There are plenty of hiking trails in Banff National Park. For the sake of real experience I have chosen what can be day-long events and excel in the grandeur spectacle presented by Banff.
C Level Cirque: Beyond the old Bankhead awaits a panoramic view of Lake Minnewanka. This leads into a pocket surrounded by the high ridges of Cascade Mountain, on each of the sides, with view of Mount Rundle and the Three Sisters. This is a breath taking trail and would call you to visit as many times as you can. This trail goes beyond a one time mine at the Bankhead site, which operated from 1903 to 1922. In good old days, as many as 2,200 people lived or worked in Bankhead. You can still spot the ventilation shafts ( fenced ) and a few remains. Following the trail you would climb the western view passing a mixed forest of lodgepole pine, spruce and at times, aspen. Beyond Lake Minnewanka, you would head into the subalpine forest before ending in a small cirque (it is like a circular ridge surrounding it making it a bowl shape). This is almost the highest portion of the valley providing a view that you would like to capture on your digital camera. You can look for calypso orchids. You will get the full view of the Bow Valley, upto Canmore and of course, the Three Sisters Mountain. You would gain an elevation of 1493 feet to make it 6298 feet. The one way distance would be about 2.5 miles. You can expect to see marmots and pika.
Tunnel Mountain: This, indeed, is a short and easy trail and offers very nice view of the town and its surroundings. This is the oldest trail in the park. You would go up the western side of Tunnel Mountain from a parking lot above The Banff Centre. The whole track transverses through lodgepole pine forest . You get pleasant glimpses of the town and the Vermillion Lakes. Your trail will pass through Douglas fir forest and would lead on to a ridge below the summit. You will get some excellent view of the Spray River Valley, the tabletop ridge of Mount Rundle, and the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. Since this summit is partially treed, so chance of getting a panoramic view is remote. You may stroll on either way of the summit for better view. To the west, the Town of Banff spreads out beneath you. You get an elevation of about 856 feet to reach 5500 feet. It is about 2.5 miles, one way. This is one of the easier hiking trails.
Other trails which can be a little more challenging and strenuous are:
The Cory Pass
The Sulphur Mountain
The Cascade AmphitheaterC Level Cirque: Beyond the old Bankhead awaits a panoramic view of Lake Minnewanka. This leads into a pocket surrounded by the high ridges of Cascade Mountain, on each of the sides, with view of Mount Rundle and the Three Sisters. This is a breath taking trail and would call you to visit as many times as you can. This trail goes beyond a one time mine at the Bankhead site, which operated from 1903 to 1922. In good old days, as many as 2,200 people lived or worked in Bankhead. You can still spot the ventilation shafts ( fenced ) and a few remains. Following the trail you would climb the western view passing a mixed forest of lodgepole pine, spruce and at times, aspen. Beyond Lake Minnewanka, you would head into the subalpine forest before ending in a small cirque (it is like a circular ridge surrounding it making it a bowl shape). This is almost the highest portion of the valley providing a view that you would like to capture on your digital camera. You can look for calypso orchids. You will get the full view of the Bow Valley, upto Canmore and of course, the Three Sisters Mountain. You would gain an elevation of 1493 feet to make it 6298 feet. The one way distance would be about 2.5 miles. You can expect to see marmots and pika.
Tunnel Mountain: This, indeed, is a short and easy trail and offers very nice view of the town and its surroundings. This is the oldest trail in the park. You would go up the western side of Tunnel Mountain from a parking lot above The Banff Centre. The whole track transverses through lodgepole pine forest . You get pleasant glimpses of the town and the Vermillion Lakes. Your trail will pass through Douglas fir forest and would lead on to a ridge below the summit. You will get some excellent view of the Spray River Valley, the tabletop ridge of Mount Rundle, and the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. Since this summit is partially treed, so chance of getting a panoramic view is remote. You may stroll on either way of the summit for better view. To the west, the Town of Banff spreads out beneath you. You get an elevation of about 856 feet to reach 5500 feet. It is about 2.5 miles, one way. This is one of the easier hiking trails.
Other trails which can be a little more challenging and strenuous are:
The Cory Pass
The Sulphur Mountain
For a hiker this place can present unforgetable natural beauty.
