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The Fairmont Banff Springs |
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10Best Great Views |
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Banff Gondola at Sulphur Mountain |
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(Attractions & Activities - Great Views) |
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Mountain Ave, Banff T1L 1K2 • 403-762-2523
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Distance:
~0.929 km * |
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Description:
In a mere 8 minutes, visitors are whisked to the summit of this 7500 ft mountain, where they have a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside. Several observation platforms provide vantage points for the area, and a boardwalk runs along the summit for those who want to explore a bit. A large observatory houses several restaurants, and a gift shop sells souvenirs and film. Enjoy the sights from the comfort of the building, or venture out into the fresh air. It's a good idea to bring a coat along to help ward off the chilly temperatures and breezes found at this elevation. You're also likely to encounter local wildlife; just don't approach or feed them. |
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User Rating: 10
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Banff National Park |
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(Attractions & Activities - Great Views) |
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224 Banff Ave PO Box 900, Banff T0L 0C0 • 403-762-1550
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Distance:
~1.221 km * |
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Description:
The town of Banff is actually located inside Banff National Park. At 6641 square kilometers (2564 square miles), the park is a vast playground for close to four million visitors annually. Most are outdoorsy types who enjoy hiking, backcountry camping, cross country skiing, rock climbing, fishing, and a wealth of other activities. If time is a factor or if you simply prefer to see the wilderness from the relative comfort of an enclosed vehicle, there are a couple of scenic highways that cut through the park, so you can still appreciate the majesty of the rugged Canadian Rockies without getting dirty! But with its roaring waterfalls and ice-blue glaciers, meadows full of wildflowers and breathtaking panoramic vistas, this is one park that is best appreciated on foot. Luckily, several turnouts along the Icefields and Bow Valley Parkways allow you to get a closer look without investing too much time or energy. A plethora of companies offer guided one-day and multi-day park tours via bus, bike, snowshoe, ski and hiking boot. A Park Pass (available at the Banff or Lake Louise Visitor Center) is required. |
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Hoodoos |
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(Attractions & Activities - Great Views) |
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Tunnel Mountain Rd, Banff T0L 0C0
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Distance:
~1.588 km * |
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Description:
These rock formations, which are essentially pillars of stone, look out across the Bow River from their perch on Tunnel Mountain. Sculpted by erosion, the Hoodoos are an intriguing example of geological activity; other similar formations can be found at Lake Minnewanka. Native Americans believed the pillars were giants who threw rocks at travelers each night or that they were homes for evil spirits. Their activity seems to have lessened in the recent past. |
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Johnston Canyon |
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(Attractions & Activities - Great Views) |
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Banff National Park Bow Valley Parkway (Hwy 1A) T1L 1K2 • 403-762-1550
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Distance:
~5.605 km * |
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Description:
This canyon, about 15 miles from Banff, is known for the seven waterfalls that tumble along its course. The limestone canyon is crisscrossed by boardwalks, providing close-up views of local vegetation. At about a 4-hour hike from the highway, the Inkpots are a collection of springs found in the vicinity of the canyon. Thanks to mineral sediments, they're colored an unnatural, but beautiful, blue. If you want a quicker jaunt, some of the lower falls are a much closer walk – less than 2 miles from the road. |
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User Rating: 10
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Bow Falls |
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(Attractions & Activities - Great Views) |
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Rundle Ave, Banff T0L 0C0
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Description:
Located not far from the Banff Springs Hotel, this waterfall is most impressive in the spring, when water from melting snows gives it added volume. Created by the forces of glacial movement, the falls are an easy walk from downtown and offer visitors a glimpse of the area's local beauty without having to go too far out of town. |
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User Rating: 9
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Bow Valley Parkway |
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(Attractions & Activities - Great Views) |
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Banff National Park T1L 1K2 • 403-762-1550
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Description:
Also known as Highway 1A, this route between Banff and Lake Louise offers a slower pace and more scenic sites than the Trans-Canada Highway. It passes through beautiful Rocky Mountain wilderness and offers stop-offs, picnic areas, and starting points for a variety of trails. Perfect for those who want to take in the surroundings without having a car riding the bumper the whole way. |
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Castle Mountain |
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(Attractions & Activities - Great Views) |
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Banff National Park T1L 1K2 • 403-762-1550
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Description:
This spectacular rock formation immediately catches your eye as you drive along the Parkway. The towering spires bring to mind a fortified castle, as they did for early explorers, who named the mountain after its imposing presence. For a time from the 1940s to the 1970s, the formation was called Eisenhower Mountain in tribute to Dwight D. Eisenhower's role in WWII. After an outcry from local inhabitants, the name was changed, and Eisenhower Mountain came to refer only to a particular peak. |
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Lake Minnewanka |
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(Attractions & Activities - Great Views) |
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northeast of downtown, Banff T0L 0C0
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Description:
Banff National Park's largest lake, this body of water is the only one in the area open to power boats. As a result, it's a popular destination for fishermen. The name, Cree in origin, means "lake of the water spirit." Today, following engineering efforts earlier in the century, the lake has been enlarged; the water level has increased 82 feet, and an early resort now lies beneath its waters. Boat tours offer recreational circuits around the lake, showcasing the area's scenery and wildlife. Visitors also enjoy hiking and picnicking along the perimeter. |
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* All distances are
approximate "straight-line" distances.
See Directions for actual "travel distances."
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