Hike Alberta
250 m N
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Cave & Basin Trail

Near Banff · Banff National Park

Easy · Out and back · Official trail

The Bow River in Banff with Mount Cory beyond
The Bow River in Banff with Mount Cory beyond. Photo by Adam Bishop, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Trail score 72 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality

250 m Open the map

About this trail

Cave & Basin Trail is a 1.8 km out and back trail near Banff in Banff National Park. It runs 0.9 km each way. It is close to flat, staying between 1,385 m and 1,392 m. Hike Alberta rates it easy. Allow about 30 minutes of moving time. It passes five mapped trail junctions. Along the way you pass Buffalo Nations Museum, Cascade Cabin Bed and Breakfast and a stream crossing. Also used for walking and mountain biking.

Length
1.8km
0.9 km each way
Elevation gain
16m
Estimated time
30min
Moving time
Route
Out and back
Highest point
1,392m
Lowest point
1,385m

Elevation profile

1,385 m to 1,392 m
1,3921,385 0 km0.9 km

Highest point 1,392 m, lowest 1,385 m, 16 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 5% over 100 m.

Predicted coverage: 100% of route

0% LTE · 100% 5G

Longest modelled gap
0.0 km
Model
2024 · Natural Resources Canada

Predicted coverage is not guaranteed. It varies by carrier, terrain, weather, device and network load, and it does not guarantee emergency service.

Along the way

  1. 0.1 kmBuffalo Nations MuseumHistoric site
  2. 0.2 kmCascade Cabin Bed and BreakfastLodge or hostel
  3. 0.4 kmBanff Boutique InnLodge or hostel
  4. 0.7 kmStream crossing

Good for

  • Hiking, Walking, Mountain biking
  • Dog friendly (on leash), Kid friendly
  • Cave, Historic site, Hut or tea house

Rankings

Trailhead

The trail starts at 51.1721° N, 115.5720° W.

Driving directions

Banff National Park admission

National park admission required

Buy day or annual pass

Pass details

Visitors spending time in a national park need valid daily admission or a Parks Canada Discovery Pass. Admission is separate from camping, reservations, parking and other service fees.

Information checked October 21, 2026.

Official details

Before you go

Carry an offline map and plan for no service in backcountry areas. Trails close for wildlife, fire, weather and construction. Check the official sources:

Nearby trails

All 588 trails in Banff National Park

Town of Banff open data
Elevation © Mapterhorn from NRCan HRDEM (Open Government Licence Canada) and Copernicus GLO 30