Photo: John Vetterli from Toronto, Canada, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
📍 Banff Moderate
TODAY'S STATUS (OFFICIAL SOURCE)
Open
✅ Good · 2026-10-16: Stay on designated trails and viewpoints; Mainly dry Parks Canada ↗
4.6 km
Distance
+275 m
Elevation gain
2 h
Time
Moderate
Difficulty
✓
Dogs on leash
✓
Family friendly
This trail switchbacks up to a low summit with views of the town of Banff, the Bow Valley and Mount Rundle rising to the south. The path has rock and root patches and a few concrete steps at the lower and upper trailheads.
It is 2.3 km one way: one of the shortest, most popular climbs from downtown Banff.
There are two trailheads. The lower one is on St. Julien Road, a 15-minute (1 km) walk from downtown Banff; the lot belongs to Banff Centre and is paid parking. The upper one is on Tunnel Mountain Drive, 2 km from downtown: park only in the designated area (parking on the road is illegal and unsafe).
📍 Tunnel Mountain lower trailhead, St. Julien Road, Banff National Park
Most of the year. In winter and spring it can be icy: wear shoes with good grip.
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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