Day Hikes BNP Webl E

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DAY HIKES IN

BANFF NATIONAL PARK


BANFF,
LAKE MINNEWANKA AND
BOW VALLEY AREAS
parkscanada.gc.ca
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Vermilion
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Stoney Squaw
Mountain
1868 m
6129
Mount Rundle
2949 m
9675
Tunnel
Mountain
1650 m
5410
Sanson Peak
2256 m
7402
Sulphur
Mountain
2451 m
8042
Cascade
Mountain
2998 m
9836
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Calgary
Lake
Louise
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Plan Ahead and Be Prepared
Remember, you are responsible for your
own safety
Get advice from Parks Canada Information Centre staff.
Study trail descriptions and maps before starting.
Check the weather forecast and current trail conditions.
Choose a trail suitable for the least experienced member
in your group.
Pack adequate food, water, clothing, maps and gear.
Carry a frst aid kit and bear spray.
Tell somebody where you are going, when you will be back,
and who to call if you do not return.
Travel with a friend or group.
Be prepared for emergencies and changes in weather.
Stay on maintained trails
To prevent damage to vegetation stay on the trail and
avoid shortcuts.
Leave what you nd, and take what you bring
Pack out all garbage, including food waste.
Dispose of human waste at least 100 m from any water
source. Bury solid human waste in a hole 15 cm deep. Pack
out your toilet paper.
Natural and cultural resources such as rocks, fossils,
artifacts, horns, antlers, wildfowers and nests are protected
by law and must be left undisturbed for others to discover
and enjoy.
Backcountry
A backcountry camping permit is required for any overnight
trip. Reservations can be made up to three months in
advance by calling 403-762-1556.
Random camping
Non-designated or random camping may be permitted. Ask
Parks Canada Information Centre staff for details.
Cycling
Mountain biking is only allowed on trails designated
for cycling. Pick up a cycling guide at Parks Canadas
Information Centre.
Fishing
A National Park fshing licence is required which may be
purchased at Parks Canada Information Centres and at
participating stores.
Banff Area
Johnson Lake
3 km loop; no elevation gain; 1 hour round trip
Trailhead: Johnson Lake picnic area.
Circle this lake which is nestled amongst some of the oldest
Douglas fr trees in Alberta and experience the richest ecoregion
in our park the montane zone. Take in unique views of Mount
Rundle and Cascade Mountain.
Fenland Trail
2.1 km loop; no elevation gain; 1 hour round trip
Trailhead: Fenland Trail parking lot.
Travel under a canopy of old-growth spruce trees on this
peaceful interpretive trail.
Bow River / Hoodoos
4.2 km one way; 60 m elevation gain; 3 hour round trip
Trailhead: Surprise Corner parking lot on Buffalo Street.
Though it is close to the Banff townsite, you will feel like you
are far away as you explore this forest and meadow trail. Keep
an eye out for elk and birds of prey as you climb from the rivers
edge to the Hoodoos viewpoint.
Spray River Loop
11.4 km round trip; 65 m elevation gain; 3 - 4 hour round trip
Trailhead: Spray River loop parking lot behind the Fairmont
Banff Springs Hotel.
This forested loop is popular with cyclists and horse users
and offers rolling terrain on a tributary of the Bow River. To
complete the loop, cross the bridge at km 7 and come back
down to the Golf Course Road.
Sundance Canyon
4.3 km to end of pavement, plus 1.2 km loop through canyon;
145 m elevation gain; 3 hour round trip
Trailhead: Cave and Basin parking lot.
Take a peaceful stroll through the woods on this mostly paved
trail before you reach an inviting creek and canyon.
C-Level Cirque
4.2 km one way; 455 m elevation gain; 3 hour round trip
Trailhead: The Upper Bankhead day-use area is 3.5 km from the
Trans-Canada Highway on the Lake Minnewanka road.
Hike back in time as you walk past old coal mine shafts before
reaching a dramatic basin on Cascade Mountain.
Tunnel Mountain
2.4 km one way; 260 m elevation gain; 2 hour round trip
Trailhead: Located on St. Julien Road near The Banff Centre.
Climb to the summit of a mountain in the heart of the Banff
townsite! Although less daunting than the surrounding peaks,
Tunnel Mountain still provides breathtaking views of the Bow
Valley via a series of well-graded switchbacks. This trail can be
icy in spring and fall.
Upper Hot Springs
1.1 km one way; 170 m elevation gain; 1 hour one way
Trailhead: Spray River Loop parking lot behind the
Banff Springs.
Climb through a spacious lodgepole pine forest on your way
for a soak at the Banff Upper Hot Springs, a ride on the Banff
Gondola or for further hiking up Sulphur Mountain.
Sulphur Mountain
5.5 km to top of gondola, plus 0.5 km to Sanson Peak;
655 m elevation gain; 3 - 4 hour round trip
Trailhead: Banff Upper Hot Springs parking lot at the end of
Mountain Avenue.
The switchbacks on the slopes of Sulphur Mountain provide
a steady grade for the hike to a summit renowned for its
breathtaking mountain views. Take a 1 km side trip on the
boardwalk trail that departs from the Observation Deck and you
will fnd more great views, remnants of the Cosmic Ray Station,
and the Sanson Peak Weather Observatory.
Stoney Squaw Mountain
2.1 km one way; 190 m elevation gain; 2 hour round trip
Trailhead: Mount Norquay ski area parking lot.
Hike through a dense forest of pine and spruce for a unique
view of Cascade Mountain and the peaks of the Fairholme
Range. This trail is also popular with mountain bikers.
Cascade Amphitheatre
7.7 km one way; 640 m elevation gain; 6 hour round trip
Trailhead: Mt. Norquay ski area parking lot.
Beyond the downhill ski runs of Mount Norquay you will hike
across a magically forested valley before entering a massive
natural amphitheatre.

Easy Moderate Difcult
BANFF
AREA
Interpretation on Johnson Lake trail
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Hiking Trail
Highway
Road
Park Boundary
Park Information Centre
Backcountry Campground
Campground
Warden Ofce
RCMP
Viewpoint
Parking
Pay Parking
Hot Springs
Horse Stables
Train and Bus Station
Hospital
Gondola
Banff Park Museum
Cave and Basin
Sulphur Mountain Gondola
Lake Minnewanka
Cascade Ponds
Vermilion Lakes
Hoodoos Viewpoint
Bow Falls
Legend
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Castle Mountain
2766 m
9076
Mount Ishbel
2908 m
9541
Copper Mountain
2795 m
9170
Pilot Mountain
2935 m
9630
Mount Bourgeau
2930 m
9613
Mount Cory
2800 m
9186
Cockscomb
Mountain
2777 m
9111
Mount Norquay
2522 m
8275
Storm
Mountain
3100 m
1071
Lake
Louise
Radium
Banff
Bow
Valley
Parkway
Johnston
Canyon
Castle
Mountain
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Rockbound
Lake
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ALBERTA
BRITISH COLUMBIA
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Cascade
Mountain
2998 m
9836
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Mount
Girouard
2995 m
9827
Mount
Astley
2869 m
9413
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Banff
Canmore
Calgary
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More Information
Safety
Banff Information Centre: 403-760-1550
Website: www.pc.gc.ca/banff
Banff Trail Conditions Report: www.pc.gc.ca/banfftrails
Weather: www.weatheroffce.gc.ca
Avalanche Reports, Information and Training:
www.avalanche.ca
Maps and Guide Books: Friends of Banff National Park at
403-762-8911 or www.friendsofbanff.com
Emergency
Call 911 or, if using a satellite phone, call the park dispatch
offce 403-762-4506. Cell phone reception is unreliable.
Keep wildlife wild, and yourself safer
Travel in groups and make noise to avoid
surprise encounters.
Do not feed, touch, or approach wildlife. Stay at least
30 to 50 metres away from most animals, and 100 metres
away from bears.
Carry bear spray and know how to use it.
Pets must be on a leash at all times.

Avalanches
The right combination of snow cover and slope angle can
produce avalanches. Be careful when crossing snow slopes or
when exposed to avalanche paths.
galement offert en franais
Bear Warnings, Closures and other
hiker restrictions commonly occur in
the Lake Minnewanka area. Obtain
up-to-date information by contacting a Parks
Canada visitor centre.
The front ranges of the Canadian Rockies are
sandwiched between foothills and the continental
divide. Here, mountains have thrust themselves
sideways leaving overhanging precipices on one
side and gentle slopes on the other; some peaks
are so folded and compressed its as though
theyve been squeezed like an accordion into an
overstuffed closet. The valleys here are home to
an assortment of wildlife elk, deer, sheep,
black bears and grizzly bears. Areas around the
town of Banff offer a variety of shorter hikes as
well as challenging trails that will reward the
seasoned hiker.
Easy Moderate Difcult
Lake Minnewanka Area
Stewart Canyon
1.5 km to junction east of bridge; no elevation gain, 1 hour round trip
Trailhead: The Lake Minnewanka parking lot is located 5.5 km off the Trans-Canada Highway
on the Lake Minnewanka road.
Hike along Lake Minnewanka before turning left along an unusual smooth-walled canyon of
the Cascade River the main source of Banff National Parks largest lake.
Aylmer Lookout
11.8 km one way; 560 m elevation gain; 7 - 8 hour round trip
Trailhead: The Lake Minnewanka parking lot is located 5.5 km off the Trans-Canada Highway
on the Lake Minnewanka road.
Less strenuous than Aylmer Pass, this trail follows the shores of Lake Minnewanka on the
same approach as the Aylmer Pass trail. The trail offers a panoramic view from the site of an
old fre lookout and is one of the frst high elevation trails to be snow free in the early summer.
Aylmer Pass
13.0 km one way; 810 m elevation gain; 8 - 9 hour round trip
Trailhead: The Lake Minnewanka parking lot is located 5.5 km off the Trans-Canada Highway
on the Lake Minnewanka road.
Hike above the blue water of Lake Minnewanka before climbing high into the front ranges of
the Rockies to a stunning 2285 m alpine pass. It is possible to mountain bike the frst 8 km of
this trail.
Done with this brochure?
Please return for re-use to a park facility or share it with others.
How was your trip?
Please send us your comments at banff.vrc@pc.gc.ca and report trails problems to park staff.
Silverton Falls
1.0 km one way; 60 m elevation gain; 1 hour round trip
Trailhead: Rockbound Lake parking lot, 0.2 km east of Castle
Junction on the Bow Valley Parkway (Highway 1A).
Often overshadowed by Johnston Canyon, this short
exploratory hike is a local secret and takes you right up to a
series of elegant waterfalls.
Johnston Canyon Lower Falls
Lower Falls - 1.2 km one way; 30 m elevation gain;
1 hour round trip
Trailhead: 22 km west of Banff on the Bow Valley Parkway
(1A Highway).
Banff National Parks most popular hiking destination takes
you into the depths of a canyon along catwalks and amongst
spectacular waterfalls. See the impressive lower falls and walk
through a tunnel to get an even closer look at the powerful
effects of water. An early morning start may help you avoid
the crowds.
Johnston Canyon Upper Falls
Upper Falls - 2.4 km one way (from parking lot);
120 m elevation gain; 2 hour round trip
Trailhead: 22 km west of Banff on the Bow Valley Parkway
(Highway 1A).
On the complete Johnston Canyon trip you will see even more
waterfalls, the most impressive of which is the 30 m high
Upper Falls.
Ink Pots
5.4 km one way (from parking lot),
215 m elevation gain; 4 hour round trip
Trailhead: 22km west of Banff on the Bow Valley Parkway
(Highway 1A).
After experiencing the waterfalls along the Johnston Canyon
trail, continue beyond its Upper Falls to reach a set of
brilliantly coloured pools.
Healy Pass
9.0 km one way; 655 m elevation gain, 6 - 7 hour round trip
Trailhead: Sunshine Village parking lot, 9 km from the Trans-
Canada highway.
From the far end of the Sunshine Village parking lot you
will follow Healy Creek as it leads towards the continental
divide. This classic hike provides expansive views, vast alpine
meadows and larch trees.
Bourgeau Lake
7.2 km one way; 725 m elevation gain; 6 hour round trip
Trailhead: South side of the Trans-Canada Highway, 13 km
west of the Mt. Norquay Interchange.
Rise through the dark mossy forests of the Bow Valley to
a rock-rimmed alpine lake. The cliff face of Mt. Bourgeau
provides a dramatic backdrop, making it a picture-perfect spot
for lunch.
Rockbound Lake
7.7 km to Tower Lake, 8.4 km to Rockbound Lake;
760 m elevation gain; 6 - 7 hour round trip
Trailhead: Rockbound Lake parking lot, 0.2 km east of Castle
Junction on the Bow Valley Parkway (Highway 1A).
A long, steady climb through the woods takes you to Castle
Mountains other side where you will be treated to a pair of
beautiful lakes you will not soon forget.
Bow Valley Area
Harvey Pass
9.5 km one way; 1035 m elevation gain; 7 - 8 hour round trip
Trailhead: South side of the Trans-Canada Highway, 13 km
west of the Mt. Norquay Interchange.
The hike begins with a climb to Bourgeau Lake and
continues beyond it along a steep route that follows a faint,
unmarked trail to the pass. Alpine views across the Lost
Horse ridges and the continental divide are spectacular.
Cory Pass Loop
12.3 km loop; 915 m elevation gain; 6 hour round
trip
Trailhead: The Fireside Picnic Area at the eastern
end of the Bow Valley Parkway.
This is the most strenuous day hike in the Banff
area, but the views of the limestone monolith
of Mount Louis are worth the effort. Complete
the loop by hiking around Mount Edith and
descending the Edith Pass trail. This trail is
best done in mid-season when the snow is gone.
There is no water along the trail and route
fnding can be challenging.
BOW VALLEY
AREA
LAKE
MINNEWANKA
AREA
Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada
Catalogue No: R64-408/2011E
ISBN: 978-1-10018371-8
Photo: Lake Minnewanka trail
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Bighorn sheep on Sulphur Mountain

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