, with live prices and availability.
Hikes by area
Where each trail starts and what to plan around.
Banff town
Tunnel Mountain and the Fenland Trail are the walks closest to the centre. Surprise Corner is a viewpoint at the east end of Buffalo Street and the start of the Hoodoos trail. Sulphur Mountain can be climbed on foot to the top station of the gondola and on to Sanson Peak. Riding the gondola is a separate ticket.
Banff Gondola guide →Lake Louise
The Lake Agnes walk climbs about 400 m from the lake. There is no drinking water at the tea house, so carry your own. Private cars can reach Lake Louise, but parking is not guaranteed. Lakeshore and Fairview parking costs CAD 42 per vehicle per day from 15 May to 12 October 2026. The summer Parks Canada shuttle ran to 12 October, so check the current arrangements before you go.
Lake Louise guide →Icefields Parkway
Peyto Lake and Bow Lake are short stops with optional longer walks. The lakes here are usually thawed by the end of June, and alpine trails are mostly snow-free from mid-July. The road is remote and mobile coverage is poor, so check road conditions before you leave.
Icefields Parkway guide →Johnston Canyon
The canyon trail, the day-use area, the toilets and parking lot P1 are closed from 13 October to 11 December 2026 for safety works. Upper Falls and the Ink Pots can also be reached by a separate route via Moose Meadows. That route is not the closed canyon trail, so confirm it is open before you go.
Johnston Canyon guide →Closures, permits and trail rules
Check these before you plan a longer trip.
Seasonal road and trail closures
The Bow Valley Parkway east of Johnston Canyon (17 km) is closed at night from 20:00 to 08:00 and closed for all activities from 1 March to 25 June. The west Minnewanka loop and Golf Course Road are normally closed to vehicles from November to May.
Lake Minnewanka backcountry
Since 16 September the Lake Minnewanka Trail beyond the Stewart Canyon bridge, Aylmer Pass and the campgrounds Lm8, Lm9, Lm11, Lm20, Lm22 and Lm31 are closed until further notice. The lakeshore day-use area is a separate matter.
Overnight trips
A backcountry permit and an advance reservation are required, plus the park pass. Backcountry camping costs CAD 15 per person per night. The reservation service adds CAD 11.50 online or CAD 13.50 by phone. Treat water from natural sources. No camping notices apply at Baker Lake (5 October 2026) and Hidden Lake (1 October 2026).
Sensitive areas
The Fairholme Range is an ecologically sensitive area where visitors are asked to stay out. Off-trail travel is restricted by season around Healy Pass, Sunshine Meadows and north of Citadel Pass. A request to stay out and a formal closure are not the same thing, so read the sign at the trailhead.
Bears, groups and emergencies
Simple habits that keep trails safe.
Carry bear spray
Carry it where you can reach it and know how to use it. Make noise on the trail, keep your group together and store food and anything with a smell. Keep 100 m from bears, wolves, cougars and coyotes, and 30 m from deer, elk, sheep and moose. Never feed or approach an animal.
Wildlife and bear safety →Groups of four
Where a Group Access order applies, you must stay close together in a group of at least four. There is no blanket rule for every trail. In the Skoki area, including Hidden Lake, Baker Lake and Deception Pass, a grizzly warning has applied since 2 September 2026 and groups of four or more are recommended.
Emergencies
Call 911. From a satellite phone call 403-762-4506. Wildlife sightings and incidents go to Banff Dispatch on 403-762-1470. Mobile coverage is patchy, so tell someone your route before you leave.
Plan the rest of your trip
Pages that pair well with a hiking day.
Banff hikes: frequently asked questions
What is the best easy hike in Banff?
The Fenland Trail is the shortest, at 2.1 km and about 40 minutes. The Peyto Lake lookout is 0.6 km one way.
How long is the Lake Agnes Tea House hike?
It is 3.5 km one way, 7 km return, with about 400 m of climb. Allow 1 to 2 hours in each direction. Reservations are not taken, and there is no drinking water at the tea house.
Is Johnston Canyon open for hiking?
No. The trail, day-use area, toilets and parking lot P1 are closed from 13 October to 11 December 2026. Check the current notice before you plan around it.
Do I need a park pass to hike in Banff?
Yes, to stop in the park. In 2026 the adult day pass is CAD 12.25 and the family or group pass is CAD 24.50. The Discovery Pass is CAD 83.50 for adults.
Do I have to hike in a group of four?
Only where a Group Access order applies. Elsewhere it is a recommendation in some areas, such as Skoki in 2026. Read the notice at the trailhead.
When are the high trails free of snow?
Passes are often snowy until the end of June, and alpine trails near the Icefields Parkway are mostly clear from mid-July. Snow can fall in summer, so pack warm layers.