The Tunnel Mountain Path is a wonderful hike of straightforward to medium issue that may be hiked from downtown Banff. Ascending all the best way with a mild grade, climbing this path is an ideal exercise for households or newbie hikers. Tunnel Mountain is Banff’s smallest mountain to summit with an elevation achieve of about 300m, some reasonable switchbacks lead up the mountain. On the Tunnel Mountain summit, there are two crimson Parks Canada chairs, which are nice for a break and make good photographs sitting and searching on the nice view.
The place does the title tunnel mountain come from? Tunnel Mountain has no tunnel, the Canadian Pacific Railway had plans to blast a tunnel by the mountain within the 1800s. The tunnel was by no means constructed, however the title caught. The mountain is also referred to as ‘Sleeping Buffalo Mountain’ since that’s what it resembles. Seen from a distance the mountain is formed like a sleeping buffalo. From the summit of Tunnel Mountain, there are good views of the encircling Spray and Bow River valleys.
Tunnel Mountain Hike Particulars
Distance – Distance 4.8 km (2.8 miles) return hike from the trailhead.
Strolling time –The return hike takes 1.5 to 2 hours relying on health.
Complete ascent/descent – 270 meters (885 ft)
Problem. Simple to Reasonable.
Trailhead. Tunnel Parking Lot
It is a pretty straightforward hike near Banff city centre, appropriate to do with children. It’s not a flat hike, however the path has a mild grade nearly all the best way. Bear in mind you do climb a mountain with a couple of 300m elevation achieve, so you’ll stroll uphill! See our Information to Simple Hikes in Banff Nationwide Park for a spread of climbing trails that aren’t too troublesome. Positioned within the Bow River Valley on the junction of the Bow River, the mountain is almost surrounded by the city of Banff with good views of the Sizzling Springs on Sulphur Mountain. This brief hike within the Canadian Rockies will reward you with panoramic views of Banff. Strolling to the highest of the mountain and the Tunnel Mountain viewpoint early morning was among the best issues to do in Banff.Â
Attending to Tunnel Mountain Trailhead
There are three choices to get to the Banff Tunnel Mountain hike trailhead from Banff centre; drive, take a public bus, or stroll. The Tunnel Mountain Trailhead (Location Pin) is positioned on Tunnel Mountain Drive.Â
Stroll – The trailhead could be very near the middle of downtown (1km) so you possibly can simply begin climbing on the town.
Drive – There are two parking areas on the trailhead, an higher and decrease parking space, they’re lower than 5 minutes drive from Downtown Banff.
Bus – Take the Roam Transit Route 2 bus from downtown to Tunnel Mountain.
Tunnel Mountain Drive by automotive is an efficient choice for scenic views of the Banff Hoodoos by automotive and is a pleasant brief drive.  Tunnel Mountain Street offers a comparatively brief journey taking you over Tunnel Mountain. The street begins in Banff on the intersection of Banff Avenue and Buffalo Road, making a 5.5-mile loop again to Banff Avenue. Shock Nook is a pleasant viewpoint of the spectacular Fairmont Banff Springs Resort and the Spray Valley positioned simply off Tunnel Mountain Street.Â
The Tunnel Mountain Path Description
The Tunnel Mountain path is a busy path that’s straightforward to observe and it’s a comparatively protected path to hike alone as a result of there are such a lot of different hikers. Quite a lot of animals together with; black bears, wolves, and cougars are typically seen on the mountain (hardly ever), so for security it is strongly recommended to hold bear spray and a bell and hold it someplace the place you will have quick access.
The Tunnel Mountain path is nicely marked and heads up the jap slope of the mountain with reasonable switchbacks all the best way to the highest of Tunnel Mountain. The path begins within the forest however there are some good views of the city from break within the timber on the path. On the best way get pleasure from views of the Banff Springs Resort and Bow Valley. Nearer to the summit there are some good viewpoints with wonderful views of Mount Rundle. From the summit, there are good views of the encircling mountains together with Sulphur Mountain and Cascade Mountain.
On the summit, there are 2 crimson chairs positioned by Parks Canada, the Tunnel Mountain Purple Chairs, it is a great place with superior views of the spray river valleys. 11 Purple chairs have been positioned all through the nationwide parks, together with the Banff crimson chairs as a strategy to get folks to attach with their environment.
Having fun with the view from the Parks Canada Purple Chairs on the summit of Tunnel Mountain. There are 11 websites with these chairs in Canada Nationwide Parks.
Finest Time to Hike Tunnel Mountain
The Tunnel Mountain path might be hiked all 12 months spherical, however the very best season for climbing is in summer time, throughout this path will get very busy. It’s a excellent place for a dawn hike. Climbing right here in winter could be very doable, however ice cleats are really helpful when the path might be frozen and really slippery. In winter months it is a good path to stroll with snowshoes. Since it is a very talked-about path I’d advocate you begin climbing early within the day to keep away from heavy visitors.
Climbing in Banff Nationwide Park
Banff Nationwide Park is Canada’s oldest nationwide park, with greater than 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles) of well-marked and maintained climbing routes it’s a dream location for climbing fans. See our information to climbing in Banff Nationwide Park.
Most trails within the park are simply accessible from 2 completely different cities, each positioned contained in the nationwide park, the City of Banff, and the village of Lake Louise 57 km aside by street. The Regional Service is a fast and low cost bus service that runs 5 occasions per day between Banff and Lake Louise for $6.Â
Banff City is surrounded by loads of simply accessible hikes of various issue. Simple low-elevation strolls on boardwalks subsequent to the river to extra strenuous full-day hikes by stunning alpine passes within the Rocky Mountains. There are many straightforward hikes that begin contained in the city and you can too mix a number of trails. The Sulphur Mountain climbing path is a well-liked 11 km climbing route round Banff city if you would like a bit extra of a problem.
Put together to Hike the Tunnel Mountain Path
Banff Nationwide Park is positioned in Bear Nation. For Tunnel Mountain Path, the chance of a bear encounter, even in summer time months, is low however not possible. It’s safer to at all times carry bear spray to have the ability to defend your self in case of a bear encounter.
A Nationwide Park Cross is required when getting into a Canadian Nationwide Park. The cities of Banff & Lake Louise are positioned within the Banff Nationwide Park and a Park Allow is required. Entry and repair charges assist help customer companies and services. Purchase a Park Allow Right here.
Fashionable Excursions in Banff Nationwide Park
Banff Gondola Experience – round-trip gondola journey to the highest of Sulphur Mountain. Superb views of six completely different mountain ranges, close by rivers, and the encircling space aboard a state-of-the-art gondola.
Lake Louise and the Icefields Parkway – Full-Day Tour – Spherical-trip journey from Banff with lodge decide as much as some highlights which are far aside together with Lake Louise, the Icefield Parkway,g Bow Falls and Moraine Lake, information, small-group tour—restricted to fifteen folks.
Bow River Experience on Horseback – Guided horseback driving journey alongside the paths of the Bow River or the Spray River. Study concerning the historical past of the nationwide park from a nature information
Packing to hike round Banff
Ice crampons/cleats are necessary for strolling on ice on chilly days (when the snow freezes).
My Garmin Fenix 5 GPS Watch is a implausible climbing software; measuring velocity, elevation, coronary heart price, mapping, and extra.
Climbing within the snow, waterproof gaiters hold snow and dust out of your boots and hold your ft dry!
My Salomon X Extremely Prime gortex boots are nice pair of trainers, for all seasons. Retains mud, snow, and rain out. Snug, mild, and utterly waterproof.
Women mannequin, Alya loves her Women Salomon X Extremely boots.
I at all times carry a light-weight rain jacket in my daypack, the North Face for women or North Face Resolve for males
BUFF Multifunctional Headwear – a good suggestion for solar and wind safety
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The robust half of Stingy Nomads, a nomadic aquaman that will be pleased to spend all his life within the water diving, browsing and spearfishing however usually has to compromise with Alya and go climbing as an alternative. Campbell is liable for all our marine adventures and following them with write-ups. He loves touring, braai (BBQ in South Africa), crimson wine and spending the day in a wetsuit.
