Banff Tour — Hike in Sunshine Meadow & Johnston Canyon — Gondolas

4.8 (26 reviews) 9–10 hours Free cancellation

out of 5

26 reviews

4.8

Banff Tour — Hike in Sunshine Meadow & Johnston Canyon — Gondolas — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Banff Tour — Hike in Sunshine Meadow & Johnston Canyon — Gondolas, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Enjoy a refreshing one-day Banff hiking tour to bask in the scenery of one of the world's most beautiful National Parks. Stroll through Johnston Canyon and take in the sights, wander Sunshine Meadows admiring the gorgeous flora and natural beauty of the valley. Finally, relax and feel your spirits soar in a gondola up to Sulphur Mountain to feel the alpine breeze and drink in the wonders of the peaceful Rockies.

A tour designed for hiking lovers, our guide will help you cover three of the Kananaskis Country's most beloved moderate trails, showcasing Canada's finest scenery. This adventure is best paired with our Lake View Day Tour to give you a a two-day unforgettable experience, immersing yourself in all that Banff and it's surrounding beauties has to offer.

Day Trips Nature and Wildlife Tours Full-day Tours Bus Tours Private and Luxury Historical Tours 4WD Tours Excellent Quality

At a glance

Duration: 9–10 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 24 people
People per booking: 1–15
Guide: Chinese, English
Operated by: Banff2Go

Ages: Infants (0–3 years) · Children (5–9 years) · Adults (15–90 years)

What is included

Included

Included: On-board WiFi: WiFi on board
Included: GST (Goods and Services Tax)
Included: In-vehicle air conditioning: Air-conditioned vehicle
Included: Sunshine Meadow Gondola
Included: National Park Fee
Included: Complimentary bottled water

Not included

Not included: Gratuities: If you were satisfied with our tour guide service, please kindly consider showing your appreciation with a tip and/or review.
Not included: Banff Gondola Fee — Price fluctuates around
Not included: On-board restrooms: Your tour guide will kindly point out public restroom stops along your tour

Itinerary

Sunshine Meadows

3 hours Admission included

a gentle alpine trail above Sunshine Village with sweeping wildflower meadows, panoramic mountain views, and three small hidden alpine lakes tucked among the ridges. Easy, well‑marked paths with rolling terrain and short climbs—great for families and casual hikers.
Stop 2

1 h 45 min

Johnston Creek originates north of Castle Mountain in a glacial valley southwest of Badger Pass and south of Pulsatilla Pass, at an elevation of 2,500 meters (8,200 ft). The creek flows southeast between Helena Ridge and the Sawback Range, and then south through a gorge known as Johnston Canyon.

As Johnston Creek approaches the Bow River, it flows through a large canyon formed by erosion over thousands of years. The creek has cut through the limestone rock to form sheer canyon walls, as well as waterfalls, tunnels, and pools.

A popular hiking trail follows the canyon and leads to a meadow within the Johnston Valley above the canyon. The first part of the trail consists of a constructed walkway with safety rails and bridges, while the last part of the trail is natural and more rugged. Within the meadow are the Ink Pots, which are six blue-green spring-fed pools.
Vermilion Lakes

15 min

The Vermilion Lakes are a series of lakes located immediately west of Banff, Alberta, in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. The three lakes are formed in the Bow River valley, in the Banff National Park, at the foot of Mount Norquay. The area offers wildlife viewing opportunities and breathtaking scenery. Offering spectacular views of Mount Rundle and Sulphur Mountain, the proximity of these lakes to town make them a fantastic place to watch sunrise or sunset.
Sulphur Mountain

1 h 25 min Admission not included

Timeless Rocky Mountain views. 100% reimagined summit experience. Take the Sulphur Gondola (Optional) and discover sweeping scenes of six mountain ranges, the Bow Valley and the charming town of Banff from the Sulphur Mountain summit. Once you're at the top, begin your adventure by strolling the boardwalk to the Cosmic Ray Station and Sanson's Peak and learn about Canada's first national park.

The air is clean and clear up here. When gaze down from the jagged mountain ridge, you stare in amazement at the town, lakes, and rivers on the valley floor far below, and a lot more. it’s such a revitalizing and calming sensation.
Stop 5

15 min

Cascades of Time Garden spreads out behind Banff National Park's historic administration building at 101 Mountain Ave. A geological sequence of cascading ponds and water courses provide the garden’s namesake and is highlighted with flowers, shrubs, rustic bridges, pavilions and flagged walks. The peak season for blooms is June through September.
Bow Falls

15 min

Bow Falls is a major waterfall on the Bow River. The falls rumble about 30 feet over a low-gradient pitch of channeled bedrock, providing a short turbulent interrupt of the cerulean waters of the Bow River. The falls are pretty, and under the right conditions, exceptionally photogenic, but not terribly impressive.

The 1953 Marilyn Monroe film “River of No Return” featured the bow falls.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Mount Royal Hotel — 138 Banff Avenue — Banff, Alberta, Canada — T1L 1J3

Note: Tour buses are required to park behind the hotel.

Your tour guide will contact you before your tour starts, so please ensure you provided accurate contact information during booking. Please wait behind the hotel.
Canmore Visitor Center — 2801 Bow Valley Trail — Canmore, Alberta, Canada — T1W 3A2

Your tour guide will contact you before your tour starts, so please ensure you provided accurate contact information during booking. Please wait in front of the building for pick-up.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Calgary NW University Area — 2373 Banff Trail NW — Calgary, Alberta, Canada — T2M 4L2

Your tour guide will contact you before your tour starts, so please ensure you provided accurate contact information during booking. Please wait in front of the hotel for pick-up.

End point

Mount Royal Hotel — 138 Banff Avenue — Banff, Alberta, Canada — T1L 1J3

Note: Tour buses are required to park behind the hotel.

Your tour guide will contact you before your tour starts, so please ensure you provided accurate contact information during booking. Please wait behind the hotel.
Canmore Visitor Center — 2801 Bow Valley Trail — Canmore, Alberta, Canada — T1W 3A2

Your tour guide will contact you before your tour starts, so please ensure you provided accurate contact information during booking. Please wait in front of the building for pick-up.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Calgary NW University Area — 2373 Banff Trail NW — Calgary, Alberta, Canada — T2M 4L2

Your tour guide will contact you before your tour starts, so please ensure you provided accurate contact information during booking. Please wait in front of the hotel for pick-up.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.
The operator may cancel if too few people book; you then get another date or your money back.