Tunnel Mountain Trail
Tunnel Mountain Trail
4.5
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  • Kara D
    Didsbury, Canada27 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Nice Hike
    My husband and I did this hike. We are by no means in shape and I'm sure we'll be sore for a few days, but it was worth it. It took us about an hour to get to the top (with several rests along the way) and only about half an hour to get down. Great view at the top. It was muddy in spots and a bit snowy at the top. Wish we had brought our hiking boots. We did the whole thing in running shoes.
    Visited April 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written April 23, 2023
  • Cosmopolitan766609
    5 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Gorgeous view with a modest hike
    Nice hike to a great view. Multiple places to stop and catch your breath (for us 50 something year olds). Took about an hour and 15 minutes to get all the way up there and our thighs are burning up today, but it was worth it!
    Visited June 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written June 2, 2023
  • tiaragirl
    Calgary, Canada100 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The perfect hike
    One of my favourite moderate hikes. Arrive early (9:00am was fine) to avoid a busy trail. Try the top parking lot as it avoids a steep stretch. Hiking boots not required, runners were just fine.
    Visited August 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written August 10, 2023
  • GPaCalgary
    Calgary, Canada2,268 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great Views
    After all these years of coming to Banff ( 50+ ), I have never seen the Hoodoos, or if I have, I had long forgotten them. On this occasion the friends from the UK that we were escorting around the park asked to see them, so we went up the Tunnel Mountain Road and took the trail to view the Hoodoos. What a great view of the valley below and Banff Springs Hotel.
    Visited August 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written September 5, 2023
  • eVe 🇸🇬🇸🇬🇸🇬
    Singapore, Singapore802 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Just Do It....
    From downtown Banff, we walked in the direction to Tunnel Mountain, hit Grizzly Street and turn right. Continue walking for 500m and you will see the trail head near a car park. It is an easy hike up the 1,692 meters Tunnel Mountain. I took 70 minutes to the summit and rewarded with a stunning view of Banff and Bow River. We had our lunch at the summit with views that is simply panoramic. I took 40 minutes to get back down to the trailhead.
    Visited September 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written September 16, 2023
  • cl m
    Dublin, Ireland742 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Well Worth it
    This is a lovely short hike up to fantastic views. yes, there is a slight exertion to get there but nothing too strenuous. always people onit, so you feel perfectly safe if your heading up alone. soo worth it.
    Visited September 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written October 7, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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Seth D.
Prince Edward Island, Canada26 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2020 • Family
Coming from the east coast (PEI), this trail was recommended to us as a fairly easy beginner/intermediate trail. While we aren’t avid hikers, we often hike trails back home that are both longer and more narrow than Tunnel Mountain. However, we were inexperienced with hiking mountains or other steep inclines.
While the trail is mostly made up of switchbacks, which limits the steepness slightly, there are still some very steep parts of the trail, especially at the beginning. If you’re experienced climbing relatively steep terrain, this trail shouldn’t be difficult, but personally, we were exhausted by the time we reached the top.
As to the trail itself, it is fairly wide and well maintained. It is quite popular, so you’ll likely meet quite a few other people on the way up. While the views at the top are breathtaking, the rest of the trail is a bit repetitive. Overall, this is a nice trial if you have the time, but far from a must-see attraction.
Written August 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Tristan
59 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Solo
Tunnel Mountain Trail is a beautiful, scenic hike with amazing views at the top! Completed it easily without any spikes/cleats, though they would make it safer. Worth the short hike for the amazing views. Bring a jacket for when you get to the top, because the wind can be very cold!
Written January 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Alexander H
83 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2021
It's a good trail to do on like arrival day...it's not super long nor super difficult (rated moderate) and it is close to downtown Banff...I would not make a point of doing this on anything other than like a partial day in the city.
Written August 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

trimess
Brookfield, CT201 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
I did a run up to the top. It's a good workout, but the steepest parts are at the bottom. Snow on the trail was very well compacted, with only a couple of slick spots near the top. Great views! This is a fairly short trail, so well worth fitting into your schedule when you can.
Written January 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jodel
Los Angeles, CA285 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2020
This is a good starter hike/climb when you arrive in Banff. Its walking distance from downtown Banff, has a moderate start, then gets challenging just before the summit. The view include the town below, surrounding mountains, and the Banff Springs Hotel.
Written October 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Wendy F
Winnipeg, Canada24 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2021 • Couples
We parked at the high spot near the outlook of the Fairmont. We didn’t know there were 2 lots. Incredibly icy at the onset of the stairs and many people turned back. We forged ahead, in runners, and it was well worth it. After the first 5mins or so the trail was packed and easily navigable. Views were beautiful. We saw only one way finding sign on the way in which we continued past. We eventually hit the highway and here is where we lost track of the trail. We turned back at this point and followed the trail back along the highway but still very nice and we encountered about 12 elk along the way which was incredible. We didn’t come across any other way finding signs and came out at the road which unfortunately took us over an hour to find our way back to the car and we had to ask directions. GPS and All Trails were no help at this point and took us to the lower parking lot. Unfortunately we missed most of the return trail and we didn’t come across the red Adirondack chairs or a waterfall as others mentioned. Not sure where things went wrong but more signage is needed. Otherwise a beautiful trail and we would try again,
Written December 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Dan M
Calgary, Canada731 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2020
Depending on your ability, this is an easy hike. It is very steep but only 1.8 km each way. Nice view at the top of the mountain. Whole hike took about an hour including some short stops to appreciate the many views. If you are not a good hiker, plan for 2 hrs. and a couple of cold ones after.
Written August 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

namabeer
Toronto, Canada400 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2021
This is a quick hike up to the top. You can start higher up but few parking spots in the upper parking lots (maybe like 7 cars) If not then start lower. There is a few switch backs the quick walk to the top. The backside is Mt Rundle and golf course. There are some cliffs where you may see rock climbers. Further up to top gets you a nice unobstructed view of Banff town below and Banff Hotel and Sulfur mountain . Nice place to pack a lunch. there's even 2 red Muscoka chairs up there. Quick walk back down. It's a great little hike if you need to kill a few hrs.
Written October 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sandy G
10 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022
This Hike is always on our must do when we visit Banff.
It takes about one hour to hike and has a great switchback trail.
I like it as you have great views of the golf course and MT Rundle to the back and Banff and vermillion lakes to the front.
Parking spaces are limited but lots of people were parking on the road on the mountain side as there was room.
Written August 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

JFLeBlanc
Moncton, Canada3,416 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022 • Couples
Recently came here to do this hike. Hike is average, but steep in some places. There was a good amount of ice as well, so clamps is highly suggested as you could easily slip.

Views up the mountain is great and worth it!

You wont be disapointed.
Written April 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Tunnel Mountain Trail - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Frequently Asked Questions about Tunnel Mountain Trail