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 not allowed on some of the groomed ski trails. Refer to the information below for restrictions. Keep dogs on leash and under physical control at all times.
Wildlife and people
Although bears are denning during the winter, they can awaken at any time for short periods. Cougars, wolves and other wildlife remain active throughout the year. Travel in groups, make noise, carry bear spray and know how to use it. Know before you go!
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. Where possible, create two metres distance between you and other people by stepping to the side and not following directly behind the person or group in front of you. Safety is a shared responsibility. Let’s work together to keep Banff National Park safe.
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Easy |
Marsh Loop | Good. | 09-05-2021: Mainly dry; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Fenland Trail | Good. | 09-05-2021: Please follow directional arrows and respect physical distancing; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Healy Creek Trail | Variable conditions. | 09-05-2021: Wet and muddy sections; Snow patches; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Tunnel Campground Loop | Good. | 09-05-2021: Mainly dry; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Banff Legacy Trail: Banff–Banff East Gate | Good. | 09-05-2021: Mainly dry; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Banff Legacy Trail: Vermilion Lakes–Bow Valley Parkway | Good. | 09-05-2021: Mainly dry; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Spray River West Trail | Spring conditions | 09-05-2021: Wet and muddy sections; Snow covered sections; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Spray River East Trail | Spring conditions | 09-05-2021: Wet and muddy sections; Snow covered sections; | Trail details |
 Moderate |
Sulphur Mountain Trail | Winter conditions. | 09-05-2021: Hard packed snow; Cleats recommended; Freeze / thaw cycle; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Tunnel Mountain Summit Trail | Good. | 09-05-2021: Wet and muddy sections; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Sulphur Mountain Westside Trail | Closed. | 09-05-2021: Adhere to all posted warnings and closures along trails; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Sundance Canyon Trail | Good. | 09-05-2021: Icy sections.; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Surprise Corner to Hoodoos Trail | Good. | 09-05-2021: Wet and muddy sections; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Upper Stoney Trail | Icy sections, cleats recommended. | 09-05-2021: Wet and muddy sections; Hard packed snow; | Trail details |
Lake Minnewanka Area
The Minnewanka Loop Road will be closed to public vehicles on weekdays, Monday to Thursday, from May 1-20, 2021. During this closure, the road will be available to cyclists for the entirety of the Minnewanka Loop beginning at the first T-junction. www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ab/banff/activ/cyclisme-biking/saisonintermediaire-shoulderseason
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Legacy Trail to Cascade Ponds | Good. | 09-05-2021: Respect all posted notices and signs; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Minnewanka Road | Good. | 09-05-2021: Respect all posted notices and signs; Wildlife corridor; No parking on roadways, or highways; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Johnson Lake Loop | Variable conditions. | 09-05-2021: Wet and muddy sections; Snow patches; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Cascade Ponds Loop | Good. | 09-05-2021: Mainly dry; Respect all posted notices and signs; | |
| Easy |
Water Tower Trail | Spring conditions | 09-05-2021: Snow patches; Wet and muddy sections; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Lower Bankhead Interpretive Trail | Good. | 09-05-2021: Mainly dry; | |
| Easy |
Stewart Canyon Trail | Good. | 09-05-2021: Mainly dry; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
C-Level Cirque Trail | Avalanche risk, use caution. | 09-05-2021: Snow at high elevation ; Risk of post-holing; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Lake Minnewanka Trail: Stewart Canyon–Aylmer Pass Junction | Good. | 09-05-2021: Mainly dry; Watch for ticks; Wet and muddy sections; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Lake Minnewanka Trail: Aylmer Pass Junction–Devil's Gap | Fair. | 09-05-2021: Mainly dry; Wet and muddy sections; Numerous trees down on trail; | Trail details |
 Difficult |
Aylmer Lookout Trail | Good. | 09-05-2021: Icy sections.; Cleats recommended; Watch for ticks; | Trail details |
| Difficult |
Aylmer Pass Trail | Not recommended. | 09-05-2021: Avalanche danger at high altitude; Snowbound; Risk of post-holing; | Trail details |
Bow Valley/Castle Junction Area
The eastern section of the Bow Valley Parkway (from Banff to Castle Junction) is currently restricted to public vehicles, and will continue to be restricted to public vehicles throughout the summer. www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ab/banff/activ/cyclisme-biking/saisonintermediaire-shoulderseason
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Bow Valley Parkway (road) | Good. | 09-05-2021: Pedestrian use of the road is strongly discouraged.; Respect all posted notices and signs; No parking on roadways, or highways; Wildlife corridor; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Boom Lake Trail | Spring conditions | 09-05-2021: Wet and muddy sections; Freeze / thaw cycle; Cleats recommended; Avalanche risk, use caution; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Vista Lake / Arnica Lake / Twin Lakes Trail: Trailhead–Vista Lake | Spring conditions | 09-05-2021: Wet and muddy sections; Hard packed snow; Freeze / thaw cycle; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Vista Lake / Arnica Lake / Twin Lakes Trail: Vista Lake–Arnica Lake | Spring conditions | 09-05-2021: Wet and muddy sections; Hard packed snow; Freeze / thaw cycle; Cleats recommended; Avalanche risk, use caution; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Silverton Falls Trail | Hazardous conditions. | 09-05-2021: No vehicle access; Respect all posted notices and signs; Icy sections.; Not recommended; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Johnston Canyon Trail | Road access closed | 09-05-2021: No vehicle access; Respect all posted notices and signs; Pedestrian use of the road is strongly discouraged.; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Ink Pots Trail | Road access closed | 09-05-2021: No vehicle access; Respect all posted notices and signs; Pedestrian use of the road is strongly discouraged.; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Rockbound Lake Trail | Avalanche terrain. | 09-05-2021: No vehicle access; Not recommended; Snowbound at higher elevation; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Castle Lookout | Spring conditions | 09-05-2021: Cleats recommended; Wet and muddy sections; Snow covered sections; | Trail details |
Cascade/Sawback Area
The eastern section of the Bow Valley Parkway (from Banff to Castle Junction) is currently restricted to public vehicles, and will continue to be restricted to public vehicles throughout the summer. For backcountry camping information call 403-762-1556
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Cascade Valley Trail: Trailhead–Cascade River bridge | Spring conditions | 05-05-2021: Wet and muddy sections; Hard packed snow; Freeze / thaw cycle; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Cascade Valley Trail: Cascade River bridge–Stoney Creek | Spring conditions | 05-05-2021: Freeze / thaw cycle; Snow covered sections; Risk of post-holing; | Trail details |
Lake Louise Area
Winter conditions: Trails are snow-covered and there is avalanche risk on trails at high elevations.
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moderate |
Little Beehive | Hazardous conditions. | 08-05-2021: Not recommended; Avalanche danger; Snowbound; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Tramline Trail | Snow covered with wet, muddy and slippery sections. | 08-05-2021: Snow covered; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Lake Agnes | Hazardous conditions. | 08-05-2021: Not recommended; Avalanche danger; Snow covered; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Big Beehive Lookout | Hazardous conditions. | 08-05-2021: Not recommended; Avalanche danger; Snowbound; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Mirror Lake Highline | Hazardous conditions. | 08-05-2021: Not recommended; Avalanche danger; Snowbound; | |
| Moderate |
Big Beehive to Plain of Six Glacier Trail | Hazardous conditions. | 08-05-2021: Not recommended; Avalanche danger; Snowbound; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Plain of Six Glaciers Trail | Hazardous conditions. | 08-05-2021: Not recommended; Avalanche danger; Snowbound; | Trail details |
| Difficult |
Fairview Mountain | Hazardous conditions. | 08-05-2021: Not recommended; Avalanche danger; Snowbound; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Highline/Plain of Six Glaciers Connector | Hazardous conditions. | 08-05-2021: Not recommended; Avalanche danger; Snowbound; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Saddleback trail | Hazardous conditions. | 08-05-2021: Not recommended; Avalanche danger; Snowbound; | Trail details |
| Difficult |
Ross Lake Trail | Hazardous conditions. | 08-05-2021: Avalanche risk, use caution; Snow covered; | Trail details |
| Difficult |
Sheol/Paradise Connector | Hazardous conditions. | 08-05-2021: Not recommended; Avalanche danger; Snowbound; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Pipestone | Snow covered with wet, muddy and slippery sections. | 08-05-2021: Snow covered; | Trail details |
| Difficult |
Taylor Lake | Snow covered with icy sections. | 08-05-2021: Snow covered; Snowshoes recommended; | Trail details |
Paradise Valley Area
Road access to Moraine Lake will open late May.
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moderate |
Lake Annette | Road access closed | 08-05-2021: Snowbound; Avalanche terrain; | Trail details |
| Difficult |
Sentinel Pass - Paradise Valley Trail | Road access closed | 08-05-2021: Snowbound; No vehicle access; Avalanche terrain; Avalanche danger; Carry avalanche transceivers, probe and shovel; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Paradise Valley and Giant Steps | Road access closed | 08-05-2021: Snowbound; No vehicle access; Avalanche terrain; Avalanche danger; Carry avalanche transceivers, probe and shovel; | Trail details |
Moraine Lake Area
Road access to Moraine Lake will open late May.
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Consolation Lakes Trail | Road access closed | 08-05-2021: Snowbound; No vehicle access; Avalanche terrain; Avalanche danger; Carry avalanche transceivers, probe and shovel; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Moraine Lakeshore | Road access closed | 08-05-2021: No vehicle access; Snow covered; Sections of deep snow; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Rockpile Viewpoint | Road access closed | 08-05-2021: No vehicle access; Snow covered; Sections of deep snow; | |
| Moderate |
Eiffel Lake | Road access closed | 08-05-2021: Snowbound; No vehicle access; Avalanche terrain; Avalanche danger; Carry avalanche transceivers, probe and shovel; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Larch Valley/Minnestimma Lake | Road access closed | 08-05-2021: Snowbound; No vehicle access; Avalanche terrain; Avalanche danger; Carry avalanche transceivers, probe and shovel; | Trail details |
| Difficult |
Sentinel Pass Trail | Road access closed | 08-05-2021: Snowbound; No vehicle access; Avalanche terrain; Avalanche danger; Carry avalanche transceivers, probe and shovel; | Trail details |
| Difficult |
Wenkchemna Pass | Road access closed | 08-05-2021: Snowbound; No vehicle access; Avalanche terrain; Avalanche danger; Carry avalanche transceivers, probe and shovel; | Trail details |
| Difficult |
Moraine Lake Highline | Road access closed | 08-05-2021: Snowbound; No vehicle access; Avalanche danger at high altitude; | Trail details |
Skoki Area
Winter conditions.
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moderate |
Baker Lake Trail | Winter conditions. | 08-05-2021: Snowbound; Avalanche terrain; | Trail details |
| Difficult |
Hidden Lake | Winter conditions. | 08-05-2021: Snowbound; Avalanche terrain; | Trail details |
| Difficult |
Boulder Pass | Winter conditions. | 08-05-2021: Snowbound; Avalanche terrain; | Trail details |
 Route |
Skoki Loop | Winter conditions. | 08-05-2021: Snowbound; Avalanche terrain; | Trail details |
| Difficult |
Deception Pass Trail | Winter conditions. | 08-05-2021: Snowbound; Avalanche terrain; | Trail details |
Icefields Parkway Area
Winter conditions.
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Bow Summit Lookout | Closed for the season. | 08-05-2021: Construction work in progress; Respect all posted notices and signs; No parking on roadways, highways or trail heads; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Bow Glacier Falls Trail | Winter conditions. | 08-05-2021: Snowbound; Avalanche danger; Not recommended; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Cirque Lake Trail | Snow covered. | 08-05-2021: Sections of deep snow; Wet and muddy sections; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Sunset Lookout Trail | Snow covered with wet, muddy and slippery sections. | 08-05-2021: Snowbound at higher elevation; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Helen Lake | Winter conditions. | 08-05-2021: Snowbound; Avalanche danger; Not recommended; | Trail details |
| Difficult |
Glacier Lake | Snow covered with wet, muddy and slippery sections. | 08-05-2021: Sections of deep snow; Wet and muddy sections; | Trail details |
| Difficult |
Molar Pass | Winter conditions. | 08-05-2021: Snowbound; Avalanche danger; Not recommended; | Trail details |
| Difficult |
North Molar Pass Trail | Winter conditions. | 08-05-2021: Snowbound; Avalanche danger; Not recommended; | Trail details |
| Difficult |
Parker Ridge | Winter conditions. | 08-05-2021: Snowbound; Avalanche danger; Not recommended; | Trail details |
| Difficult |
Sarbach Lookout | Snow covered with wet, muddy and slippery sections. | 08-05-2021: Snowbound at higher elevation; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Peyto Lake Trail | Closed for the season. | 08-05-2021: Construction work in progress; Respect all posted notices and signs; No parking on roadways, highways or trail heads; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Sunset Pass Trail | Snow covered with wet, muddy and slippery sections. | 08-05-2021: Snowbound at higher elevation; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Mosquito Creek | Snow covered. | 08-05-2021: Snowbound at higher elevation; | |
| Easy |
Howse River Lookout Trail | Good. | 08-05-2021: Mainly dry; | |
| Moderate |
Mistaya Canyon | Some snow patches. | 08-05-2021: Wet and muddy sections; Snow covered sections; | |
| Moderate |
Chephren LakeTrail | Snow covered. | 08-05-2021: Sections of deep snow; Wet and muddy sections; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Nigel Pass | Snow covered with wet, muddy and slippery sections. | 08-05-2021: Sections of deep snow; Snow covered; | Trail details |