Mount Rundle

Mount Rundle is one of those peaks that defines the Banff skyline, and standing on its summit feels absolutely unforgettable. The hike starts off gradually through forest, but it quickly turns into a steady, relentless climb. The famous “Dragon’s Back” section is steep, exposed, and requires care, but it’s also the highlight of the route—fun scrambling with jaw-dropping views opening up in all directions. From the top, you’re rewarded with one of the best panoramas in the Rockies: the town of Banff below, the Bow Valley stretching out endlessly, and surrounding peaks rising in every direction. The descent can be tough on the knees, but that’s part of the adventure. This is not an easy hike—it’s long, steep, and requires good fitness and comfort with exposure—but for those who take it on, Rundle delivers a true bucket-list experience.

One of many iconic mountain in the Canadian Rockies

Run(dle), don’t walk (although hiking is even better), to the top of one of Banff’s most iconic mountains ⛰! If you have the strength, the skill, and the courage, you will be rewarded with stunning panoramic views!

I love it this hikke-climbing mountain to Mount Rundle not so difficult if you do carefull and if no rain and no windy. But no trust mapsme said 2h up. You need minimum 3 h (3h30 for breaks fotos) if you are medium level like me and 1h30 (2h with wind) Landscape nice all on way but amazing on the top with view to many type of views : ice mountains, grassie lake.... I discover this hike because Ha ling Peak is close since august 2018 but not everybody no it's. The trail begin almost in the same parking.

How can you go wrong with one of the most iconic mountains of the Canadian Rockies. It's not an easy route, but it's worth the climb. While gradual at the beginning, the grade increases as you climb with the last kilometer being very steep. Some technical sections, maybe a bit of exposure for extra fun.

Access from the Banff Springs Golf Course Road. You follow the switchbacks up to the end of the trail where the scree scramble begins. You go over a mandatory narrow section before the summit push called the Dragon's Back. Wouldn't recommend if the dragon's back is covered in snow or wet. The summit gets step with a shear drop on the east side. The perfect spot for base jumpers.

The hiking trail is pleasant, but nothing exceptional for the region: it’s after the hiking ends and the scrambling begins that things get both intense and rewarding. Be ready for a very steep, seemingly endless scramble up scree, and some vertigo-inducing drop offs along the Dragon’s back (the only place I’ve ever felt vertiginous, more than bungee jumping or skydiving). Will be back with friends to tackle this again and feel a little more solid next time :)

Hade a very good hike. But I've to say: It was one of my hardest one-day-hikes ever did. And I'm from Austria and have quiet did a lot of hikes. Did the Cascade Mountain the day before, maybe this wasn't the best idea. Took me 6,5 h. The last 1000 m difference in altitude are very straight up the mountain. The part in the forest is steep but OK - the real probems coming above the trees. Loose rocks in every size. Bring enough water!!!