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The Absolute Best Hikes in Banff National Park
June 24, 2019
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Banff National Park in the Canadian Rocky Mountains is truly a hiker’s paradise. Located just 1.5 hours from the city of Calagary, Banff is an easy weekend getaway. Read on to find out some of the best hikes in Banff, suitable for all fitness levels!
The Best Hikes in Banff National Park
There are an endless number of hikes available in Banff National Park. Hikes span from short 1 hour walks, to longer full day hiking excursions. In this guide you’ll find the best hikes in Banff for any fitness level.
Agnes Tea House Hike
The Agnes Lake Tea House trek is a super accessible hike for any fitness level. It takes approximately 1.5 hours to reach the tea house from Lake Louise, most of which time you will be walking at a steady slight incline.
Spend some time at the Agnes Lake Tea House warming up with a hot drink. Be sure to bring cash though as cards are not accepted. Both Canadian and US Dollars are accepted.
From the tea house you can head back down to Lake Louise or continue on to another one of the best hikes in Banff, The Big Beehive hike.
The Big Bee Hive in Banff
Starting at the Agnes Lake Tea House, you can continue another 1.6 km to the Big Beehive Lookout. The incline is quite steep, making this one of the more challenging shorter hikes in the area, but most definitely worth it.
After you circle the lake you will face some pretty intense switch backs, eventually leading to a lookout point on the top. I promise, the views from the top are truly spectacular, making it one of the best hikes in Banff.
Johnston Canyon
The Johnson Canyon hike is super family friendly, with a paved path and steps for much of the hike.
You should be able to reach the Upper Falls in about 1.5 hours round trip. This hike can easily be combined with the East End of the Rumble hike, making for an active day.
Tunnel Hike
Tunnel Mountain is a fun, easy hike that originates right in the town of Banff, perfect for those who are traveling without a car!
Allow yourself approximately 1.5 hours round trip for the hike, ascending at a stead pace and allowing time for some photos of course. At the summit you’ll find great views of the town below.
Spending the weekend in Banff? Make sure to check out my 3 Days in Banff Guide!
Peyto Lake
The view of the Petyo Lake is so great that I couldn’t resist adding it to my list of the best hikes in Banff.
Not much more than a 10 minute hike to the view point, but at least you can pretend that you got your cardio in.
What to Pack for the Best Hikes in Banff
It is important to make sure that you are always in appropriate outfits and gear when tackling these best hikes in Banff. Don’t be fooled by my pictures of dresses and converse, real hiking gear is a must! Here are some items that you shouldn’t forget!
Columbia Hiking Boots – proper shoes are a must when hiking in Banff! I personally have been wearing Columbia boots for the past 8 years and love them
Rain Jacket – the weather in Banff can be super unpredictable, especially in the shoulder seasons. A rain jacket is a great option for protecting against wind and rain, especially at higher altitude. I love this one from The North Face!
Sony a6000 Camera – with views like this is would be a shame to not capture it! The Sony a6000 is my favorite travel camera. It is super affordable for the quality, plus it’s small and compact.
Bob’s Red Mill Bars – I never hike without plenty of snacks, and Bob’s Red Mill bars are my new favorite! Honestly, every flavor of these gluten-free, protein packed bars is great, but if I had to choose it would be the Banana & Peanut Butter.
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