I spent four days in Banff, and after ticking off the iconic lakes, I found myself with a free morning and looking for something else to do. A quick Google search led me to Tunnel Mountain - a short hike right in town with great views. It sounded perfect for a low-key morning adventure without needing to travel far, so I decided to go for it.
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| view from the summit of Tunnel Mountain |
My Experience Hiking Tunnel Mountain
The trail is about 4.3 km round trip, and it starts just behind the Banff Centre, which is easy to find on Google Maps. As a female solo traveler, I really appreciated how safe and straightforward it felt. There were plenty of other hikers - a mix of tourists, locals, and even a few people walking their dogs, so I never felt alone or uneasy. It’s a nice balance of quiet enough to enjoy the nature but busy enough that you’re not isolated.
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| the Tunnel Mountain trail |
The path winds through trees with a steady incline made up of gentle switchbacks. It's easy enough to follow, and it'd be hard to get lost. The elevations aren't too tough, but they do get your heart rate up just enough to feel like you’ve earned the view. There are spots along the way where you can catch glimpses of the mountains or the river, and if you need a break, there are benches to rest and take it all in.
Once you reach the top, you’re rewarded with panoramic views in every direction. On one side, there’s a full view of Banff town nestled between the mountains, and on the other, you can see the Bow River winding through the valley with more peaks off in the distance.
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| view of Banff Town from Tunnel Mountain |
You’ll also spot the Banff Springs Golf Course below. I didn’t know the names of all the mountains I was seeing, but the scenery was breathtaking - one of those “wow, I’m really here” moments.
I did the hike at the beginning of winter, so while there wasn’t snow yet, parts of the trail were a little icy. I noticed some people doing the hike in regular trainers, which might be fine in the summer, but I’d recommend proper hiking shoes or at least trail runners, especially in cooler months. It’s a short trail, but a good grip makes a difference, particularly on the way down.
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| view of Bow Falls and the Canadian Rockies from Tunnel Mountain |
Tunnel Mountain might not be the most remote or challenging trail in Banff, but it’s definitely worth doing, especially if you want something simple with great payoff. The views are stunning, the trail is easy to follow, and you don’t need to carve out a whole day to do it.
If you’ve already done the big-ticket sights and are looking for something easy and scenic to round out your trip, this hike is a solid choice.
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