Banff Hikes: Castle Mountain Lookout
I have a friend in town visiting from Ontario who hadn’t done any Banff hikes for 25 plus years. She was overdue for a dose of the Rocky Mountains but in early June it can be hard to find a good snow-free trail. We debated where to go. We nixed the rigorous 23.4 km Aylmer Lookout hike – too tough for the first real hike of the season. We thought about doing the hike to the Plain of Six Glaciers but I did it last summer and was looking for something new. We decided on the Castle Mountain Lookout hike.
This is one of the great early season hikes in Banff. Castle Mountain Lookout is only 7.4 km return and the elevation gain of 520 metres (1705 feet), enough to give you a workout – but it doesn’t kill you – a good compromise for an early season hike.
The trailhead is a cinch to find; it’s just five kilometres west of Castle Junction on the north side of the highway. Make sure you’ve bought a parks pass beforehand.
The climb is initially tough and uninspiring as it follows an old road. There are a few flowers worth stopping to photograph – though really it’s just an excuse to catch your breath.
Within 40 minutes you emerge from the woods and with every step the views open up. Eventually you see the whole of the Bow Valley through to Vermilion Pass and into Kootenay National Park.
And then you reach the lookout – still well below the crest of gorgeous Castle Mountain – with its stupendous views. Spend some time up here enjoying lunch with a view.
The descent is all downhill so you’ll be back at your car in short order.
The hike to the Castle Mountain Lookout is one of the first that’s open in Banff National Park – sometimes as early as mid-April. It’s a great way to kick off the Rocky Mountain hiking season.
For updated trail reports visit the Banff National Park website.
Further reading on early season hiking in Alberta
- The Heart Mountain Hike near Canmore
- The Aylmer Lookout Hike in Banff National Park
- Hiking in Kananaskis: The Wasootch Ridge Trail
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Had a great time hiking to the Lake Agnes Teahouse above Lake Louise last fall.
@Dick I did that hike last July – on a very busy day – but it was still extremely beautiful I just wish you could buy snacks versus a whole meal up there. My link for that post should you be interested – https://hikebiketravel.com/19270/hike-lake-agnes-teahouse-lake-louise/.
I remember doing that hike when I lived in Banff back in the 1970’s! Your photos are beautiful. I am hobbling around this week with a stiff knee. Hiking for me doesn’t look good again this spring/summer.
@Nancie I hope my knees are good for several more decades. So far I’ve been OK but I do think of using poles more to lessen the force on them. Big bummer for you.
Now this is a keeper! I would love to do this hike!!! Loved the photos – as always. Have a great weekend!!
@Jackie What I liked about the hike was that it didn’t take that much time but you still got a great combo of a workout with a view.
The Rocky Mountains in Canada are one of my favourite destinations. For scenic grandeur they are No. 1. I know we will return one day. What a view!
@Jan So glad you like the Rockies so much. Sounds like we’ll get you back in Alberta and BC again one day.
Wow, so that’s what the great Banff is about. What a spectacular hike. The Bow Valley view is just breathtaking. I’d love to hike it one day.
@Marisol There are more picturesque hikes in Banff NP later in the season but for an early season hike that got your heart rate up an rewarded with views – it was a keeper.
I love the celebration in the last photo! I keep hearing about Banff. It seems like everyone is going there. Maybe I should go too…
@Jessica Let me tell you Jo was happy to have arrived on top and that view was cause for celebration.
This would be my favorite. I love the animal tunnel. Really great idea. I wonder how effective it is.
@Ted The tunnels are hugely effective. I saw a film at the Banff Film Festival detailing the benefits. The car-animal collisions are way down. The first animals to use the overhead pass were the elk – even before they had finished building it. The bears took about 5 years to catch on. In the past year a video has captured a wolverine.
amazing views! I wish I could come and do some of those hikes. What a great idea the animal crossing over the highway is. LOL I use stopping to take photos of wildflowers as an excuse to stop too.
Love that last photo of Jo and the view – magnificent view – what a great shot!
Have a wonderful week and thank you for stopping by my blog this week.
I absolutely love the Banff National Park. The views there are just so amazing, and you have captured them well as always 🙂
Love that first photo of Castle Mountain, looks so mysterious and majestic. Intrigued by the animal tunnel, so off to check if we have those here. What a great (and humane) idea!
@Sophie It felt like Castle Mountain was appearing out of nowhere with that photo. The animal tunnels are humane and prevent a lot of human loss of life do from car collisions prevented.
Just spectacular, Leigh! The leaning on the poles and end of hike celebration photos reminded me of my last hike.
@Marcia Jo was very pleased with herself at the top and as someone from Ontario she certainly reveled in the Rocky Mountain views.
You know how much I badly want to go to Banff and I’m hoping it’s this year. Absolutely gorgeous hike and beautiful pictures, Leigh. Love those backdrops. I think I’d need more than a walking stick to catch my breath here though 🙂 It was so great to meet you too at TBEX. So glad you are as wonderful (if not more) in person as your online persona. Wish we had more time to chat but will definitely meet up with you again soon.
@Mary Your whole family would love the experience and it’s well worth doing the full drive between Banff and Jasper.
Beautiful! We haven’t been to Banff yet – it’s been on our list for a long time, so a little inspiration to get us moving is great.
@Cindy You will not be disappointed though it’s the park – off the beaten path – and not the town that speaks to me.
Wow, that was a proper hike with a proper view. I just love the last photo. You should print it off, add some famous travel quote and frame it, seriously. By the way, you are so right, you just can’t miss Castle Mountain on the Trans-Canada Highway, beautiful!
@Agness I love your enthusiasm and your idea. It would make a great gift for my friend!
Oh boy that was some hiking i am not sure i can even do! How many hours all in all did it take you guys to hike the whole distance? I mean from the first steps to the peak. Coz im my view you were like walking into some mountain from Lord of the Rings. LOL!
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@Adam We were up and down in four hours and had a long lunch break on top.
I really wish that my body was suitable for upward hiking. All the beautiful vistas I am missing!!!!
@Denise Sometimes it’s just the very simple act of putting one foot in front of the other and slowly going up. It certainly doesn’t have to be a race.
I really like those views of the Bow Valley. What a great reward for your hike! I need to show my daughter your photo of the animal bridge. She read a little classroom leveled-reader pamphlet about it and has been fascinated ever since.
@Michele They have put millions of dollars into the animal bridges to great effect. It’s the first time I’ve seen one from the top. I wish some elk – who use them most – were crossing at the time.
What a spectacular hike Leigh! I would totally love to do this. We’ve done hiking in places like the Catskills, Minnewaska State Park, and other parts of the base of the Shawangunk mountains in upstate NY but Banff a part of the world I would LOVE to visit one day.
@Charu And to me New York seems exotic and I’d love to do the hikes you’ve been on.
Looks like a great early season hike. I’ve never been to Banff but might remedy that later this year in September – still planning the trip but hoping to make it that far!
This looks like a wonderful hike. I’m coming to Banff in September this year. Can’t wait and I’m researching my options for good hikes and places to eat.
I’ll continue looking at your site for more ‘goodies’.
Julie
@Julie One of the best hikes of all times is any hike in the Lake O’Hara area – 15 minutes from Lake Louise. Sentinel Pass near Lake Louise is also amazing as a day hike.
Those are some fantastic views! But I must admit, my favourite was the animal crossings. I’m so glad to see someone has managed to make animal crossings that fit the nature around them and look beautiful!
(Stupid thing ti get caught up in with all those awesome photos, but there you have it) 😉
@Annie Those animal crossings cost a small fortune but they work – and save animal and human lives. I think they fit in very well with the landscape.
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