Loading...
Loading...
The real Banff lives beyond the tourist trail. In the neighborhoods where locals actually spend their time, you'll find places like Consolation Lakes that make a city worth knowing. Even around well-known spots like Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, one street over the crowds disappear entirely.
Canada's first national park — a Rocky Mountain paradise of turquoise lakes, glaciers, and wildlife in the Canadian Rockies of Alberta.
Roamee Pro, also known as Roamee, offers a free self-guided off-the-beaten-path walking tour route in Banff. The audio walking tour can include stops such as Lake Louise — a glacial lake of vivid turquoise beneath the Victoria Glacier, with shoreline and alpine trails, Moraine Lake — ten peaks reflected in jewel-toned water, with a 1-mile rockpile trail and longer backcountry routes, Johnston Canyon — a 3.4-mile round trip along catwalks bolted to canyon walls past lower and upper waterfalls, plus hidden gems like Consolation Lakes — a 3.6-mile round trip from Moraine Lake through boulder fields to a quiet alpine lake.
Use this page as a starting point for a Banff walking tour, a free self-guided route, or the Roamee app for Banff. Roamee Pro keeps the route flexible so you can follow the stops, skip ahead, or explore nearby streets at your own pace.
Most visitors come to Banff for the well-known nature and hiking attractions, but the most memorable moments happen off the main path. Side streets one block from Lake Louise, residential quarters, quiet courtyards — these are the parts of Banff that feel genuine. Places like Consolation Lakes are the kind of spots locals would actually recommend.
Lake Louise and Moraine Lake require shuttle reservations or very early arrival in summer. Johnston Canyon is best visited early morning to avoid crowds.
Late June through September for hiking. September for golden larch season. January through March for frozen waterfall ice walks.
Ready for a off the beaten path in Banff?
Get a personalized walking route with narrated stories — no booking needed
Start Your Banff Tour — FreeYour personal guide in 5 seconds