Trail conditions
Banff National Park
Whether you're out for a leisurely hike or a longer adventure, make your trip a safe one by checking the latest conditions.
Important information
Be extra cautious when engaging in any activities to avoid injury and/or getting lost to help minimize the demands placed on emergency response, search and rescue teams, and on the health care system.
Current fire danger
CAUTION! Avalanche danger
You are responsible for your own safety. Check the Avalanche Bulletin for the latest conditions.
Vehicle parking is limited to designated areas only. Roadside parking is prohibited. Signage and monitoring will be used throughout the park to inform the public of parking restrictions and encourage compliance.
Dogs are not allowed on some of the groomed ski trails. Refer to the information below for restrictions. Keep dogs on leash and under physical control at all times.
Wildlife and you
When you see wildlife, give them space for your safety and their survival. If you’re out on the trails, travel in tight groups of 4 or more, stay alert, make noise, carry bear spray and know how to use it.
Closures and restrictions
For a complete list of ongoing closures and restrictions, please visit our Important Bulletins page.
For more information, please contact us:
Banff: 403-762-1550
Lake Louise: 403-522-3833
Share your trail pictures
Have you been hiking in the last few days? Share a few pictures with us as well as your impressions. This will help us keep this report accurate for other hikers.
Fire Danger Rating
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Banff National Park | Low | 2025-11-15: Not applicable; | Trail details |
Banff Area Cross-Country Ski Trails
Recent tracksetting: Jan 30 - Tunnel Mountain Winter Trails ; Jan 29 - Cascade Valley Trail (Cascade River bridge to Stoney Creek) ; Jan 27 - Cascade Valley Trail (Lake Minnewanka to Upper Bankhead), (Lake Minnewanka to Cascade River bridge - 6km) ; Jan 7 - Healy Creek ; Jan 2 - Goat Creek ; Dec 27 - Spray River West, Spray River East.
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Easy |
Spray River Winter: West Trail | Poor. | 2026-02-11: No dogs allowed; Double trackset and skate-skiing lane; Hard packed snow; Icy sections; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Spray River Winter: East Trail | Poor. | 2026-02-11: No dogs allowed; Single trackset; Trail groomed; Hard packed snow; Icy sections; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Tunnel Mountain Winter Trails | Poor. | 2026-02-11: No dogs allowed; Double trackset; Icy sections; Hard packed snow; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Sundance Winter Trail | Closed. | 2026-02-11: Trail closed until further notice; Check the important bulletins for more information; Adhere to all posted warnings and closures along trails; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Healy Creek Winter Trail | Poor. | 2026-02-11: Single trackset; Trail groomed; Hard packed snow; Icy sections; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Cascade Valley Winter Trail: Lake Minnewanka parking lot to Upper Bankhead | Poor. | 2026-02-11: No dogs allowed; Double trackset and skate-skiing lane; Icy sections; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Cascade Valley Winter Trail: Lake Minnewanka parking lot to Cascade River bridge | Poor. | 2026-02-11: No dogs allowed; Double trackset and skate-skiing lane; Icy sections; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Cascade Valley Winter Trail: Cascade River bridge to Stoney Creek | Fair. | 2026-02-11: No dogs allowed; Single trackset and skate-skiing lane; | Trail details |
 Moderate |
Goat Creek Winter Trail | Poor. | 2026-02-11: No dogs allowed; Single trackset and skate-skiing lane; Hard packed snow; Icy sections; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Brewster Creek Winter Trail | Poor. | 2026-02-11: Snowmobile packed; Hard packed snow; Icy sections; | Trail details |
Banff Area Winter Walking Trails
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Fenland Winter Trail | Icy conditions | 2026-02-11: Cleats recommended; Crusty snow; Icy sections; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Marsh Winter Loop | Partially Closed | 2026-02-11: Partially closed; Check the important bulletins for more information; Adhere to all posted warnings and closures along trails; Cleats recommended; Icy sections; Crusty snow; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Spray Winter Connector | Icy conditions | 2026-02-11: No dogs allowed; Please avoid walking, cycling or snowshoeing on set ski tracks; Cleats recommended; Crusty snow; Icy sections; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Stewart Canyon Winter Trail | Icy conditions | 2026-02-11: Cleats recommended; Crusty snow; Icy sections; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Johnston Canyon Winter Trail | Icy conditions | 2026-02-11: Cleats recommended; Stay on designated trails and viewpoints; Crusty snow; Icy sections; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Sulphur Mountain Winter Trail | Snow covered with icy sections. | 2026-02-11: Cleats recommended; Hard packed snow; Icy sections; Trekking pole(s) recommended; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Sundance Canyon Winter Trail | Partially Closed | 2026-02-11: Detour to trailhead in place.; Partially closed; Adhere to all posted warnings and closures along trails; Check the important bulletins for more information; Cleats recommended; Trekking pole(s) recommended; Crusty snow; Icy sections; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Tunnel Mountain Summit Winter Trail | Icy conditions | 2026-02-11: Cleats recommended; Crusty snow; Icy sections; Adhere to all posted warnings and closures along trails; Stay on designated trails and viewpoints; Check the important bulletins for more information; Trekking pole(s) recommended; | Trail details |
Banff Area Snowshoeing Trails
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Johnson Lake Winter Trail | Icy conditions | 2026-02-11: Cleats recommended; Trekking pole(s) recommended; Crusty snow; Icy sections; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Surprise Corner to Hoodoos Winter Trail | Partially Closed | 2026-02-11: Partially closed; Adhere to all posted warnings and closures along trails; Stay on designated trails and viewpoints; Check the important bulletins for more information; Cleats recommended; Crusty snow; Icy sections; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Upper Stoney Winter Loop | Snow covered with icy sections. | 2026-02-11: Cleats recommended; Trekking pole(s) recommended; Crusty snow; Icy sections; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Sulphur Mountain Westside Winter Trail | Closed. | 2026-02-11: Closed until further notice; Check the important bulletins for more information; Adhere to all posted warnings and closures along trails; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Ink Pots Winter Trail | Snow covered with icy sections. | 2026-02-11: Trekking pole(s) recommended; Slippery sections; Cleats recommended; | Trail details |
Banff Area Fat Biking Trails
Recent grooming: Feb 7 - Tunnel Mountain Winter Trails ; Jan 2 - Banff Avenue Winter Trail ; Jan 2 - Tunnel Bench Winter Loop ; Dec 27 - Spray River East.
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Tunnel Mountain Multi-use Winter Trails | Poor. | 2026-02-11: Biking excluding e-bikes is allowed; Please avoid walking, cycling or snowshoeing on set ski tracks; Studded tires recommended; Trail groomed; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Spray River East Winter Trail | Poor. | 2026-02-11: Snowmobile packed; Hard packed snow; Icy sections; Studded tires recommended; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Sundance Winter Trail | Closed. | 2026-02-11: Closed until further notice; Check the important bulletins for more information; Adhere to all posted warnings and closures along trails; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Banff Avenue Winter Trail | Variable winter conditions. | 2026-02-11: Biking including pedal-assist e-bikes is allowed; Studded tires recommended; Trail groomed; Hard packed snow; Icy sections; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Tunnel Bench Winter Loop | Partially Closed | 2026-02-11: Partially closed; Check the important bulletins for more information; Adhere to all posted warnings and closures along trails; Biking including pedal-assist e-bikes is allowed; Studded tires recommended; Trail groomed; Hard packed snow; Icy sections; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Lake Minnewanka Winter Trail | Poor. | 2026-02-11: Biking excluding e-bikes is allowed; Studded tires recommended; Hard packed snow; Icy sections; | Trail details |
Bow Valley Parkway Cross-Country Ski Trails
Recent tracksetting: Feb 6 - Castle Lookout to Baker Creek; Castle Junction to Castle Lookout. 22 Dec - Castle Junction cross-country ski trail #3 (hostel)
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moderate |
Castle Junction Cross-country Ski Trails: Trail #1 - Castle Junction to Castle Lookout trailhead | Fair. | 2026-02-06: Trackset classic; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Castle Junction Cross-country Ski Trails: Trail #2 | Snow covered. | 2025-12-15: Tracksetting has not yet begun; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Castle Junction Cross-country Ski Trails: Trail #3 | Snow covered. | 2026-01-12: Fresh snow covering track set; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Protection Mountain Campground to Castle Mountain Lookout | Fair. | 2026-02-06: Trackset classic; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Baker Creek to Protection Mountain Campground | Fair. | 2026-02-06: Trackset classic; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
Lake Louise Area Snowshoeing and Winter Hiking Trails
Winter conditions. Avalanche risk! When travelling beyond the marked trails, or past an avalanche danger sign, assume that you are in avalanche country - your group should be prepared with the appropriate knowledge, skills and equipment. For more information on winter travel and how to stay safe in the mountains, visit Parks Canada - Mountain Safety - Winter Activities.
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Lake Louise Lakeshore Trail | Snow covered with icy sections. | 2026-02-09: Caution; Slippery sections; Cleats recommended; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Fairview Lookout Trail | Snow covered with icy sections. | 2026-02-09: Caution; Slippery sections; Cleats recommended; Dogs on leash permitted; Deadfall on trail; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Louise Creek Trail | Snow covered with icy sections. | 2026-02-09: Cleats recommended; Slippery sections; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Laggan's Loop | Snow covered. | 2026-02-09: Compact snow; Snowshoes or ice cleats recommended; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
 Difficult |
Taylor Lake Trail | Snow covered. | 2026-02-09: Snowshoes recommended; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Loop C (#27) | Snow covered. | 2026-02-09: Compact snow; Snowshoes or ice cleats recommended; Dogs on leash permitted; |
Lake Louise Area Cross-Country Ski Trails
Recent tracksetting: Feb.10 - Moraine Lake road; Lake Louise surface. Feb 9 - Great Divide. Feb 8 - Bow River Loop; Campground loop; Fairview. Feb 7 - Lake Louise shoreline. Feb 3 - Upper Telemark; Peyto; Lower Tramline; Upper Tramline. Jan 31 - Lower Telemark.
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Moraine Lake Road | Good. | 2026-02-10: Avalanche risk: Beyond the viewpoint the trail crosses large avalanche paths.; When trailhead parking is full, access Moraine Lake Road via Upper Tramline trail and park at Lake Louise parking lot or Great Divide parking lot; No parking on roadways, or highways; No dogs allowed; Please avoid walking, cycling or snowshoeing on set ski tracks; Double trackset and skate-skiing lane; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Fairview Loop | Good. | 2026-02-08: No dogs allowed; Please avoid walking or snowshoeing on set ski tracks; Double trackset; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Lower Tramline | Good. | 2026-02-03: The Lower Tramline "3B" is single trackset classic from the Bow River parking lot on Sentinel Road; CAUTION! - The Tramline section "3A" (trail between the Lower Tramline and the Bow River bridge on Lake Louise Drive) is steep, narrow, has sharp turns and is not trackset; No dogs allowed; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Upper Tramline | Good. | 2026-02-03: Please avoid walking, cycling or snowshoeing on set ski tracks; No dogs allowed; Single trackset; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Lake Louise Loop | Good. | 2026-02-10: Lake Louise Loop is made up of two separately maintained trails: Lake Louise shoreline and Lake Surface ; Lake surface - good; Lake Louise shoreline - good; | Trail details |
| Difficult |
Upper Telemark | Good. | 2026-02-03: No dogs allowed; Please avoid walking or snowshoeing on set ski tracks; Double trackset; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Great Divide Trail | Good. | 2026-02-09: Double trackset and skate-skiing lane; No dogs allowed; Please avoid walking, cycling or snowshoeing on set ski tracks; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Peyto Trail | Good. | 2026-02-03: No dogs allowed; Double trackset; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Lower Telemark | Good. | 2026-01-31: Single trackset; No dogs allowed; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Campground Loop | Good. | 2026-02-08: Dogs on leash permitted; Please avoid walking or snowshoeing on set ski tracks; Double trackset and skate-skiing lane; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Bow River Loop | Good. | 2026-02-08: Dogs on leash permitted; Please avoid walking, cycling or snowshoeing on set ski tracks; Single trackset; | Trail details |
| Moderate |
Pipestone Loop | Trail Closed. | 2025-11-24: Trail closed November 24 - spring 2026 due to fire management operations; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Drummond | Trail Closed. | 2025-11-24: Trail closed November 24 - spring 2026 due to fire management operations; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Hector | Trail Closed. | 2025-11-24: Trail closed November 24 - spring 2026 due to fire management operations; | Trail details |
| Easy |
Merlin | Trail Closed. | 2025-11-24: Trail closed November 24 - spring 2026 due to fire management operations; | Trail details |
Bow Summit Area on Icefields Parkway
Winter conditions. Avalanche risk! When travelling beyond the marked trails, or past an avalanche danger sign, assume that you are in avalanche country - your group should be prepared with the appropriate knowledge, skills and equipment. For more information on winter travel and how to stay safe in the mountains, visit parksmountainsafety.ca
| Rating | Trail | Condition | Comment | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy |
Peyto Lake Viewpoint | Snow covered with icy sections. | 2026-02-09: Compact snow; Slippery sections; Cleats recommended; Stay on trail; Dogs on leash permitted; | Trail details |
- Date modified :