We’ve called the Canadian Rocky Mountains “home” for the last 4 years (plus the 7 years we lived in Calgary, which is just 1.5 hours away), and over that time , we have discovered a lot of great hiking! If you’re new to hiking, it’s great to start off easy. Here is a list of our top 5 beginner friendly hikes in the Canmore and Banff area:
1.Tunnel Mountain
Tunnel Mountain is a local favorite that you can access right from Banff Town. It takes about 30 minutes to get up and you gain elevation quickly and get a good workout as well as a great view! If you are new to hiking, but want a fantastic view of Banff and the surrounding valley, this is a great place to start!
2. Grassi Lakes
Grassi Lakes is located just outside of Canmore, past the Nordic Center and the Quarry. There are 2 different routes that you can take: the hard one or the easy one. Both get you to the same place, they just enter and exit at a slightly different place.
We’ve always opted for the hard route up, and it’s not super hard – still very beginner friendly! It takes between 30 minutes and an hour to get up, and once you have reached the beautiful lakes, you have the option to sit and have a snack or take a break, or continuing hiking further on.
Not only do you get a fabulous view of Grassi Lakes, you also get a great view into Canmore and the valley. All the trails are well marked and well used, and this is a great option for people who are new to hiking.
3. Johnston Canyon
Johnston Canyon is located just past Banff en route to Sunshine mountain. There are tons of signs so you can’t miss the turn off! Once you arrive you walk on a well marked path, crossing over bridges and on walkways over the water. You walk through the beautiful canyon, and after about 30 minutes will reach the Lower Falls. You can continue onwards to the Upper Falls, and then also have the option to hike about 3km onwards to the Ink Pots, which are beautifully colored pools in an incredible valley.
We love this hike because there are a variety of different options for all skill levels and you can choose your own adventure as you go! We would recommend going all the way to the Ink Pots. Because Johnston Canyon is quite popular, it gets quite busy, and you’ll leave most of the tourists behind when you head up to the Ink Pots.
Regardless of what you choose, you will see some incredible views and have tons of opportunities to take beautiful photos!
4. Sundance Canyon
Sundance Canyon is one of the hikes that is accessible from the Cave and Basin right in Banff Town. You walk for about 3km on a paved, well marked path that runs beside the river and has incredible views of the surrounding mountains. The path slants slightly uphill so if you walk quickly, you can still get a decent work out!
Once the paved path ends, you’ll get onto a really nice loop that takes you through the canyon where you can see some beautiful rock formations, waterfalls and views of the mountains. This part of the hike was by far our favorite, and we would definitely recommend not skipping this!
5. Lake Louise Shoreline Trail
When you arrive at Lake Louise, you’ll be greeted by an incredible view of the mountains and the glacial lake! You’ll also be greeted by a ton of people. Keep walking!
You can actually walk the entirety of the lake, all the way to the other side and along the way you will get some incredible views. If you are looking for a good beginner friendly hike, this is a great place to start.
There are also a ton of great hikes right from Lake Louise that we love, including Lake Agnes Tea House, Plain of Six Glaciers, and Little Beehive. All are moderate hikes, but are worth it if you’re up for the challenge!
We’re curious – what are some of your favorite beginner friendly hikes?
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