Western Canada is at the top of any outdoor enthusiast’s bucket list, and Banff is the jewel in Alberta’s crown. Banff is Canada’s oldest national park and is known for vast, wild and beautiful landscapes full of towering mountains, expansive glaciers and turquoise blue lakes. If you want to immerse yourself in nature, this is the place to do it. There are honestly no words to describe the awe-inspiring landscapes you will experience there!
Banff was one of the stops we made on our two week Canadian road trip. It’s perhaps the most well known area we visited and for good reason, it is absolutely breathtaking. We spent months researching the best hikes, lakes and restaurants to visit and as a result, it was the highlight of our time in the Rockies. So if you want to plan the most incredible few days in the region, here are my recommendations.
The Practicalities
Getting There: From the UK you can get flights to Calgary, which is 1.5 hours away from Banff by car.
Getting Around: I highly recommend renting a car to allow you the freedom to explore and enjoy the beauty of Banff. Aim to book one which is four wheel drive and high clearance. Roads are typically pretty good in Canada but once you get into the wilderness they can get a bit rougher. It’s better to be safe than sorry!
When To Visit: The best time to visit this region is in the summer months of early July through to late September. Personally I find mountain weather is more stable in September, which the locals in Alberta confirmed is usually the case.
How Long To Stay: Banff covers a huge area and you could easily spend a week or more exploring it. However, if you are stopping off as part of a longer road trip, I would say 3-4 days is enough time to experience the highlights.
Price: I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Canada isn’t cheap. The prices we experienced reflected those of the UK when it comes to meals, hotels, car rental, etc. So be sure to budget accordingly.
Top Travel Tips
- Make sure you purchase a Parks Canada Discovery Pass. This will allow you access to more than 80 Canadian destinations in 12 months, plus it avoids you having to join the queues when you enter national parks.
- Pack for all weathers, no matter the season. It’s the mountains after all! Even in the height of summer, the weather can switch from sunshine and blue skies to cold, cloudy and rainy in minutes. Take layers, waterproofs and suitable footwear.
- Bear safety is a hugely important factor when you’re exploring the Canadian wilderness. It is essential to carry bear spray, make noise and stay vigilant. Check out the Canadian bear safety guidelines here. One thing to note is that bear spray cannot be taken on planes, so I recommend buying it once you get to your destination.
Where To Stay: Personally, we stayed at Basecamp Suits Banff, which are little self-contained apartments nestled right in the heart of downtown Banff. They have their own kitchens, which are super useful if you’re making your own breakfast and lunch before big days in the mountains like we did. I have friends who recommended Peaks hotel too.
Where To Eat:
- Breakfast: Whitebark Cafe for great coffee. Wild Flour Bakery for breads and pastries.
- Lunch: Honestly? We had a kitchenette so we made packed lunches every day to take on the trails.
- Dinner: Farm & Fire was our favourite for farm to table food. Park Distillery for drinks & big plates. Magpie & Stump for a casual Mexican fare.
- Dessert: Beavertails are a renowned Canadian dessert, you simply have to try one!
Make sure you reserve your dinner spots ahead of time during busy seasons, as they get booked up.
One Important Thing:
The most famous tourist destinations in Banff are Lake Louise and Lake Moraine. One thing to remember when visiting them is that shuttle systems are in place, since parking is either super limited or not available at all. I highly recommend booking your shuttle in advance.
The Best Hikes in Banff
It would be a crime to come to Banff and not hike! The National Park is absolutely covered with miles and miles of incredible trails and exploring them on foot is the best way to truly experience the vast wilderness of the region. Make sure you add these hikes to your hit list:
- Lake Louise. There are a multitude of hikes starting from the shores of the iconic Lake Louise. We did the Little Beehive Lookout route as we were short on time, it gives incredible views over the lake without being too strenuous. However if you can spend a full day on the trails then I recommend doing a loop of both Beehive viewpoints and the Plain of Six Glaciers. A stop at Lake Agnes Tea House is an iconic thing to do!
- Lake Moraine. There are only a handful of hikes which start at Moraine Lake. I personally did the route to Eiffel Lake which was not only beautiful but really peaceful, we hardly saw anyone on the trail. A more popular and famous hike near Lake Moraine is up Sentinel Pass to see the larch trees which are a bright shade of yellow in the autumn months.
- Helen Lake & Cirque Peak. This was my personal favourite hike in Banff. I warn you – it’s long, it’s hard and it’s seriously steep with sections of scrambling – but the views are absolutely out of this world. I would go as far as saying some of the best views of our whole Canadian trip! There are lakes and glaciers in all directions, it will honestly take your breath away.
- Mount Yamnuska. If you are a confident hiker and fancy an adventure, give this route a go. As with all hikes in Banff, the views are incredible. However the trail is steep, challenging and includes some chained scramble sections.
- Rockbound Lake. When we asked the locals for recommendations of hikes to get away from the crowds, this was the route we were told about again and again. The trail takes you up to an absolutely stunning lake and in the autumn season you will pass by bright yellow larches.
- Mount Bourgeau & Harvey Pass. If you’re looking to conquer a summit, then add this spicy hike to your hit list. It’s long and strenuous, covering 1700m of elevation gain, but isn’t technically challenging as it requires no scrambling or climbing to reach the top. You get rewarded for your efforts with stunning views of Bourgeau Lake and the whole national park.
- Wilcox Pass. This is a hike to hit up if you’re driving down the Icefields Pathway towards Jasper. Considering it’s only a moderate hike, it has absolutely extraordinary views over the Colombia Icefields and some of the largest peaks in the park. Plus there’s a chance you might spot a mountain goat on the trail!
The Best Lakes & Wild Swimming Spots in Banff
Banff is known for its iconic turquoise blue lakes, so make sure you don’t miss them!
- Lake Louise. One of the most famous lakes in Canada, and in my opinion the most overrated one. It is absolutely jam packed with people and you can only get some peace by hiking away from the shore. That being said, I do think hiking up to the view from Little Beehive Lookout is well worth experiencing.
- Lake Moraine. This is another super famous lake, but in my opinion it’s well and truly worth the hype. The emerald blue waters, framed by 10 towering peaks is a sight you simply need to see! Just make sure you get there early in the morning so you can experience the reflection on the surface of the water.
- Lake Minnewanka. This 13-mile long lake is one of the largest in the Canadian Rockies and it’s the only lake around Banff where motorised boats are allowed, so you can hop on a scenic boat ride. Otherwise, wander around the lakeside trail or rent a kayak to explore it by yourself.
- Peyto Lake. This is perhaps the most bright blue lake of all the ones we visited in Banff! Peyto Lake is well-known for being the shape of a wolf’s head, but I think the most incredible thing about this spot is how you can see the water flowing down from the glacier which feeds it. Absolutely stunning! While you’re there, check out nearby Bow Lake too.
- Two Jack Lake. This scenic spot has views of Mount Rundle and is popular with the locals but lesser known by tourists. It is the perfect place to view the sunrise, take a paddle board or go for an afternoon swim.
In my opinion, the best lakes for an actual swim are often those which are located mid-hike such as Helen Lake, Eiffel Lake and Rockbound Lake. They are much more peaceful than the more famous ones and really allow you to immerse yourself in nature.
The Best Adventure Activity in Banff
If you’re looking to try something new, then there is a recently established via ferrata in the peaks above the town of Banff. The Mount Norquay Via Ferrata has a range of different routes depending on your confidence and head for heights. It is perfect for those who are new to via ferrata and want to experience it in a safe way, as you will complete the route with an experienced guide.
The Best Scenic Drives in Banff
There are two main scenic drives that I recommend.
- Firstly, the Icefields Parkway, a 145-mile long road that links Lake Louise to Jasper. As the name suggests, it is absolutely surrounded by endless glaciers and as a result, lots of beautiful lakes. You can drive part way up this to Peyto Lake and Bow Lake, or all the way along it if you’re going to Jasper.
- Secondly, I recommend the Bow Valley Parkway. This runs parallel to the main highway which connects Lake Louise to Banff, and is a much more peaceful route with higher chances of spotting wildlife.
