How to Hike The Tunnel Mountain Trail in Banff National Park!
Are you looking for easy Banff hikes that are walking distance from your accommodation? The Tunnel Mountain trail is the perfect option as it’s the closest to downtown, easy to get to and easy to ascend as the tunnel mountain elevation is just 5551 feet high.
I’ve done the tunnel mountain walk myself and this blog post includes the step-by-step guide to also enjoy one of the easiest hikes from Banff town with incredible views over the Bow Valley and of the eye-widening, Rocky Mountains.
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What is Tunnel Mountain Banff?
Tunnel Mountain in Banff is found in Bow Valley in the centre of Banff townsite and one of the most popular and easy hiking trails Banff has to offer for locals and tourists.
You can summit a mountain right from the heart of downtown Banff without travelling far and be rewarded with epic views of The Rockies, Hoodoos, Banff Town, River and the general National Park.
The mountain referred to as ‘Tunnel Mountain’ in this article is known as Sacred Buffalo Guardian Mountain by First Nations and as ‘Sleeping Buffalo’ in Stoney as it resembles this from the North. There is a petition to get the name changed back to its original which you can find here.
Guide to Tunnel Mountain Trail Banff
tunnel mountain alltrails: https://www.alltrails.com/en-gb/trail/canada/alberta/tunnel-mountain-trail
tunnel mountain hike length: The tunnel mountain loop is 4km out and back.
tunnel mountain hike difficulty: Easy. I’m a beginner hiker and I found this trail easy especially with the epic views along the way to stop for a breather!
tunnel mountain elevation gain: Gain of 267 metres / 875 feet
tunnel mountain hike time: On average it takes about 45 minutes per way. I spent 2 hours on Tunnel Mountain which included stops for views and a beer at the top. It took me 39 minutes to hike up and 30 minutes to hike down.
best time to visit: Tunnel Mountain sunset time is an amazing time to climb the mountain because the views from the top are stunning when the sun goes down over the Rockies.
is tunnel mountain trail open in Winter? Yes! The tunnel mountain hiking trail is open all year round so you can enjoy this hike in all seasons. Be sure to wear ice spikes or crampons if hiking in Winter.
starting point address: 190 Tunnel Mountain Dr, Banff, AB T1L 1K2, Canada
tunnel mountain trail parking is free at two starting points.
Banff Hiking Essentials
- Always check trail conditions here when doing Banff hike Tunnel Mountain – https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ab/banff/activ/randonee-hiking/etat-sentiers-trail-conditions
- Sort accommodation in advance – I use booking. See above for my recommendations.
- Make Sure You Get Travel Insurance – I always use Coverwise when travelling unless on a working holiday visa where specific insurance is required. Coverwise is reliable, cheap, has straightforward policies that are emailed and kept on file and the website is easy to navigate. Find quotes for your travel insurance with Coverwise here.
- Pack – Ensure you’ve packed the essential clothes including layers, waterproofs and hiking gear, first aid kits, and make room for souvenirs.
- Do I need bear spray in Banff? – YES! This is an important addition when hiking in Banff to protect yourself. You can buy it in town, on Amazon here, or rent it from your accommodation or convenience stores in Banff Town. Note: you cannot take this on an airplane with you as it is classed as a weapon.
- Public Transport – Either book airport transfers, rent your own vehicle, get to know the local bus routes and note the Banff taxi numbers (+1 403-762-0000)
- Grab a Lonely Planet Guide, a map and maybe a hiking book for the area!
- Read all my Banff posts here
- Find your tours via Viator
- Safety comes first! Tell someone your route and how long you’ll be, consider a bear bell for your bag, pack bear spray, prepare for changes in weather and leave no trace.
The Tunnel Mountain Hike Banff
How to Get to Tunnel Mountain Trail
Getting to Tunnel is easy whether you drive or not as being so close to Banff centre, you have many options to get there.
By car head to Tunnel Mountain drive and specifically to the upper Tunnel Mountain parking. There is the lower parking option too which is found at Surprise Corner.
By bus take the Roam Transit route number 2. See schedule here. Note that you must still walk about 5 minutes to the start of the trail.
Don’t forget you can also reach the mountain from Banff town on foot. Head to Grizzly Street where you’ll be able to walk up wooden steps and you’ll see the first sign for the trail of Tunnel Mountain. This is roughly 1km and will take about half an hour and add to your overall hike time but if the weather is nice, why not!
Where to Start Tunnel Mountain Hike?
There are two signs for the tunnel mountain hike trailhead.
The first is just beyond Grizzly Street in downtown Banff and you can start here which takes about 10 minutes before you reach the second sign.
The second sign is where you’ll find the free tunnel mountain hike parking and where people usually start when driving.
Directions for the Hike
- Starting at the second sign for the Banff Tunnel Mountain trail, you’ll find this:
- Take the steps on the right and keep going
- You’ll follow a series of short and long switchbacks, and after the first few that are steep, the rest is mostly flat
- Take the time to stop along the way to enjoy the views on both sides of the trail
- You’ll come to a few metal fence areas where the views of the Rocky Mountains are phenomenal. You’ll also see Fairmont Golf Course, Hoodoo Rocks and lots of chances to spot wildlife
- Keep following the trail and you’ll find the red deck chairs which are found all over Banff National Park. Enjoy the sunset here.
- Just a bit longer and you’ll reach the Tunnel Mountain summit hike. Here you’ll find a ‘congratulations’ sign, information boards and, of course, epic tunnel mountain lookout views.
Stunning at Tunnel Mountain Summit Banff!
What To Do At Tunnel Mountain Banff
- Take in the breathtaking Tunnel Mountain viewpoint and scenes of Banff National Park both at sunrise and sunset and whatever the weather as the trail is open for the majority of the year
- Find the red chairs in Banff that have been placed all over the park
- Look out to hoodoos trail Banff, tunnel mountain golf course and Rockies
- There’s no Tunnel Mountain gondola but there is the gondola on Sulphur Mountain
- Take a beer, a tea or lunch
- Do some of your favourite activities like reading, yoga or napping
- Take binoculars and spot wildlife from the top
- Read about past hikers on the mountain at the summit
- Tick it off your Banff Hiking Bucket List!
Here is the view when I did the Tunnel Mountain winter hike:
If you want a nature guide while hiking Tunnel Mountain then try this audio tour for under CAD$6 for history of the mountain, the park and information on wildlife. This is definitely one of the most fun ways to do the hike!
Tunnel Banff FAQs
Where is Tunnel Mountain? Tunnel Mountain is located in the centre of the town of Banff and is the smallest mountain in the area and can be seen from anywhere downtown or from the summits around.
Is there a tunnel in tunnel mountain Banff? No, there is no actual tunnel through, on or near Tunnel Mountain Alberta.
Why do they call it Tunnel Mountain then? In the 1800s, Canadian Pacific Railway wanted to build a tunnel through this mountain in Banff but decided they could actually just build a track around it but the name stuck.
What is the height for Tunnel Mountain Canada? The height of Tunnel is 1,692 m / 5,551 feet.
Is Tunnel Mountain hike hard to do? Consider Tunnel Mountain trails for beginner hikers as it’s an easy hike.
How long is tunnel mountain hike? It can take anywhere between 30 minutes to 1 hour to reach the summit and about 1.5/2 hours round trip.
Can families and pets do the Tunnel Mountain Banff hike? Yes! On the way you’ll pass many dogs and their owners on a daily walk, runners, children and people of all ages.
What are the mountains seen from Tunnel Mountain? The Rocky Mountains are glorious. When walking up you’ll be surrounded by Cascade, Sulphur and Rundle. You can see many more from the top.
Do you need bear spray for Tunnel Mountain? This is bear country so no matter where you hike or trek, yes, carry bear spray.
What about a Tunnel Mountain hike Winter? Yes, Tunnel Mountain is open all year round and an easy hike to do in the Winter.
Banff Tunnel Mountain Hotels
You have various options for tunnel mountain accommodations near the tunnel hike Banff like the tunnel mountain campground, hostels, tunnel mountain chalets and hotels all located on Tunnel Mountain road and just a walk, bus or short drive from Tunnel Mountain trailhead. See my best hostels list here or a quick overview of the closest:
- HI Banff Alpine Centre is the hostel with the best budget option with free WIFI, locker space, a cafe, bar, outdoor area and balconies available. This is also an excellent place to connect with other travellers and join communal hikes. Search for the latest availability and best prices here.
- The best self-catering accommodation is The Hidden Ridge Resort with mountain-style furnishings, outdoor hot tub, gym facilities, balconies, kitchen, wifi, wood-burning fireplaces and incredible views of the mountains. Find the best prices here.
- The Tunnel Mountain Resort Banff is the best accommodation option near the hike. It has chalets and suites to choose from with facilities like an indoor pool, free wifi, fireplaces. Reception also provides excellent excursion options for hikes, day trips and cruises. Click here for latest prices and availability.
My Banff Posts
- How to Get From Calgary to Banff
- 13 Best Banff Cafes!
- The Last of Us Filming Location Near Banff
- How to See Frozen Ice Bubbles in Alberta Canada!
- How to Find Larch Trees in Banff (The Larch Valley Hiking Guide)
- Finding Bow Falls in Banff
- Moving to Canada Checklist!
- The Marsh Loop Hiking Guide
- Christmas in Banff Guide!
Thanks for reading, I hope this will help you on your Banff Tunnel Mountain hike.
Hike Tunnel Mountain Banff Guide: Save it!
