Helping you find the sights you came for, and uncover the stories you didn't expect
~ 20 minute read ~
At the Juniper, we’ll guide you to Banff’s iconic sights – but we believe there’s even more magic just beyond them. Going Beyond Banff’s Top 10 is about uncovering the quieter corners of the valley: the lesser-known trails, hidden viewpoints, and moments that feel a little more your own.
1) Above Moraine Lake and Lake Louise
We featured both Moraine Lake and Lake Louise on our ‘Banff Top 10’ list, and suggested spending a little more time there to get the most from the experience. Let’s cover that in a little more detail.
Most visitors spend around an hour at each lake, taking the famous photo at each lake, perhaps strolling along the paths beside the lake – lovely. But for those craving more, these two lakes have some of our favourite hikes in the area right above them! These are not secret, hidden, local-knowledge-only trails – they’re pretty famous. But they’re also easily missed when you’re hastily planning a big Banff adventure.
The hike to Sentinel Pass takes you up the steep side of the Moraine Lake valley and out into the alpine following the trail through infamous Larch Valley (a stunning area, particularly in Fall when the larches turn gold) and up the switchbacks to the pass. Depending on how much time you have there is then a 10hr hike out through Paradise Valley back to the Moraine Lake – Lake Louise road. Most hikers do not have this time or experience so return the same way, stopping at the ponds and gazing at the Ten Peaks. On your way up you will have passed a fork in the trail leading to Eiffel Lake. This path splits off from the Larch Valley Trail well before Sentinel Pass and gives you panoramic views over Moraine Lake, the Valley of the Ten Peaks and Eiffel Lake if you make it that far.
Above Lake Louise are the Lake Agnes Trail (2-3hrs rtn), Lake Agnes to Plain of Six Glaciers Loop via the Highline Trail (5hrs rtn), and Saddleback Pass (3-4hrs rtn). Lake Agnes is a very popular route up to the Lae Agnes Tea House and Beehive lookout – another famous viewpoint. Hikers can continue from the Tea House onto the Highline Trail onto the Plain of Six Glaciers and return back to Lake Louise along the shoreline. For a quieter trail with panoramic views over the Bow Valley and the sheer faces of some spectacular mountains, take the highly rewarding Saddleback Pass trail from Lake Louise up to the pass, Fairview Mountain or Saddle Mountain.
Book Ahead to avoid disappointment either online (links in our blog ‘Visit Moraine Lake in Summer 2026‘) or via the Front Desk IF there are any shuttle spots remaining.
2) Vermilion Lakes Paddle
Closer to Banff and only 5 minutes cycle from the Juniper to the Canoe Club dock, this unforgettable experience is easy to do yet easily missed. The Canoe Club rent canoes hourly and even offer tours up the Bow River. For those comfortable paddling alone, a network of streams and creeks take you through beautiful woods and to Vermilion Lakes where you’re rewarded with unbelievable views of Rundle Mountain, Norquay and the Bow Valley. Disclaimer – you may have to navigate a small beaver dam to get there!
Alterantively and especially on a hot summer day, paddle up the broad Bow River enjoying the views and spotting osprey nests and other local birds before turning back and letting the current float you all the way back.
3) Goat's Creek Loop - Banff to Canmore
Warning: this is a big, varied and throughly enjoyable day in the Rocky Mountains. Goat’s Creek is the backcountry trail behind Rundle Mountain between Banff and Canmore. Using rental bikes and either the Roam local busses or some impressive endurance, you can turn this into a loop featuring pleasant stops, empty backcountry, staggering mountain vistas, a short fluorescent lake walk, afternoon swim, shopping and après. What a day!
The trail begins up at the Fairmont so you will want to rent bikes in Banff first. The Juniper offers complimentary e-bike rental, but Parks Canada do not permit e-bikes on the Goat’s Creek trail. From the Fairmont take the 19.3km Goat’s Creek trail and enjoy 2-3 hours of forest, mountains, the river and bridge crossings. At the Goat Creek Parking Lot turn left towards Canmore and cycle next to Whitmans Pond. Leave the bikes at the north end of the pond and take the trail down to Grassi Lakes – the colours and hues of which change colour depending on the season and cloud cover, but are stunning at any time.
Back with the bikes take the road all the way down to Canmore Downtown. There is a short stop on the way if you fancy a dip in either the reservoir or pretty Quarry Lake. Once in Canmore, enjoy the downtown area’s shops, cafes and bars before getting the #3 bus back to Banff. Bikes can be carried on the front of the bus. If you’re cycling back to Banff, follow the Legacy Trail along the highway all the way back (~33km).
Reminder: whenever you hike or bike in Banff there is always the chance of a wildlife encounter. Keep your distance, respect that these are wild animals, and carry bear spray which can be borrowed at the Juniper Front Desk.
4) Cycle the CLOSED Bow Valley Parkway
The Bow Valley Parkway runs along the far side of the Bow River, winding its way from Banff to Lake Louise. Outside of peak season, traffic is minimal, making it a slower, more scenic drive with frequent viewpoints, campgrounds, and trailheads leading into the mountains.
Since 2002, Parks Canada have piloted a road closure from 1 May to 25 June (8am–8pm), and again from 28 August to 2 October, restricting vehicle access and allowing cyclists to enjoy the wide, flowing parkway without traffic.
The initiative has proved hugely popular with both locals and visitors – including those on four legs. While cycling, you may spot black bears, grizzlies, deer, bighorn sheep, and a variety of birdlife. If you borrow the Juniper’s complimentary e-bikes, the gently undulating route is an easy ride, with Johnston Canyon (on our Top 10 list) reachable in around 90 minutes (17km).
The parkway continues all the way to Lake Louise Ski Resort, though vehicle traffic resumes beyond Johnston Canyon.
To access the Bow Valley Parkway from the Juniper, cross the bridge over the highway and turn right onto Vermilion Lakes Drive. Continue onto the Banff Legacy Trail, which connects to the start of the parkway.
5) Taylor Lake
The Taylor Lake trailhead is just a 25-minute drive from the Juniper, with a steady 585-metre climb to the lake. It’s one of the more accessible alpine hikes in the Bow Valley between Banff and Lake Louise, leading to a classic hanging-valley lake that’s every bit as beautiful as the more famous spots, yet far less crowded. You’ll likely pass only a handful of other hikers along the way.
The ascent itself is fairly straightforward, following a wide trail through dense forest. While not the most scenic stretch, the reward at the end more than makes up for it. As you emerge from the trees into a meadow of wildflowers, Taylor Lake reveals itself, framed by a dramatic 750-metre rock wall at its far end. On a clear day, the lake can reflect the surrounding peaks like a mirror, and in September, the larches across the slopes turn a striking gold.
If you’re keen to go further – especially recommended during larch season- the trail continues past the campground towards Mount Bell. This extension is less about summits and more about soaking in the landscape, with wildflowers, golden larches, and three small alpine lakes nestled at the head of the basin, around an hour beyond the main lake.
Reminder: whenever you hike or bike in Banff, there is always the chance of a wildlife encounter. Keep your distance, respect that these are wild animals, and carry bear spray that can be borrowed at the Juniper Front Desk.
6) Rockbound Lake
This 760m elevation, 6-8 hour hike is a rigorous but rewarding out and back hike behind Castle Mountain – the huge rocky outcrop you can’t fail to miss on your way to Lake Louise from Banff.
Recommended as a mid-season / July-August hike when the melting snow dries out. The trail leads up the valley with views of the Bow Valley and Eisenhower Tower (the 2752-meter limestone pinnacle rising in front of the main body of Castle Mountain. The first lake reached is Tower Lake; a placid, green mirror where the trail appears to end. Not so; The trail continues to the right of the lake and above the headwall beyond.
From here you will see Rockbound Lake – a vast amphithetre of limestone with a large lake in the cirque. There are routes to explore further up the slopes of Helena Ridge for different perspectives of the lake. Rock climbers can find bouldering, experienced scramblers can ascend the main peak of Castle Mountain.
Top Tip: less than a kilometer from the main trail, 0.3km from the trailhead, is the 90-meter staircase-style Silverton Falls. These remarkable falls are typically overlooked by visitors to the valley and are well worth a detour on your hike.
We’re going to keep reminding you: whenever you hike or bike in Banff, there is always the chance of a wildlife encounter. Keep your distance, respect that these are wild animals, and carry bear spray which can be borrowed at the Juniper Front Desk.
7) Above Peyto Lake - Bow Summit Lookout
Peyto Lake and its Icefields Parkway backdrop is possibly the most stunning lake in Canada if not the world. It’s an unmissable experience and easily reached via a 20-minute path from the car park. Of course, this accessibility makes it unbearably crowded in peak season at peak times. Beyond going early, late or in off-season, we recommend going beyond the Peyto Lake Viewpoint and above to Bow Summit Lookout.
Once you’ve taken THE photo at the Peyto Lake Viewpoint, turn and take the right paved trail leading upwards. After 100 meters take the middle path at the three-way sign. In a few minutes the paved trail turns right, but stay on the old Fire Lookout service road. After 3km you will reach the site of the old Fire Lookout, removed in the 1970s. The views are already incredible from here, but hike another 200 meters up the rocky trail beyond the Lookout, and you will have the best views perhaps of your entire Banff trip.
Once again: whenever you hike or bike in Banff, there is always the chance of a wildlife encounter. Keep your distance, respect that these are wild animals, and carry bear spray which can be borrowed at the Juniper Front Desk.
8) The Whyte Museum
Tucked just off Bear Street, the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies offers a deeper, more personal way to experience the Rockies – one that goes beyond the landscapes and into the lives shaped by them.
Founded by artists Peter Whyte and Catharine Robb Whyte, the museum blends art, history, and storytelling to capture the spirit of the region. Inside, you’ll find rotating exhibitions of Canadian art alongside photography, journals, and artefacts that document the Indigenous communities and early pioneers who defined life in the mountains.
What sets the Whyte apart is its sense of intimacy. This isn’t a grand, overwhelming institution; it’s a quiet, thoughtful space that invites visitors to slow down and look a little closer. The surrounding heritage homes, preserved on-site, offer a glimpse into Banff’s past, while the archives hold one of the most significant collections dedicated to the Canadian Rockies.
For visitors, it’s a chance to step out of the postcard and into the story behind it – to understand not just what makes this place beautiful, but why it matters.
Speak to the Juniper Front Desk for special tickets, and get there with complimentary e-bikes less than 10 minutes along the Bow River Trail from the hotel.
9) Cory Pass / Mt. Edith Loop Trail
For those with legs used to tough climbs, narrow trails, a little scrambling, and a fair bit of distance, this 13km 6-8hr loop hike is among Banff’s greatest. Generally considered a ‘Hard‘ route, the path contains very steep upward sections, narrow sections, easily navigable but not signposted sections, and some vertigo inducing sections as you cross short landslides. There is also a 5-minute scrambling section up, over and down a rock. Those are the tricky bits. The reward is views over the Bow Valley and the backcountry. followed by a long hike through the otherworldly Gargoyle Valley. This is a hike straight out of Patagonia; a trail rivaling Italy’s Dolomites.
This hike is Hard. But it’s very worth it IF you are confident and prepared for hiking in the mountains. The Juniper offers complimentary hiking poles, bear spray, backpacks and more. You can reach the Edith Pass trailhead by 20-30 minute e-bike along the Banff Legacy Trail or by driving. Note this is not a bus operated route. When you get to the trailhead you will have to cross a stream.
Reminder: whenever you hike or bike in Banff, there is always the chance of a wildlife encounter. Keep your distance, respect that these are wild animals, and carry bear spray which can be borrowed at the Juniper Front Desk.
10) Sundance Canyon
The journey to Sundance Canyon is as much a part of the experience as the gorgeous canyon itself. Renting complimentary e-bikes from the Juniper will get you there in a 30-40 minute cycle plus time for photos. From the Juniper you can take the road into Banff and join the Bow River Trail just past the railway crossing. At the first bridge, cross the river and head towards historic Cave & Basin – the reason Banff National Park was formed. It’s well worth stopping and entering the cave, seeing the sacred thermal pool and reading the information on display.
From Cave & Basin, the wide paved trail is for pedestrian and cyclists only and follows the river past stunning viewpoints and wildlife and bird watching opportunities. The trail ends at the 2km Sundance Canyon loop where you’ll leave your bikes and hike up and around the canyon before looping back..
Reminder: whenever you hike or bike in Banff, there is always the chance of a wildlife encounter. Keep your distance, respect that these are wild animals, and carry bear spray which can be borrowed at the Juniper Front Desk.
Please note: this is not a hiking guide!
For full details on hiking trails, we recommend picking up a local Rocky Mountain Trails guidebook, visiting the Banff & Lake Louise Tourism website, or stopping by the Parks Canada office on Banff Avenue.
This guide is intended as a source of inspiration for your Banff visit and only scratches the surface—be sure to consult more detailed resources before heading out on the trail.
Photo Credit: Joanna Wroblewska and Denise Shabtai for the Juniper Hotel, Samantha Reid BLLT, Eva Adamkova BLLT,
We acknowledge that Banff National Park is within the present-day territories of the Treaty 6, 7, and 8, Nations as well as the Métis Homeland. The lands and waters of Banff have been used by Indigenous Peoples for sustenance, ceremony, trade, and travel. We thank them for their continuous stewardship and for sharing the land with us.