Parking
Start at the Banff Legacy Trail junction at the east end of Banff Avenue; the route ends on Tunnel Mountain Road. No dedicated lot or parking capacity was confirmed. Plan a pickup or retrace the route.
Overview
About Banff Avenue Trail
Why go
- A quick forest-to-meadow transition adds variety to a short route.
- Links the Banff Legacy Trail area with Tunnel Mountain Road.
Heads up
- It is point-to-point, so a same-route return doubles the distance.
- The path is shared with mountain bikers and has a short steep climb.
Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Banff map
Full mapElevation1,394–1,462 m
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Safety
8 active Banff alerts
- ClosureJohnston Canyon Trail and Day Use Area closedJohnston Canyon Trail and Day Use Area are closed to all traffic and travel through December 11, 2026, because construction work requires protecting public and workers’ safety.Official details
- ClosureBaker Lake and Hidden Lake campgrounds closed to campingCamping is prohibited at Baker Lake and Hidden Lake campgrounds through December 1, 2026, because a grizzly bear entered campsites and investigated tents and gear; the closures reduce risk to…Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Banff Tour Guide
Your drive to Banff Avenue Trail, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Banff National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the Banff audio tourRecorded for this area
Tunnel Mountain Village II and Trailer Court0:00 / 0:30
“You're approaching Tunnel Mountain Village II and the nearby Trailer Court, two developed campgrounds close to Banff.”
Plays on the road 0.7 km from the trailhead in the Parkwolf Banff Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- The Time in Cascade Gardens
- A Cushion That Holds the Warmth
- Tunnel Mountain: A Summit Above Town
- Banff Visitor Centre and Grizzly House
- 185 audio storiesacross Banff’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Grizzly Bear, Brown Bear, Gray Wolf, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 162 trails, 90 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“…Loved the commentary as you drove thru. I’m sure the app can do more than I know but the tips were very helpful. I’m gonna use it when we go to Banff next month.”
Trail guide
Hiking Banff Avenue Trail
The walkBanff Avenue Trail is a 3.3 km (2.
Banff Avenue Trail is a 3.3 km (2.1 mi) one-way multi-use path between the east end of Banff Avenue and Tunnel Mountain Road. On foot, allow about an hour one way; returning the same way makes it 6.6 km (4.1 mi). It is a point-to-point route, not a loop.
Route and footingFrom the Banff Legacy Trail junction, the access follows the Legacy Trail for about 100 m…
From the Banff Legacy Trail junction, the access follows the Legacy Trail for about 100 m before a short, steep climb through thick forest. The path levels into an open meadow, then continues as rolling singletrack to Tunnel Mountain Road. Expect a moderate outing, with a brief loose climb and a route also used by mountain bikers.
Access and rulesStart at the east end of Banff Avenue where it meets the Banff Legacy Trail; the other end is…
Start at the east end of Banff Avenue where it meets the Banff Legacy Trail; the other end is on Tunnel Mountain Road. No dedicated parking details were confirmed, so arrange a pickup or return on foot. Dogs must stay leashed and under physical control in Banff National Park; check current trail restrictions before bringing one.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Banff
123 sightingsGrizzly BearMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
150 sightingsBrown BearMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
44 sightingsGray WolfMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
12 sightingsRiver OtterMost seen around 8 PMSighting map
69 sightingsMooseMost seen around 8 PMSighting map
466 sightingsBlack BearMost seen around 9 PMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Banff. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
