This 8-Day Banff Itinerary Was Almost Perfect (We Made It Better)

This month’s Roast My Trip submission has the bones of a great Rockies vacation. 

But it’s also trying to do a lot, with a few too many lake pit stops, some underwhelming "half-day" hikes, and one dreaded tourist trap.

Don’t worry, with a few insider tweaks, we’ve turned this good-on-paper plan into a smarter, smoother 8-day adventure.

Day 1 – Welcome to the Rockies

Original Itinerary: Fly into Calgary → Drive to Canmore (~1.5 hrs) → Check-in → Casual dinner in Canmore (Grizzly Paw Pub, Tank310, or The Drake)

What worked:

Landing in Calgary and heading straight to Canmore is a solid call. You’re skipping the sprawl and getting into the mountains without delay. If the weather is good, and you’ve got extra time, you could consider driving to Canmore along the 1A. It’s slower, but way more scenic, with better wildlife-spotting potential, fewer semis breathing down your bumper, and a peaceful, welcome-to-the-mountains vibe you won’t get on the Trans-Canada. And for a low-key first night, you’ve picked classic Canmore spots. Another option: we’d add Tavern 1883 to the list. 

What needs tweaking:

Grocery stop timing. You were going to stock up on food on Day 2, but Day 1 is a better time. Do it in Calgary before you hit the highway. Not only is it cheaper than Canmore, but Calgary has way more variety (like grab-and-go options). 

Local tip:

The Real Canadian Superstore near the airport is a crowd fave for visitors. Big selection, decent prices, and easy to get in and out of. 

Day 2 – Lakes

Original Itinerary: Grocery stop (Save-On-Foods or Safeway, Canmore) → Brunch in Canmore (Communitea Café, Harvest Café) → Scenic drive to nearby lakes (Lake Minnewanka, Two Jack Lake, Johnson Lake, Bow Falls. Optional: Cascade Ponds or Vermilion Lakes) → Dinner in Banff or Canmore

What worked:

Brunch is a great way to start the day, especially if you’re easing into mountain time. We’d add Bankhead to your radar: it’s an awesome spot with all the classics (and actual eggs Benedict that won’t ruin your day).

The lake loop around Minnewanka is a solid idea in theory, but…

What needs tweaking:

You don’t need to do the "Great Lake Sprint" and try to hit all of them. Minnewanka, Two Jack, and Johnson Lake are all close together, and honestly, offer pretty similar views. Pick one, get there early (parking gets feral by 10am), and enjoy it. Don’t spend your day stuck in a drive-park-walk-leave cycle.

Skip Cascade Ponds. In August, it’s like a mall food court with trees. And Bow Falls and Vermilion Lakes are in downtown Banff, so save them for a lighter day when you're already in town.

Pro tip:

If you play it right and start early, you could move Tunnel Mountain or Grassi Lakes from Day 3 to today. These are short hikes (under 2 hours), not “half-day” adventures like the itinerary suggests. That’ll free up tomorrow for something more exciting than retracing your steps.

If you’re looking for other easy hikes near Banff, check out our article. 

Dinner call:

If you end up in Banff, try Juniper Hotel & Bistro or The Boss. If you're back in Canmore, try Muriettas downtown.

Day 3 – A Real Hike

Original Itinerary: Half-day hike options: Tunnel Mountain (Banff), Grassi Lakes (Canmore), Larch Valley (if open) → Afternoon relaxation/spa → Birthday dinner at The Grizzly House (Banff, reservation recommended)

What worked: The spa and Grizzly House combo? Perfect. Grizzly House is a Banff classic…weird, retro, and delicious in a “cook-your-own-bison” kind of way. Definitely book ahead. Like, now. Before your trip. 

What needs tweaking: Tunnel Mountain and Grassi Lakes aren’t “half-day hikes.” They’re stretch-your-legs-before-brunch hikes. If you’re going to block off half the day for trail time, make it count.

Swap in Taylor Lake instead. It’s a proper 5.5-hour hike with great shade (a win in August heat) and a stunning lake-and-larch payoff at the end. It’s also way quieter than the Larch Valley stampede, though you’ll still want to hit the trail early.

Local tip: Taylor Lake is located just off Highway 1, so it's super accessible, and the gradual incline makes it a solid intermediate-level option without the crowds. Pair it with a lunch/snack at the lake and still have time for your post-hike soak.

Day 4 – Skip the Gondola

Original Itinerary: Sulphur Mountain Gondola: Boardwalk or summit hike from top → Optional: Lunch at Sky Bistro → Explore downtown Banff: Banff Ave shops, Banff Park Museum, Whyte Museum or Cave & Basin → Dinner in Banff (Bear Street Tavern, Three Bears Brewery)

What worked: Downtown Banff wandering? Always a good time. And hitting spots like the Whyte Museum or Cave & Basin is a great way to balance nature with a bit of history and culture. Dinner options are strong too. Bear Street Tavern's pizza and honey dip is legendary.

What needs tweaking: The Sulphur Mountain Gondola sounds epic on paper (and Instagram), but here’s the reality: expensive, crowded, and kinda overrated. Sky Bistro is fine if you’re dead-set on dining with altitude, but for most people, it’s a splurge that doesn’t quite justify the view.

Try this instead: Drive up to the Norquay Lookout. Same panoramic vibes, zero dollars spent, and you’ll likely have it all to yourself if you go early. Grab a coffee and takeaway breakfast in town and turn it into a scenic picnic. Way better way to start your day.

Pro move: Here are a few options.  

If you’re dead set on a gondola experience, then consider the Sunshine Gondola instead. At the top, you’ll find Sunshine Meadows, a stunning alpine trail network with wildflowers, panoramic ridgelines, and far fewer selfie sticks per square metre.

Or, rent bikes in Banff and hit the best nearby viewpoints fast and fun. This is the perfect time to check off Bow Falls and Vermilion Lakes, both easily accessible on two wheels. Cruise the Golf Course Loop for peaceful riverside views. Iit’s different from the Tunnel Mountain 9-hole course loop, so no spoilers.

Want a walk instead? Bike over to Sundance Canyon, ditch the wheels, and enjoy a mellow canyon trail that most tourists never find.

Day 5 – Moraine Mayhem

Original Itinerary: Moraine Lake, Lake Louise (early access, explore shoreline and viewpoint) → Hike Big Beehive via Lake Agnes → Optional: Continue to Devil's Thumb → Dinner in Lake Louise or Canmore

What worked: It’s all good that you want to hit Moraine Lake and Lake Louise, they’re iconic for a reason. But let’s be real: locals rarely go anymore. They’re busy. Like, “shoulder-to-shoulder at 7am” busy. The only time it’s even remotely peaceful is at sunrise, and that usually means a 3AM wake-up and shuttle strategy. Sounds like you’re aiming for that early window, and if so, that’s the only time we’d recommend going. 

What needs tweaking: Let’s talk logistics. There are two main ways to get to Moraine Lake: Parks Canada shuttles or private shuttle companies. If you're visiting in August, don’t count on Parks Canada’s option. Their seats drop just 48 hours in advance and sell out in seconds every morning. You’ll have a much smoother experience if you book a private shuttle ahead of time, ideally well before your trip. It costs a bit more, but so does losing half your day to refresh anxiety.

If you’re making the effort to reach Moraine Lake, don’t stop at the lakeshore. That’s a tourist trap move. Hike up to Sentinel Pass via Larch Valley. It’s a 3–4 hour round-trip, not too technical, and once you’re out of the photo zone, it gets beautifully quiet. The views? Unreal. It’s the kind of place that reminds you why you came to the Rockies in the first place.

Over at Lake Louise, ditch Big Beehive and hike the Plain of Six Glaciers instead. It’s a longer trek (11–14 km), but it has way fewer people, dramatic glacier views, and a tea house perched in the middle of nowhere. 

Already done with hiking after Sentinel Pass? No problem. Just walk to the far end of Lake Louise. Most visitors never get past the lakeshore café, but if you do, you’ll find a huge climbing wall where local climbers hang off cliffs. It’s an easy, peaceful walk with a payoff you won’t get from the front steps of the Fairmont.

Dinner advice: Lake Louise has charm, but not many dining options. If you’re banking on the Fairmont, call ahead. They sometimes only seat hotel guests when it’s busy. Most people head back to Banff or Canmore to eat. And honestly, it’s usually the better move.

Day 6 – Paddle & Putt

Original Itinerary: Morning kayak rental on Bow River (Canmore or Banff) → Picnic lunch → Afternoon golf at Tunnel Mountain 9-Hole Course → Dinner in Canmore (Iron Goat, Where the Buffalo Roam)

What worked: This is a strong final full day. A bit of paddling, a bit of putting, and a well-earned dinner to wrap it all up. Where the Buffalo Roam is one of the best spots in the Bow Valley for a cozy, elevated dinner. 

What needs tweaking: If you haven’t seen Vermilion Lakes yet, now’s the time. Rent a kayak or canoe from Banff Canoe Club and paddle your way out to the lakes via Echo Creek. It’s peaceful, scenic, and a great way to escape the crowds without having to climb anything. Or, head upstream along the Bow River. Just make sure you’re paddling away from Bow Falls unless you want to end up in a Parks Canada cautionary tale.

Picnic game plan: Skip the restaurant crowds and grab lunch to go. Central Park in Banff is a great spot if you can snag a picnic bench, but if not, there’s plenty of soft grass and mountain views. The riverside near the canoe docks is also a quieter option.

Golf note: Tunnel Mountain Golf Course isn’t just a casual 9-holer. It’s practically a wildlife safari. Elk roam the fairways, and bear sightings aren’t unheard of, so maybe tuck some bear spray next to your 9-iron. At the very least, you’ll get a photo op that beats any scorecard.

Day 7 – Canmore Hike

Original Itinerary: Choose from more challenging hikes: Ha Ling Peak (Canmore – 3–4 hrs, steep), EEOR (East End of Rundle – advanced), Plain of Six Glaciers (from Lake Louise), Sentinel Pass (Banff) → Rewarding dinner in Canmore

What worked: Ending the trip with a proper leg-burner is a great move, and Ha Ling is the Canmore classic. It’s steep but short, and the views at the top make it all worthwhile. EEOR (East End of Rundle) is the spicier option. So you’ll just need to do some research and pick the one that fits your experience.

What needs tweaking: You already hit the Plain of Six and Sentinel Pass earlier in the week (if you took our advice), so there’s no need to double back today. Better to focus on one great Canmore-based send-off than to drive all the way back to Banff or Louise. 

Other options around Canmore include Little Lougheed, West Wind Pass, and Chester Lake.

Dinner win: Go to the Malcolm Hotel and check out the Stirling dining room.  

Day 8 – One Last Bite

Original Itinerary: Coffee or quick breakfast → Drive to Calgary airport → Fly home

Wrap it up with a stop at Summit Café, a local fave with hearty breakfasts and strong coffee. It’s close to Highway 1, so you can fuel up without stressing about the drive. Way better than airport food, trust us.

Got Your Own Banff Or Canmore Itinerary?

Send it our way — and we might roast it next.

(Gently. Lovingly. With insider tips included.)

P.S. Feel free to ask a question or leave a comment below!

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