Banff

Banff is the name of a legendary national park, and the name of a charming alpine town in the heart of the majestic Rockies at an altitude of 1,380 metres.

Look around you: with its backdrop of mountains, glaciers, forests, rivers and alpine meadows, you will quickly understand why Banff is considered a "must-see" destination to add to any Canadian Rockies road trip.

The Town of Banff

The town's main thoroughfare, Banff Avenue, is teeming with boutiques and restaurants. With the impressive Cascade Mountain looming in the background, you will feel like you have stepped into a picture postcard.

Highway 1A (Banff to Lake Louise)

Along the way to Lake Louise you have a good chance of seeing wildlife beside the road, such as black bears, elk and grizzly bears. For the best chance of sightings, try to travel early in the morning or at the end of the day, when the animals come closer to the road to feed.

Johnston Canyon

Distance (round-trip): 2.2 km
Time (round-trip): 1 hour
Level: Easy
Elevation gain: 30 m

Johnston Canyon, one of the most popular day hikes in Banff National Park, is 30 minutes from the Town of Banff. Its easily accessible location close to Highway 1A, as well as the beauty of Johnston Creek and its waterfalls, makes it a choice destination for visitors and hiking enthusiasts. You will be able to appreciate the power of the water as it rushes and plunges through the canyon. This 2.2-km round-trip hike to the lower falls is considered easy (elevation gain of 30 metres) and takes about 1 hour (round trip).

Cave and Basin National Historic Site

Cave and Basin is the birthplace of Canada's National Park system, created in the early 1900s after three railway workers stumbled upon a cave full of "liquid gold" in 1883.

Pay a visit to this fascinating site with more than 13,000 years of history, where you will have the chance to walk through a magnificent underground cave and admire its natural beauty. Experience nature, culture and history and learn about the origins of the region's hot springs. You can even dip your hands in the steamy mineral waters.

The site offers free discovery tours led by naturalist guides (daily at 1:30 pm). You can also take a guided lantern tour after dark (Saturday nights from June to September).

Open daily from mid-May to mid-October from 9:30 am to 5 pm and 11 am to 5 pm the rest of the year.

Gondola to Sulphur Mountain

The Banff Gondola will whisk you up to the summit of Sulphur Mountain, an elevation of 2,281 metres, in just 8 minutes, where you will experience jaw-dropping mountain views. Take in the 360^o panoramas from the observation deck or take a stroll along the Ridgetop Boardwalk where the views get better with every step. To avoid the crowds in high season, it is best to take the Gondola before 11 am or after 5 pm.

Open daily from 9 am to 8:30 pm from mid-April to mid-May, 8 am to 9:30 pm from mid-May to late June and 8 am to 10:30 pm from late June to early September. Reduced schedule in low season.

Hiking on Sulphur Mountain

Distance (round-trip): 11 km
Time (round-trip): 4 hours
Level: Difficult
Elevation gain: 655 m

Hiking enthusiasts may prefer to take the 5.5-kilometre trail (one way) with an elevation gain of 655 metres (a 4 hour round trip). The trail starts from Upper Hot Springs, 1 Mountain Avenue, Banff.

Upper Hot Springs

Soak in the steamy hot mineral waters where travelers have come to “take the waters” for more than a century. Upper Hot Springs is a public pool filled with natural hot springs water. Located just outside of Banff on the slopes of Sulphur Mountain, the springs offer spectacular views of the Bow Valley, from an elevation of 1,585 metres. Early in the morning is the best time for a truly relaxing experience!

Open Friday-Tuesday from 10 am to 6 pm. Hours may vary. Visit the website for more information.