Twin Cairns Meadows Park
Near Banff · Banff National Park
Trail score 70 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality
About this trail
Twin Cairns Meadows Park is a 9.2 km out and back trail near Banff in Banff National Park. It runs 4.6 km each way. The route gains 346 m in total and tops out at 2,344 m. Hike Alberta rates it moderate, and Parks Canada rates it moderate. Allow about 3 hours 15 minutes of moving time. It meets Citadel Pass Tr at 0.5 km, Twin Cairns Meadow Park Trail at 1.8 km and Sunshine Village Simpson Pass Trail at 3.1 km, and passes three other mapped junctions. Along the way you pass a gondola station and Monarch Viewpoint. Mad Trapper's Smokehouse, The Chimney Corner and Eagle's Nest Canadian Bistro are on the route. Also used for trail running.
- Length
- 9.2km
- 4.6 km each way
- Elevation gain
- 346m
- Estimated time
- 3h15min
- Moving time
- Route
- Out and back
- Highest point
- 2,344m
- Lowest point
- 2,165m
Elevation profile
2,165 m to 2,344 mHighest point 2,344 m, lowest 2,165 m, 346 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 19% 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
- 1.2 kmGondola or lift station
- 1.2 kmVillage StationGondola or lift station
- 1.2 kmGondola or lift station
- 1.2 kmMad Trapper's SmokehouseTea house or café
- 1.3 kmThe Chimney CornerTea house or café
- 1.3 kmEagle's Nest Canadian BistroTea house or café
- 1.3 kmJava Lift Coffee BarTea house or café
- 1.3 kmDay LodgeTea house or café
- 1.4 kmGondola or lift station
- 1.4 kmGondola or lift station
- 1.5 kmGondola or lift station
- 3.1 kmMonarch ViewpointViewpoint
Good for
- Hiking, Trail running
- Dog friendly (on leash)
- Views, Alpine
Trailhead
The trail starts at 51.0682° N, 115.7796° 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
- Citadel Pass TrHard · 18.1 km · 679 m gain · 1.1 km away
- Citadel PassModerate · 7.2 km · 340 m gain · 1.2 km away
- Twin Cairns Meadow Park TrailModerate · 8.1 km · 282 m gain · 1.3 km away
- Mount Howard Douglas RouteHard · 4.4 km · 653 m gain · 2.4 km away
- Lower Simpson PassModerate · 2.7 km · 151 m gain · 4.3 km away
- Healy PassModerate · 23.6 km · 1,086 m gain · 5.3 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