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.
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
| 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 |
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