Banff is known for its stunning natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities. It is located in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, surrounded by majestic mountains, glaciers, lakes, and forests. Banff National Park is one of the world’s oldest national parks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With all that to offer, the allure of a Banff multisport adventure is real.
Banff is home to many iconic landmarks, and of course is known for the plethora of terrific hiking, fishing, biking, and wildlife watching. From the Banff Gondola to the historic open top bus tour, to the Plain of Six Glaciers and Big Beehive, to keeping your eyes peeled for incredible wildlife such as bald eagles, elk, bear, and moose, there is a definitive list of must-dos for any visit to this wondrous destination.
Kelly Heaton is excited to be guiding the Banff Multisport Adventure again in September, and wanted to share with you a guide’s insider peek into highlights of this trip—some you might not even know about!
Top 7 Banff Adventure Highlights According to Kelly
1.The Town Architecture—It feels like you are in Bavaria or Switzerland
Visiting Banff you get to stay in a legitimate town, but it is a very unique town because it is actually located within Banff National Park—also a UNESCO World Heritage site! Banff feels like you are in a European destination, including its quaint main street lined with shops, restaurants, and galleries.
2. The Plain of 6 Glaciers Tea House
The Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House is a rustic tea house situated at an elevation of 6,634 feet above sea level and can be reached only via hiking from the Lake Louise shoreline. The tea house offers a selection of teas, baked goods, and light meals, and provides stunning panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and glaciers. Sitting in the tea house after a few hours of hiking is a real treat. Everything is prepared daily on site and cooked with propane stoves since there is no electricity. The tea house is stocked by helicopter and frequent horse pack trips and even by the employees when they hike in each week for their shifts.
3. The Cascade of Time Garden
This multi-level garden located right in the town of Banff features a unique mix of artistic sculptures, water features, and beautiful gardens. The garden is located at the base of a mountain, which provides a stunning backdrop for the sculptures and gardens. The garden is designed to take visitors on a journey through time, with sculptures and features that represent different periods in history.
4. Hiking the Stunning Landscapes
This may seem obvious, but you really have to experience walking in the high alpine meadows amongst wildflowers with 360 degree views of mountains, to believe how amazing the Canadian Rockies really are. This is where the iconic comes is, with outstanding hiking including the pristine turquoise waters of Lake Louise and Lake Agnes, the sweeping Bow Valley, and the majestic Plain of Six Glaciers and Big Beehive.
5. Canoeing on The Bow River
The Bow River flows through the heart of Banff National Park and is fed by ice fields and glaciers in the Rocky Mountains, which gives it a unique turquoise color. The multisport adventure here gets to spend the last morning of the tour enjoying the peaceful and stunning setting—where we often see eagles, osprey and muskrats—while paddling around in an oversized canoe!
6. The Iconic and Enchanting Blue of Lake Louise
Of course it is no secret, but we still have to include this glacial lake and its beautiful turquoise water, the top highlights list. Lake Louise’s awe-inspiring color comes from the glacial meltwater that feeds the lake each Spring. Fine rock dust or glacial flour, produced by massive glaciers rubbing against bedrock, stays suspended in the water, reflecting light and creating the turquoise color.
7. All the Fabulous and Fun Zephyrites
Does this count as a highlight? Absolutely! Adventuring in such an outstanding outdoor destination is that much more terrific when you are doing so with a fabulous group of people. Hiking, biking, paddling, exploring, and enjoying the sights, tastes, and culture of this unique place with family and friends (new and old) really is a highlight of the trip.
Is the allure of a Banff multisport adventure calling to you? Join Kelly on this year’s tour to explore Canada’s stunning National Park by foot, wheel, historic open top bus, and paddle!