Things to Do in Banff National Park
National Park Guide
Banff National Park is a national park in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, encompassing 2,564 square miles (6,641 square kilometers) of mountainous terrain. This landscape features towering peaks, expansive glaciers, dense coniferous forests, and alpine meadows, providing a diverse setting for outdoor pursuits. The park's geology, including its distinctive tooth-like mountains and glacial lakes, creates varied environments suitable for several sports like hiking, mountain biking, touring cycling, road cycling, and more.
Things to Do in Banff National Park
Banff National Park offers a wide array of outdoor activities, with more than 100 routes available across several sports like hiking, mountain biking, touring cycling, road cycling, and more. The park is a prime destination for hiking, with trails ranging from easy family-friendly strolls to challenging ascents, many of which are easily accessible from the towns within the park. For those seeking the best hiking trails in Banff, options like the Lake Agnes Trail or Johnston Canyon provide varied terrain and natural features. Cycling enthusiasts can explore paved roads and car-free paths, with routes like the Banff Legacy Trail offering scenic views for road cycling and touring cycling. Mountain biking in Banff National Park also presents opportunities on trails designed for various skill levels. More than 28,000 visitors have shared their experiences, resulting in an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars for the routes in Banff National Park. To explore specific activities, refer to guides such as Hiking in Banff National Park, Cycling in Banff National Park, and MTB Trails in Banff National Park.
143
Routes
4.6
(3409)
Average rating
37827
People visited
4.8
(339)
3,431
hikers
9.18km
03:38
470m
460m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
4.8
(326)
3,317
hikers
9.45km
03:37
460m
460m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
4.9
(215)
1,438
hikers
11.4km
04:28
530m
530m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
4.8
(156)
1,421
hikers
11.6km
04:06
690m
690m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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13
riders
30.1km
02:38
320m
320m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
1
riders
2.75km
00:19
90m
90m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Advanced riding skills necessary.
4.5
(4)
69
riders
56.2km
04:12
710m
710m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.0
(2)
62
riders
54.4km
02:56
320m
320m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.6
(34)
488
riders
53.0km
03:07
300m
300m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.6
(36)
551
riders
42.7km
02:36
360m
360m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.6
(29)
444
riders
49.4km
02:59
400m
400m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.9
(13)
286
riders
37.0km
02:11
240m
240m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(8)
421
riders
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
4.6
(7)
111
riders
31.9km
01:31
350m
350m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
93
riders
77.8km
04:23
750m
750m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
5.0
(2)
74
riders
26.5km
01:30
260m
260m
Moderate road ride. Great for any fitness level. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
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4.5
(4)
72
runners
10.1km
01:10
150m
150m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
75
runners
5.06km
00:37
110m
110m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.5
(4)
61
runners
8.54km
00:59
120m
130m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(2)
60
runners
9.92km
01:04
150m
150m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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18
riders
89.8km
07:14
1,420m
1,420m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
5
riders
56.2km
04:21
820m
820m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
12
riders
35.8km
02:27
640m
640m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
12
riders
28.9km
01:47
330m
330m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Frequently asked questions
What outdoor activities are available in Banff National Park?
Banff National Park offers a wide range of outdoor activities, including hiking, mountain biking, touring cycling, road cycling, jogging, and mountaineering. The park features 122 routes across these sports, with an average rating of 4.7 stars by more than 28,000 visitors.
What are some popular hiking trails in Banff National Park?
Popular hiking trails include the Lake Agnes Trail, Johnston Canyon to Upper Falls and Ink Pots, Tunnel Mountain Summit, and Sulphur Mountain Trail. The park has over 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers) of maintained trails. More information is available in the Hiking in Banff National Park guide.
Are there easy hiking trails in Banff National Park?
Banff National Park offers many easy hiking trails suitable for various abilities. Examples include parts of Johnston Canyon and Tunnel Mountain Summit. A dedicated guide for Easy hikes in Banff National Park is available.
What are the best cycling routes in Banff National Park?
Banff National Park provides numerous cycling options, including the scenic Banff Legacy Trail, a paved path connecting Banff and Canmore. Other popular routes include Lake Minnewanka Road and the Bow Valley Parkway (Highway 1A). Explore more in the Cycling in Banff National Park guide.
Are there mountain biking trails in Banff National Park?
Banff National Park offers mountain biking trails ranging from easy to difficult. Notable trails include Minnewanka Trail and the Goat Creek Trail. The MTB Trails in Banff National Park guide provides further details.
What natural features can be seen in Banff National Park?
The park is known for its towering peaks, expansive glaciers, dense coniferous forests, and alpine meadows. Iconic glacial lakes like Lake Louise and Moraine Lake are prominent features. The Columbia Icefield, a large glacial mass, is also present.
What is the best time of year for hiking in Banff National Park?
The hiking season in Banff National Park typically runs from July through mid-September. Lower elevation trails may be accessible earlier in the spring. Some trails, like the Lake Agnes loop, are popular during this period.
Are permits required for visiting Banff National Park?
A valid Parks Canada pass is required for entry into Banff National Park. Passes can be purchased online, at park gates, or by phone. Specific areas like Lake Louise and Moraine Lake may require shuttle reservations.
How can I contact Banff National Park for information?
For general inquiries, contact Parks Canada at 1-888-773-8888. For shuttle reservations to specific areas like Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, call 1-877-RESERVE (1-877-737-3783). The official website is parks.canada.ca/pn-np/ab/banff.
What komoot guides are available for Banff National Park?
Komoot offers several guides for Banff National Park, including Hiking in Banff National Park, Cycling in Banff National Park, and Waterfall hikes in Banff National Park. Guides cover various sports and attractions within the park.
What are some popular road cycling routes in Banff National Park?
Road cycling routes include the Banff Legacy Trail, Lake Minnewanka Road, and the Bow Valley Parkway (Highway 1A). Routes like the View of Backswamp – Heritage Trail loop are also popular.
Are there routes for mountaineering in Banff National Park?
Banff National Park offers mountaineering routes, including challenging ascents. Examples include the Lake Agnes Teahouse – Lake Agnes loop and the Lake Agnes – Devil's Thumb Peak loop, which are rated as difficult.
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