With its reputation for delivering some of Canada’s most iconic scenes on a sweeping scale – think unbelievably blue lakes backed by majestic snow-capped peaks – it’s easy to see why Banff continues to reign as the country's most-visited national park. More than four million people visit the park annually, yet it’s surprisingly easy to get away from the throngs of tourists, thanks to an extensive maintained system of 1600km (1000 miles) of hiking trails.
Some of the most popular tracks start directly from the Lake Louise and Banff townsites, with others easily accessible via the park’s shuttle and transit options. From short family-friendly outings to full-day adventures to challenge more experienced hikers, here are Banff’s best day hikes for every skill level.
Best one-hour hike 1.4km (0.8 miles) one-way; 60 to 90 minutes; easy
Lake Louise doesn’t have a monopoly on stunning mountain lakes. You can see the blue-green Vista Lake straight from the parking lot, but it’s well worth the short and sweet downhill stroll to its shores. What goes down must come up, though. It’s about a 120-m (400-ft) climb back up to the parking lot, so make sure your water bottle is full.
Then again, if one hour doesn’t seem to be quite enough, continue down the trail another 3.6km (2.2 miles) and you’ll arrive at Arnica Lake. It’s a challenging but rewarding 580-m (1900-ft) climb along the Continental Divide through fields of alpine wildflowers (in the summer months) and golden larch trees (in the autumn).
Start/finish: This out-and-back hike can be accessed from the clearly signed Arnica Lake trailhead on Hwy 93, about 8km (5 miles) south of Castle Junction on the south side of the road. The parking lot is small, so it pays to arrive early, especially during the autumn larch season.
Best for families 10km (6 miles) of trails to choose from; 4 to 5 hours; easy to moderate
In the summer, Sunshine Village – one of Banff’s most popular ski resorts – transforms into Sunshine Meadows: a family-friendly hiking oasis with over 10km (6 miles) of trails to choose from.
This really is a choose-your-own-adventure destination, with the added bonus of a fun gondola ride up to the trailheads. (In other words, you can reach such great heights without actually having to hike up to them.) There are relatively flat options available for little ones, but the most popular trail crests the Continental Divide to a viewpoint at Rock Isle Lake.
Start/finish: Sunshine Village ski resort can be found 8km (5 miles) west of Banff on Hwy 1. A free shuttle operates daily from the Banff townsite, with no reservations necessary. However, to access hiking trails, you must pay for the gondola ($68 adults; $19 children) from early
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In Turkey, flavors, cultures, and architecture of the east and west find a beautiful confluence. The best time to visit Turkey is when the weather lets you enjoy all of it and more. Depending on the season you visit in, you might see Turkey as a region of natural wonders, rich cultural festivities or snowy adventures. Here’s a handy guide on the best time to visit Turkey, suited for you no matter which of the above you prefer.
Joe Urie, owner of Jasper Tour Company, was looking for coyotes in Jasper National Park when “all of a sudden this fire bursts up.” He called it in, tried to put it out himself, then got back into his tour van and told his passengers, a group of travelers from England, “we gotta go.”
I am not a hot-weather person. As soon as the thermometer starts climbing toward 80 degrees Fahrenheit, you'll find me indoors with the air conditioning blasting. So it should come as little surprise that I prefer to skip typical summer vacations to warm-weather destinations in favor of milder — or perhaps even snowy — climes.
With the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad (commonly known as the 33rd Summer Olympic Games or Paris 2024) now open, the State of Utah received official word on the eve of the opening ceremonies that The Beehive State has been selected to host the 2034 Winter Olympic Games, in its return to the United States. Utah was the last American location to host the Winter Olympic Games in 2002.
Visitors to one of the most popular national parks in the United States may need to adjust their plans. Yellowstone National Park's 'Biscuit Basin' area is closed due to a recent hydrothermal explosion that occurred on Tuesday morning, according to a news release. The closure affects parking lots, trails, and boardwalks near the Basin, which is located just north of the still-open Old Faithful geysers. The explosion was described as «localized» and occurred near the Sapphire Pool in Biscuit Basin. Videos of the incident, taken by tourists and then shared on social media, show large plumes of liquid and debris bursting in the air and then raining down on outdoor enthusiasts. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported at this time, according to the NPS. The park did not provide a timeline of when the area will reopen.
The National Parks, despite efforts to highlight LGBTQ heritage, have long felt like the domain of a homogenous set of travelers. National Park Service efforts to change this image have had mixed results—a number of Pride events in parks have received backlash and even boycotts from those they claim to celebrate. But visibility matters, especially in places long typified as straight, able-bodied, and white—and that’s where folks like Dusty Ballard and Mike Ryan come in.