Spray River West
Near Banff · Banff National Park
Trail score 66 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality
About this trail
Spray River West is a 19.4 km out and back trail near Banff in Banff National Park. It runs 9.7 km each way. The route gains 432 m in total and tops out at 1,533 m. Hike Alberta rates it moderate, and Parks Canada rates it easy. Allow about 6 hours of moving time. It meets Goat Creek Tr (TCT) at 0.7 km, and passes three other mapped junctions. At 9.6 km the trail forks. This route keeps right; the left fork is a 70 m side branch with the same name. The distance and climb above follow this route only, not its branches. Much of the route follows Spray River. Also used for trail running, mountain biking and horseback riding.
- Length
- 19.4km
- 9.7 km each way
- Elevation gain
- 432m
- Estimated time
- 6h
- Moving time
- Route
- Out and back
- Highest point
- 1,533m
- Lowest point
- 1,395m
Elevation profile
1,395 m to 1,533 mHighest point 1,533 m, lowest 1,395 m, 432 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 16% 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
- 0.0 kmSpray River West TrailheadTrailhead
Good for
- Hiking, Trail running, Mountain biking, Horseback riding, Cross country skiing
- Dog friendly (on leash)
- River or creek
Rankings
Trailhead
The trail starts at 51.1608° N, 115.5595° W.
Banff National Park admission
National park admission required
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.
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
- ValleyviewModerate · 3.0 km · 92 m gain · 0.1 km away
- Lower Sulphur Mountain TrailEasy · 3.1 km · 128 m gain · 0.1 km away
- Old Loop of Spray RiverEasy · 1.2 km · 14 m gain · 0.2 km away
- Spray QuarryEasy · 2.4 km · 35 m gain · 0.3 km away
- Banff Springs Hotel to RimrockModerate · 0.9 km · 41 m gain · 0.4 km away
- Bow Falls/ Banff Springs TrailsEasy · 0.9 km · 43 m gain · 0.4 km away
All 588 trails in Banff National Park
Parks Canada trail data, Open Government Licence Canada
Elevation © Mapterhorn from NRCan HRDEM (Open Government Licence Canada) and Copernicus GLO 30