Tunnel Mountain is the perfect spot for a leisurely hike (PHOTOS)

Apr 25 2023, 3:30 pm

Hikes are fun and expansive views of our beautiful province are even better but the sweat, pain, and exerciseĀ (shudders) that usually come with them can be a nuisance ā€” especially in the hot summer months.

Lucky for us, there’s a mountain in Alberta that can be summited in just over an hour.

Banff’s Tunnel Mountain, a small peak encircled by the Town of Banff and the Banff hot springs, features a mere 2.3-kilometre trail to get to the very top and once you’re there, you’re treated to a stunning view of the town and surrounding mountains.

The 300-metre elevation doesn’t have much on the other peaks in the area, but it is by far the easiest choice for people wanting a nice activity for the day who don’t happen to have their climbing gear or ice picks handy.

The trail does get pretty busy during the summer, though with a 360Ā° view, there are plenty of lookout points to check out away from the crowds.

For your own safety, please make sure you are prepared before heading out on your next adventure. Information on how to prepare for your trip and stay safe while on your hike is available from Albertaparks.ca and AdventureSmart. Parks Canada visitor guidelines are availableĀ here. Always remember to leave no trace, pack out what you pack in, stick to designated trails, and refrain from feeding wildlife ā€” and please note that irresponsible selfies (even if they look great for the ā€˜gram) can be fatal.Ā 

 

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Where is it?

Tunnel Mountain is located in the Township of BanffĀ on the aptly named Tunnel Mountain Drive. There are multiple parking lots to leave your vehicles behind and a few different trail options around the mountain.

Winter hikes Alberta

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How do you get there?

From Calgary, Banff is just an hour and a half drive along Highway 1. Once you’re in the town, you’ll need to take a quick right off of Banff Avenue on Tunnel Mountain Road, which will link up with Tunnel Mountain Drive.

Those coming from Edmonton will need to drive the three hours down to the Calgary area and then head west from there.

Tunnel Mountain

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What’s there?

Tunnel Mountain offers both a trail to get to the peak and another trail that snakes around the base of the mountain.

Bikes are not allowed on the peak trail (because there are steps to deal with, naturally), but they are permitted on the lower Hoodoos Trail.

A mere 2.3 kilometres is all that stands between you and summiting a literal mountain, and once you reach the top, you’ll be greeted by quite the view.

Photos are probably a better way of describing what you’ll see once you make it up there.

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And here’s what Tunnel Mountain looks like from one of the surrounding mountains (it’s the little fella just to the left of town).

Tunnel Mountain

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