10 Best Mountains Around Banff

As you wander around downtown Banff, there’s one mountain that always seems to pop up in the background, and that’s Cascade Mountain. This 2,998-metre peak is one of the most well-known mountains in the area.

But Cascade Mountain isn’t just lovely to look at. You can also climb all the way to the top. Over the course of eight hours or so, you can hike and scramble your way over 20 kilometres of trail. While that’s quite a bit of hiking, you’ll realise it’s worth the effort when you reach the end and see panoramic views of towering mountains, Lake Minnewanka and the occasional mountain goat.

Located in Banff National Park, Mount Rundle is one of the most well-known mountains around Banff. After all, this 2,949-metre peak is one of the most popular hiking spots in town.

As you can imagine, tackling this tall mountain is a bit of a challenge (although it’s considered one of the easier mountain hikes in Banff). Along this 7-hour, 11-kilometres (round-trip) journey, you’ll make your way along switchbacks and scrambles galore. When you reach the end, you’ll see everything from the peak of Mount Assiniboine to the rushing water of Bow Valley.

Everyone knows about the iconic Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland, but did you know that Banff, Canada has a Matterhorn of its own? Officially known as Mount Assiniboine, this Banff mountain was nicknamed the “Matterhorn of the Rockies,” thanks to its eerie resemblance to the famed Swiss peak.

But there’s a reason that you likely haven’t heard of Mount Assiniboine – and that’s because it’s quite difficult to get to. Since there are no parking lots into Assiniboine Provincial Park, you’ll have to hike and/or helicopter your way in instead. But if you manage to make it there, you’ll have jaw-dropping mountains and lakes – including Mount Assiniboine – (nearly) all to yourself.

If you’re hoping to experience the beauty of the Canadian Rockies without a strenuous hike, plan a visit to Sulphur Mountain. This gorgeous mountain is home to the Banff gondola, which means that you can reach the peak without much effort at all. And you can take in the views of the town of Banff and six different mountain ranges, while you’re at it.

That said, Sulphur Mountain does have an option for hikers as well. This 11-kilometre round-trip trek usually takes about five hours to complete. As you might expect, it’s great for a blood-pumping workout and sweeping views.

While nearly every accessible mountain peak has a small scrambling section, Mount Temple is the place to go for some of the best scrambling routes around. Scrambling, an outdoor activity somewhere between hiking and rock climbing, is a relatively popular activity in the mountains around Banff.

Do note that it’s only safe to scramble (or hike) Mount Temple in the late summer and autumn months, ideally starting around mid-July. Any earlier in the year, the melting winter snow will make the conditions unsafe.

Like Mount Temple, Pyramid Mountain is a spot known for scrambling, rather than hiking. But scrambling Pyramid Mountain is an all-day triathlon-esque experience.

To start, you’ll actually bike your way along the fire road section of the Pyramid Mountain Trail. You’ll eventually ditch your bike after 8 kilometres or so (around when you reach a fork in the road) for a bit of hiking. Then, you’ll stumble upon a meadow, and at the other side, you’ll catch a glimpse of the scrambling route you’ve been waiting for. All in all, you’ll cover about 28 kilometres during this full-day adventure.

Mount Robson lies claim to the coveted title of the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. At 3,954 metres tall, it soars over the rest of the other mountains in the area.

To get the best views of Mount Robson, you’ll want to go to Mount Robson Provincial Park. Once you get there, you’ll have two primary options to see the best views of this title-holding peak: on foot or by air. If on foot is your preference, get ready for a multi-day hiking adventure on the 41.5-kilometre Berg Trail. And if you’d prefer to take to the skies, you’ll get to enjoy a birds’ eye view of this awe-inspiring peak.

For the adventure of a lifetime, head to Mount Athabasca where you can hike and scramble to your heart’s content. But there’s more: While visiting this incredible Banff mountain, you can even walk on a glacier.

Suitable for people of most ages and experience levels, a guided glacier tour of Mount Athabasca is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. After camping the night on the Columbia Icefield, navigate your way through snow gullies and on glaciers until you reach the top of this enchanting icy mountain.

Tackling the impressive 3,394-metre Mount Hector isn’t for the inexperienced. With varying climates, countless switchbacks, and a whole lot of altitude gain, it’s quite a trek to embark on.

If you feel that you’re up for the challenge, book yourself a guided trekking tour. With the help of an experienced guide, you’ll cross creeks, navigate over glaciers, and scramble up rocks before you finally reach the summit. From there, you can simply sit back and enjoy the views of Banff, the Canadian Rockies and beyond.

Many of the mountains around Banff require full-day or multi-day treks to make it to the peak. But that’s not the case for Tunnel Mountain. This 1,691-metre mountain is fantastic if you’re looking for a more moderately challenging trek.

Over the course of the 2.3 kilometres to the summit, you’ll get to gape at thriving green trees, snow-capped mountains, and greenery-filled Bow Valley. And when you reach the top, why not settle down at the rocky outcrop for a picturesque picnic lunch?