@Ted Superlative mountain views and I’d go back again even without the wildflowers. We hope you'll join the conversation by posting to an open topic or starting a new one. . Sunshine Meadows: Wildflowers and More! Sunshine Meadows … This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. This hike comes highly recommended. It’s a steep hike up and probably not the best use of your energy, even if you’re trying to save a few dollars on the gondola. Consider Blue Canoe in Banff townsite for a scenic paddle on the Bow River with a good chance of seeing wildlife. Geography lovers will be interested to know that Sunshine Meadows … With gondolas and chairlifts, the heavy lifting when it comes to hiking a lot of vertical is done in minutes, not hours. That made me smile! Wildflowers at Sunshine Meadows. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of these links, I may receive a small percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you. My store contains affiliate links. © 2019 Hike Bike Travel | All Rights Reserved. If you’re keen to learn about the wildflowers and ecosystems, rather than just walking through it, this would be an excellent option. Where to Go Snowshoeing in Banff National Park, Tonquin Valley Hiking Guide – What You Need to Know, The Elk Lakes – Petain Basin Hike in British Columbia. Our gang of five visited in the third week of July, but we missed most of the wildflowers. Thank you for your support. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-49200966', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Lake Louise, but it's very expensive. @Mike Maybe I’ll be able to change your mind. These commissions help reduce the ever-increasing costs of keeping this site active. Once you reach the high alpine, there is loads of off-trail country to be explored. I’ll look after Phoenix so you can take the bus up and see as I don’t think either of you want to hike 4.5 steep kms just to get to the start of the trail. It’s breathtaking! Posted … Photograph courtesy of Parks Canada. I’m thinking that will have to wait until next year. Take a few photos so you can ID them on the hike. Those views are incredible, Leigh! So when we saw a picture advertising the stunning wildflowers of Sunshine Meadows we decided we had to give it a try. It was a VERY STEEP walk and hard on the quads. It’s so exhilarating just looking at the spectacular nature from your photos. @Abbie One day soon you’ll be able to come back! Nestled in the heart of the … What is the weather like - now & in other seasons? As well as we want to rent a canoe. I thought the same when I went to Big Bend in April, but they are in a crazy drought, so the wildflowers were not so fantastic. You can certainly access it via this hike if you take the Citadel Pass Trail. It used to be if you wanted to visit Sunshine Meadows you took a big yellow school bus from the Sunshine … … An exquisite hike, especially during Autumn with the larches in full colour. Think native. This is where you’ll get great information on all the wildflowers. The first kilometre of the hike is the steepest and least interesting – if you don’t take the Standish Chairlift. Would love to meet you. Reach new peaks. Your email address will not be published. For any questions about LESSONS, camps, boarding, training and more please contact the various stables and barns below, all located at Sunshine Meadows. Get impressive views from the pass and take an optional … Learn how your comment data is processed. The weather has been so crazy this year that it is hard to plan for wildflowers no matter where you go. More than 50 per cent of Alberta’s wildflower … Sunshine Meadows: Outstanding mountain hiking with wildflowers - See 528 traveler reviews, 432 candid photos, and great deals for Banff, Canada, at Tripadvisor. For information on starting a boarding … Do I need a passport ? This post includes some affiliate links. Our hike to the ridge across from Quartz Hill totaled 4.7 kilometres one way. Watching our fellow passengers climb aboard, it was clear that most folks were headed up to walk in the Sunshine Meadows area, which last year was rated the #1 hike in Canada by Lonely Planet. After a lifetime of seeing photos, etc I’ve never seen “this” side of it. You’ve definitely sold Sunshine Meadows for us, it looks spectacular. How long? 7 years ago. Sunshine Meadows is one of the most popular hiking and sightseeing destinations in Banff National Park, a stunning natural garden covered in a carpet of wildflowers. Lake Louise and the Icefield Parkway - Full-Day Tour, Banff City Sightseeing Tour - Roundtrip from Banff, http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/forums_posting_guidelines.html. The lunch spot with view of Sunshine Meadow is dropdead gorgeous; I probably wouldn’t want to lift my booty off from that spot! Distance – 8 kilometres return; Start / Finish – Sunshine Village; Time – 2 hours; Difficulty – Easy; This hike definitely has the best name out of all the hikes I have seen…anywhere. Just so you know…if Phoenix and I can make it up there someday (soon on his behalf) we aren’t going on any crazy hikes with you ha, ha! Get off and you’re already at an elevation of over 8,000 feet. We're planning to take a shuffle up the Sunshine Meadows but can't decided on the weekend. When is the best time to visit Banff/Jasper NP ? Including wildflowers in bloom and wildlife sightings. Maybe I will go there next summer, it must be amazing. On the bright side, we got more exercise bringing our total mileage for the day to 15 kilometres. Still, I was very impressed at how many elderly people had made the hike up, as it wouldn’t be a trivial for them. To review the Tripadvisor Forums Posting Guidelines, please follow this link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/forums_posting_guidelines.html. Note that Alberta residents get a small discount. You can book the guided hike here. When is the best time to visit Banff and Jasper National Parks? Radium Hot Springs vs Banff Upper Hot Springs? The hike into Sunshine Meadows gets you above treeline where you get a double whammy – wildflowers and gorgeous Rocky Mountain views. The exceptionally warm temperatures of July and August create the perfect conditions for wildflower viewing in the Canadian Rockies. Banff National Park, in which Sunshine … What's a good itinerary for X days? At Sunshine Meadows, the wildflowers begin to bloom in early spring, as soon as the snow starts to melt. A packed lunch is included. Most people we saw didn’t seem to hike that far as we saw very few people on the trail towards Citadel Peak. But we did not. @Mette The views were incredible compensation. One of the premier day hikes in Banff National Parks takes you to Citadel Peak via Sunshine Meadows. The fragile alpine terrain has a growing season of just a few months, as the area is covered by snow October to … The classic canoe excursion is on (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Hotels near Cave and Basin National Historic Site. SPEND SOME TIME WITH US & FIND OUT WHY THE BANFF SUNSHINE MEADOWS EXPERIENCE IS 7,000 FEET ABOVE ORDINARY. Leigh McAdam is an award-winning, Calgary-based writer, photographer and social media enthusiast with over 61,000 followers. But you will gain 655 metres from the parking lot. more. I’ll meet you for a hike. Rock Isle Lake seems to be the premier destination. Native Wildflowers. If you’re crowd adverse but crazy for wildflowers and don’t mind a long day hike, I highly recommend the 9.2 kilometre one way hike to Healey Pass. Once you reach the top of the road, Sunshine Meadows unfolds before you. This trail is also one of the gateways to Assiniboine Provincial Park and Assiniboine Lodge. Where should we stay between Banff and Jasper? Her blog: HikeBikeTravel is frequently cited as one of the top travel and outdoor adventure blogs in Canada. Come and see if for yourself some summer. Do I need to pay an entry fee to visit the Canadian Rocky Mountain national parks? something to do to get away from the crazy tourist crowd of banff in the summer time. Sunshine Meadows Trail conditions at Sunshine Meadows, Banff, Alberta, Canada. Will there be more flowers blooming around … In summer, you can hike to the Sunshine Meadows and enjoy the […], […] Read: A Hike into Sunshine Meadows, Banff National Park […]. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. Sunshine Meadows lives up to its name with fields of alpine wildflowers … While I have never done this hike during larch season (around the third week of September) it absolutely needs to be on my must-do list as the photos I’ve seen are nothing short of glorious. In fact it was superb and some of the best I’ve seen in Banff National Park. We're planning to take a shuffle up the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? What clothes should I bring? Sunshine Meadows, Simpson Pass, and Healy Pass is a 13.1 mile moderately trafficked point-to-point trail located near Banff, Alberta, Canada that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as difficult. ... All reviews rock isle wild flowers chair lift continental divide ski area … I only wish COVID hadn’t forced me home so I could have done these hikes and explored the region a little more. Guided hikes with a pick-up in Banff are offered in the summer and fall. Access to the meadows is by the Sunshine gondola ( $37 each adult) that gets you way up above much of this great looking ski area. Launching our hike at 7,054 feet, we were instantly immersed in a colourful wonderland of delicate alpine wildflowers. What are the "must-sees"? Who knows when it will open in the summer of 2020 but when it does you’re in for a treat spending a night in the mountains – with one of the largest hot tubs in the Rockies. Sunshine Meadows via Banff Ave and Citadel Pass is a 12.6 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Banff, Alberta, Canada that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. In Banff, try Healy Pass, the Skoki Lakes area, Panorama Ridge, Helen Lake, or North Molar Pass for some beautiful wildlflowers. Kailyn Cheung. Expecting a carpet of wild flowers I can see why you were disappointed, but the views provide generous compensation. We may just do a hike a bike or if allowed ride farther. Her blog: HikeBikeTravel is frequently cited as one of the top travel and outdoor adventure blogs in Canada. Getting to the start of the Sunshine Meadows hike, Phenomenal mountain scenery on the Sunshine Meadows hike, The Sunshine Meadows area is also a good one in larch season, Further reading on great hikes in Alberta. If it's a normal year, your July dates should have more colourful and diverse wildflowers, although your August dates would still be lovely. At least you got some beautiful mountain views. From the Standish viewing deck it’s possible to see three lakes – Rock Isle, Laryx and Grizzly. You would definitely like the area around Sunshine Meadows any time it’s not enveloped in snow. Wildflowers at Sunshine Meadows bloom … The Monarch Butterfly Wildflower Mix is an easy-to-grow compilation of 27 wildflowers that will thrive in any sunny location throughout the US. @Freya You would not be disappointed with a summer trip. It took only about 90 minutes to reach our lunch spot and turnaround point. You can book online here. The other way to access it is via the three day backpacking trip that includes Egypt Lake. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Hiking time is 4 – 5 hours, covering a distance of 6 – 10 kilometres over an elevation gain of 100-200 metres. Golden Larches. You do have to pay to ride the gondola and chairlift. Where is a good spot to go in Banff or maybe Kananaskis. We are not always sensible people and elected to hike back down to the car. Before you start hiking, consider a stop at the interpretive centre. With gondolas and chairlifts, the heavy lifting when it comes to hiking a lot of vertical is done in minutes, not hours. - See 528 traveller reviews, 432 candid photos, and great deals for Banff, Canada, at Tripadvisor. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-49188443', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Sunshine Meadows but can't decided on the weekend. It starts right from the Sunshine Village parking area so it’s free. Launching our hike at 2,150 m (7,054 ft), we were instantly immersed in a colourful wonderland of delicate alpine wildflowers. Wildflower Photography from Sunshine Meadows in the Canadian Rockies For the more adventurous, there are a host of areas in Banff, Jasper, Yoho and Kootenay that offer great backcountry flower photography. Restoring native landscapes play a critical role in our ecosystem. Wildlife with thank you for it. As soon as we began hiking up the gradual incline of the 7 km (4.3 mi) loop trail to Rock Isle, Larix and Grizzly lakes, we realized why Lonely Planet rates Sunshine Meadows among the top five hiking destinations in Canada. Sunshine Meadows. Although the lake itself is beautiful, the area around it was full of people. Sensible people might buy a cold drink or beer, find a comfortable chair and enjoy the superb mountain views. Will there be more flowers blooming around last week of July (27-28) than 2nd week of August (10-11)? Is this hike the Quartz Ridge Trail? What documentation do I require to enter Canada ? The trail is primarily used for hiking and backpacking and is best used from June until October. Leigh, this is another glorious hike. @Mette I suspect this is the weekend to be up there but I;d go ahead just for the mountain scenery. Sunshine Meadows is one of the most popular hiking and sightseeing destinations in Banff National Park, a stunning natural garden covered in a carpet of wildflowers. For years the hike started with a bus ride. Save. We're traveling with our children - what are some good family activities? Native plants provide shelter and food for pollinators, require less watering and … The hike into Sunshine Meadows gets you above treeline where you get a double whammy – wildflowers and gorgeous Rocky Mountain views. And we saved $80, as at the time it was an expensive $16 per person each way on the bus. We remove posts that do not follow our posting guidelines, and we reserve the right to remove any post for any reason. I think in hindsight, a week later would have been better so I’ll have to try another year. Dogs are allowed on a leash. If you make a purchase through these links, I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. The trails here are relatively flat and incorporate 4 viewpoints, a few lakes and LOTS of wildflowers. Sunshine Meadows is famous for it's gorgeous wildflowers in Summer and vibrant larches in the fall. Get answers to your questions about Banff. I didn’t have time, or the enthusiasm for the full 18.6 kilometre round trip hike to the peak but I was keen to see Sunshine Meadows in what I hoped would be peak wildflower season. I guess it depends on steep the terrain is. Saturday, September 26, 2009. Located in the popular Sunshine Village ski resort, the trails open up as soon as the snow melts, revealing plenty of well-marked trails which wind past piercing blue lakes, fragrant meadows … This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Canada. When is a good time? Click on the photo  to bookmark to your Pinterest boards. Thanks for reading! Are you allowed to bike on any of these trails? It’s been called the best larch hike in Banff National Park – and that is saying something. Required fields are marked *. @Kailyn I think it may be Quartz Hill you’re referring to. @Marisol The hike was one of the best I’ve done in the Rockies – and now I’d like to go further and explore for several days. But it’s a 29 kilometre one way hike and should be done as part of a backpacking trip. From the trail intersection it’s only 0.6 kilometres to the lake. Planning for a trip to the Rockies late September 2018 for a big 60 birthday and found your blog. Now you can take the gondola followed by the Standish Chairlift. As I told you a long time ago Banff is huge on my bucket list, Leigh! Banff Park Lodge Resort Hotel & Conference Centre. @Norm No bikes as afar as I can tell but better double check with Sunshine Ski Resort and see what they say.I’m sure you could ride up the steep road but I doubt very much into the meadows. Thank you for including that one photo with the dog in it. @Peter I also recommend checking out this blog that will take you on an overnight trip = https://hikebiketravel.com/a-3-day-backpacking-trip-that-includes-egypt-lake/, Hi, Leigh, I’m planning a trip in August, and want to add this hike. Sunshine Meadows offers a colourful array of wildflowers and other alpine tree line vegetation. Author of Discover Canada: 100 Inspiring Outdoor Adventures Co-author of 125 Nature Hot Spots in Alberta, Yoho National Park in British Columbia isn't very big compared to its next-door neighbour -…, For a take-your-breath-away beautiful multi-day hiking trip in the Canadian Rockies, you must put the…, For a magnificent but long day hike or an outstanding 3 - 4-day backpacking trip…. The meadows are on the continental divide so you’ll hike in both Alberta and British Columbia. Even though the wildflowers were a disappointment, the mountain scenery was not. Leigh McAdam is a Calgary based writer, author, photographer and social media enthusiast with over 61,000 followers. Gallery: Mountain wildflowers at peak of the season in Banff's Sunshine Meadows. Related: What are the most popular tours in Banff? Wildflowers, however, did make a continuous appearance in Sunshine Meadows with 26 different wildflowers in bloom. Your email address will not be published. They look STUNNING and I can just picture how incredible it is. Johnston Canyon road closure - alternate parking?? Discover Canada: 100 Inspiring Outdoor Adventures, https://hikebiketravel.com/a-3-day-backpacking-trip-that-includes-egypt-lake/, 7 Amazing Alberta Ski Resorts You'll Want to Visit - Hike Bike Travel, 5 Hikes with the Best Views in the Alberta Rockies - Hike Bike Travel. Getting to the start of the Sunshine Meadows … It’s only 4.5 kilometres up the road to Sunshine Village – where the downhill skiing happens in the winter. Wildflowers at Sunshine Meadows, Mt Assiniboine Provincial Park, BC Given the snowpack this year, which is not particularly deep compared to last year, I’d put our best guess for the peak of wildflower … If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Banff with 2 young children - where to stay and what to do? @Lisa I did better with wildflowers on a hike in Mount Revelstoke National Park this past weekend. Cycling Castle Junction to Johnston Canyon. Dec 3, 2020 - Located only a short distance, 16km/10m, from the Town of Banff, the pristine beauty of Sunshine Meadows is easily accessible for everyone, and can be best experienced and enjoyed … Krista Edwards, For The Calgary Herald 08.13.2009 Members who are extremely knowledgeable about this destination and answer travellers’ questions frequently. My wife and I would like to start from the parking lot and ride in. Sorry you missed the wildflowers – something like that is so difficult to predict. I love the Sunshine Mountain Lodge, though I have only stayed at in the winter. When we got back to Sunshine Village, we had 30 minutes to wait for the next bus (before the days in the summer with the gondola running). The scenery is so breathtaking, just beautiful. As soon as we began hiking up the gradual incline of the 4.3 mile loop trail to Rock Isle, Larix and Grizzly lakes, we realized why Lonely Planet rates Sunshine Meadows among the top five hiking destinations in Canada. […] The signature snowshoeing experience is a great winter activity. Lonely Planet named this the #1 day hike in Canada. I wish I had the opportunity to stay in the region over summer! With its windy, variable climate and unique geology (ancient and young rock slammed together by tectonic plates), Waterton Lakes National Park contains 45 different vegetation communities (at Parks Canada’s count) and is famously flush with flowers. Sunshine Meadows in Banff boasts an incredible display of wildflowers and we were very lucky to time our visit perfectly for peak wildflower peeping. Ride the Standish Chairlift to over … In addition to the Sunshine Meadows high alpine wildflower/larch viewing trails, Sunshine Village serves as an alternate starting point to hike to Healy Pass (via Simpson Pass) and … I was living and working in Lake Louise in winter and LOVED skiing around Sunshine VIllage. The best hikes in Banff must include the hike up to Healy Pass.