Banff isn’t just a place you see. It’s a place you feel through all your senses. Towering peaks. Turquoise glacial lakes. Forest trails that lead to something unforgettable. Every hike is a chance to slow down, breathe deeper, and reconnect with nature in a way that sticks with you.
If you want the full experience, it’s best to hire a local hiking guide. They can take you beyond the busy viewpoints and into the real Banff where you can learn the local legend, culture and ecology.
On a Banff hiking tour you’ll hike quieter trails, hear glacier-fed rivers rushing past and catch those moments when the light hits just right on the mountains. No stress, no crowds, just you, the trail and a guide who can bring the magic of Banff National Park to the next level.
Whether you’re here for a short visit or planning a full day out, there’s a hike that matches your pace and your sense of adventure. All you have to do is show up ready to explore.
1. Moraine Lake and Lake Louise
Duration: 5 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation gain: 150 m
Highlights: Turquoise waters, Valley of the Ten Peaks, Victoria Glacier
Ideal for: First-timers and photo lovers
This is the perfect introduction to Banff’s alpine magic. You’ll start your day at Moraine Lake, where the vivid turquoise water and towering mountains of the Valley of the Ten Peaks feel almost unreal. Walk along the lakeshore trail, breathe in that crisp mountain air, and feel a deep sense of awe.
Afterward, you’ll head to Lake Louise, another world-famous spot that lives up to the hype. Stroll the shoreline, snap photos of the Victoria Glacier, and learn about the area’s fascinating Indigenous history and mountaineering legacy as you go.
This tour is ideal if you’re short on time but still want the full Banff National Park postcard experience. It’s relaxed, stunning from start to finish, and perfect for a half-day dose of fresh air and beauty (but very crowded with tourists in the summer).
2. The Beautiful Glacial Lakes of Banff National Park
Duration: 8 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation gain: 250 m
Highlights: Lookouts, turquoise glacial lakes, less tourists
Ideal for: Scenic explorers and lake enthusiasts
If you love lakes, this full-day adventure is your dream come true. You’ll visit seven of Banff’s most stunning lakes that are much less busy than Moraine Lake and Lake Louise. From the Vermillion Lakes, Lake Minnewanka and Peyto Lake to quieter gems like Waterfowl Lakes and Bow Lake. Each lake has its own unique mood, colour, and backdrop.
You’ll take short walks at each stop, soak in mountain reflections, and capture photos that look like they came out of a travel magazine. Along the way, you’ll hear stories behind the lakes, from glacial origins to wildlife that call them home.
It’s a full-day, low-effort, high-reward tour. Perfect if you want to see it all without committing to a strenuous hike. Just bring your sense of wonder and a fully charged phone for lots of photos that will amaze your friends and family.
3. Moraine Lake, Larch Valley and Sentinel Pass
Duration: 8 hours
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
Elevation gain: 725 m
Highlights: Larch trees, the Sentinel, wilderness
Ideal for: Hikers seeking panoramic views
Get ready for one of the most scenic hikes in Banff. You’ll begin at Moraine Lake and climb into Larch Valley, where golden larch trees light up the trail in autumn. Even outside of larch season, you’ll be surrounded by wildflowers and epic views.
As you make your way through the valley, the peaks of the Valley of the Ten Peaks wrap around you. It’s a steady climb but manageable with a moderate fitness level. Stop often, take in the views, and listen to the wind weaving through the trees.
The final stretch up to Sentinel Pass rewards you with one of the best panoramic views in the Rockies. It’s a challenging finale, but once you’re standing at the top, you’ll forget all about the uphill effort.
4. Lake Louise, Lake Agnes Teahouse and The Big Beehive
Duration: 8 hours
Difficulty: Challenging
Elevation gain: 520 m
Highlights: Historic teahouse, overhead lake views
Ideal for: Those wanting a mix of culture and nature
Start your day at Lake Louise and make your way up the forest trail toward Lake Agnes. At the top, you’ll find a cozy teahouse where you can sip a warm drink, enjoy homemade treats, and watch the light dance on the lake.
Once you’re recharged, you’ll hike up to The Big Beehive. This rocky viewpoint gives you an overhead view of Lake Louise that’s absolutely breathtaking. You’ll see the lake from a whole new angle, far above the crowds.
The mix of lake views, forest trails, and historic charm makes this hike a Banff classic. It’s a solid workout with a satisfying payoff and a great way to escape the tourist buzz below.
5. Icefields Parkway and The Columbia Icefields
Duration: 10 hours
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Elevation gain: 200 m
Highlights: Bow Summit, Peyto Lake, glacier views
Ideal for: Road trippers and glacier enthusiasts
This day is part road trip, part hiking adventure. You’ll cruise the legendary Icefields Parkway and stop along the way for short hikes to glaciers, waterfalls, and stunning mountain lookouts. It’s one jaw-dropper after another.
One of the highlights is Bow Summit, where a short uphill trail takes you to a dramatic view of Peyto Lake’s wolf-head shape. It’s one of those spots where the photos don’t even do it justice.
Later, you’ll get up close to the Columbia Icefields and walk near the toe of the Athabasca Glacier with optional bookings on the Ice Explorer to go on the glacier and indigenous Icewalks tours. Feel the cool air from the ice, learn how the glaciers shaped the land, and leave with a deeper appreciation for this powerful, changing landscape and how it is being affected by climate change.
6. Lake O’Hara Alpine Circuit
Duration: 10 hours
Difficulty: Challenging
Elevation gain: 520 m
Highlights: Pristine alpine lakes, larch forests, and mountain vistas
Ideal for: Experienced hikers seeking solitude
Lake O’Hara is a place most visitors never get to see, thanks to its limited access. But you’ll have a spot reserved and a full day to explore this alpine paradise. Right from the start, it feels untouched and wild.
You’ll hike the Alpine Circuit, which leads high above the lake and through dramatic terrain. Expect steep climbs, narrow ledges, and jaw-dropping views around every corner. It’s a hiking route that feels like a secret only a few people get to discover.
This hike is best if you’re fit, love adventure, and want something way beyond the ordinary. You’ll come back tired, inspired, and probably already dreaming about your return to this magical place.
7. Stanley Glacier And Marble Canyon
Duration: 8 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 600 – 800 m
Highlights: Ancient fossils, glaciers, waterfalls
Ideal for: Nature enthusiasts and geology buffs
You’ll kick things off at Marble Canyon, a deep limestone gorge with walkways crisscrossing over turquoise water and roaring waterfalls. It’s a mellow, scenic stroll that gets you up close to the powerful forces that shaped the Rockies.
After warming up, you’ll head to the Stanley Glacier trail. The path climbs gradually through a recovering forest, with wildflowers, open views, and hanging glaciers overhead. Keep your eyes open for ancient fossils embedded in the rock along the way.
This hike blends natural beauty with geological wonder. It’s moderate in effort, big on scenery, and perfect if you’re into mountain stories, glacier views, and cool canyons.
8. Vision Quest Ridge and Abraham Lake
Duration: 10 hours
Difficulty: Challenging
Elevation Gain: 851 m
Highlights: Steep climbs, panoramic views, and turquoise lakes
Ideal for: Adventurous hikers and photographers
This tour is off the beaten path and full of adventure. You’ll start with Vision Quest Ridge, a steep but rewarding climb that gives you a bird’s-eye view over the brilliant blue waters of Abraham Lake. It’s not an easy hike, but the summit views are unforgettable.
After descending, you’ll shift gears at Siffleur Falls with a more relaxed trail that crosses suspension bridges and winds through peaceful wildflower meadows to a roaring waterfall. It’s a beautiful contrast to the morning’s intensity.
Finish the day along the shores of Abraham Lake. Depending on the season, you might see frozen methane bubbles or wind-whipped waves. It’s a day full of variety, challenge, and moments that make you feel alive.
9. Takakkaw Falls And The Yoho Valley
Duration: 8 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 300 m
Highlights: Waterfalls, mushrooms and historic site
Ideal for: Adventurous hikers and history buffs
This tour begins at the base of Takakkaw Falls, one of Canada’s tallest waterfalls. With a free-fall drop of 254 meters (833 feet) and a total height of 373 meters (1,224 feet), it’s a jaw-dropping start to the day. The name “Takakkaw” means “it is magnificent” in the Cree language, and when you are up close to the spray and thunder of this massive waterfall.
From there, you follow the Yoho Valley Trail deeper into the wild. After about 4.4 km, you’ll reach Laughing Falls, a 30-meter (98-foot) waterfall tucked into a lush forest clearing. It’s a great halfway point to stop for a snack and soak in the sounds of the river before continuing further up the valley.
The final leg takes you to the Twin Falls National Historic Site, about 8.4 km from where we started. This historic destination features a dramatic twin cascade plunging a combined 180 meters (591 feet) over a rugged cliff. With glacier-fed rivers, forested paths, and a backcountry tea house in the summer, this hike is as rewarding as it is scenic.
10. Johnston Canyon and The Ink Pots
Duration: 6 hours
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Elevation Gain: 330 m
Highlights: Turquoise canyon waters, waterfalls, colorful mineral springs
Ideal for: Families and casual hikers
This hike is a Banff favorite and easy to see why. You’ll walk along elevated catwalks that hug the walls of a narrow canyon, leading to a series of crashing waterfalls. The sounds and spray of the water fill the air and keep things exciting.
After the canyon, the trail continues through forest to the Ink Pots. These mineral springs bubble up in a wide open meadow and shimmer with shades of green and blue. It’s a total shift in scenery and well worth the hike.
The terrain is moderate and family-friendly, but the variety of landscapes makes it feel like an adventure. It’s a great option if you want a bit of everything from canyon, forest, meadow to mountains.
Find Your Banff National Park Hiking Tour:
Ready to get out there? These hiking tours fill up fast, especially in peak season from June to September. If one of them spoke to you, don’t wait.
Pick your Banff hiking tour and we can find you a hiking tour operator for an unforgettable ecotourism experience.
I’m also the founder of Social Creators, a group coaching community and marketing automation platform that helps experts sell their coaching, workshops and retreats.
I love hiking adventures, flying my drone and sharing my adventures on my Instagram.
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