Trail conditions

Banff National Park

Important information

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 of 4 or more, stay alert, 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.

 Banff Visitor Centre

 Lake Louise Visitor Centre

Town of Banff Area

Rating Trail Condition Comment Links
Easy Marsh Loop Fair. 08-06-2023: Frequent Horse Use; Trail details
Easy Fenland Trail Good. 08-06-2023: Trail is in good condition; Trail details
Easy Spray River West Trail Good. 08-06-2023: Trail is in good condition; Trail details
Moderate Sundance Canyon Trail Good. 08-06-2023: Trail is in good condition; Trail details
Easy Healy Creek Trail Good. 08-06-2023: Frequent Horse Use; Trail details
Moderate Sulphur Mountain Trail Good. 08-06-2023: Trail is in good condition; Trail details
Moderate Sulphur Mountain Westside Trail Good. 08-06-2023: Trail is in good condition; Trail details
Easy Spray River East Trail Good. 08-06-2023: Trail is in good condition; Trail details
Moderate Goat Creek Trail Good. 08-06-2023: Trail is in good condition; Trail details
Moderate Surprise Corner to Hoodoos Trail Good. 08-06-2023: Trail is in good condition; Adhere to all posted warnings and closures along trails; Trail details
Moderate Tunnel Mountain Summit Trail Good. 08-06-2023: Trail is in good condition; Adhere to all posted warnings and closures along trails; Trail details
Moderate Cascade Amphitheatre Trail Good. 08-06-2023: Mainly dry; Trail details
Moderate Upper Stoney Trail Good. 08-06-2023: Deadfall on trail; Trail details

Lake Minnewanka Area

Rating Trail Condition Comment Links
Easy Cascade Ponds Loop Good. 08-06-2023: Watch for ticks; Trail is in good condition;  
Easy Johnson Lake Loop Good. 08-06-2023: Watch for ticks; Deadfall on trail; Trail details
Moderate C-Level Cirque Trail Good. 08-06-2023: Adhere to all posted warnings and closures along trails; Trail details
Easy Stewart Canyon Trail Good. 08-06-2023: Watch for ticks; Trail is in good condition; Trail details
Moderate Stewart Canyon–Aylmer Pass Junction Good. 08-06-2023: Watch for ticks; Trail is in good condition; Trail details
Difficult Aylmer Lookout Trail Good. 08-06-2023: Watch for ticks; Trail is in good condition; Trail details
Difficult Aylmer Pass Trail Good. 08-06-2023: Watch for ticks; Trail is in good condition; Trail details

Banff Area Biking Trails

Rating Trail Condition Comment Links
Easy Banff Legacy Trail: Banff–Banff East Gate Good. 08-06-2023: Trail is in good condition; Trail details
Easy Banff Legacy Trail: Vermilion Lakes–Bow Valley Parkway Good. 08-06-2023: Trail is in good condition; Trail details
Moderate Return of the Jedi Trail Good. 08-06-2023: Trail is in good condition; Trail details
Difficult Topp Notch Trail Good. 08-06-2023: Trail is in good condition; Trail details
Moderate Star Wars Trail Good. 08-06-2023: Trail is in good condition; Trail details
Moderate Tunnel Bench Loop: Coastline Good. 08-06-2023: Trail is in good condition; Trail details
Moderate Tunnel Bench Loop: Teddy Bear's Picnic Good. 08-06-2023: Trail is in good condition; Trail details
Moderate Tunnel Bench Loop: The Spine Good. 08-06-2023: Trail is in good condition; Trail details

Bow Valley/Castle Junction Area

Rating Trail Condition Comment Links
Difficult Cory Pass Loop Road access closed 08-06-2023: Bridge(s) out; Watch for ticks; Trail is narrow and steep. ; Deadfall on trail; Trail details
Moderate Bourgeau Lake Trail: Trailhead–Bourgeau Lake Be cautious. 08-06-2023: Avalanche debris on trail; High water levels at stream crossings; Snow patches; Trail details
Moderate Bourgeau Lake Trail: Bourgeau Lake–Harvey Pass Some snow patches. 08-06-2023: Snow patches; Trail is narrow and steep. ; Use caution; Trail details
Moderate Healy Pass Trail Mainly Dry. 08-06-2023: Fragile alpine vegetation, stay on the trail; Adhere to all posted warnings and closures along trails; Trail details
Easy Johnston Canyon Trail Good. 08-06-2023: Off Trail Use is Prohibited; Stay on trail; Trail details
Moderate Ink Pots Trail Good. 08-06-2023: Adhere to all posted warnings and closures along trails; Trail details
Moderate Rockbound Lake Trail Mainly Dry. 08-06-2023: Mainly dry; Trail details
Easy Vista Lake / Arnica Lake / Twin Lakes Trail: Trailhead–Vista Lake Good. 08-06-2023: Trail is in good condition; Trail details
Moderate Vista Lake / Arnica Lake / Twin Lakes Trail: Vista Lake–Arnica Lake Good. 08-06-2023: Mainly dry; Trail details
Moderate Vista Lake / Arnica Lake / Twin Lakes Trail: Arnica Lake–Twin Lakes Wet and muddy sections. 08-06-2023: Wet and muddy sections; Fragile alpine vegetation, stay on the trail; Trail details
Easy Boom Lake Trail Some wet sections. 08-06-2023: Wet and muddy sections; Trail details
Moderate Castle Lookout Good. 08-06-2023: Watch for ticks; Trail is in good condition; Trail details

Lake Louise Area

Paid parking is in effect at the Lake Louise Lakeshore from 7:00 to 19:00 daily, May 19 - October 9. Parking is limited and frequently full. Access to Lake Louise by public bus or shuttle is recommended. For information, please see: https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/ab/banff/visit/parkbus

Rating Trail Condition Comment Links
Moderate Tramline Trail Good. 06-06-2023: Wet and muddy sections; Stay on trail; Mainly dry; Trail details
Difficult Taylor Lake Trail Fair. 06-06-2023: Wet and muddy sections; Sturdy hiking boots and hiking poles recommended; Trail details
Easy Bow River Loop Partially Closed 09-06-2023: Trail sections along the west side of Bow River CLOSED from May 15 to October 15; Mainly dry; Deadfall on trail; Adhere to all posted warnings and closures along trails; Trail details
Easy Louise Creek Trail Good. 06-06-2023: Mainly dry; Trail details
Easy Fairview Lookout Trail Good. 06-06-2023: Mainly dry; Trail details
Easy Great Divide Trail See comment section 09-06-2023: Parking lot closed.; Mainly dry; Trail details
Moderate "Highline" trail to Paradise Creek Fair. 09-06-2023: Deadfall on trail; Wet and muddy sections;  
Moderate Lake Agnes Trail Good. 06-06-2023: Mainly dry; Trail details
Difficult Ross Lake Trail Caution. 06-06-2023: Not yet maintained; Stream crossings; Stream levels are high; Deadfall on trail; Mainly dry; Trail details
Moderate Big Beehive Trail Good. 09-06-2023: Mainly dry; Trail is narrow and steep. ; Trekking pole(s) recommended; Trail details
Moderate Little Beehive Trail Fair. 06-06-2023: Avalanche debris on trail; Snow covered sections; Wet and muddy sections; Trail details
Moderate Mirror Lake Highline Trail Fair. 09-06-2023: Mainly dry; Wet and muddy sections;  
Moderate Big Beehive to Plain of Six Glaciers Trail Caution. 06-06-2023: Avalanche debris on trail; Snow covered sections; Sturdy hiking boots and hiking poles recommended; Trail details
Moderate Plain of Six Glaciers Trail Fair. 09-06-2023: Snow patches; Sturdy hiking boots and hiking poles recommended; Mainly dry; Trail details
Difficult Fairview Mountain Trail See comment section 06-06-2023: Snow patches; Fragile alpine vegetation, stay on the trail; Trail is narrow and steep. ; Sturdy hiking boots and hiking poles recommended; Trail details
Moderate Saddleback Trail See comment section 06-06-2023: Snow patches; Fragile alpine vegetation, stay on the trail; Sturdy hiking boots and hiking poles recommended; Trail details
Difficult Sheol/Paradise Connector Trail Caution. 09-06-2023: Snow covered sections; Not yet maintained; Deadfall on trail; Trail details
Moderate Pipestone Trail Good. 06-06-2023: Mainly dry; Trail details
Easy Lake Louise Lakeshore Trail Good. 09-06-2023: Mainly dry; Trail details

Paradise Valley Area

Moraine Lake Road is open to bus and shuttle transportation only. For more information regarding access to Paradise Valley trailhead, please see the FAQs on "Visiting Lake Louise and Moraine Lake" : https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/ab/banff/visit/parkbus/louise.

Rating Trail Condition Comment Links
Moderate Lake Annette Trail Fair. 09-06-2023: Wet and muddy sections; Trail details
Difficult Sentinel Pass - Paradise Valley Connector Trail Caution. 06-06-2023: Steep snow slopes ; Slippery sections; Route finding skills essential; Trail is narrow and steep. ; Trail details
Difficult Paradise Valley and Giant Steps Trail Fair. 09-06-2023: Deadfall on trail; Wet and muddy sections; Snow patches; Not yet maintained; Trail details

Moraine Lake Area

Moraine Lake Road is open to bus and shuttle transportation only. For transit information, please see www.pc.gc.ca/banff-transit

Rating Trail Condition Comment Links
Easy Consolation Lakes Trail Fair. 09-06-2023: Wet and muddy sections; Sturdy hiking boots and hiking poles recommended; Mainly dry; Trail details
Easy Rockpile Trail Good. 09-06-2023: Mainly dry; Trail details
Difficult Moraine Lake Highline Trail Good. 05-06-2023: Mainly dry; Wet and muddy sections; Trail details
Easy Moraine Lakeshore Trail Fair. 06-06-2023: Wet and muddy sections; Trekking pole(s) recommended; Trail details
Moderate Eiffel Lake Trail Fair. 09-06-2023: Avalanche debris on trail; Sturdy hiking boots and hiking poles recommended; Trail details
Moderate Larch Valley/Minnestimma Lakes Trail Fair. 07-06-2023: Wet and muddy sections; Fragile alpine vegetation, stay on the trail; Deadfall on trail; Trail details
Difficult Sentinel Pass Trail Caution. 06-06-2023: Snow covered sections; Slippery sections; Trail is narrow and steep. ; Sturdy hiking boots and hiking poles recommended; Trail details
Difficult Wenkchemna Pass Trail Caution. 06-06-2023: Snow covered sections; Risk of post-holing; Trail details

Icefields Parkway Area

Rating Trail Condition Comment Links
Moderate Mosquito Creek Trail Good. 09-06-2023: Wet and muddy sections;  
Difficult Molar Pass Trail Caution. 06-06-2023: Snow covered sections; Wet and muddy sections; Fragile alpine vegetation, stay on the trail; Trail details
Difficult North Molar Pass Trail Not recommended. 06-06-2023: Snow at high elevation ; Wet and muddy sections; Trail details
Moderate Helen Lake Trail Fair. 06-06-2023: Wet and muddy sections; Stream crossings; Fragile alpine vegetation, stay on the trail; Sturdy hiking boots and hiking poles recommended; Trail details
Difficult Dolomite Pass Trail See comment section 06-06-2023: Snow covered sections; Wet and muddy sections; Fragile alpine vegetation, stay on the trail; Trail details
Moderate Bow Glacier Falls Trail Good. 09-06-2023: Difficult route finding ; Trail washed out in sections; Extensive trail erosion; Mainly dry; Trail details
Easy Peyto Lake Viewpoint Trail Good. 09-06-2023: Mainly dry; Trail details
Easy Bow Summit Lookout Trail Good. 06-06-2023: Mainly dry; Wet and muddy sections; Trail details
Moderate Chephren Lake Trail Fair. 09-06-2023: Not yet maintained; Wet and muddy sections; Deadfall on trail; Mainly dry; Trail details
Moderate Cirque Lake Trail Fair. 09-06-2023: Not yet maintained; Wet and muddy sections; Deadfall on trail; Mainly dry; Trail details
Difficult Glacier Lake Trail Good. 09-06-2023: Wet and muddy sections; Mainly dry; Trail details
Easy Mistaya Canyon Trail Good. 09-06-2023: Mainly dry; Trail details
Difficult Sarbach Lookout Trail Fair. 06-06-2023: Not yet maintained; Numerous trees down on trail; Mainly dry; Trail details
Moderate Sunset Lookout Trail Fair. 09-06-2023: Not yet maintained; Snow covered sections; Mainly dry; Trail details
Moderate Sunset Pass Trail Fair. 09-06-2023: Not yet maintained; Deadfall on trail; Wet and muddy sections; Mainly dry; Trail details
Moderate Nigel Pass Trail Caution. 06-06-2023: Stream crossings; Stream levels are high; Wet and muddy sections; Sturdy hiking boots and hiking poles recommended; Trail details
Difficult Parker Ridge Trail See comment section 06-06-2023: Stay on designated trails and viewpoints; Fragile alpine vegetation, stay on the trail; Sturdy hiking boots and hiking poles recommended; Wet and muddy sections; Trail details

Skoki Area

Rating Trail Condition Comment Links
Difficult Hidden Lake Trail Good. 09-06-2023: Wet and muddy sections; Mainly dry; Trail details
Difficult Boulder Pass Trail Good. 06-06-2023: Mainly dry; Trail details
Date modified :