Breakfast
A big mountain breakfast
Eggs, hash browns and bacon, or pancakes with maple syrup, the Canadian way to start a day that begins on a mountain.
Local tip Eat well before the gondola, because the top is a long way from a kitchen.
Arrival day
Before Day 1. The days are big and start early, so keep the first evening light.Details
- Getting here
- Most visitors fly into Calgary and drive about an hour and a half west to Banff. Shuttles and buses run from the airport to town, and a rental car is worth having for the two outer days.
- Settling in
- Check-in is usually in the afternoon. Check ahead on the national park pass, parking, the shuttles to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, and any trail closures or wildlife notices. Pack layers, because mountain weather changes fast.
- First evening
- Walk Banff Avenue, eat early and look at the forecast for Day 1. The gondola is at its best on a clear morning, so be ready to swap the days around.
Day 1. Above the town
4 stops · 5.6 kmA big first day that stays close to town. Ride the gondola early for the view, walk to the falls, climb Tunnel Mountain in the afternoon and end on the water at sunset.
- 1MorningWorth the time
Banff Gondola
A gondola ride up Sulphur Mountain to a ridge with a wide view over Banff, the Bow Valley and the peaks around it, with boardwalks along the top. Go on the first rides of the day, and check ahead on tickets, the weather and any closures.
Go when First thing, on a clear morning, before the ridge fills.
Local tip The weather at the top can differ from the town, so bring a layer. Check ahead before you drive over, since cloud can hide the view.
About 26 min walk2.1 km - 2MiddayWorth a short stop
Bow Falls
A wide ledge of falls where the Bow River drops beside the old hotel, reached on a riverside walk from the middle of town. Stay as long as you like, and look back at the mountains from the viewpoints.
Go when Midday, as a stretch between the gondola and the afternoon trail.
Local tip Walk the river path from town instead of driving, then follow the viewpoints above the falls for a look back at the valley.
Photo: Ken Thomas on Wikimedia Commons - Lunch
A pub lunch on Banff Avenue
A burger, a bowl of soup or a plate of poutine, chips with gravy and cheese curds, in a casual spot on the main street.
About 12 min walk1.0 km - 3AfternoonWorth the time
Tunnel Mountain
A trail from the edge of town climbs through forest to a summit with views over Banff, the Bow Valley and the rows of peaks beyond. Allow a couple of hours, and check ahead for trail conditions and wildlife notices.
Go when Afternoon, when the legs are warm and the light is softer.
Local tip Take water and a layer for the top. Check ahead for trail conditions and wildlife notices, and follow what the signs at the trailhead say.
Photo: Harvey Locke, CC BY-SA 3.0 on Wikimedia Commons About 10 min by car or transit2.6 km - 4EveningWorth the time
Vermilion Lakes
A chain of quiet lakes just west of town, with Mount Rundle across the water and Sulphur Mountain behind you. Pull over at a lookout and watch the light fade, and check ahead on parking and any closures.
Go when Sunset (about 7:56 PM), when the light turns gold across the water.
Local tip Park only at the marked pull-outs, and give wildlife on the road plenty of room. The view of Mount Rundle across the lake is the one to wait for.
Photo: FlashEngineer, CC0 on Wikimedia Commons - Dinner
Elk, bison or Alberta beef
Game and local beef are on many menus in town, from a burger to a full dinner, a good way to eat after a day outdoors.
Local tip Book ahead on a weekend, since the good tables fill early in the season.
If it rains. Cloud can hide the view from the gondola, so save the ride for a clear spell and spend a wet hour in the Whyte Museum or the Banff Park Museum. Bow Falls and the lakes still look good in mist.
Day 2. The canyon and the Bow Valley
3 stops · 66.1 kmA long day west of town. Start early in Johnston Canyon, stop beneath Castle Mountain, then come back to Banff for the evening light on Lake Minnewanka.
- Travel from Vermilion LakesAbout 33 min by car or transit18.7 kmWhere Day 1 ended.
- Breakfast
Pastries and coffee to go
A warm pastry and a coffee from a bakery, eaten in the car on the way to the canyon so you are on the trail early.
- 1MorningWorth the time, go early
Johnston Canyon
A limestone canyon with boardwalks and a path that follow the creek past waterfalls to the lower and upper falls. It is very popular, so go early, and check ahead for trail closures, parking and shuttles.
Go when First thing in the morning, before the boardwalks fill.
Local tip The path is narrow in places and often wet, so wear shoes with a grip. Check ahead for closures and for shuttles on the days the lot is full.
Photo: Paul Hermans, CC BY-SA 3.0 on Wikimedia Commons About 14 min by car or transit4.7 km - 2MiddayWorth a short stop
Castle Mountain
A huge wall of layered rock halfway between Banff and Lake Louise, seen from a viewpoint near Castle Junction. Stop for the view and a stretch, and check ahead for Bow Valley Parkway closures and wildlife notices.
Go when Midday, as a break in the drive.
Local tip The wall is best seen from the viewpoint, so you will be done in a few minutes. Stay in your car near any wildlife on the road, and check ahead for Parkway closures.
Photo: Jakub Fryš, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons - Lunch
A picnic by the road
Pack sandwiches and fruit in town and eat at a picnic table by the road, beneath the mountain.
Local tip Pack out everything you bring, and keep food away from wildlife.
About 36 min by car42.7 km - 3EveningWorth the time
Lake Minnewanka
A long, deep mountain lake a short drive from Banff, with a shore path and the peaks rising on every side. Walk a stretch of the shore as the light turns, and check ahead on parking and wildlife notices.
Go when Late afternoon, before sunset (about 7:56 PM), when the light slants along the lake.
Local tip The wind can pick up on the water, so bring a layer. Check ahead for parking and wildlife notices before you walk the shore.
Photo: DXR, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons - Dinner
A hearty pub dinner
Fish and chips, a burger or a bowl of chili with a local beer, easy and filling after a long day.
If it rains. The boardwalks in Johnston Canyon are slippery when wet, and closures can follow heavy rain, so check ahead. If it settles in, swap the day for the Cave and Basin and an evening in the hot springs.
Day 3. Two famous lakes
3 stops · 60.9 kmThe big day of the trip. Start early at Moraine Lake, then go on to Lake Louise and a walk up to a tea house. Both lakes have limited access, so check ahead on shuttles and parking before you go.
- Drive from Lake MinnewankaAbout 55 min by car48.3 kmWhere Day 2 ended.
- Breakfast
An early breakfast to go
Bring a breakfast sandwich and a hot drink, so you can leave for the lakes before the lots fill.
- 1MorningWorth the time, plan ahead
Moraine Lake
A glacier-fed lake in the Valley of the Ten Peaks, known for its blue color. Access is by shuttle or another restricted way, so check ahead on how to get there and book early. A short path up the rockpile gives the classic view.
Go when The first slot of the day you can book, when the light is low and the shore is quiet.
Local tip Do not drive up on a hope. Check ahead on the shuttle and book before you go, and bring a warm layer, because it is cool by the water.
Photo: Gorgo on Wikimedia Commons About 25 min by car or transit10.8 km - 2MiddayWorth the time
Lake Louise
A turquoise lake below Victoria Glacier, with a flat path along the shore and a historic hotel at its foot. Arrive early because parking fills, and check ahead on shuttles from the overflow lots.
Go when Early morning, before the lot fills and the tour groups arrive.
Local tip Walk along the flat shore path to the far end of the lake for a quieter view. Check ahead on parking and the shuttle from the overflow lots.
Photo: Chensiyuan, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons - Lunch
Lunch in Lake Louise village
The village a few minutes from the lake has casual cafes and a market, a good place for a sit-down lunch before the afternoon trail.
Local tip Pick up trail snacks here for the climb to the tea house.
About 23 min walk1.9 km - 3AfternoonWorth the time
Lake Agnes Tea House
A trail climbs from the shore of Lake Louise to a small mountain lake and a historic tea house beside it. Check ahead for trail conditions, wildlife notices and the tea house season, since it does not stay open all year.
Go when Afternoon, after the lake, and leave with plenty of daylight left.
Local tip Take water, a layer and food for the way back. Check ahead on trail conditions and wildlife notices, and on whether the tea house is open for the season.
Photo: Chensiyuan, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons - Treat
A butter tart
A butter tart is a small pastry filled with a sticky sweet filling, a Canadian treat that goes well with a hot drink at the end of a trail.
Local tip Look in the bakeries in town if the tea house is closed.
If it rains. Cloud and rain can hide the peaks at both lakes, and shuttles may be booked well ahead. If the day looks poor, keep the lakes for a clearer one and spend the day in the museums in Banff.
Day 4. The Icefields Parkway
4 stops · 143.5 kmA long, scenic drive north from Banff. Leave early for Peyto Lake, stop at Bow Lake and the Crowfoot Glacier on the way back, then end the day in the hot springs.
- Drive from Lake Agnes Tea HouseAbout 48 min by car38.1 kmWhere Day 3 ended.
- Breakfast
Fill the tank and the thermos
Services are few on the Parkway, so start with a real breakfast, a full tank and a flask of something hot.
- 1MorningWorth the time
Peyto Lake
A lake far below a lookout on the Icefields Parkway, with a vivid blue-green color from glacier flour. A short walk from the lot leads to the lookout. Check ahead on parking and road conditions.
Go when Morning, when the light is clean and the lookout is quiet.
Local tip The lookout is a short walk from the lot. Stay behind the railings, and check ahead for road conditions on the Parkway.
About 7 min by car8.2 km - 2MiddayWorth the time
Bow Lake
A long lake beside the Parkway at the foot of the Bow Glacier, with a lodge on its shore and a path along the water. Check ahead on parking and trail conditions.
Go when Midday, as a lunch stop and a stroll along the shore.
Local tip There are few services on the Parkway, so fill the tank and pack food before you leave Banff. Check ahead for trail conditions.
Photo: Balon Greyjoy, CC BY-SA 3.0 on Wikimedia Commons - Lunch
A picnic on the Parkway
Pack lunch and eat it by the water, with the glacier at the head of the lake as your view.
Local tip Check ahead on what is open along the Parkway, since food there is limited.
About 9 min walk0.8 km - 3Afternoon10 minutes is enough
Crowfoot Glacier Viewpoint
A pull-out on the Parkway with a view of the Crowfoot Glacier on the mountain across the water, a good stop on the drive back south. Check ahead on parking.
Go when Afternoon, on the drive back south.
Local tip It is a roadside pull-out, so pull in fully and watch for people stepping out of cars.
Photo: BrettA343, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons About 1 h 11 min by car96.4 km - 4EveningWorth the time
Banff Upper Hot Springs
A mineral hot spring pool on the lower slope of Sulphur Mountain, with mountain views from the water. A calm end to a big day. Check ahead for tickets and any closures.
Go when Early evening, as the day ends.
Local tip It is a short ride from town, so a taxi or the town bus saves a parking hunt. Check ahead for tickets and any closures.
Photo: Odysseus1479, CC BY-SA 3.0 on Wikimedia Commons - Dinner
A relaxed last dinner
Salmon, a bison burger or a bowl of pasta in a quiet corner of town, to finish a big trip.
Local tip Eat on the early side if you are leaving the next morning.
If it rains. Cloud hides the glaciers and Parkway conditions can change, so check ahead on the road. If the forecast is poor, stay in town and soak at the hot springs, which work well with rain falling.
Departure day
After the last day. The drive back to Calgary takes time, so leave room for it.Details
- Check-out
- Pack the night before and ask the hotel to hold your bags if your flight is later in the day. Put muddy boots in a bag of their own.
- To the airport
- The drive to Calgary airport takes about an hour and a half in good conditions. Allow extra time for weather, road work and traffic on the highway, and arrive at the airport early.
- If you have a few hours
- Walk the river path to Bow Falls once more or have a slow breakfast in town. Leave time to fill the tank and return a rental car.
Questions people ask
When is the best time to visit Banff?
By average weather from 2021 to 2025, June to September are the most comfortable months for walking around Banff. This plan is built for mid September, which is one of the best months. Crowds and prices change through the year, so check them before you book.
How many days does this plan cover?
It covers 4 days in Banff, planned for mid September. Each day is built around a small number of stops, with room to rest.
Who is this plan for?
It was planned for most travelers. The pace and the places reflect that, so check it fits how you travel.
Is anything on this plan booked?
No. Places marked "book ahead" need a reservation. Hours, prices and availability change, so confirm before you go.
Can I plan my own days like this?
Yes. Archie drafts a day by day plan for your dates and takes your pace, the weather and who is travelling into account. You can start one from the Archie app.
Can I change this plan?
Yes. It is a starting point you can change to fit your own trip: swap a place, add a day or move the pace.
How much walking is there?
Each day has about 5.6 to 105.4 kilometers between its stops, and 171.1 kilometers in all across 4 days. A short hop is a walk and a longer one a ride. Distances are straight-line estimates, so allow extra for the streets.
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More guides to Banff
Other guides with a page about Banff. Each one opens in a new tab.
Photo: Ken Thomas on Wikimedia Commons · Photo: Paul Hermans, CC BY-SA 3.0 on Wikimedia Commons
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A trip idea · Updated October 2026
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