WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN THE BANFF NATIONAL PARK

Any trip to the Rocky Mountains of Canada must inevitably go through the Banff National Park. It is also the closest to the city of Calgary, and therefore, to the international airport that gives access to a good part of tourists. We visited it from the north after exploring the Jasper National Park, which we liked a little more by the way ... But the Banff National Park has lots of attractions and in this article we will tell you everything the best thing to see and do in Banff National Park.

The Banff National Park It was created in 1885 and was the first national park in all of Canada, and the third in North America (after Yellowstone and Mackinac). The richness of its landscapes began to attract high-class tourism, which at that time was the only one that could afford these long and extreme trips. A first impulse was given by the company of the Canadian Pacific Railroad that built two of its emblematic hotels here: the Fairmont Banff Springs and Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, to promote tourism and train use. By the way, these hotels are still in operation and are two of the most luxurious in Canada, if you feel like giving yourself a whim ... Later projects involved the construction of roads in the park, among which was in 1940 the Icefields Parkway that connected to Banff and Jasper.

In 1984, Banff National Park was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, along with the rest of the Canadian Rocky Mountain parks, for its beautiful landscapes of high mountains, glaciers, lakes, waterfalls and canyons, as well as being home to a wide diversity of wild animals, among which the grizzly bear stands out.

Here are some tips to visit the Banff National Park that can be worth to prepare your trip:

How many days are needed to visit Banff National Park?

We recommend at least 3 nights.

Where to base?

The main tourist center where most services are concentrated is the city of Banff, 128 kilometers from Calgary ... Although you also have the option of staying in Lake louise, a small town located 54 km northwest of Banff, and only 15 km from Lake Louise and its iconic Chateau Lake Louise. At the end of the article we tell you where we are staying.

• Accommodation in Banff
• Accommodation in Lake Louise

How much does the pass to Banff National Park cost?

In order to visit the Rocky Mountain National Parks you will have to buy a pass at one of the ticket offices located on the access roads. There are two options:

• For days: $ 19.80 for each day.
• Annual pass: $ 134

Both are valid for all parks, so the annual pass will compensate you if you are going to be 7 days or more. We spent 6 days in this whole area, but we prefer to buy the annual pass, who knows if it will be worth it for a future trip. Prices are per car, regardless of the number of people traveling, and can be paid in cash or by card.

At what time to visit Banff National Park?

If your main objective is to go skiing or winter sports, you are in the right place: here are three of the best ski resorts in the world (Norquay, Lake Louise Ski Area and Sunshine Village) and the season usually goes from mid November to the end of May. For summer visits, it is best to go from June, we arrived in mid-May and there were still frozen lakes and areas closed to the public (for snowfall or for being at the end of the grizzly bear hibernation period). Keep in mind that in July and August this tends to be quite people.

Here is a graph of Banff's year-round weather:

Below you have a map of the Banff National Park with the location of the places and the essential visits:

Now yes, here goes the best what to see and do in Banff National Park, ordered from north to south, from the Lake Louise area to see at the end those that are distributed in and around Banff:

Lake louise

Famous for its turquoise waters and for being surrounded by huge mountains, it is one of the most iconic images of all the Rocky Mountains of Canada. In mid-May, when we visited it, it was still completely covered with ice, the image is not what we used to see in instagram accounts, but it also has its charm.

To get there, follow the road that reaches the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, one of those hotels sponsored by the Canadian Pacific Railway to promote tourism in the early twentieth century. The public parking is next to the east end of the lake, where you will have stunning views.

For those with monkey trekkingTwo of the most interesting are born from the right side of Lake Louise, and possibly the best things to do in Banff National Park:

Trekking to Lake Agnes

It is a path of 3.4 km one way which ascends to a well-known and popular tea house, open in high season (from June to September). The unevenness that is overcome is more than 400 meters, and the road will pass through the Mirror lake and for a small waterfall.

Trekking through the plain of the 6 glaciers (Plain of 6 Glaciers)

It is quite popular and apparently one of the best tours in the area, but be prepared to sweat the fat drop! They are a total of 5.5 km one way To get to another tea house. Unlike the previous walk, the first part of it runs along the shore of the lake, to reach the other end, 2 km. And from there the ascent begins, little by little you will see how Lake Louise gets smaller behind your back, but the views will be breathtaking. From the tea house, you can continue walking for another 1.3 km towards the Abbot Pass, and have the Victoria Glacier at your feet.

There is the possibility of joining the two trekkings in a loop of 14.6 km in total. Take the trail of the 6 glaciers first, and then back down the path called Highline that ends at Mirror Lake. This is an area with a lot of wildlife, including the bears of course (don't forget your spray), but also squirrels and mountain goats.

Moraine Lake

Unfortunately, this was one of the places that we are closed, and it sat like a dart straight to the heart! It is considered to be the most spectacular lake in the Rockies, and it shares with others the spectacular mountainous environment and the turquoise color typical of glacial lakes. Also if you add the reflection of the mountains in its waters, you already have the perfect postcard. It is located 14 km from the village of Lake Louise, in the Valley of the Ten Peaks, a unique place!

To have the best photo, ascend the 300 meters to the viewpoint at the end of the The Rockpile Trail. The views from there are popularly known as "the views of the 20 dollars", as it was the image that was used on the 20 dollar bills in Canada between 1969 and 1979.

Once it is open you can visit for free or if you prefer, joining a tour that takes you to Lake Louise and Lake Moraine from Banff.

Bow valley parkway

It is the old road between Lake Louise and Jasper, before the large highway that runs parallel to the other side of the Bow River is built. We recommend you take your time and enjoy it without haste. Make these stops:

• Morant's Curve. This viewpoint is popular with photographers who come here to get a magical moment, when the train takes this curve under your feet, with a film background. If you are fortunate that at that precise moment a train passes it would be ideal, but you see that the views are almost as beautiful without it.
• Several viewpoints, right to the Bow river and the valley, and on the left, facing the huge mazizo of Castle cliffs
• Johnston Canyon. This popular trail (and so popular, which took us about 15 minutes to find parking) runs through the canyon of Johston Creek, first to the Lower Falls (1.1 km) and then to the Upper Falls (2.6 km). It is a beautiful road with sections on walkways hanging from the rock itself and with a lot of natural beauty. On Instagram, a photo of the "Secret Cave", which is in this canyon, has become famous. From what we understand is not official trail is not marked ... worthwhile or not find it is your business ...

Banff

It is the largest and liveliest city in the area, and the one that many use as a base to visit the Rocky Mountains in Canada. Around it there are many interesting points, these are the best:

Vermilion Lakes Drive

This panoramic road runs parallel to these small lakes and lagoons near Banff. There are several panoramic points, with very photogenic wooden piers, and halfway you will find some benches that face the lake, perfect for coffee and enjoy a moment of peace, while the ducklings swim in the water.

Minnewanka Loop

Another scenic road that we loved. It is located north of Banff, and passes through the beautiful lakes of Johson Lake, Two jack lake and the famous Minnewanka lake. In the latter there are boats that cross it, although we believe it is not worth it. Of course, walk along its left bank to the Stewart Canyon to have different views of the lake.

Tunnel Mountain Road

This road is born in the very center of Banff and ascends part of the Tunnel Mountain, to continue a few kilometers north where there are several interesting viewpoints. Stop at these points:

• Go first to Surprise Corner Viewpoint Y Bow Falls Viewpoint, next to each other. In front of you, and at the other end of the rapids that form at this height of the Bow River, the impressive hotel will appear among the forest Fairmont Banff Springs.
• On the way up you will find a small parking lot, where you can leave the car and join the walk that reaches the top of the Tunnel Mountain. This path starts a little lower, in the town itself and, apart from the slope, it does not have too much difficulty. From the top the views of the valley and the surrounding mountains are shocking.
• The road from here begins to descend, but do not believe that what awaits you then is not worth it. The next two viewpoints are one of our favorites! The first one is facing the Tunnel Mountain Campground, next to the road, and has a couple of those red chairs that have been scattered around emblematic places in Canada. The second is the viewpoint over the Hoodoos, a strange rock formation resembling a destroyed sand castle. There is a path that goes up to the side of the ravine with barios viewpoints throughout its short route.

Mount Norquay Drive

It is a winding road that ascends in zigzag along the slope of this mountain to the ski resort. In the last part there is a popular viewpoint with great views of the city of Banff and the Bow Valley. Go with your eyes wide open because mountain goats abound in this area. Here there is also a ski lift if you still want to climb a little more. One of the best things to see and do in Banff National Park.

Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel and river side trail

On the south side of the Bow River and following its course in the rapids area there is a path that crosses a rather interesting urban park. Nearby there is the Fairmont Banff hotel. We take advantage every time we find one of these mythical hotels to enter and gossip a little.

Banff Gondola

As in many other places in the Rockies, in Banff there is also a cable car that saves a considerable height and takes you to a panoramic point over the city and the surroundings. This costs $ 64 for the round trip.

Upper hotsprings

The perfect plan to end the day is to stick a bath in the hot water pool of this outdoor spa. The good thing is that the prices are quite low, the entrance only costs $ 8.30, the bad thing is that it is usually quite crowded.

Cave and Basin

Let's say it was the beginning of everything. In this cave, thermal and natural sources were discovered and around them the first national park was established, in 1885. A couple of years later the protected territory was expanded, giving rise to what we know today as the Rocky Mountains of Canada. Unfortunately today you can not bathe, but if there is an option to visit the cave inside, the price is $ 4, there is also a combined ticket of $ 11 that allows you to enter the Upper Hotsprings.

Canmore

It is a town about 20 minutes south of Banff that could be the perfect alternative if the crowds in small towns overwhelm you. Between Jasper and Banff we noticed how the latter was noticeably more touristy, perhaps because being closer to Calgary is much more accessible for those arriving through its airport. But Canmore, nestled in an area just as incredible as Banff and with the same services (in terms of gas stations, supermarkets, accommodation), is much quieter. We approached the morning before we left for breakfast and we loved it!

We stayed the first two nights at the HI Lake Louise, taking advantage that we arrived quite late to tour the Icefields Parway, and the next day we went to visit the most interesting places around. The hostel is one of the prettiest where we were from the HI Canada hostel chain, and they are constantly improving. One point in their favor is that they probably have the best restaurant in the entire town of Lake Louise, and the prices are quite cheap (the soup of the day cost about $ 5 and the soup menu + sandwich about $ 12). Oh, and there is a sauna !!

The third night we spent at HI Banff, with a fantastic position on the panoramic road of Tunnel Road and with a terrace with great views of the mountains and the surroundings. Both highly recommended!

The Rocky Mountains of Canada are amazing, and the Banff National Park It brings together a lot of those attractions. Here we have told you how to visit this park and its best things to see and do. Are you ready for the adventure?

Video: The Top 20 Sights in Banff National Park 2018 (April 2024).