These 7 gorgeous hikes near Banff will provide amazing opportunities to see the beautiful lakes, hike in spectacular mountain valleys and provide awesome chances to view wildlife. Lake Louise and Moraine Lake will showcase gorgeous mountains for you to capture on your phone or camera. Banff Tours will highlight popular sightseeing attractions in the region and the chance to walk around the town to explore the variety of shops and restaurants. Going on the guided glacier sightseeing tour along the Icefield Parkway will showcase the vast scenery of Banff National Park. There are so many awesome tours available depending on your interests.
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Lake Louise & Moraine Lake Discovery Tour
Lake Louise and Moraine Lake Discovery Tour is awesome! You’ll get to experience two breathtaking lakes in the Lake Louise area while also enjoying a hike to Consolation Lakes with an experienced local guide. Get picked up at your Banff hotel at 8 A.M. for $150 per adult and transported to Lake Louise and back.
Lake Louise
Get your picture taken at the famous Lake Louise with the gorgeous mountain backdrop. You’ll spend approximately one hour at this spot (including bathroom breaks) to walk around half the lake’s perimeter to enjoy the magnificent views and take as many pictures as you’d like.
Tip: This location will have hundreds of people as it’s an extremely popular spot. Pack your patience. Try to angle your camera not to include other tourists or take turns to capture that perfect shot. But worst case, if you end up with someone in your picture, remove them with Photoshop.
Moraine Lake
The best pictures of Moraine Lake are taken on the rock pile. Again, a zillion people will be standing near you in the daytime in the summer. But, after waiting patiently, you’ll get your million-dollar photo! I mean check out the gorgeous blue lake behind me! There isn’t, in my opinion, a better shot than having the stunning Moraine Lake behind me! It’s absolutely gorgeous and well worth the wait. You don’t want to miss out on this picture.
Tip #1: Tourists can no longer access Moraine Lake on their own. You must take a shuttle to access this lake. Taking the Lake Louise & Moraine Lake Discovery Tour is the perfect way to participate in hikes near Banff without having to drive!
Tip #2: I really stand out by wearing an orange coat against the blue water. If you want the same effect, make sure to wear a bright colour so that you pop out and end up with the same stunning pictures. Avoid wearing blue or green!
Consolation Lakes
Before starting the Consolation Lakes hike, you’ll encounter this sign recommending you to only continue in this area if you have a group of four or more hikers as there are often bears in the area. A group is likely to be noisier and scare a bear away as opposed to quietly hiking on your own. Group access is recommended for your safety.
Rock Pile
Our amazing guide Pablo with White Mountain Adventures led us to Consolation Lakes. He did an awesome job checking in on us making sure everyone was comfortable with the hiking pace and ensuring we got enough breaks throughout the trip. He also broke down the trail into four different parts explaining what to expect at each stage. This helped us to live in each moment. Once we passed that step, he’d inform us and explain what to expect next.
Tip: The start of the trail can look daunting with the rock pile and might turn people away not feeling confident to keep going. Rest assured that the rock pile is only at the beginning and it quickly turns into a path after these rocks.
Steady Incline
It starts as a slow incline and proceeds to get a bit steeper the further along the trail you go.
Consolation Lakes is mostly an easy six-kilometre hike with some moderate difficulty as you hike through the initial rock section. After your hard work, you’ll be rewarded with stupendous views while you eat a delicious lunch prepared by White Mountain Adventures.
As you can see from the picture above, wearing my purple long-sleeved shirt instead of my orange coat made it hard to stand out against the green and blue in the background. Wear bright colours such as orange, yellow or red to stand out in the mountains.
Gorgeous Lakes
We were encouraged to stay close and not venture on the rocks to prevent injury and the possibility of rolling an ankle. I was able to walk a few steps forward onto a higher rock to take this picture highlighting the lake.
Having never done this hike before, it was a pleasant hike with some incline to get some exercise and appreciate the nice views once at the top. It was an amazing trip to meet wonderful people from the United States and spend time with our wonderful knowledgeable guide while enjoying our beautiful outdoors. The Lake Louise and Moraine Lake Discovery Tour must be included in your hikes near Banff.
Larch Valley is a breathtaking hike that departs from Moraine Lake if you want to see the golden yellow larches in the fall. Read 4 Best Larch Hikes for more details.
Ultimate Wildlife Tour around Banff
The ultimate wildlife tour around Banff shows you the hidden gems near Banff including the Mount Norquay Lookout as seen in the picture above. You’ll have viewing opportunities to see their wildlife in a short amount of time if you already have a packed schedule. You might get a chance to see bighorn sheep, deer, coyotes, elk or bears if you’re lucky. You’ll get picked up and dropped off from your hotel in Banff starting at 6:30 P.M. for a three-hour tour at $136.50 per adult.
Some spots you’ll see include the popular Lake Minnewanka (pictured above), Two Jack Lake, Hoodoos, and Bow Falls. You’ll have the chance to walk around and capture beautiful pictures of the area. Your guide can take pictures of you as well if you’d like. It’s a fantastic tour to see the popular attractions around Banff.
Guided Tour of Waterfalls, Lakes and Mountains of Banff
This eight-hour tour for $230 per adult starts at 8:30 A.M. at the Mount Royal Hotel, your pick-up location. The first of many hikes near Banff include Johnston Canyon, pictured above. You’ll get the opportunity to hike and explore the canyon for around one and a half hours. The trip will continue to Vermilion Lakes, Cascade of Time Garden, the town of Banff, Sulfur Mountain, Bow Falls and the Hoodoos Trail. Taking the optional gondola up Sulfur Mountain will provide a breathtaking view of Banff. Ample time will be given to explore the area and take many pictures of the surrounding mountains. You’ll also get to visit the restaurants, cafés and shops in the town of Banff making it the perfect tour with a mix of outdoor play and vibrant culture.
Guided Hike at Sunshine Meadows
Sunshine Meadows needs to be included in your next hikes near Banff! This guided hike costs $171 per adult ticket and includes transportation to and from Banff, a gondola ticket, a guide for the hike and a picnic lunch. You’ll see the rich landscape filled with spectacular views and wildflowers. The hike will take five to six hours to accomplish twelve kilometres, with a 300-metre elevation gain. You’ll appreciate being able to look around three hundred and sixty degrees. There are so many trails in the area to explore. Sunshine Meadows connects to the gorgeous backcountry trails for backpacking. It’s definitely one of my favourite spots to go hiking. You don’t want to miss this hike.
Hiking to the Plain of Six Glaciers from Lake Louise, near Banff
Hikes near Banff include the Plain of Six Glaciers which is a 14.6-kilometre in-and-out trail that starts near the Lake Louise Hotel. It’s a popular trail for hikers. It offers a steady incline with an elevation gain of 514 m (1,686 feet) as you head up into the mountains away from the lake. It offers beautiful scenery with the mountains and glaciers surrounding you.
Alpine Air Adventures will take you on this five to seven-hour hike for $209 per person. You won’t have to worry about following the signs as the guide will lead you. Focus on enjoying the day in our beautiful mountains. Make sure to take a camera with you so you can take lots of pictures!
Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse
There is a tea house that is open in the early summer. They serve light lunches, treats and beverages made fresh daily on propane stoves.
Tip: They don’t have electricity at this teahouse and prefer Canadian cash as payment. They accept credit cards but you’ll need to pay an additional $4.00 fee for processing payments.
Items are flown in by helicopter at the beginning of the season or by staff that hike up the trail with backpacks. Use limited toilet paper in the outhouses to prevent staff from carrying large amounts with them.
Experience this amazing hike with a local guide to steer you in the right direction while appreciating the local scenery. Enjoy being transported from point A to B so you can relax and have fun in the moment.
Guided Glacier Sightseeing Tour along the Icefield Parkway from Banff
Waterfowl Lakes
The eight-hour sightseeing tour includes Peyto Lake, Bow Lake and Waterfowl Lakes (as seen in the picture above). This is a spectacular place to go camping, kayaking and camping to get away from the city for a couple of days. It’s a serene place that you’ll be happy to check out.
The Columbia Icefields are also included in this tour. The glacier will take your breath away. Additional locations might be added depending on the schedule, the guide and the weather. It costs $262.50 per adult. A shuttle will pick you up at your Banff hotel at 8:30 A.M. and proceed to Highway 93 along the Icefields Parkway. You will have the opportunity to explore and hike at these locations if you wish or sit near the lakes and appreciate the scenery. Lunch is provided for an additional $19 per person to eat with your guide at one of these locations.
Athabasca Glacier (part of the Columbia Icefields)
You’ll be able to see parts of the Athabasca Glacier on your tour. If you’d like a more in-depth tour of the glacier, the Athabasca Glacier Hiking guide will provide all the details you need to accomplish this trip.
The guided glacier sightseeing tour along the Icefield Parkway from Banff is absolutely spectacular. It has gorgeous views of the mountains, valleys, lakes, and glaciers. I’d highly recommend this trip.
Guided Sightseeing Tour in Yoho and Kootenay National Parks
This guided sightseeing tour in Yoho and Kootenay National Parks is an awesome way to see two different parks in a short amount of time. It costs $262.50 per adult. The shuttle will pick you up at your chosen hotel in either Banff or Lake Louise at 8:30 A.M. This eight-hour tour encompasses Emerald Lake (pictured above). It’s a popular place for kayaking, canoeing and hiking around the lake and up in the alpine meadows. There are many cabins along the lake if you wish to stay for a few nights.
Takkakaw Falls, as you can see in the picture is big and majestic even from far away. The hikes near Banff included these lovely hiking trails that you’ll get to explore for one hour.
Spiral Tunnels and the Natural Bridge will be stops included in the Yoho National Park tour. These landmarks are top picks for tourists to see in Alberta and British Columbia. Don’t worry, there will be plenty of time to take pictures and see the area without rushing. You’ll enjoy a prepared lunch for an additional $19 or bring your own lunch if you prefer.
You’ll continue to Kootenay National Park where you’ll see Marble Canyon before heading back. It will be a tour of a lifetime that you won’t regret. Book now!
Final Thoughts
These awesome guided hikes near Banff will provide you with so much awe of our majestic mountains and landscapes. So many wonderful tours will take your breath away as you embark on hikes to see lakes, stunning backdrops and glaciers in Banff National Park. There are wilderness opportunities to experience and these tours will provide a nice taste of what the outdoors near Banff offers. You’ll get to hike up mountains or along lakes and have a picnic with strangers. You might become good friends after your day together. Share your experience and create lasting memories that you’ll remember for years to come. Time to get planning! What tour will fill your needs to explore and capture as many sights as possible? When you decide, have a fantastic trip!
Additional Links
- Guide to Four Seasons in Banff National Park
- Crazy Outdoor Activities for a Thrill of a Lifetime
- Nice Weekend Getaway Near Me
- 23 Summer Outdoor Adventures in Alberta
- 9 Extraordinary Winter Wonderland Banff National Park Activities
Trip Resources
- Book your flights with Expedia
- Book your hotel with Booking.com or Hotels.com
- Book your hostel through Hostelworld.com
- Book your vacation rental with Vrbo
- Book your experiences through TripAdvisor, Viator or Manawa
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