There’s no need to emphasize that Banff is one of the most scenic national parks in Canada. Not to mention the fact that it’s the oldest national park, established way back in 1885 as the Rocky Mountains Park. That, however, has nothing to do with its beauty. Anyway, there are many folks that wonder whether it’s safe to hike in Banff National Park. That’s exactly what we’ll talk about today!
So, have you ever been to Banff National Park? Do you even know where it’s located? If your answer’s a subtle NO, don’t worry. We’ll cover the basics, too. In the article that you’re about to read, you’ll find everything there’s to know about enjoying the scenery at Banff National Park, so stay tuned!
Hiking in Banff National Park is not considered unsafe if you follow all the necessary safety measures and take precautions. You’ll need to check the forecast, prepare for unexpected weather changes, pack lightly without forgetting to bring some extra drinking water & clothes, never go off-trail, avoid bear encounters, and so on.
We’re well aware that the easiest way to think that you’ve learned something is to simply read the snippet. However, that’s far from the truth. Read the whole thing!
Table of Contents
What is Banff and where can we find it?
As we’ve mentioned in the second paragraph, the subject matter for today’s article will cover some basic information concerning Banff National Park. Therefore, we’ll first need to consider what Banff represents, and just where on the map of North America should nature lovers point their index fingers!
Okay, so you’ll want to know that the Banff National Park is, as we’ve noted, Canada’s oldest (and the world’s third) national park. It was established way back in 1885. Back then, it was named Rocky Mountains Park, which is not so surprising since it’s located in Alberta’s Rocky Mountains.
What city is closest to Banff?
In order to find it without much hassle, know that it’s 110-180 km (68-112 miles) west of Calgary, the third-largest city in Canada. Also, you should know that the Banff National Park is not so difficult to access.
What is Banff known for?
You might wonder exactly why folks from all around the world (although they mostly come from Canada and its neighboring country) find this national park so appealing. Well, Banff’s pretty famous for its phenomenal, otherwordly-colored lakes, breathtaking scenic mountains, and, of course, countless ways you can enjoy an unforgettable outdoor adventure. Not to mention the fact that you’ll encounter some impressive wildlife in Banff. Also, keep in mind that Banff has something you’d call a rich heritage as it’s one of the most awe-inspiring mountain locations on our dear planet Earth.
Since we’ve mentioned countless ways you could enjoy nature in Banff, let’s see if it’s a popular hiking destination.
Is Banff good for hiking?
You’ll be quite happy to know that Banff is ideal as the backdrop for your hiking adventure (it even ended up on our list of best hikes in Canada for 2022). Here are some facts to back that up: in Banff National Park, you’ll find about 1.6K kilometers (or 994 miles) of hiking trails. Some folks go as far as to say that Banff offers one of the best hiking experiences in the world. While that might sound just a little bit over the top, know that it’s not a big exaggeration (if it’s an exaggeration at all). Also, keep in mind that there’s something for everybody, regardless of age or experience. In other words, you’ll find easy hikes as well as more difficult & strenuous hikes.
Alright, that’s about that when it comes to the Banff-National-Park-basics section. It’s time we consider our main subject, and that is whether it’s safe to hike in Banff. Stick around!
Is it safe to hike in Banff?
So, you’re wondering whether hiking in Banff is less safe than your usual hiking trips, eh? Let’s take a closer look!
Hiking in Banff is as safe or unsafe as hiking in any mountainous region. Therefore, it can be highly unsafe if you don’t stick to certain procedures and safety measures proposed by the local or state authority. Here we’ll show you what’s there to do in order to guarantee yourself (and your company) a safe hiking trip. Just remember this: being safe is your responsibility, and clearly a top priority you shouldn’t mess around with!
#1 Make sure you’re well informed
That’s right, you want to find every piece of info that might help you ensure a safe hike. In other words, you’ll want to check the weather forecast, current trail conditions, warnings & closures associated with the Banff National Park, or simply contact the Banff visitor center.
#2 Don’t leave home unprepared
Trust us, you don’t want to leave home without being prepared for various emergencies and changes in weather (no matter what the forecast says). They say that mountain weather isn’t so predictable, it changes quickly. So, how should you prepare yourself for a good ol’ hiking adventure at Banff National Park? Here’s how: dress in layers, bring some additional food, and warm clothes.
#3 Study the surroundings
Here’s another thing you’ll want to do before you leave home: study descriptions and maps. Also, you’ll need to choose a hiking trail that suits the member of the group with the least experience.
#4 Bring your own water
Because? Because surface water you’ll stumble upon might be contaminated. Therefore, it’s best you don’t anything unsafe. In other words, we don’t recommend you drink it. So, yeah, bring your own. Also, while we’re on the subject, here’s how you’ll filter your water once you’re outdoors.
#5 Don’t forget to pack a first aid kit (and other valuable items)
As the title reads, try not to forget a first aid kit, bear spray, and a satellite emergency communication device. We’re talking about devices such as SpotX, inReach, or ZOLEO. Of course, you’ll need to learn how to use any of the mentioned items. Since we’re talking about packing, try not to overpack.
#6 Are you hiking alone?
If you’re hiking by yourself, there are many things you’ll need to take into consideration. For instance, it’s of utmost importance that you inform a couple of people about your plans (where you’re going and for how long you’ll be gone). That way, if something goes awry, you’ll always have a trusty person ready to alert the authorities and kick-start a rescue party. Anyway, if you don’t return by the time you said you’d return, your friends will need to call the Banff Dispatch: 403-762-1470.
If you’re not so thrilled with the idea of hiking alone, click here to see whether you can find a hiking partner via Reddit.
#7 Ticks and Lyme disease
Going to spend some time outdoors usually means there’s a chance you’ll come home with some unwelcome guests on your body. That’s right, we’re talking about ticks. Some of them carry a difficult condition called Lyme disease. Once you’ve finished the hike, check yourself and your pet for ticks. Oh, and since we’re talking about hiking with your four-legged buddies (well, you’re not going to hike with your parrot, are you?), here’s whether you should feed your dog after a long hike.
#8 Steer clear of wearing earbuds or headphones
Yup, you’ll need to avoid wearing earbuds or headphones while you’re hiking at Banff National Park (or anywhere else). That’s because you need to be alert at all times, and there’s hardly any better ambient music playlist than the one you can listen to surrounded by nature.
#9 Stick close to your friends (or the tour guides)
In other words, try not to break off from your hiking group. Also, stick to the hiking path since the tracks are designed to keep you safe from various dangers that you might encounter while exploring nature. And if you don’t remember, Canada is considered a bear country, so, yeah…
#10 Speaking of wild animals…
Let’s rephrase this one: speaking of bears… Yes, speaking of bears, you’ll need to know that the chances of your hiking party encountering one are small, but not to be messed around with. Anyway, here are some tips on dealing with bears:
- Don’t try to approach or feed bears.
- Keep your food and garbage away from them.
- Bear attack only if they’re provoked by a food source.
- While you’re hitting the trail, make some noise to let bears know you’re there.
- If you’re looking for a good bear-scaring solution, try to opt for bear bells.
- The more people you hike with, the lesser are chances of you encountering a bear.
- If you get into an unpleasant situation with a bear, utilize bear spray.
For more tips on dealing with various wildlife encounters, click right here.
#11 Leave some tracks
Last but not least, let’s talk about leaving some tracks and signs. This will assist you in avoiding getting lost if you choose to head off-trail (which is not recommended). That way, if something goes not the way you’ve planned, the rescue party will have an easier time finding your location.
Final thoughts on whether it’s safe to hike in Banff
So, that’s about all there’s to say when it comes to ensuring a safe hike in Banff. Now you’re ready to visit one of the most recognizable hiking destinations on our planet. Make sure you follow all of the tips we’ve mentioned and you’ll be just fine. If you’re on the lookout for more tips on hiking, visit this page on our blog.
