Hike Alberta
Day LodgeMonarch Viewpoint 500 m N
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Twin Cairns Meadow Park Trail

Near Banff · Banff National Park

Moderate · Out and back

Trail score 61 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality

Day LodgeMonarch Viewpoint 1 km Open the map

About this trail

Twin Cairns Meadow Park Trail is a 8.1 km out and back trail near Banff in Banff National Park. It runs 4.1 km each way. The route gains 282 m in total and tops out at 2,344 m. Hike Alberta rates it moderate. Allow about 2 hours 45 minutes of moving time. It meets Sunshine Village Simpson Pass Trail at 1.6 km, and passes five other mapped junctions. Along the way you pass a gondola station and Monarch Viewpoint. Day Lodge is on the route, at the start. Also used for trail running.

Length
8.1km
4.1 km each way
Elevation gain
282m
Estimated time
2h45min
Moving time
Route
Out and back
Highest point
2,344m
Lowest point
2,164m

Elevation profile

2,164 m to 2,344 m
2,3442,164 0 km4.1 km

Highest point 2,344 m, lowest 2,164 m, 282 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 19% over 100 m.

Predicted coverage: 78% of route

0% LTE · 78% 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. 0.0 kmGondola or lift station
  2. 0.0 kmGondola or lift station
  3. 0.0 kmDay LodgeTea house or café
  4. 0.1 kmGondola or lift station
  5. 1.6 kmMonarch ViewpointViewpoint

Good for

  • Hiking, Trail running
  • Dog friendly (on leash)
  • Views, Alpine

Trailhead

The trail starts at 51.0798° N, 115.7824° 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

Trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL
Elevation © Mapterhorn from NRCan HRDEM (Open Government Licence Canada) and Copernicus GLO 30