pin image of the end of marsh loop trail Banff. Mountains in background, wetlands in front

Guide to Hiking The Marsh Loop Banff Trailhead in Banff National Park!

The Marsh Loop is a circular trail found near Cave and Basin Historical Site in Banff National Park just a short walk from Downtown Banff.

There are so many hikes to do in Banff but if you’re looking for an easy, flat and short route then read on for the Marsh Loop Banff Trailhead guide!

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Banff Hiking Essentials

  • Always check trail conditions here – https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ab/banff/activ/randonee-hiking/etat-sentiers-trail-conditions 
  • Sort accommodation in advance – I use booking.com. See below 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.
  • Bear Spray – 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
  • 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. 

About Marsh Loop Trailhead

image of marsh loop trail sign Banff

The Marsh Trail Banff is a circular walk perfect for beginner hikers and ideal for anyone who just fancies a flat, quick walk. It’s also a popular horse trek route so there’s lots of mud on the path.

The trail circumnavigates a wetland filled from hot springs flowing out of the slopes of Sulphur Mountain and is adjacent to the Bow River.

I highly recommend to get here early to see birds and other wildlife as I went around 11am and didn’t see anything!

distance of loop: 2.6km / 1.6 miles

difficulty: Easy. Note that this is a muddy walk due to also being a Horse trail.

average time of hike: 1 hour round hike (not including getting there)

best time to visit: The most ideal time to hike this route is in Summer / Spring / Fall. Although the marsh loop banff winter trail is doable, it can get very muddy, icy and potentially dangerous.

closest self-catering accommodation: Banff Boutique Inn for cosy and private digs on the same road as Marsh Loop and near the bus stop

closest hotel: YWCA Banff Hotel on the same road as Cave and Basin and also near the bus stop

address: Cave and Basin, 311 Cave Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1K2, Canada

How to Get to The Marsh Loop Banff

Use the above address if you’re getting to the Marsh trail by car.

By bus, take the Roam Transit bus number 4 toward Cave and Basin. The bus stop is at the bottom of the steps of the gift shop.

If walking, allow about 15 minutes to walk this route:

cave and basin sign on road leading to marsh loop banff
cave and basin sign on road leading to marsh loop banff
car park at cave and basin leading to marsh loop banff
Car Park
gift shop at cave and basin leading to marsh loop banff
  • Starting at Cascade Gardens traffic lights (looking at the gardens), turn right onto Cave Avenue
  • Walk along Cave Avenue until you see the car park
  • Turn left into the car park and (keeping left) walk past the gift shop until you are at the entrance of Cave and Basin Historical Site.

Directions For The Marsh Loop Trail Banff

The trail for the Marsh Loop is not very clear and there is a lack of signage for the trail (something I heard multiple times) so I thought I’d put together some things to look out for and directions for the actual loop itself.

1) To start the Marsh Loop, go to the entrance of Cave and Basin Historical Site.

image of front exterior of cave and basin historical site banff
image of front exterior of cave and basin historical site banff

2) Bear right in front of the main building and you’ll see this sign for the route:

image of Marsh Loop trail sign on green post outside cave and basin in Banff
image of Marsh Loop trail path outside cave and basin in Banff

3) Keep walking past the ‘Exhibit | Exposition’ building and onto the path with trees either side.

image of exhibit exposition building on the Marsh Loop trail sign on green post outside cave and basin in Banff
image of Marsh Loop trail path between lots of green trees either side in Banff

4) Keep walking for roughly 10 minutes until you will see this sign to your right. (if you can find it, the signage isn’t great).

Image of marsh loop sign on the trail to turn in Banff. Sign is yellow and almost hidden in bushes.
marsh loop trail right turning Banff

5) Turn right and onto the loop so the river is on your left.

image of marsh loop trail Banff with bow river to left and tall green trees
image of marsh loop trail Banff with bow river to left and tall green trees
image of marsh loop trail Banff with bow river to left and tall green trees

6) Continue on this path for scenic 360 views and pass over three bridges in total.

image of bridge on marsh loop trail Banff and tall green trees
image of bridge on marsh loop trail Banff and tall green trees
image of bridge on marsh loop trail Banff and tall green trees

7) Finally, you turn right and should see the Wetlands.

image of wetlands path marsh loop trail Banff
image of wetlands marsh loop trail Banff
image of wetlands and mountains marsh loop trail Banff
image of wetlands and mountains marsh loop trail Banff

8) You’ll end at the start of the car park.

Alternatively, turn right before the car park and you’ll see this Marsh Loop sign:

image of marsh loop trail sign Banff
image of marsh loop trail sign Banff

Now turn right with the wetlands on your left and river on your right for the trek. You’ll loop back to the Cave and Basin in the opposite direction as above.

Tips

  • You can continue hiking while here by joining the Sundance Canyon Trail.
  • Also, ensure you visit the Cave and Basin Natural Historical Site to learn about the history of Canada’s first National Park at the museum and see the location of natural mineral thermal springs.
  • You are in a National Park which is the home of plenty of wildlife so be respectful and mindful.
  • Leave no trace!
  • Head into Downtown Banff afterwards for food after your hike.
  • Safety information: https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/mtn/ours-bears/securite-safety

Tours Near The Marsh Trail

If you’d prefer doing the Banff Marsh Loop trail by horse, why not take one of these guided tours for 2 or 3 hours that includes this route, Cave and Basin, as well as other incredible trails around Banff National Park.

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Thanks for reading. I hope this will help you find, hike and enjoy the Marsh Trailhead in Banff.

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