Get Fit In Banff National Park

Just because you’re taking the vacation of your dreams doesn’t mean that you can’t fit in some fitness during your trip to Banff National Park. With no shortage of activities to get your blood flowing, Banff and Lake Louise offers the perfect balance of invigoration and rejuvenation for your body.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Hike a mountain

Get away from it all and hike your first mountain - no mountaineering experience required! There are several mountains within walking distance of Banff townsite that offer moderate trails to the summit. Those looking for a short jaunt can hike Tunnel Mountain Summit , it’s a two hour round-trip with just over 250m of elevation gain.

If you’re looking for something a little more intense, give the Sulphur Mountain Summit a try! The trail departs from the other side of the valley and travels 5.5km over approximately four hours. Both trails offer unparalleled views of Banff and The Bow Valley.

Hit The Trail

If you’re looking for more of a relaxed outing, try one of the many walking trails in the area. Take a stroll along the Bow River in the Town of Banff, hike to Bow Falls at the back of the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel or take a leisurely walk around Johnson Lake. If you’d like to bridge the gap between walking and hiking, don’t miss the stunning trail at Johnston Canyon - an elevated catwalk that lets you take in the soothing sounds of Johnston Creek from above during a 1h - 1.5h stroll.

Go For A Skate

If the lakes and rivers are still frozen, grab yourself a pair of skates and go for a spin! Banff National Park is home to many breathtaking ice rinks, including the historic Lake Louise rink at The Chateau Lake Louise. For more on lake skating, visit our blog, "8 Memorable Places To Skate in Banff National Park."

Pack Your Golf Clubs

Sometimes it’s best to disguise some exercise with an activity and there’s no better place to do that then on the fairway at The Banff Springs Hotel. Running along the Bow River, the two courses at The Banff Springs (totalling 27 holes of world class golf) offers a perfect blend of jaw-dropping vistas and challenging play. An interesting side note: golf fanatics shouldn’t miss the Fairmont Heritage Golf Experience - A unique challenge that allows players to “play the course the way Stanley Thompson would want you to, with the equipment he designed it for” back in 1920.