Tunnel Mountain

From the lower car park on St. Julien Road, beside the Banff Centre, a short trail with steps climbs through the trees to Tunnel Mountain Drive. Cross the road at the upper trailhead and follow the trail as it zigzags up the wooded west face, with views back over the town and the Bow River. Near the top it turns along the ridge to the summit viewpoints, which look over the Bow Valley, Mount Rundle and the Banff Springs hotel. Return the same way.

It is 4.3 km there and back with 262 m of ascent; allow about 2 hours. The grade is Easy: a steady climb on a good trail, with roots, rock and steps.

The summit's east side ends in unfenced cliffs above the Bow River: keep back from the edge. The trail can be icy in winter. In the autumn rut, bull elk around the town can be aggressive, so give them plenty of room. Keep to the marked trail. A Parks Canada pass is needed.

The lower car park, on Banff Centre land, has charged since 12 August 2026: $12 an hour or $50 a day through the HONK app. The upper car park is small. Downtown Banff is about 15 minutes' walk, and Roam bus 7 stops at Banff Centre Theatres, about 300 m away.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.