Banff, Alberta
The king of all National Parks
Banff, Alberta was established in 1883. At that time, three Canadian Pacific Railway workers happened across a cave enclosing hot springs on the eastern side of Alberta's Rocky Mountains. The area was soon established as Banff National Park, Canada's first National park and the world's third. The name "Banff" comes from Banffshire, Scotland, the birthplace of two of the directors of the Railway.
Banff National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a designation that protects over 7,700 square miles (20,000 sq km) of the Canadian Rockies. The Banff region boasts a huge variety of mountain wildlife including bears, wolves, moose and cougar. Mountains here are 45 to 120 million years old, and the park is home to over 1,000 glaciers.
The town of Banff is nestled at the union of the Bow and Spray Rivers. Banff is a resort town that is popular with outdoor adventurers, rock climbers and nature lovers. Banff offers charming inns, luxury hotels and fabulous dining in the highest town in Canada, at an elevation of 4,537 feet (1,383 m). The roads into Banff are just as amazing. The Icefields Parkway is one of the most scenic drives in the world, while the Trans-Canada Highway, the Banff-Radium Highway and the Bow Valley Parkway are all excellent routes bisecting the park, offering the chance to see elk, deer, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, moose, black bears, grizzly bears and wolves.
Banff is a prime travel destination. It offers mountains, valleys, glaciers, forests, meadows and rivers with endless opportunities for adventure and outdoor activities. Enjoy a guided canoe tour of the Bow River, or get close to the mountain landscape through caving and rock climbing - the Castleguard Caves in the remote northwest are Canada's longest cave system.
Banff is a hiking haven. With over 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of trails ranging from a short hike to an extended backcountry expedition, there is a lot to see. Trails also offer excellent mountain biking and horseback riding, with off-the-beaten-track views and peaceful alpine meadows. If you're into camping, Banff National Park is home to more than 2400 campsites, from trailside camping to remote hike-in sites.
At the end of an adventurous day, take a soak in the therapeutic hot springs, stroll along the shores of Lake Louise or take a short trip to adjoining Jasper National Park. In Banff you can leave the crowds behind and enjoy the beauty and solitude of the mountains. Just be careful - remember you are in avalanche country!
