Sulphur Mountain is a mountain in Banff Nationwide Park within the Canadian Rocky Mountains simply exterior the city of Banff in Alberta, Canada. The mountain will get its identify from the 2 sulfurous scorching springs discovered on the decrease slopes and provides a pleasant climbing path to the summit at 2,281 meters (7,486 toes). The preferred approach to the highest of Sulphur Mountain is with the Banff Gondola.
Fashionable Excursions in Banff Nationwide Park
- Banff Gondola Journey – A round-trip gondola journey to the highest of Sulphur Mountain. Get pleasure from nice views of six totally different mountain ranges, close by rivers, and the encompassing space aboard a state-of-the-art gondola.
- Lake Louise and the Icefields Parkway – Full-Day Tour – Spherical-trip journey from Banff with lodge decide as much as some highlights which are far aside together with Lake Louise, the Icefield Parkway,g Bow Falls and Moraine Lake, information, small-group tour—restricted to fifteen individuals.
- Bow River journey on Horseback – Guided horseback using journey alongside the paths of the Bow River or the Spray River. Be taught in regards to the historical past of the nationwide park from a nature information
From the gondola automotive, you could have a lovely view of the Canadian Rockies, the Spray & Bow Valleys, Lake Minnewanka, and the City of Banff. From the Sulphur Mountain summit expertise jaw-dropping views of Banff Nationwide Park.
The Sulphur Mountain path is a well-liked climbing route of reasonable issue that goes up the mountain, under the gondola and is a free approach to the highest of this icon of Banff. The path is a steady uphill with a collection of switchbacks crossing beneath the Banff Gondola. Positioned largely between the timber views are restricted, however there are some wonderful vistas from the open patches that you simply hit each every so often and nice views from the summit. The path itself just isn’t too busy, however anticipate lots of people on the high that made their approach up the mountain within the gondola!
You may as well take the gondola up and down or only one approach making this stunning mountain accessible to everybody. There are intensive amenities on high of the mountain; a pleasant boardwalk, viewpoints, some climbing trails, and even eating places, and a present store. For a caffeine junkie like me, espresso on the highest of a summit at all times places a smile on my face.
Do a shorter model of the hike by taking the gondola a technique or prolong your climbing route by strolling over the mountain and mixing the path with another trails to Banff city.
Climbing in Banff Nationwide Park
Banff Nationwide Park is Canada’s oldest nationwide park and is an unimaginable place for climbing fanatics and nature lovers with over 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles) of well-marked and maintained climbing routes exploring mountainous terrain, glaciers, and spectacular alpine forests.
Nearly all of trails are simply accessible from 2 totally different cities, each situated contained in the nationwide park, the City of Banff, and the village of Lake Louise 57 km aside by highway. The Regional Service is a fast and low-cost bus service that runs 5 instances per day between Banff and Lake Louise.
Put together to Hike the Sulphur Mountain Path
Banff Nationwide Park is situated in Bear Nation. Grizzly bears are seen on Sulphur Mountain, particularly in the summertime months. It’s endorsed to at all times carry bear spray.
A Nationwide Park Go is required when getting into a Canadian Nationwide Park. The cities of Banff & Lake Louise are situated within the Banff Nationwide Park and a Park Allow is required, Parks Canada can ask to your allow. Entry and repair charges assist help customer companies and amenities. Purchase a Park Allow Right here.
Attending to Sulphur Mountain from Banff
The trailhead to the Sulphur Mountain climbing path is situated simply exterior city and is straightforward to achieve from Banff Avenue. See our intensive information to climbing in Banff Nationwide Park for particulars on a big number of hikes round Banff and Lake Louise.
The Banff Gondola is situated on the base of Sulphur Mountain on the finish of Mountain Avenue in Banff. There are three choices to get to Sulphur Mountain from Banff city; drive, take a public bus, or take a free shuttle bus.
Driving
It’s a 10-minute drive from city. Park on the gondola or the Higher Sizzling Springs parking zone. The Banff Gondola parking zone has a variety of house, nevertheless it fills up rapidly within the season.
Shuttle Bus
There’s a free shuttle bus departing day by day from sure accommodations.
Public Bus
The Banff Gondola is serviced year-round by Bow Valley ROAM Transit Providers. Present your Banff Gondola ticket between Might 20 and October 9, 2023, for free fare to and from Sulphur Mountain. Take the Roam Route #1 bus. Simply take the bus from a number of pick-up factors on the town to the Banff Gondola ($2 a technique). Use the regional service bus to get from Lake Louise to Banff.
Sulphur Mountain Hike Particulars
- Distance – 5.5 km (3.4 miles) a technique, 11 km return (6.8 miles) – additional 1 km return to Sanson Peak
- Strolling time – My time is 1h30min up and 45 min down, permitting 2h to 4h relying on health.
- Whole ascent/descent – 700 m (2286 ft)
- Max Altitude – Sanson Peak 2451 m (8041 ft) above sea stage
- Problem. Reasonable.
- Trailhead. Sulphur Mountain trailhead at Banff Sizzling Springs (Gondola Parking Space)
The Sulphur Mountain path provides a great exercise with an ascend of 700 meters over 5.5 kilometers rewarding you with some nice views on the high.
The path is common for climbing, path operating and snowshoeing and the very best time to make your approach up the path is from June by way of October. Canines are allowed if on a leash. Climbing the path alone in October I solely noticed 2 different hikers, nevertheless it was loopy busy on the summit. The gorgeous mountain views and a Fort Mountain espresso went down effectively earlier than persevering with down the opposite facet of the mountain.
Trailhead Sulphur Mountain Hike
The Sulphur Mountain Hike trailhead is subsequent to the Banff Sizzling Springs at an elevation of 1,580 M (5,200 ft). The trailhead is situated near the bus cease and is well-marked. and may be reached by automotive or by public transport from downtown Banff.
Sulphur Mountain Path
In season the Sulphur Mountain path is a busy path that’s simple to comply with and it’s a comparatively secure path to hike alone as a result of it’s so busy. The path snakes up the mountain with 27 switchbacks going zig-zag up the comparatively dense wooded slope ending on the high of the Banff Gondola. It’s doable to proceed strolling at this level. Gaps within the forest enable for some good views alongside the path.
The Sulphur Mountain path begins out comparatively extensive and dry, however on the higher slopes, it may possibly have muddy and icy sections, microspikes can come in useful. It’s a comparatively steep 5.5 km hike up the mountain. The views from the highest of the path throughout the park are glorious. I’ll advocate waterproof sneakers and convey sufficient water to make it to the highest, there is no such thing as a water on the best way.
In season the path is busy, however strolling up in early October I solely noticed two different hikers. On the high, it was loopy busy. The views from the highest of the encompassing mountains are good.
Climbing from Banff Gondola to Sanson Peak
The path hyperlinks with a boardwalk on the summit. To proceed climbing to Sanson Peak stroll across the gondola constructing to the boardwalk and proceed on the boardwalk for about 500m till you attain Sanson Peak, at an elevation of 2289 meters. There are some good views from the boardwalk. There’s a Mountain Climate Observatory and a meteorological station referred to as the Sulphur Mountain Cosmic Ray Station Nationwide Historic Web site at Samson Peak with nice views of the Bow Valley, Spray Valley, and the Sundance Canyon.
Sulphur Mountain prolonged hike – proceed to Sundance Canyon and Marsh loop
For an ideal full-day hike I mixed Sulphur Mountain with two different trails. There usually are not many individuals that stroll down the opposite facet of the mountain, so carry bear spray.
You possibly can stroll over Sulphur mountain and mix the path with strolling to Sundance Canyon and the Marsh loop for a complete hike of 18 km – my climbing time was 4h 25min, Elevation acquire 807m.
After climbing to the highest of Sulphur Mountain I had a espresso, explored the boardwalk, Sanson Peak, and walked down the opposite facet. I noticed some hikers on the best way up, a whole bunch of people who took the gondola on the high, however on the best way down the opposite facet of the mountain I didn’t see anyone and had the entire mountain to myself, solely seeing hikers once more on the Sundance canyon path. Strolling in October the mountain was coated in snow, the golden larches had been stunning with a mixture of inexperienced and golden leaves over the mountain.
It was fast taking place the mountain on the opposite facet. The Marsh Loop is a flat 2.8 km path that encircles a wetland crammed with scorching springs flowing out of the decrease slopes of Sulphur Mountain.
The Sundance Canyon path begins on the Cave and Basin Nationwide Historic Web site. This path offers good panoramic views of the mountains throughout the Bow River. Simple, regular climb away from the river, the paved part ends, and the reasonably troublesome path loops by way of a water-filled canyon.
Take the Banff Gondola
You possibly can go up and down Sulphur Mountain with the Banff gondola with nice views of the encompassing valleys. The Gondola is good however may be very pricy for a 10-minute Gondola journey. The Banff Gondola is a superb exercise to do with youngsters in Banff. Do a shorter hike by climbing up and taking place with the gondola.
Banff Gondola Value
The Banff Gondola return worth varies from CAD$58 to $65 relying on the time of the day. The worth of a ticket relies on projected visitation. Climbing up the mountain and taking the Gondola down is feasible at half the value of a return ticket. There isn’t a low cost for climbing down, if you want the take the Banff Gondola up and hike down, you could buy a full-price ticket.
Sulphur Mountain – The Summit
There are extra than simply breathtaking views on the high of Sulphur Mountain. All hikers gained’t take pleasure in arriving at such a industrial heart on the high of the mountain, however I loved looking round, having a espresso, and persevering with climbing. For those who take the gondola up and down there are some good amenities to take pleasure in on high. The higher terminal has a state-of-the-art interpretive heart with fascinating shows for teenagers. The multi-sensory Above Banff Theatre allow you to expertise the magnificent Canadian Rockies from the attitude of an eagle. Discover the summit with the Sulphur Mountain boardwalk, the outside 360-degree rooftop statement deck, 2 eating places, a espresso store, and a present store.
Finest Season to Hike the Sulphur Mountain Path
Sulphur Mountain may be hiked all 12 months spherical. In Summer season this path may be very common with many hikers. There’s a waterfall the place you’ll be able to clean up in summer season about 3/4 up the mountain. In winter it’s pretty quiet with many gondola customers going up the mountain. There’s a campfire on the statement deck in winter with an ideal view. Microspikes and climbing poles will probably be of nice assist if the slopes get icy in chilly climate. In September after I hiked the path there have been solely a handful of different hikers strolling up the mountain.
Wonderful Hikes in Banff
Banff Nationwide Park is an unimaginable place for climbing fanatics and nature lovers, with 1000’s of kilometers of unreal trails across the cities of Banff and Lake Louise. There are trails starting from flat simple trails to tougher trails involving some scrambling. The Tunnel Mountain path is a pleasant family-friendly route we loved, strolling from Banff city. The Huge Beehive path was a lovely hike from Lake Louise that is a little more of a difficult route.
Packing to hike round Banff
Ice crampons/cleats are helpful to stop slipping when climbing in chilly climate.
My Garmin Fenix 5 GPS Watch is a tremendous climbing software; measuring velocity, elevation and health parameters and we use it to map all our hikes.
Climbing within the snow, waterproof gaiters are nice at maintaining snow and dust out of your boots!
My Salomon X Extremely Prime gortex boots are nice pair of shoes, for all seasons. Retains mud, snow, and rain out. Comfy, mild, and fully waterproof.
Girls mannequin, Alya loves her Girls Salomon X Extremely boots.
I at all times carry a light-weight rain jacket in my daypack, the North Face for girls or North Face Resolve for males
BUFF Multifunctional Headwear – for solar and wind safety.
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The robust half of Stingy Nomads, a nomadic aquaman that might be completely satisfied to spend all his life within the water diving, browsing and spearfishing however typically has to compromise with Alya and go climbing as an alternative. Campbell is accountable for all our marine adventures and following them with write-ups. He loves touring, braai (BBQ in South Africa), purple wine and spending the day in a wetsuit.
