Canada’s Mountain Village
Banff: A Travel Guide
The Ultimate Banff Travel Guide
Banff is the crown jewel of the Rockies and a bucketlist destination for everyone visiting the Rockies. With adventures and experiences for everyone, from mountaineering feats to delicious delicacies, Banff has somethnig for everyone.
Banff is the main city in the Rockies. It is 1.5 hours from Calgary and 45 minutes from Lake Louise. This is the perfect place to stay during your time in the Canadian Rockies.
Our Banff travel guide features a small selection of the best local hikes, adventures and attractions. We also have put together a range of great travel deals and vetted some of the best tour and activity operators to make planning your trip easier.
Use our Banff travel information to find outfitters, travel deals to Banff and research the activities to help you make the most of your Banff experience.
You can stay in Banff on any budget, with a wide selection of hotels, hostels and camping facilities. Tunnel Mountain Village is the local campground that feels like an escape to nature, while only being a fifteen minute walk to the heart of downtown!
Top Attractions In Banff

Stanley Park
Stanley Park is a nature oasis right on the edge of Vancouver’s downtown. The perfect place for sunset bike rides, forest walks, city views and beach picnics. Check out the wonders of Stanley Park with a bike rental!

Jericho Beach
Jericho (and surrounding) beaches are so close to downtown and feel so far away. This is a perfect place to come for sunset and maybe even a cheeky beverage. There is a bike path to here from downtown, or you can drive.

Lynn Canyon
Vancouver’s rain forest mecca! Go for a hike in Lynn Canyon and find yuorself crossing suspension bridges, walking through cool, shady forests and following the rushing rivers of the Lynn River as it flows through an ancient forest.

Deep Cove
Deep Cove feels like its own little seaside village on the edge of the wilderness. A few minute drive from downtown will get you here, where you can rent kayaks, or go for a hike to Quarry Rock for a view.

Lighthouse Park
West Vancouver’s crown jewel, Lighthouse Park sits between the downtown of Vancouver and the open wilderness of Howe Sound. This is a spectacular place to catch a sunrise, and the trails weave beneath some of the largest Douglas Fir trees on the coast.

Mt Seymour Provincial Park
Mount Seymour is an alpine hiker’s dream come true, with easy access to a variety of trails that quickly whisk you deep into the alpine expanses of the north shore mountains. Come here for sunrise views, moderate hiking and some great panoramas of Vancovuer and the Strait of Georgia.

Cypress Provincial Park
Lively alpine forests, easy ocean views, and reprieve from the bustle of downtown make Cypress Park an amazing place to go hiking in Vancouver. This is the start of the Howe Sound Crest Trail and many smaller day hikes.

Granville Island
Nothing beats Granville Island public market to stock up on some picnic supplies for your Vancouver adventure. This is the perfect palce to see a lively market and get some local delicasies like candied salmon!

Bowen Island
An island all on its own, but also right beside Vancouver. Bowen Island makes for a really fun day trip from Vancouver. You can hike Mt Gardner for some great views, or circumnavigate Kilarney Lake.
Things To Do In Banff
Hiking
Banff might be the center of the universe for hiking. There are trails in all directions of all difficulties. Head out for a full day, or go on a shorter walk, the choice is yours!

Biking
Banff offers several amazing trails to bike on. Some for views, some for thrills. You can bike between Banff and Canmore, and that’s just scratching the surface!

Nature & Wildlife Viewing
Banff is no stranger to nature lovers. Head out for a scenic drive or walk, around many of the local attractions around Banff. Wildlife can be found all around Banff (if you know where and when to look!)

Arts and Heritage
Banff may be an outdoor Mecca, but it’s no slouch when it comes to arts and entertainment. Banff Center for Arts is world class, and the museum in town hold many amazing discoveries.
Banff Travel Tips
Getting To/ From Banff
Getting to Banff couldn’t be easier! Here are some of the ways you can travel to Banff.
Driving To Banff:
Banff is easily accessed right off the Trans-Canada Highway from east or west. Banff is roughly 1.5 hours from Calgary and 2 hours from Golden. Make sure you stop and get a Parks Canada pass on your way into the park if you plan to stop.
Flying To Banff:
You can fly into Calgary International Airport directly from much of the world. The airport is one of Canada’s largest airports, but it is really well managed, so it has a small feel to it.
From the airport you can easily catch a shuttle to Banff. This should be booked in advance and costs roughly $75.
Getting To Banff By Bus:
You can get to Banff from Calgary or Vancouver by bus with Rider Express, who offer scheduled service from Calgary to Vancouver on a daily basis.
There are several great airprot shuttles that access Banff from Calgary as well.
Roam Transit operates in the town of Banff and Canmore, connecting the two towns and making it easy to get around.
Where To Go Hiking In Banff
Banff’s Top Hiking Trails- Easy Walks & Small Hikes
Coming Soon!
2 Hours
6 km Return
No elevation
Lighthouse Park feels like an escape from the city, while being so close still. Walk through old growth trees, including some of the largest and oldest Douglas Firs in Vancouver. The views from the coast are fabulous, including views of the distant Vancouver dotnwtown. You could stop for a swim here and enjoy a nice picnic lunch. There is parking and this trail is accessible by public transit.
Best Hiking Trails in Banff- Big Day Hikes
Coming Soon!
4 Hours
10 km Return
450 m Elevation
Mt Seymour is the furthest right of the 3 North Shore mountains visible from downtown Vancouver and offers an alpine oasis right on the edge of the city. Despite being easy to get to, Mt Seymour is proper wilderness hiking and weather can move in here surprisingly fast. Make sure you are adequately equipped for this hike.
Mt Seymour hiking trail starts at the ski hill parking lot and heads directly uphill twowards first peak and on to second and third peaks. The views of the city are second to none, with sheer wilderness to the North and the sprawling city of Vancouver to the South.
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