Secrets of Banff – The Swing
Secrets of Banff – The Swing
Banff National Park, Alberta
It is with much reluctance that I share this Banff secret with you faithful reader(s). Within a very short drive from Banff town, you take the first turn off before the Sunshine Village exit and head towards Johnston Canyon. After a few gorgeous twists and turns on the road and a few baby deer’s – possibly called Bambi – hopping along the side path, you will see a turn off for Muleshoe. During spring, it is empty and you will be surrounded by complete serenity and possibly angry bears waking from hibernation. Grab your hiking shoes and get ready for a short, fairly simple but ultimately rewarding hike.
The Swing is a local Banff secret and it is nothing short of stunning.
Walk back across the road and head uphill until you see a trail. From here, just keep walking up. By the way, if possible wait until a clear blue day as the sights are best seen and the river sparkles with the sunlight from a distance. Though a fairly easy hike, it is all uphill to start with and it can be a bit slippy if you don’t have shoes with some form of grip on them. The walk only takes about 15 or 20 minutes and before you know it; there it is in all its glory hung around a tree – the most scenic swing in the world.
Don’t ask me about the origin of this swing. Some say it was fairies playing who forgot about it, others leprechauns. Personally, I think it was probably a few guys who were handy with a piece of wood. The swing is set on a perfect slope with a clearing of trees in front of it and one of the most peaceful and gorgeous scenes in front of you. There is a little wooden setup to take photos and wow do the photos turn out good! It looks like you are swinging off a cliff with nothing below you. Stunning! Sometimes after a few hours hiking in the Canadian Rockies and around Banff, you are rewarded with great sights. Well, after a 10 minute drive, 15 minute walk – this is the ultimate. But shhh don’t tell anyone!
