Sulphur Mountain Hike - Banff
Nice winter scene of the lower gondola station
Bit faded map from Parks Canada sign about 5-7 minutes into the hike
Group picture at the start of the trail - Tyler, Victoria, Benson, Emma, and Audrey
Group picture at the start of the trail - Tyler, Emma, Benson, Audrey and Allan
Look back at start of the trail sign
Typical Trail
Typical Trail
Getting higher on the trail
Getting higher on the trail
View of Tunnel Mountain from near the top of the trail
Last switchback on the trail
Last few steps to the Gondola Station
Summit photo - Emma, Victoria, Tyler and Audrey
Summit photo - Victoria and Allan
Winter summit photo - Allan and Shiny Winter Bear!
Sulphur Mountain Hike
- Easy Hike: Class 1 – Many fairly gentle switchbacks, bit steeper switchbacks near the top to the Gondola Station
- Altitude: ~2,235m (7,330 ft) Gondola Station
- Trail length: ~5.5 km 3.4 mi to the Gondola Station
- Elevation Gain: ~655m (2,150 ft) to the Gondola Station (Sanson Peak is 50+m higher)
- Ascent Time: about 1 hr 30 min to 2 hr 30 min up depending on your hiking fitness
- Best Season to Hike: Year round - one will need microspikes in the winter season as the trail gets icy and of course adequate winter clothing
Highlights
This hike, although mostly in the trees offers a premier destination for views of the Banff corridor. Views at the Gondola Station are great! There are two restaurants, a coffee kiosk and a gift shop on top. The Gondola Station has 4 levels where you can relax both inside and outside.
This hike although labelled easy attracts a lot of tourists who may not have the best hiking foundation in their legs. For them it would be a moderate or hard hike as it is 2,150 ft elevation gain. I recommend starting with the Tunnel Mountain hike instead, which is a 860 ft elevation gain. I would also recommend taking a couple of litres of water and some energy snacks especially on a warm summer day.
Getting There
Sulphur Mountain trailhead is in the upper parking lot for the Banff Hot Springs. The lower parking lot is where the buses drop people off who are taking the gondola.
During the busy season you can take a free shuttle bus (mid May to mid October) or Roam # 1 bus (year round)($2 adult) to the parking lot. Check online for route information bus stop locations. There is room for cars in both parking lots but it is limited. In the slower season one should be able to drive to the Hot Springs upper parking lot. The town of Banff will post signs in the town if there is no parking for cars in the two lots.