The 10 Best Easy Hikes in Banff

Banff is one of the best places in Canada, featuring some of the most beautiful mountains and bright blue lakes in the Canadian Rockies. It is also home to one of the best national parks in Canada, Banff National Park.

Banff offers so much to do, including kayaking, skiing, swimming, seeing wildlife, and hiking. Hiking in Banff is one of the best ways to explore everything it offers and experience its beauty. When we visited Banff, we hiked our days away and were in awe of the stunning views.

And the best part? Banff has hikes for all levels, including hikes for the entire family to enjoy. This guide has everything you need to know so you can explore the best easy hikes in Banff!

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Tips For Hiking in Banff

Start your day early. Banff has over 4 million visitors each year, so it is busy. We arrived at some trailheads in late morning that were full, so I recommend starting your day early. Starting your day early will help ensure you find a parking spot and allow you to enjoy your hike with fewer crowds.
Purchase a park pass ahead of time. Most of the easy hikes in Banff are in Banff National Park, so you need a park pass. I recommend purchasing the park pass in advance to avoid entrance lines.
Be prepared with the appropriate hiking gear. Although these are easy hikes in Banff, you should not underestimate them. Some trails still have steep sections and rocks and roots, so you should wear proper footwear. The mountain weather also is unpredictable, so I recommend packing layers just in case the weather changes. It’s also crucial to pack food and water for your hike, even if it is short!
Be careful of bears. Banff has many grizzly bears, so it’s crucial to keep an eye out for them. I recommend packing bear spray, making noise when you hike, and hiking in groups. If you have questions or concerns, I recommend speaking with a local park ranger!
Always remember to leave no trace. It’s crucial to pack out what you pack in and leave no trash. Many of these trailheads have trash bins, so you can easily throw your trash away when you finish the hike. If they don’t have trash bins, you can throw your trash away at a nearby gas station or convenience store.

When to Hike in Banff

Banff is a beautiful four-season town that offers trails to hike year-round! Here are some things to consider when hiking in Banff in each season:

Summer is one of the best times to hike in Banff because the weather is beautiful, and most trails no longer have snow. Because it’s a great time to hike, summer is one of the busiest times to visit Banff. Trailheads can fill up before 8 AM, so I recommend arriving at them early in the morning to secure a parking spot and avoid most crowds. Late summer can bring wildfires, which are unpredictable and difficult to plan around. We visited right after the wildfires began, making it extremely difficult to hike.
Fall is a busy time in Banff because of the foliage. Many people travel from all over the world to see the beautiful larch foliage, so you will not be alone while hiking. I recommend arriving at trailheads early in the morning to secure a parking spot and enjoy the trails with fewer crowds. Late fall can also bring winter conditions, especially in the higher elevations. It’s crucial to read trail conditions and watch the weather, so you can understand what to pack for gear.
Winter is an underrated time to visit and hike in Banff, and it is one of the least visited seasons. Winters in Banff are cold and snowy, so it’s crucial to pack warm layers and appropriate winter hiking gear. Some roads and trailheads are not accessible and are prone to avalanches in the winter, so I encourage you to check the Parks Canada website for more information.
Spring will have lingering winter conditions, making hiking at times difficult. The trails can be icy, slushy, and muddy, so I recommend reading recent trail reviews to understand what you need to pack. Late spring brings beautiful conditions once the snow melts and is a great time to hike in Banff!

What to Pack for Hiking in Banff

Hiking Boots: If you want comfort and support on your trip, hiking boots are the go to.
Hiking Socks: Having moisture-wicking and comfortable hiking socks are just as important for exploring.
Hiking Backpack: You need something to carry all your food, clothes, and anything else you need while adventuring, so having a supportive hiking backpack is crucial.
Hydration Reservoir/Water Bottles: While hiking or just exploring, it is important to have enough water! I always pack a hydration reservoir.
Jackets: The weather is unpredictable, so I always pack a rain jacket and insulated jacket.
Ten Essentials: The Ten Essentials are crucial for hiking!
Microspikes: If you plan on winter hiking, you will need to bring microspikes.
Snowshoes: Also if you hike in the winter, you may need snowshoes.

The Best Easy Hikes in Banff

Johnston Canyon

Trail: Johnston Canyon Trail

Length: 3.3 miles

Elevation Gain: 850 feet

Johnston Canyon is one of my favorite easy hikes in Banff. Johnston Canyon has an easy-to-follow trail along Johnston Creek through a beautiful canyon and past many waterfalls.

The two main attractions are Lower Falls and Upper Falls. The two photos below are of other beautiful waterfalls along the trail! Lower Falls is the first waterfall on the Johnston Canyon Trail and has a beautiful viewpoint across from it.

Upper Falls is further on the trail and requires a little more effort but pays off once you reach it! There are two viewpoints where you can view Upper Falls, one from the bottom and one from the top. I recommend going to both! Once you enjoy the waterfalls, you will follow the trail back the way you came.

If you want to extend the hike and add a little difficulty, I recommend hiking to the Ink Pots, green-colored mineral springs. This portion of the trail is less trafficked, so it’ll be more peaceful than the busy Johnston Canyon Trail. No matter how long you choose to hike Johnston Canyon, it will quickly become one of your favorite easy hikes in Banff!

Moraine Lake Shoreline Trail

Trail: Moraine Lake Shoreline Trail

Length: 3.3 miles

Elevation Gain: 900 feet

Moraine Lake is known as the best sunrise spot in Banff but is stunning any time of the day. I highly recommend hiking Moraine Lake Shoreline Trail when you visit. The Shoreline Trail is one of the best easy hikes in Banff because it has stunning views of Moraine Lake and the Valley of Ten Peaks. It also allows you to get away from most crowds that only stop by the lake near the parking lot.

The Moraine Lake Shoreline Trail follows along the shores of Moraine Lake until it reaches the opposite side of the lake. The entire trail has stunning views, so you will not be disappointed!. One of the best times to hike the Moraine Lake Shoreline Trail is during sunrise or sunset, but honestly, it’s a breathtaking trail no matter when you hike it!

Note: Moraine Lake is closed to personal vehicles to help alleviate traffic and congestion at the spot. Instead, you have to use the public shuttle bus system.

Consolation Lakes Trail

Trail: Panorama Ridge Route > Panorama Peak Route

Length: 4.8 miles

Elevation Gain: 1,100 feet

If you are looking for a more peaceful trail near Moraine Lake, the Consolation Lakes Trail is perfect! This easy hike leaves the craziness of Moraine Lake behind as it wanders into a beautiful forest on a well-maintained trail. The Consolation Lakes Trail gains more elevation than the other trails on this list, but it is gradual as you hike to the lakes.

The trail brings you to the first Consolation Lake, offering stunning views of Bident Mountain, Quadra Mountain, and Panorama Peak. The first lake has the better views of the two lakes, so you can turn around here if you don't want to hike more.

If you feel like going a little further, you can hike to the second Consolation Lake! The trail to the second lake is steeper and has a few rocky sections, so it gets a little technical and can be challenging for young kids. No matter how long you decide to hike the Consolation Lakes Trail, it will quickly become one of your favorite easy hikes in Banff!

Lake Louise Lakefront Trail

Trail: Plain of Six Glaciers Trail

Length: 3 miles

Elevation Gain: 350 feet

Lake Louise is another one of the best sunrise spots in Banff, and we loved visiting during sunrise. Similar to Moraine Lake, people will be lined up along the lake taking the infamous photo of Lake Louise. A great way to get away from most crowds is to hike the Lake Louise Lakefront Trail.

The Lake Louise Lakefront Trail is one of the best easy hikes in Banff because it has stunning views of Lake Louise and Victoria Glacier. The hike follows the shores of Lake Louise on the Plain of Six Glaciers Trail until it reaches the opposite side, where you will turn around and follow the same trail back. You will be in awe of the stunning views along the entire hike!

Tunnel Mountain

Trail: Tunnel Mountain Trail

Length: 3 miles

Elevation Gain: 900 feet

Tunnel Mountain is one of the best easy hikes in Banff for those wanting beautiful mountain views. The Tunnel Mountain Trail is closer to the moderate side of easy but is worth the extra effort.

The hike begins in downtown Banff and follows switchbacks up to the summit of Tunnel Mountain, where you have beautiful views overlooking the valley with downtown Banff and the surrounding mountains, including Mount Rundle.

There are a few lookouts near the summit offering different views of the valley, so I recommend spending time exploring all of them because they are stunning! You will then follow the trail back the way you came to downtown Banff. Tunnel Mountain is one of the best year-round easy hikes in Banff!

Johnson Lake

Trail: Johnston Lake Trail

Length: 2 miles

Elevation Gain: 250 feet

If you are looking for a beautiful hike around a lake, look no further! The Johnson Lake Loop is one of the best easy hikes in Banff, offering stunning lake and mountain views and some of the oldest Douglas firs in Alberta.

And the best part? It’s an easy hike with a relatively flat trail, so you don’t have to work too hard to enjoy the views. We loved breaking our day up with this beautiful hike when we were in Banff.

The loop trail travels along the shores of Johnson Lake and the surrounding forest, providing views of Cascade Mountain and Mount Rundle. The Johnson Lake Trail is the perfect year-round hike for all ages! If you visit in the summer, you can swim in Johnson Lake, which is typically warmer than other lakes in Banff.

Peyto Lake Overlook

Trail: Peyto Lake Trail

Length: 2 miles

Elevation Gain: 300 feet

Peyto Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes in the world! And yes, the waters are that blue! I was in shock when I saw the water.

Peyto Lake is the iconic turquoise-colored lake that everyone has on their Banff bucket list. And the best part? It only requires an easy hike to get to the Peyto Lake Overlook. The trail begins in the Bow Summit parking lot and follows a mostly paved path to a wooden platform overlooking Peyto Lake.

Since this is an iconic spot, you will not be alone when visiting. I recommend hiking to Peyto Lake in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid most crowds. There are many small trails off of the main one leading to the Peyto Lake Overlook, so I recommend hiking around to the various viewpoints along the loop!

Marble Canyon

Trail: Marble Canyon Trail

Length: 1 mile

Elevation Gain: 200 feet

Marble Canyon is one of the easiest hikes on this list and will quickly become one of your favorites! The Marble Canyon Trail brings you through a stunning canyon along the turquoise-colored Tukumm Creek. Multiple bridges bring you over the rushing river and provide beautiful viewpoints of the canyon and surrounding mountains.

And the best part? Marble Canyon is much less crowded than other nearby hikes, so it’s a great place to enjoy a more peaceful hike. The short hike to Marble Canyon will become one of your favorite easy hikes in Banff for the entire family!

Silverton Falls

Trail: Rockbound Lake Trail > Silverton Falls Trail

Length: 1.2 miles

Elevation Gain: 400 feet

If you are looking for more waterfall hikes, Silverton Falls is perfect for you! Silverton Falls is a 164-foot waterfall and is one of the best easy hikes in Banff.

The trailhead is on Bow Valley Parkway, which I highly recommend driving because it is stunning and has many beautiful overlooks. Bow Valley Parkway was one of our favorite scenic drives in the area!

The trail begins on the Rockbound Lake Trail before turning onto the Silverton Falls Trail, which brings you to the waterfall. The Silverton Falls viewpoint is on a small cliff, so be careful when you walk on it as it has steep drop-offs on either side. From this viewpoint, you can take in the beautiful waterfall!

Bow Falls Viewpoint

Trail: Bow Falls Trail

Length: 1.8 miles

Elevation Gain: 200 feet

Although Bow Falls is not the tallest waterfall in Banff, only standing at 30 feet tall, it does not lack beauty and is one of the best easy hikes in Banff for the entire family!

The trail begins across the street from the Banff Park Museum and follows along the Bow River before crossing the beautiful Banff Pedestrian Bridge. The views on a clear day from the bridge are stunning! The trail continues to follow the Bow River until it reaches the final Bow Falls Viewpoint.

Although the main attraction on this easy hike is Bow Falls, there are many stunning views of the surrounding mountains along the entire trail (like the photo below). The Bow Falls Viewpoint hike is a perfect easy hike if you are in downtown Banff and looking for a short and beautiful trail!

Banff is a beautiful area with many stunning trails that you could spend a few days hiking, and this guide touches on some of the best easy hikes in Banff. We loved hiking through Banff when we visited, so I know you will love it! Make sure to add these easy hikes to your Banff bucket list!