Spray River Loop
So close to downtown Banff you can technically complete this loop from the door of your accommodation, the Spray River trail is one we highly recommend. It’s a little different to some of the most popular hikes in the park in that it’s nestled in the valley bottom. The full loop is 12 km and travels west from the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel along the Spray River, across a bridge that spans the crystal clear river, and back along the eastern side of the riverbank.
Good To Know
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 3-6 hrs
- When
- May - Oct
The Experience
- Length 14 km loop
- Elevation gain: 130 m
- Hiking time: 4-5 hour round trip
- Trailhead: End of Spray Ave
Location
- Distance from Banff:
- 1km
- Distance from Lake Louise:
- 60km
When to go
Operating Dates
| Month | Operating Status |
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| Jan | |
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Local Tips
This is a multi-use trail, so keep an eye out for mountain bikers and even the occasional horseback rider.
If you’ve ever wanted to try out backcountry camping, there is a campsite on the east side of the loop (book through Parks Canada) that makes for a great test run.
If you see tired but happy looking hikers rejoining the trail on the east end, ask them about their day – they likely just scrambled to the top of Mt. Rundle!
Visiting in the winter? This trail is track set for cross-country skiing!