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Sometime the best hikes are not about what you are climbing, but what you are able to see from the peak. Sulphur Mountain is one of those hikes. Although the trek itself is a hard slog, the reward it grants you is worth every gruelling step.
Located just South of the famous and beautiful town of Banff Alberta, this trek will take you high above the historic town, and gift one of the best viewpoints in the area.
The Hike
| Length | 7 Miles (return) |
| Elevation | 2500 ft (roughly) |
| Time | 1.45 hr |
| Difficulty | Difficult |
| Animals | Ground Squirrels |
| Hike type | Uphill slog |
| Attraction | Incredible view of Banff and the surrounding mountains |
| Parking | Available at trail head |
| Equipment needed | Lots of water and a camera |
| Rating | 7/10 |
For me, Banff is a wonderful place for tourist, a town of wonderous beauty and incredible outdoor shopping. However, I am more prone to the quieter life. This hike was perfect for that experience.
While most tourists took the Gondola up Sulphur Mountain, we shared the trail with Eight or Nine small groups. A beautiful scene of lush forest, stony rock slides and white tipped mountains was visible through the tree line as we climbed up the the summit.
There is no denying the difficulty of this trek. As soon as you leave the comfort of the carpark, located at its base, the trail takes no prisoners. Up, up, up and up, there is no reprieve for the weak as the mountain zig zags its way towards to top.
Above you, those that took the easy route watch down from their metallic carts, that almost levitate their way up steeply. There will be moments you thought perhaps the climb was to much, that the Gondola’s appear of a $80 round trip doesn’t seem too bad. Ignore these voices, for you have accomplished something today, and as you reach the top, you’ll walk among those that took the easy road having accomplished something.
The hikes starts at one of two places, either the trail head carpark. Located just past ‘The Rimrock Spa’ and before ‘Banff Upper Hot Springs’. The toll here is relatively reasonable considering where it is, and how many visitors come and go from here. The other location is in Banff itself. Park somewhere near the Fairmont, and make your way South along the footpaths provided.
We started at the trailhead carpark, and the table above is catered to the milage, elevation and timing of that location.
Immediately, we were faced with a steep, rocky slope. A warm up, that never ends.
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