Kid-friendly Hikes in Banff in Winter and Early Spring
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All photos in this post were taken by me during our trip. I love capturing real experiences to give you an authentic look at what to expect.
Worried about hiking safely with kids in the snow? Banff’s winter trails are the perfect answer when you know which ones to pick!
Banff has hikes of all levels and abilities and a few are open year round. After hiking for over a decade with our kids in all conditions, we loved experiencing the snowy trails in the Rockies for the first time!
On our visit in March we hiked several trails and enjoyed snowy, icy, and even a few muddy conditions in lower elevations.
When we were sitting on the top of the mountain in Banff, my teenage son said to me “Wow, Mom. God’s creation is just so beautiful. I’m so lucky to experience this.” Cue the grateful mom tears. This is the reason I plan trips and make room in our itinerary for hikes.
We’ve rounded up the best Banff hikes that are not just family-friendly, but safe and stunning in winter and early spring too. We’ve included the trail details, a description of what we experienced on the trail, how to find live trail conditions, how we choose hiking trails, and gear you need to stay safe while hiking with kids.
If you’re a mom planning a Banff adventure with school-aged kids, these hikes will keep them safe, engaged, and loving the snowy outdoors. Keep reading for all you need to know if you’re planning to hike on your next family trip to Banff!
Easy Hikes
Lake Louise Lakeshore
Distance: 2.6 miles (4.2 km) round trip
Elevation Gain: Minimal (~100 ft / 30 m)
Type: Out and back
Trail Notes:
This is one of the most iconic and family-friendly hikes in Banff. The wide, mostly flat trail hugs the edge of Lake Louise, giving you unobstructed views of the frozen lake and surrounding peaks.
It’s not stroller-friendly in the winter because of the snow covered paths. No special gear is needed unless it’s icy, then ice spikes help. This hike is a wonderful spot to pose for family photos!
We actually did this hike twice on our trip because it was so beautiful and easy, and the kids loved seeing the frozen lake.
Bow Falls Viewpoint
Distance: 0.8 miles (1.3 km) round trip
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Type: Out and back
Trail Notes:
This short, easy trail starts right in town and is perfect for little legs or a low-key afternoon. You’ll follow the Bow River to the base of the falls, which are more powerful than you’d expect from a short walk. The trail can be icy in winter but is well-trafficked and easy to follow.
Johnston Canyon to Lower Falls
Distance: 1.7 miles (2.7 km) round trip
Elevation Gain: 390 ft (120 m)
Type: Out and back
Trail Notes:
This hike is a classic for a reason, it’s like walking through a frozen fairytale. In the winter, the steel catwalks and bridges take you over icy streams and alongside frozen waterfalls. It’s a relatively short hike but ice spikes are needed for traction.
Grotto Canyon
Distance: 2.1 miles (3.4 km) round trip
Elevation Gain: 390 ft (120 m)
Type: Out and back
Trail Notes:
This one is so unique, you’re literally walking on a frozen creek bed through a narrow canyon. The first part of the trail isn’t that scenic (it starts near a plant), but once you’re in the canyon, it’s magical.
There are petroglyphs on the rock walls and frozen waterfalls deeper in. Ice spikes are a must for this one.
We loved this hike and stayed and played on the ice in the canyon for an hour before hiking back out. There’s also a large riverbed right at the entrance to the canyon where we looked for fossils!
Moderate Hikes
Tunnel Mountain Summit
Distance: 2.7 miles (4.3 km) round trip
Elevation Gain: 875 ft (267 m)
Type: Out and back
Trail Notes:
This is considered Banff’s “starter mountain.” It’s short but steep with incredible mountaintop views. The trail is well-marked and has switchbacks up through the forest.
At the summit, you’re treated to panoramic views over Banff town and the Bow Valley. This one is great for families with hiking experience or older kids ready for a bit of a challenge.
Peyto Lake Viewpoint
Distance: 0.9 miles (1.5 km) round trip
Elevation Gain: 255 ft (29 m)
Type: Out and back
Trail Notes:
Short hike, huge reward. The trial leads to one of the most iconic viewpoints in the park, the wolf-shaped Peyto Lake. While the trail is paved for part of the way, it is often snowcovered and slippery in winter. Traction aids may be needed depending on conditions.
We had the viewpoint completely to ourselves on a weekday afternoon, and it was lovely. We spent an hour painting the view and having a snowball fight. The kids also did penguin slides (slide on your belly) back down the trail to our rental car.
Fairview Lookout
Distance: 1.6 miles (2.6 km) round trip
Elevation Gain: 440 ft (135 m)
Type: Out and back
Trail Notes:
This trail packs a surprising punch for a short hike. It’s a steady climb through the forest up to a stunning lookout over Lake Louise and the Fairmont Chateau. If you want a view of the lake rather than from it, this is the one. Ice spikes are recommended in winter since it can get slippery.
Hikes by Age Group
We have hiked with our kids in every stage of parenting, including when I was pregnant with our son. The hikes have looked different in every season (like when we only hiked safe wide open flat trails when our son was 3 and loved to wander and had absolutely zero risk assessment).
Now that we have tweens and teens, we can choose riskier and longer trails because we can trust them to respect the danger. Here are the hikes I would recommend for each developmental stage. Of course, you know your kids best and what experience they have, so tailor this to fit your crew!
We really enjoyed all of the hiking we did in Banff, and it’s one of the reasons we think Banff is definitely worth traveling to with kids!
Hikes for First Timers
Hikes for Littler Kids
Hikes for Bigger Kids and Teens
✨ You can also find a list of all the easy and moderate kid-friendly hikes in Banff on AllTrails here!
How to Choose a Trail
The weather, season, wildlife, elevation, and conditions all play a role in choosing the best trails for your family. But the biggest factor in choosing a trail is the crew you’re hiking with.
It’s important to take into account the abilities and ages of your family and kids when planning a hike in any conditions, but especially in winter when snowy or icy conditions are likely.
Our son has asthma and I have POTS, so we always take elevation gain and distance into consideration when choosing a hike.
Here are some questions I would consider when picking a trail:
- Has your family (or group you’re with) hiked before?
- Have the kids hiked in the snow before?
- How do they handle elevation?
- How far has your family hiked in the past?
- Do you have any medical factors you need to include in your planning?
- Is anyone in your family a fall risk?
- Do your kids respect danger and have the maturity to hike near cliffs or water?
- How much time do you have for a hike?
After you’ve answered these questions, you’ll be able to narrow down the hiking options to trails that fit your family the best!
How to Stay Safe on the Trails
One of the most important parts of preparing for a hike is making sure you understand the dangers. Every hiking destination is going to pose different risks, and Banff is no different. In the winter, the weather and trail conditions are the biggest risk factors to anticipate.
You can view the live trail conditions on the Parks Canada website, where it describes the weather on the trail, whether the trail is icy or muddy, and if the trails are open or closed. You can also use a weather app like Accuweather to see accurate weather conditions on the trail.
The cell service in Banff National Park is spotty, especially on the trails. Be sure to download the trail maps on AllTrails before you set out!
Heed all signs warning of danger or unsafe conditions. Never hike in avalanche areas during winter. The ice can appear safe when snow covered, so listen to the warnings even if you disagree.
When we were in Banff in late March, we missed the signs saying Lake Louise had begun to thaw and someone in our group fell through the ice up to their knees. Thankfully there was another thicker layer of ice below, but this situation could have turned tragic very quickly.
Do not walk on any frozen bodies of water unless you can verify the thickness of the ice or are with a guide who can determine its safety.
As always, bringing the right gear for your hike can keep you safe in rapidly changing weather and trail conditions.
Gear to Bring Hiking with Kids
When packing a daypack for a winter hike, we usually bring the basics as well as weather specific gear. We bring water, snacks, trail maps, and a first aid kit on every hike. On winter hikes, we also add in an extra pair of socks for everyone and an extra pair of gloves for the kids.
It may just be my kids, but they always seem to climb, crawl, and roll on the trails. Snow gets everywhere, and our kids end up with wet gloves and socks. Packing the extra pairs and swapping mid-hike keeps their fingers and toes dry and warm.
We hike in waterproof outer layers, waterproof boots, and have ice spikes attached to our packs for easy access when the trail gets slippery.
If you’re going in early spring check the Parks Canada website to see if the bears are awake, in which case you would also need bear spray.
We also love to bring items that help our kids notice and interact with nature. This is usually some combination of a travel microscope or magnifying glass, and travel art supplies!
Packing List for a Winter Day Hike
- Daypack
- Water (per person)
- Snacks (per person)
- Trail Map (downloaded or paper)
- First Aid Kit
- Extra socks (per person)
- Extra gloves (per kid)
- Bearspray (if in spring)
- Travel art set
- Magnifying glass or travel microscope
Attire for a Winter Day Hike
- Warm baselayer
- Warm waterproof pants
- Warm waterproof jacket
- Warm waterproof boots
- Warm wool socks
- Ice spikes
- Warm winter hat
- Waterproof gloves
Plan Your Perfect Week in Banff
Spending a week hiking with your family in Banff is an absolute bucket list experience. Your kids will talk about it for months and years to come and even ask to go back for their birthday (mine still do!).
There are so many incredible things to do in Banff in winter or early spring like seeing the northern lights! On our trip we went dog sledding, drove the Icefields Parkway, and went snowboarding in addition to lots of hiking!
We’ve included all of those activities and several of these hikes on our family itinerary. You can find all the details in this post! You can also get our Banff winter packing list sent straight to your email, plus bonus tips we only share with subscribers, when you sign up for our email community below.
If you have questions about planning your trip to Banff send me an email or message me on instagram! I’d love to hear from you.
Happy trails!
💛 Michelle