Top Activities on the Ground in Banff

Perfect for newbies, this canyoning experience at Heart Creek Canyon, near Banff and Canmore, features a relatively easy approach and amazing scenery. A popular hiking destination, Heart Creek serves as an ideal location to learn how to rope rappel. Rappels progressively increase in length, culminating with a 60-foot (18 meter) waterfall rappel and slide.

Experience the winter wonderland of Banff’s Johnston Canyon on this ice walk tour. Join a professional guide on a hike along the canyon’s steel walkways, to visit the beautiful lower and upper waterfalls, and learn how this majestic canyon was formed. Your excursion includes round-trip transportation, ice cleats, and a hiking pole, plus a light snack and hot chocolate to help warm you up.

Choose from among four of Banff National Park’s most iconic trails on this 7-hour guided hiking tour with packed lunch. Pick the perfect walk for your level of ability and experience, varying from 4.5 miles (7km) to 6.6 miles (10.6km) in length, with spectacular mountain scenery no matter which option you select. The trip’s four options include explorations of Larch Valley, Stanley Glacier, Consolation Lakes or the Plain of Six Glaciers.

Hike on a frozen creek, and explore surreal rock formations and indigenous wall art on this small-group tour through Grotto Canyon. Your specialist guide explains the unique history and geology of the canyon as you glide past wondrous icefalls in this sublime winter environment. The tour also includes use of ice cleats and a hiking pole, plus a light snack and hot chocolate.

Maximize time in Banff with a small-group guided e-bike and hiking tour. Cover ground quickly on an e-bike as you admire views of Vermilion Lakes, the forests of Legacy Trail, and the Bow Valley Parkway. Continue this half-day tour with a day hike to Johnston Canyon, including the Lower Falls Bridge. Combine two popular activities in one guided tour.

The majestic landscapes around Banff are perfect settings for rock climbing adventures. But, if you're a beginner, it can be difficult to know where to start. This small-group rock climbing experience is suitable for all levels of experience, from novice to advanced. Whatever your ability, you'll benefit from expert instruction, experience the thrill of climbing and be prepared for getting out into nature.

Saddle up for a journey through the celebrated landscape of Banff National Park on this guided horseback riding adventure. Get out of the car and onto the trails of the Bow River or the Spray River and enjoy the area’s beautiful outdoor environment, largely unchanged from the days of the pioneers. This equine-themed odyssey includes a guide, use of a horse, and all necessary equipment.

Saddle up and head out on the Rocky Mountain trails in Banff National Park. Explore the area by horseback with your cowboy guide to see the area in a way you can only experience from on the back of a horse. With a guide in the lead and a guide bringing up the rear, your ride will be a safe, fun adventure in the wilderness.  

Saddle up for a ride along the Bow River in Banff and a Western style cookout. Choose from riding on horseback or in a covered wagon through the beautiful Rocky Mountain terrain. At the dining site, spend some time perfecting your roping skills or relaxing with a game of horseshoes before “tucking in”--that’s cowboy speak for “eating”—a yummy BBQ meal.

Maximize your views of Banff National Park with minimal exertion during this round-trip gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain. Take in views of six different mountain ranges and nearby rivers aboard your state-of-the-art alpine transport, offering large windows and seating for four guests. Enjoy time exploring the ridge line boardwalk before returning back to town.

Situated within Banff National Park, the pretty town of Banff is the stepping stone to some of Canada’s most beautiful mountain landscapes. On this tour, swing into the saddle and trek through the Rocky Mountains scenery on horseback with your guide. Follow rugged trails past dense forests and shimmering lakes, and enjoy a relaxing introduction to the spectacular Banff National Park. Along the way, spot native beavers and elk in their natural habitat.

Join an animal-spotting bus tour in Banff National Park, observing the park’s amazing wildlife at dusk on this 2-hour, small-group tour that’s perfect for nature enthusiasts. Enjoy Banff’s beautiful landscapes in the evening searching for elk, deer, bears and more because each tour has a 95% success rate of viewing animals in their natural environment. You'll also hear about the park's efforts to protect animals and their habitat from your expert guide.

Discover Lake Louise and Moraine Lake on this guided tour from Banff. Located inside the Banff National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the lakes are well-known for their distinct turquoise hues. Gain insight into the area’s mountaineering history, admire views of the Valley of Ten Peaks and leave with plenty of frame-worthy photos. Round-trip transportation is included on this small-group tour. Don’t miss this seasonal tour that operates from April to November.

See the best that Banff National Park and the surrounding wilderness have to offer—including Victoria Glacier, stunning Moraine Lake and towering Takakkaw Falls—on this full-day guided coach tour.  Over the course of the day, discover some of the most awe-inspiring natural scenery of the Canadian Rockies, with time to spot some of the area’s diverse wildlife, plus enjoy lunch and round-trip transport from Banff.

Discover one of Banff National Park’s most popular hiking trails at night, without the fear of getting lost, during this small-group tour. Equipped with a headlight, explore Johnston Canyon with a guide leading the way, and marvel at shimmering frozen waterfalls and hike along a suspended catwalk. Then, take a break to warm up mid-route with hot chocolate and maple cookies.

Nestled beneath the peaks of Mt. Rundle and Mt. Cascade, Banff is considered among Alberta’s must-see destinations—but away from the spectacular scenery lies a ghostly past only the bravest visitors can uncover. On this spooky evening walking tour, follow your guide through Banff’s historic streets and hear spine-chilling tales from beyond the grave. Learn of the unsolved crimes and terrifying encounters that haunt Banff’s dim and distant past.

Get ready for a Rocky Mountain adventure like no other. This thrilling tour takes you into the canyons near Jasper National Park for a day of hiking and rappelling with a small group. Featuring eight rappels, this adventure starts in Brule, Alberta (about an hour from Jasper) and takes you down into the rugged landscapes only the truly adventurous get to experience.

This is the most exceptional hike in the Banff vicinity with incredible views of the Bow Valley, Cory Pass, the Gargoyle Valley and the imposing face of Mt. Louis. It is one of the few loop hikes in the region and for strong hikers, it is a must do. We’ll provide transportation, a professional driver and interpretive guide with commentary and local stories as they whisk you away to your hiking adventure. We’ll bring everything you need, including lunch.

Perfect for newbies, this canyoning experience at Heart Creek Canyon, near Banff and Canmore, features a relatively easy approach and amazing scenery. A popular hiking destination, Heart Creek serves as an ideal location to learn how to rope rappel. Rappels progressively increase in length, culminating with a 60-foot (18 meter) waterfall rappel and slide.

Explore Banff National Park like never before on this unique experience. Discover the amazing night sky at our mountain vista stargazing locations! Don't forget your GOOD camera! Our semi-private small group tours offer the best guided experiences in Banff. Don't waste half your adventure driving around Banff hotels picking up 12-24+ people. We meet our small groups at one meeting location and drive out to the trail! Our profressional local guides carry Bear Spray and all other required safety equipment.

This ridge hike is truly a unique experience - it's not well known, even by Banff locals. It's also the perfect add-on to the Banff Gondola experience. The views are the best you will experience in the Banff area, with a 360 degree panorama of the surrounding mountains. Our certified guides will pass on unique information about this sensitive alpine environment, the history of Banff, among other interesting topics, while making sure you are safe and comfortable.

Take a hike through one of the loveliest spots in an area of the world known for loveliness. This excursion to Sunshine Meadows in Banff National Park gives visitors the opportunity to explore the alpine meadows that used to be a sight reserved only for mountain climbers. Luckily you can get a bit of a hand to the top with the Sunshine gondola and Standish chairlift.

For a true Banff adventure, don’t just witness waterfalls—climb up them. With your guide leading the way (and gearing you up), you’ll be walking in crampons in no time, belaying, and swinging ice tools up the side of a frozen waterfall in the Canadian Rockies. All skill levels welcome for a world-class adventure in this world-class destination.

Get to know the secrets and hidden treasures of Banff on a clue-solving adventure through the city. Solve puzzles and clues through the app on your phone with your group—up to four people—over the course of one or two hours. Explore key landmarks, discover hidden gems, and learn more about Banff and Canada during your adventure.

Looking to get to a summit? Join this more advanced hike of our summit series and learn basic scrambling technique.