The Banff National Park was on my travel wish list for some time when I finally decided to pay it a visit in June 2017. For the first time. As it exceeded my already high expectations, I knew it wasn’t my last visit and I came back one year later, in September 2018. Originally, I planned to share my itinerary with you, but then I had a better idea 🙂 Continue reading to explore the list of my favorite places that you can manage to visit in Banff National Park in six days. I leave the detailed itinerary up to you because it is better to plan in once you are there according to weather forecast for the week 🙂 Enjoy!

I believe once you are in the Banff National Park, you do not want to miss the Banff town itself. It is very picturesque, however crowded with tourists, mostly during summer months and weekends. Banff Avenue, heart of the town facing the famous Cascade Mountain, is full of coffee shops, restaurants and gift shops. It is gate to many attractions nearby – Banff gondola, Banff Upper Hot Springs and Banff cave and basin.

Little trip to Sulphur Mountain is one of my favorite. I visited this place twice, both in June 2017 and September 2018. It was more crowded in June, so if you travel during the main season, make sure you book your gondola ticket in advance. You will skip the queue that might really be long. Otherwise you can buy tickets on-site, or hike to the top of the mountain. It will take around 2 hours. We had beautiful weather both our visits, it was sunny and the views were just brilliant. You can have a short walk around, have a coffee or snack, visit one of two restaurants, explore the visitor center and check the gift shop.

Best thing you can do in the evening, preferably after a hike, sightseeing, or traveling around, is to enjoy relax in the hot springs. Banff Upper Hot Springs are located just 5 minutes from the Banff town. It is open until 10 pm during the week day and 11 pm during weekends and admission fee is only 8.30 CAD per person. You can borrow towel as well as swimsuit, both for just 1.90 CAD. There is just one pool that can get really crowded, therefore it’s better to visit during the off-peak season. You will enjoy the hot bath more before or after summer when it is cold outside 😉

If you are around Banff town area and have about one hour time, you can visit the Banff cave and basin. It is located about 2-minute drive from Banff town. If you decide to walk, it might take about 20 minutes. In case that you have valid Park pass, the admission is free, otherwise you pay 3.90 CAD. You can see, or better said smell 🙂 the hot springs, watch the film presentation, explore the outside displays and enjoy stunning views of the surrounding mountains from the upper decks.

Another place situated next to Banff town is Vermilion lakes. Allocate more time to explore this area, have a walk, relax at the pier, enjoy the stunning views of Mount Rundle and Sulphur Mountain, watch birds and wildlife and take photos. If you are more adventurous, you can hike one or more trails around the lakes or go canoeing on the lake, preferably during the warmer months. During winter you can hunt the northern lights from the shores.

In June 2017, the Johnston Canyon was closed because of fallen trees. One year later, we got more lucky and manage to see the canyon in its full beauty! I didn’t really check this destination before, so I was really surprised. Trail leading all the way to the Upper Johnston Falls is narrow with many catwalks. It takes about 30 minutes to reach lower falls and additional 30 minutes to reach upper falls. Return trip shouldn’t take you more than 2,5 hours.

Lower falls are stunning! You can enjoy the perfect view from the bridge over the creek or you can get even closer to the falls by passing the little tunnel (cave), just wait for your turn in the queue. It is worth to continue you hike and see the upper falls that drop 40 meters.

If you don’t get tired, I recommend following the trail to the Ink Pots. It is a nice 3 km long hike through the forest leading to vast meadows covered with many various pools created from mineral springs, ink pots. There you can enjoy more solitude as most of the tourists head back from the upper falls.

Johnston canyon is very popular with tourists, it is pretty crowded during summer months. Try to come earlier or later in the evening, there is enough sunlight during summer. If you’re visiting in spring or fall, better check current trail conditions before setting off your hike, as the trail might be still covered in snow or ice.

I traveled twice around the Canadian Rockies and I visited Lake Minnewanka twice as well. In June 2017 it was during the warmest day we had during our visit and I was wearing t-shirt. In October 2018 it was covered in snow and I was freezing in my winter outfit 🙂 I can’t decide which visit I liked more. In summer there was surprisingly less water in the lake, so we could get to more spots. During our snowy visit we could built a snowman. And we did 🙂 You can also buy a cruise on the lake and enjoy the views of surrounding mountains.

If you decided to visit Lake Minnewanka, do not forget to check out Two Jack Lake as well. It is very close, you can get there by car in approximately 5 minutes. You can have picnic at the shore and enjoy the views. You can be brave and step into the water to cross to the little island, it is only 5 meters from the shore 😉 Anyway I found the water freezing in June!

This is one of my favorite Canadian lakes and you definitely can’t miss it on your trip around Banff NP. To enjoy the lake to the fullest, you have to arrive before 7 am. At least when you’re visiting from June to October or during weekends. Parking lot has limited space, so once it is full, the road leading to the lake is closed. It’s still possible to use shuttle bus, however, it will already be crowded around the lake. Take advantage of arriving early. It is so quiet and peaceful, you can sit for a while and relax, enjoy the atmosphere or take photos 😉 When I was there in late September, it was still bit dark outside, but it was charming too. Do not forget to take hot tea or coffee with you, as Moraine Lake Lodge Cafe opens at 9 am. You might get cold by that time 😉

You can’t miss one of the most popular lakes in the Canadian Rockies! Lake Louise is a beautiful lake you just have to see. It also offers many activities to do in the area. During summer months you can enjoy canoeing. It is quite expensive, 115 CAD per person for one hour. If you are staying at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, prices are lower. You can also rent a canoe during evening hours, when there are less tourists. In one hour you can paddle to the farthest side of the lake and back. It is quite an exercise though! 🙂

As you are in the Canadian Rockies, beware of weather conditions that can change unexpectedly. The boat rental closes if it’s too windy, rainy, foggy or heavy snowfall. For your own safety always make sure can see the boathouse. That means they can see you too and are aware of your situation whatever happens.

Apart from canoeing you can set off on hiking, there are many trials starting at Lake Louise. You can hike to the Mirror Lake and continue to the Lake Agnes Teahouse. Alternatively, you can climb to Beehive and descent to the teahouse from there. It is little over 4 km up the hill, however nothing too demanding. You can have some rest at the teahouse and reward yourself with a cup of hot chocolate or a delicious apple crumble pie 😉

If you are up to a longer hike, you can follow the trail from Mirror Lake leading to the Plain of Six Glaciers. Here the weather can be even more unpredictable, make sure you wear proper hiking shoes, more layers of clothes and have raincoat as well as sunglasses with you.

If you are considering the trip to the Canadian Rockies, I believe you’ve already stumbled upon Emerald Lake. At least you must have seen its photo. The Emerald Lake lodge looks like from a fairy tale. Located in the Yoho National Park, you can easily visit Emerald Lake from your accommodation in the Banff National Park. It is 1-hour drive from Banff town. You can either have a walk around the lake. If you stop now and then and take photos, it may take two hours. There are also other trails to follow. In September, we hiked to the Emerald Basin. When hiking in the area, always take bear spray with you and make some noise on your way. We were visiting during the berry season, so we were little afraid we have a company 🙂

I was little bit unlucky, as it was raining the day I decide to visit Takakkaw Falls. Yet it was worth the visit. Located in the Yoho National Park, it is the 2nd tallest waterfall in Canada. During a nice weather you can enjoy your time there by exploring the area, relaxing and taking picture. Otherwise is it one of the short stops, you can make it in 30 minutes. Except for the waterfall, you will enjoy the Yoho Valley Road. It is 13 km long narrow, steep and winding road leading to waterfalls. It is the most scenic road I’ve experienced in Canada so far. You will enjoy the mesmerizing views as well as little adrenaline, thanks to many serpentine twists and turns 🙂 It is open from June to October only.

There is still one place I haven’t visited yet – Lake O’Hara. It is located in the Yoho National Park, however, easily accessible from the Banff National Park. It takes approx. 50 minutes from Banff town, if you are accommodated in chalets close to Castle Mountain, then it is only half an hour by car. To reach Lake O’Hara, you actually need to buy your ticket for shuttle bus. I knew I had to do it six months in advance, anyway I missed it. There are only few rides each day, so number of places is very limited compared to real demand. You can also hike on your own, however, prepare for a 10 km journey there and 10 km on your way back. In that case make sure you set off for the trip early in the morning to have enough time to come back during sunlight.

Prepare for weather change and possibility of meeting wildlife on the way. I believe you can enjoy the walk to the lake, it has two disadvantages though. There is only one trail to get to the lake and that is the road used by buses. That means no picturesque forest trail. There are hiking trails around the Lake O’Hara itself, so there is a chance you won’t have the time or energy to explore those after walking 10 km. At least I wouldn’t. So, better check out the fees for shuttle bus, operation times and book your trip at the official Parks website. You can stay at Lake O’Hara overnight, but that is pricey.

Love & happy travels,
RLT

P.S.: If you have any questions, different experience or suggestion, please share it in a comment below.