Best short hikes near Banff
The 15 best short hikes near Banff, out of 184 that we map, ranked by trail score.
How we rank trails Ranked by trail score and distance from Banff, so the score is one of two inputs.
- All hikes
- Easy 105
- Moderate 110
- Hard 138
- Kid friendly 95
- Waterfalls 24
- Lakes 56
- Summits 79
- Views 196
- Canyons 9
- Loops 25
- Backpacking 28
- Wheelchair friendly 7
The list
Sorted by rank- 1Bow Falls TrailNear Banff · Banff National ParkEasy · 2.4 km · 54 m gain · 45 min · 1 km from BanffWaterfall · Views · River or creek · Passes Bow falls viewpoint and Bow Falls93score
- 2Tunnel Mountain SummitNear Banff · Banff National ParkModerate · 4.4 km · 286 m gain · 2 h · 1 km from BanffSummit · Views · Passes Tunnel Mountain and King's Lookout89score
- 3Cascade PondsNear Anthracite · Banff National ParkEasy · 2.1 km · 31 m gain · 35 min · 5 km from BanffLake · Waterfall · Passes Cascade Ponds87score
- 4Bow River TrailNear Banff · Banff National ParkEasy · 3.7 km · 27 m gain · 60 min · 1 km from BanffViews · River or creek · Historic site · Hut or tea house · Passes Banff Pedestrian Bridge82score
- 5Upper StoneyNear Banff · Banff National ParkModerate · 4.4 km · 239 m gain · 1 h 45 min · 4 km from BanffSummit · Views · Passes Stoney Lookout Mountain82score
- 6Lake MinnewankaNear Anthracite · Banff National ParkModerate · 3.5 km · 78 m gain · 1 h · 10 km from BanffLake · Views · River or creek · Passes Lake Minnewanka and Lake Minnewanka Cruise87score
- 7Marsh LoopNear Banff · Banff National ParkEasy · 2.7 km · 33 m gain · 45 min · 1 km from BanffViews · River or creek78score
- 8Sanson Peak BoardwalkNear Banff · Banff National ParkEasy · 1.3 km · 53 m gain · 30 min · 3 km from BanffSummit · Views · Historic site · Alpine · Passes 2240 and 226075score
- 9Cave & Basin TrailNear Banff · Banff National ParkEasy · 1.8 km · 16 m gain · 30 min · 1 km from BanffCave · Historic site · Hut or tea house72score
- 10Grassi LakesNear Canmore · Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial ParkEasy · 3.0 km · 150 m gain · 1 h 15 min · 16 km from BanffLake · Waterfall · Views · Passes Lower Grassi Lake88score
- 11Two Jack LakesideNear Anthracite · Banff National ParkEasy · 3.2 km · 61 m gain · 60 min · 8 km from BanffLake · River or creek · Passes Two Jack Lake76score
- 12Bow Falls/ Banff Springs TrailsNear Banff · Banff National ParkEasy · 0.9 km · 43 m gain · 20 min · 2 km from BanffWaterfall · River or creek69score
- 13Johnson Lake SouthsideNear Anthracite · Banff National ParkEasy · 2.6 km · 72 m gain · 50 min · 6 km from BanffLake · Passes Johnson Lake73score
- 14Johnson Lake LoopNear Anthracite · Banff National ParkEasy · 2.9 km · 65 m gain · 55 min · 6 km from BanffLake · Passes Johnson Lake73score
- 15Riders of RohanNear Canmore · Bow Valley Wildland Provincial ParkModerate · 2.4 km · 267 m gain · 1 h 45 min · 16 km from BanffLake · Waterfall · Views · Passes Lower Grassi Lake83score