Parking
Start at the Upper Bankhead parking area. Use designated spaces only; roadside parking is prohibited.
Overview
About Cascade Valley Trail
Why go
- A quiet-feeling valley outing on a straightforward gravel track.
Heads up
- The complete Stoney Creek return is a long, remote 29.2 km day.
Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Banff map
Full mapElevation1,492–1,684 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 Cascade Valley 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 trailhead
Upper Bankhead: Lunch or C-Level Cirque0:00 / 0:29
“Up ahead is Upper Bankhead Day-use Area, with picnic tables and shelters for a bring-your-own lunch stop. Parking is limited, so use the designated spaces.”
Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Banff Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- Lower Bankhead: Where the Town Went
- Two Jack Campgrounds: Lakeside or Main
- Two Jack Lake: A Picnic by Mount Rundle
- Lake Minnewanka: Shore, Boats and a Sunken Village
- 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 Cascade Valley Trail
Route and commitmentCascade Valley Trail follows a former fire road from Upper Bankhead into the valley toward…
Cascade Valley Trail follows a former fire road from Upper Bankhead into the valley toward Stoney Creek. It is an out-and-back: the mapped corridor is 9.1 miles one way, and the full return to just before the remote campground at Cr15 is about 18.1 miles (29.2 km). Allow roughly 8–10 hours with breaks. Choose a turnaround that fits your daylight and group; every step beyond it adds the same distance back.
UnderfootExpect a gravel double track.
Expect a gravel double track. The sustained initial climb eases after about 4 km, then the road rolls through mostly wooded country with occasional meadow and mountain openings. The grade and surface are nontechnical, but the full distance and remote setting make this a hard day. Bikes also use the corridor, so stay alert and share the track.
Keep the winter route separateThe winter ski outing starts from Lake Minnewanka day-use area and has different distances and…
The winter ski outing starts from Lake Minnewanka day-use area and has different distances and access. Those ski figures do not describe this summer walk from Upper Bankhead. Check current seasonal notices before setting out, especially if your trip includes biking.
Valley historySmall mining communities occupied Cascade Valley about a century ago.
Small mining communities occupied Cascade Valley about a century ago. The valley also has a much longer history as traditional Indigenous land; specific community names and historical dates were not established in the material reviewed.
Bears and dogsThis route enters prime bear habitat.
This route enters prime bear habitat. Parks Canada recommends travelling in groups of four or more, making noise and carrying bear spray that you know how to use. Dogs are allowed on summer trails unless a restriction says otherwise and must remain leashed and under physical control.
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.
