Easy Walks and Hikes in Banff, Alberta
Banff National Park, Alberta
There are many different kinds of walks and hikes you can do in and around Banff National Park. They range from the very challenging to the easy. This walk falls very much into that second category! If your body is a bit sore after some aggressive spring skiing, leave your hotel at your own pace and start at the Bow River Bridge and head away from the “hustle and bustle” of Banff’s six cars!
You are pretty likely to see an elk or two on your casual walks around Banff.
The path winds gently upwards alongside the Bow River which you can see flowing through the trees. The higher you get, the better the views are and it is pretty likely you will come across some grazing elk or deer on the way to drink some water. Soon enough, you will see across the valley the extremely impressive Banff Springs Hotel. It looks like Draculas Castle or one of Madonna’s homes. Same thing I suppose. There are a few different turn off options that you can do in summer but are a bit too icy outside the warmest months.
Eventually the path leads you to Surprise Corner where you can look over all the beauty of Banff. This is a great place to sit down and relax for a while after such an exhausting walk! It is also perfect for photos. The ultimate goal is just around the corner. The Banff Centre is a little hidden away from the town of Banff. You can finish your walk off with a swim and steam room in the Sally Borden gym. If this sounds like too much activity, then a beer or coffee is a nice alternative. You can take an equally beautiful short cut on the way back to town that will leave you right back to your hotel feeling somehow healthier but less strained!