Trail conditions
ATTENTION: There are closures and restrictions in place to help limit the spread of COVID-19. Please review these changes before visiting the park.
Important information
Please be aware that your experience in Banff National Park will differ from previous years. Only places and activities where health and safety risks can be managed will be available for visitation. We are asking visitors to be cautious and conservative in their use of these places, to observe travel restrictions, respect closures, follow the guidance of public health experts, and to make every effort to keep one another safe.
Be extra cautious when engaging in any activities to avoid injury and/or getting lost to help minimize the demands placed on emergency response, search and rescue teams, and on the health care system.
CAUTION! Avalanche danger
You are responsible for your own safety. Check the Avalanche Bulletin for the latest conditions.
Vehicle parking is limited to designated areas only. Roadside parking is prohibited. Signage and monitoring will be used throughout the park to inform the public of parking restrictions and encourage compliance.
Dogs are allowed on all trails in the summer unless otherwise specified in trail restrictions and closures. Refer to the information below to find out about any special restrictions. Keep dogs on leash and under physical control at all times.
Wildlife and you
When you see wildlife, give them space for your safety and their survival. If you’re out on the trails, travel in tight groups, stay alert, make noise, carry bear spray and know how to use it.
Closures and restrictions
For a complete list of ongoing closures and restrictions, please visit our Important Bulletins page.
For more information, please contact us:
Banff: 403-762-1550
Lake Louise: 403-522-3833
Share your trail pictures
Have you been hiking in the last few days? Share a few pictures with us as well as your impressions. This will help us keep this report accurate for other hikers.
Town of Banff Area
While on the trails, please behave responsibly and practice physical distancing. Safety is a shared responsibility. Let’s work together to keep Banff National Park safe.
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Easy |
Marsh Loop | Poor. | 15-10-2021: Frequent Horse Use; Wet and muddy sections; Icy sections.; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Fenland Trail | Good. | 15-10-2021: Icy sections.; Wet and muddy sections; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Healy Creek Trail | Fair. | 15-10-2021: Frequent Horse Use; Icy sections.; Wet and muddy sections; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Tunnel Campground Loop | Good. | 15-10-2021: Icy sections.; Wet and muddy sections; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Banff Legacy Trail: Banff–Banff East Gate | Variable conditions. | 15-10-2021: Mainly dry; Icy sections.; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Banff Legacy Trail: Vermilion Lakes–Bow Valley Parkway | Variable conditions. | 15-10-2021: Mainly dry; Icy sections.; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Spray River West Trail | Wet and muddy sections. | 13-10-2021: Wet and muddy sections; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Spray River East Trail | Wet and muddy sections. | 13-10-2021: Wet and muddy sections; | Trail details |
 Moderate |
Sulphur Mountain Trail | Winter conditions. | 15-10-2021: Snow at high elevation ; Compact snow; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Goat Creek Trail | Wet and muddy sections. | 13-10-2021: Wet and muddy sections; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Tunnel Mountain Summit Trail | Variable conditions. | 15-10-2021: Wet and muddy sections; Icy sections.; Snow at high elevation ; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Sulphur Mountain Westside Trail | Closed. | 15-10-2021: Closed until further notice; Adhere to all posted warnings and closures along trails; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Sundance Canyon Trail | Good. | 15-10-2021: Icy sections.; Wet and muddy sections; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Surprise Corner to Hoodoos Trail | Wet and muddy sections. | 13-10-2021: Wet and muddy sections; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Cascade Amphitheatre Trail | Variable conditions. | 15-10-2021: Wet and muddy sections; Icy sections.; Snow at high elevation ; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Upper Stoney Trail | Variable conditions. | 15-10-2021: Wet and muddy sections; Icy sections.; Snow at high elevation ; | Trail details |
Lake Minnewanka Area
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Legacy Trail to Cascade Ponds | Good. | 15-10-2021: Mainly dry; Caution: Icy section under bridge; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Johnson Lake Loop | Good. | 15-10-2021: Mainly dry; Icy sections.; Deadfall on trail; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Cascade Ponds Loop | Wet. | 13-10-2021: Trail is in good condition; | |
| Easy |
Lower Bankhead Interpretive Trail | Good. | 15-10-2021: Mainly dry; Wet and muddy sections; | |
| Easy |
Stewart Canyon Trail | Good. | 15-10-2021: Mainly dry; Adhere to all posted warnings and closures along trails; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
C-Level Cirque Trail | Variable conditions. | 15-10-2021: Snow at high elevation ; Icy sections.; Avalanche risk, use caution; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Lake Minnewanka Trail: Stewart Canyon–Aylmer Pass Junction | Wet. | 13-10-2021: Wet and muddy sections; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Lake Minnewanka Trail: Aylmer Pass Junction–Devil's Gap | Wet. | 13-10-2021: Numerous trees down on trail; Wet and muddy sections; | Trail details |
 Difficult |
Aylmer Lookout Trail | Variable conditions. | 15-10-2021: Wet and muddy sections; Icy sections.; Snow at high elevation ; | Trail details |
| Difficult |
Aylmer Pass Trail | Not recommended. | 15-10-2021: Snow at high elevation ; Avalanche risk, use caution; | Trail details |
Cascade/Sawback Area
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Cascade Valley Trail: Trailhead–Cascade River bridge | Wet. | 13-10-2021: Deadfall on trail; Wet and muddy sections; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Cascade Valley Trail: Cascade River bridge–Stoney Creek | Wet. | 13-10-2021: Wet and muddy sections; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Edith Pass Trail | Fair. | 15-10-2021: Bridge(s) out; Numerous trees down on trail; Wet and muddy sections; Snow at high elevation ; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Forty Mile Creek Trail | Variable conditions. | 15-10-2021: Wet and muddy sections; Snow at high elevation ; | |
| Moderate |
Ink Pots–Luellen Lake | Fair. | 13-10-2021: Trail washed out in sections; Deadfall on trail; Wet and muddy sections; | Trail details |
Bow Valley/Castle Junction Area
The Bow Valley Parkway is open to vehicle traffic.
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Difficult |
Cory Pass Loop | Fair. | 13-10-2021: Bridge(s) out; Hazardous trees; Wet and muddy sections; Fresh snow; Snow at high elevation ; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Bourgeau Lake Trail: Trailhead–Bourgeau Lake | Fair. | 13-10-2021: Wet and muddy sections; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Bourgeau Lake Trail: Bourgeau Lake–Harvey Pass | Not recommended. | 15-10-2021: Fresh snow; Snow at high elevation ; Avalanche risk, use caution; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Boom Lake Trail | Variable conditions. | 15-10-2021: Wet and muddy sections; Icy sections.; Snow covered sections; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Johnston Canyon Trail | Good. | 15-10-2021: Wet and muddy sections; Icy sections.; Respect all posted notices and signs; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Ink Pots Trail | Fair. | 15-10-2021: Respect all posted notices and signs; Snow covered sections; Icy sections.; Wet and muddy sections; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Silverton Falls Trail | Caution | 13-10-2021: Use caution; Stay on trail; Wet and muddy sections; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Rockbound Lake Trail | Snow covered with wet, muddy and slippery sections. | 15-10-2021: Snow at high elevation ; Avalanche danger at high altitude; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Vista Lake / Arnica Lake / Twin Lakes Trail: Trailhead–Vista Lake | Wet. | 13-10-2021: Wet and muddy sections; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Vista Lake / Arnica Lake / Twin Lakes Trail: Vista Lake–Arnica Lake | Fair. | 15-10-2021: Wet and muddy sections; Icy sections.; Snow at high elevation ; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Vista Lake / Arnica Lake / Twin Lakes Trail: Arnica Lake–Twin Lakes | Fair. | 15-10-2021: Wet and muddy sections; Icy sections.; Snow at high elevation ; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Castle Lookout | Wet and muddy sections. | 13-10-2021: Snow at high elevation ; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Smith Lake Trail | Wet. | 13-10-2021: Wet and muddy sections; | |
| Moderate |
Twin Lakes Trail | Wet and muddy sections. | 13-10-2021: Snow at high elevation ; | Trail details |
Egypt Lake Area
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Sunshine Meadows / Rock Isle Lake Trail | Snowbound. | 15-10-2021: Gondola closed; Parking lot closed due to construction; Fresh snow; Snow at high elevation ; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Redearth Creek Trail | Fair. | 13-10-2021: Wet and muddy sections; | |
| Moderate |
Healy Pass Trail | Snow covered with wet, muddy and slippery sections. | 15-10-2021: Snow at high elevation ; Parking lot closed due to construction; Gondola closed; | Trail details |
Lake Louise Area
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Louise Creek | Good. | 17-10-2021: Wet and muddy sections; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Bow River Loop | Good. | 17-10-2021: Bears frequenting the area; Respect all posted notices and signs; Wet and muddy sections; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Lake Louise Lakeshore | Good. | 17-10-2021: Wet and muddy sections; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Tramline Trail | Good. | 17-10-2021: Wet and muddy sections; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Great Divide | Good. | 17-10-2021: Wet and muddy sections; | |
| Moderate |
Lake Agnes | Fair. | 17-10-2021: Stay on trail; Wet and muddy sections; Icy sections.; Snow covered sections; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Big Beehive Lookout | Caution | 17-10-2021: Extensive trail erosion; Stay on designated trails and viewpoints; Wet and muddy sections; Snow at high elevation ; Icy sections.; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Little Beehive | Fair. | 17-10-2021: Stay on trail; Wet and muddy sections; Snow at high elevation ; Icy sections.; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Mirror Lake Highline | Fair. | 17-10-2021: Stay on trail; Wet and muddy sections; Snow at high elevation ; | |
| Moderate |
Big Beehive to Plain of Six Glacier Trail | Fair. | 17-10-2021: Stay on trail; Wet and muddy sections; Snow at high elevation ; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Plain of Six Glaciers Trail | Fair. | 17-10-2021: Stay on trail; Wet and muddy sections; Snow at high elevation ; Icy sections.; | Trail details |
| Difficult |
Fairview Mountain | Poor. | 17-10-2021: Stay on trail; Wet and muddy sections; Icy sections.; Snow at high elevation ; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Highline/Plain of Six Glaciers Connector | Fair. | 17-10-2021: Stay on trail; Wet and muddy sections; Snow at high elevation ; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Fairview Lookout | Fair. | 17-10-2021: Stay on trail; Wet and muddy sections; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Saddleback trail | Poor. | 17-10-2021: Stay on trail; Wet and muddy sections; Snow at high elevation ; | Trail details |
| Difficult |
Sheol/Paradise Connector | Fair. | 17-10-2021: Stay on trail; Wet and muddy sections; Snow at high elevation ; | Trail details |
| Difficult |
Ross Lake Trail | Caution | 17-10-2021: Be careful fording rivers and streams; Wet and muddy sections; | Trail details |
| Difficult |
Taylor Lake | Fair. | 17-10-2021: Stay on trail; Wet and muddy sections; Snow at high elevation ; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Pipestone | Fair. | 17-10-2021: Stay on trail; Wet and muddy sections; | Trail details |
Paradise Valley Area
Moraine Lake Road is closed for the winter
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moderate |
Lake Annette | Fair. | 17-10-2021: Stay on trail; Wet and muddy sections; Snow at high elevation ; Icy sections.; | Trail details |
| Difficult |
Sentinel Pass - Paradise Valley Trail | Fair. | 17-10-2021: Stay on trail; Wet and muddy sections; Snow at high elevation ; Icy sections.; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Paradise Valley and Giant Steps | Fair. | 17-10-2021: Stay on trail; Wet and muddy sections; Snow at high elevation ; Icy sections.; | Trail details |
Skoki Area
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moderate |
Baker Lake Trail | Early winter conditions at higher elevations | 17-10-2021: Stay on trail; Wet and muddy sections; Snow at high elevation ; | Trail details |
| Difficult |
Hidden Lake | Early winter conditions at higher elevations | 17-10-2021: Stay on trail; Wet and muddy sections; Snow at high elevation ; | Trail details |
| Difficult |
Boulder Pass | Early winter conditions at higher elevations | 17-10-2021: Stay on trail; Wet and muddy sections; Snow at high elevation ; | Trail details |
 Route |
Skoki Loop | Early winter conditions at higher elevations | 17-10-2021: Stay on trail; Wet and muddy sections; Snow at high elevation ; | Trail details |
| Difficult |
Deception Pass Trail | Early winter conditions at higher elevations | 17-10-2021: Stay on trail; Wet and muddy sections; Snow at high elevation ; | Trail details |
Icefields Parkway Area
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moderate |
Mosquito Creek | Fair. | 17-10-2021: Stay on trail; Wet and muddy sections; Snow at high elevation ; | |
| Difficult |
Molar Pass | Early winter conditions at higher elevations | 17-10-2021: Stay on trail; Wet and muddy sections; Snow at high elevation ; | Trail details |
| Difficult |
North Molar Pass Trail | Early winter conditions at higher elevations | 10-10-2021: Stay on trail; Wet and muddy sections; Snow at high elevation ; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Helen Lake | Caution | 17-10-2021: Stream crossings; Stay on designated trails and viewpoints; Wet and muddy sections; Snow at high elevation ; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Bow Glacier Falls Trail | Fair. | 17-10-2021: Extensive trail erosion; Stay on designated trails and viewpoints; Wet and muddy sections; Snow at high elevation ; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Peyto Lake Trail | Snow covered with icy sections. | 17-10-2021: Compact snow; Use caution; Icy sections.; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Bow Summit Lookout | Fair. | 17-10-2021: Compact snow; Icy sections.; Use caution; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Chephren LakeTrail | Fair. | 17-10-2021: Stay on trail; Wet and muddy sections; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Cirque Lake Trail | Fair. | 17-10-2021: Stay on trail; Wet and muddy sections; | Trail details |
| Difficult |
Glacier Lake | Fair. | 17-10-2021: Stay on trail; Wet and muddy sections; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Mistaya Canyon | Good. | 17-10-2021: Stay on trail; Wet and muddy sections; | |
| Difficult |
Sarbach Lookout | Fair. | 17-10-2021: Stay on trail; Wet and muddy sections; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Howse River Lookout Trail | Fair. | 17-10-2021: Stay on trail; Wet and muddy sections; | |
| Moderate |
Sunset Lookout Trail | Fair. | 17-10-2021: Stay on trail; Wet and muddy sections; Snow at high elevation ; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Sunset Pass Trail | Fair. | 17-10-2021: Route finding skills essential; Trail overgrown with vegetation; Wet and muddy sections; Snow at high elevation ; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Nigel Pass | Caution | 17-10-2021: Stream crossings; Deadfall on trail; Wet and muddy sections; Snow at high elevation ; | Trail details |
| Difficult |
Parker Ridge | Poor. | 17-10-2021: Stay on trail; Wet and muddy sections; Snow covered sections; Snow at high elevation ; | Trail details |