Tuesday, November 26, 2019
The Best (And Mostly Free!) Outdoor Activities in Banff, Canada
Bear’s Hump
If you only have a day in Waterton National Park and time for a short hike, do Bear’s Hump. It’s only 2 miles round trip (climbing a little over 700 feet) and it offers the best views of Waterton to include Upper and Lower Waterton Lake, the town of Waterton (which is so cute by the way), the famous Prince of Wales Hotel, and of course, the amazing Canadian Rockies which stretch as far as the eye can see.
If you only have a day in Waterton National Park and time for a short hike, do Bear’s Hump. It’s only 2 miles round trip (climbing a little over 700 feet) and it offers the best views of Waterton to include Upper and Lower Waterton Lake, the town of Waterton (which is so cute by the way), the famous Prince of Wales Hotel, and of course, the amazing Canadian Rockies which stretch as far as the eye can see.
Crypt Lake
If you have an extra day in Waterton and are up for a serious adventure and want to check one of National Geographic’s 20 Most Thrilling Hikes off your bucketlist, don’t miss the famous Crypt Lake trail. This trail starts with a short 15 min boat ride via Waterton Shoreline Cruise (cost is $20/person) across Waterton Lake to Crypt Landing where you begin the hike. This hike is challenging, a little over 10 miles round trip, and not suited for young children or those with a serious fear of heights. Also, don’t forget bear spray (that goes for pretty much any hike in Canada)!
The trail passes by some waterfalls and pretty views, but the real thrill comes when you have to hold onto a steel cable and ascend up the narrow cliff with steep drop-offs, climb an eight foot ladder, and wiggle yourself through a 60 foot tunnel. This hike isn’t for the faint of heart, but it will definitely leave you with a surge of adrenaline when you accomplish the hike and make it safely down!
If you have an extra day in Waterton and are up for a serious adventure and want to check one of National Geographic’s 20 Most Thrilling Hikes off your bucketlist, don’t miss the famous Crypt Lake trail. This trail starts with a short 15 min boat ride via Waterton Shoreline Cruise (cost is $20/person) across Waterton Lake to Crypt Landing where you begin the hike. This hike is challenging, a little over 10 miles round trip, and not suited for young children or those with a serious fear of heights. Also, don’t forget bear spray (that goes for pretty much any hike in Canada)!
The trail passes by some waterfalls and pretty views, but the real thrill comes when you have to hold onto a steel cable and ascend up the narrow cliff with steep drop-offs, climb an eight foot ladder, and wiggle yourself through a 60 foot tunnel. This hike isn’t for the faint of heart, but it will definitely leave you with a surge of adrenaline when you accomplish the hike and make it safely down!
Red Rock Canyon
If you can squeeze it in (perhaps the same day you hike Bear’s Hump), Red Rock Canyon is a great, easy, short hike (less than a mile!) that takes you to a waterfall, and along a pretty red rock canyon where the kids can play in the water.
If you can squeeze it in (perhaps the same day you hike Bear’s Hump), Red Rock Canyon is a great, easy, short hike (less than a mile!) that takes you to a waterfall, and along a pretty red rock canyon where the kids can play in the water.
Cave & Basin
While you’re in Banff, don’t miss Cave & Basin Historic Site, which is actually the birthplace of Canadian National Parks. In 1883, railway workers discovered warm water springs on this site on the side of Sulphur Mountain, which led to the establishment of a reserve around the hot springs in 1885.
Two years later the Canadian government made the area a national park – the country’s first. We loved seeing the underground hot springs, but the museum is also very well done and includes a short film of all of Canada’s National Parks, which is beautifully done! Did we mention that it is free too?!
This article adapted from this Site
While you’re in Banff, don’t miss Cave & Basin Historic Site, which is actually the birthplace of Canadian National Parks. In 1883, railway workers discovered warm water springs on this site on the side of Sulphur Mountain, which led to the establishment of a reserve around the hot springs in 1885.
Two years later the Canadian government made the area a national park – the country’s first. We loved seeing the underground hot springs, but the museum is also very well done and includes a short film of all of Canada’s National Parks, which is beautifully done! Did we mention that it is free too?!
This article adapted from this Site