Photo: Adam Jones, Ph.D., CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
📍 Banff Moderate
TODAY'S STATUS (OFFICIAL SOURCE)
Caution
⚠️ Variable conditions · 2026-10-16: Stay on trail; Wet and muddy sections Parks Canada ↗
9.6 km
Distance
+655 m
Elevation gain
4 h
Time
Moderate
Difficulty
✓
Dogs on leash
A switchback trail with exposed roots and rocks that climbs steadily to a summit with 360° mountain views. At the top, a 500 m boardwalk along the ridge, with 368 shallow steps, leads to a viewpoint on Sanson Peak.
Return on the same trail. You can also go down the Sulphur Mountain Westside Trail (5.4 km) to the Sundance Trail and Cave and Basin (2.6 km), but you will need your own way back to the trailhead.
The trailhead is at the Banff Upper Hot Springs parking area, at the end of Mountain Avenue, 4.3 km south of downtown Banff. It fills quickly: the best option is Roam route 1.
📍 Banff Upper Hot Springs parking area, Mountain Avenue, Banff National Park
Summer to early fall. Snow and ice can linger on the trail into late spring.
This is bear country. Hike in a group, make noise, carry bear spray within reach and know how to use it. Keep at least 100 m from any bear.
User experiences, not official information. Always check the official status before you go.
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