Three Day Banff Hiking Itinerary

Banff National Park is one of those premium hiking destinations like Yosemite and Zion, however Banff is absolutely massive and it can be daunting to even begin to plan your hikes or adventures.

I have lived in Banff for 11 years now and want to share some local tips on how to get the most out of your three day Banff trip, but be warned! This itinerary is for avid hikers only and you will be feeling it after day 3.

Day 1 -

Wake up EARLY hiking in Banff can be really busy, so the best times to go are early morning and late in the evening. Head straight to Lake Louise for one of my personal favourite hikes in all of Canada. The Devils thumb. This hike starts from the lakeshore and goes up until you are overlooking the entire valley, Lake Louise and Lake Agnes.

Sunrise from the devils Thumb

The hike to Lake agnes is super chill, right up until you get passed the tea house and behgin ascending up to the big bee hive. from the big bee hive you begin scrambling up, towards the thumb. This is about an additional hour on your hike up and back however it gives you some of the most stunning views you will see anywhere, and most importantly separates you from the crowds. After you descend from the Thumb you find yourself on the beehive once again, however rather than taking the now incredibly crowded route down via lake Agnes, you head down the other side of the big bee hive and towards the Plain Of Six Glaciers. This barely used side trail will be dead quiet and gives you a nice loop past 6 glaciers, another tea house and down back to the Lake shore of Louise.

Take some time to chill during the heat of the day then for sunset roll your way up Tunnel Mountain or Sleepy Buffalo as the locals call it. This short 1-2 hour hike is perfect to cap off day one and is super close to town and likely accessible from your hotel.

Sunrise in The Canadian Rockies

Day 2 -

Once again, get the fuck out of bed early and rip your way up the ice fields parkway almost to the boarder of Jasper National Park where you will find Parker Ridge. After yesterday, tackling Parker Ridge will feel like a breeze compared to Lake Louise but takes you up to overlook the absolutely stunning Saskatchewan Glacier.
The earlier you go the better as by midday this hike gets very crowded due to its easy access to view one of the most stunning glaciers in the rockies.

After descending the ridge back to your car, take a relaxed paced drive back down the Icefields Parkway towards the town of Banff and depending on your energy levels, you could hit some chill hikes like Peyto Lake, Bow Glacier Falls, Mistaya Canyon, Helen Lake or just enjoy the roadside scenery.

After taking some time to rest those legs, rip up Sulphur mountain for sunset. This classic Town of Banff hike is perfect because there is a gondola you can use to get down if you’re exhausted and also a bar/restaurant at the top to have a cheeky well deserved pint.

After making your way down, either by gondola or on foot. You are probably deserving a little soak in the Banff upper Hot Springs. Located just next to the parking lot for sulphur mountain.

Day 3 -

You may be starting to question your life choices at this point.
However, if the legs are working and you are eager for another peak. Let’s burn ourselves out completely on the last day and tackle the most famous mountain in Banff National Park. Cascade.
This iconic Banff mountain sits directly north from Banff Ave and towers over the townsite. Its iconic peak is known the world over and there’s nothing I like more than seeing a commercial for the Canadian Rockies and having the less than humble brag of knowing I conquered it.

This hike starts from the Mt Norquay parking lot and while it is regularly trafficked, it will not be crazy busy at all. Set aside a minimum of 6 hours for this one, and when at the top enjoy the absolutely immaculate views over the entire valley all the way from Mt Assiniboine to the Prairies.

After taking on Cascade it’s unlikely you will have another hike in you for your last day, and I would highly recommend spending the day simply enjoying the Banff Townsite. Strolling around the river, checking out the stores and restaurants before your miserably painful flight home the following day.

Things to know:

This is Avalanche country. Always keep your eyes up and if you have to cross snowy sections, know before you go. A section of snow could have been traversed 100 times that day already but can still slide at a moments notice once the sun hits it.

This is also bear country. There are over 120 known bears in Banff National Park and you should always carry bear spray when hiking and most importantly, know how to use it..

Even though you will likely be in relative safety on all of the hikes listed above, some sort of communication device like an inreach is essential out here. Hello rescues are free if they are required (unlike in our neighbouring nation to the south) and a communication device might just save your life.

Pack more water than you need, I generally take a minimum of two litres of water on any hike, more for a peak like cascade. More water is better in any circumstance.

Layers, oh the never ending saga while hiking out here of removing and adding layers. Weather is fickle here so rain coats are essential on any adventure, but a good puffy and outerwear trousers are light, packable and worth the extra weight.

Snacks, just take some time to prepare food. it will be worth it. Trust me.