1. Cascade
Ponds
(5 km from Banff)
Picnic shelters and fire boxes,
open meadows, clear shallow pools, and a small
beach make this a favourite with locals and
visitors alike.
2. Bankhead
(8 km from Banff)
A coal mine in a national park? It
wouldn ’t be allowed today, but if you had
been here 80 years ago you’d have seen a
bustling, modern community (upper Bankhead) and a
thriving industrial centre (lower Bankhead). Now
you can discover what happened to this ghost town
as you wander among the ruins, along the 1.1 km
interpretive loop trail at lower Bankhead. Upper
Bankhead is a peaceful spot for picnickers, and a
trailhead for hikers.
3. Lake Minnewanka
(10 km from Banff)
It ’s Banff’s biggest
lake, and a popular day use area with picnic
shelters and a playground. During the summer
there are commercial boat tours (403-762-3473)
and guided fishing trips. Bighorn sheep
are often seen here -- please do not feed them.
4. Two Jack Lake
(12 km from Banff)
A pleasant spot for a picnic or a
paddle.
5. Johnson Lake
(14 km from Banff)
There is an easy trail around this
shallow lake, good wildlife-watching
opportunities, picnic tables and a small beach
6. Sunshine
Meadows
(15 km from Banff;
403-678-4099)
From the ski area parking lot you
can walk or take the bus service up a
steep 5 km road to the ski area (END JUN - END SEP). A selection of
fine trails lead to stunning viewpoints, through
vast alpine meadows full of wildflowers. Explore
them yourself, or take a guided hike.
7. Johnston Canyon
(25 km from Banff)
A paved trail and exciting
catwalks lead into this canyon and to two
thundering waterfalls. It is 1.1 km to the Lower
Falls (wheelchair accessible), and 2.7 km to the
Upper Falls. For safety ’s sake, stay on the
trail and away from the edge! Interpretive signs
explain how and when the canyon was formed, and
the unique habitat that has been created by the
force of water on rock. |
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8. Crowfoot Glacier
(34 km from Lake Louise)
A beautiful pale-blue
glacier visible from the highway, it was named a
century ago when three toes of ice clung to the
cliff. Today there are only two.
9. Bow Summit
and Peyto Lake
(40 km from Lake Louise)
Bow Summit is the highest
point on the parkway, at 2088 m above sea level.
You are near treeline here, surrounded by alpine
meadow. A short walk from the parking area leads
to a viewpoint overlooking the blue-green Peyto
Lake and, in July and August, an astonishing
array of alpine flowers.
10.
Mistaya Canyon
(72 km from Lake Louise)
Only ten minutes by trail
from the road, the Mistaya River narrows into a
twisting canyon. Look for rounded potholes and a
natural arch on the canyon sides.
11. Saskatchewan River Crossing
(77 km from Lake Louise)
Site of the old horse ford
across the North Saskatchewan, the Crossing is
close to the junction of three rivers. One of
these, the Howse, was the route used in 1807 by
fur trader and explorer David Thompson to cross
the Great Divide. Today ’s David Thompson
Highway (#11) leads east from the Crossing to
Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site,
where you can learn all about the days of the fur
trade.
12. Parker Ridge
(120 km from Lake Louise)
Enjoy this ideal
opportunity to experience the alpine zone.
Sweeping mountain vistas, an outstanding view of
the Saskatchewan Glacier, alpine flowers, and the
chance to see ptarmigan and goats, are some of
the attractions for those who take this steep
(250 m elevation gain), but short (2.4 km round
trip) hike. Please stay on the trail, and bring
along warm clothing. |
