Banff Tour — Hike in Sunshine Meadow & Johnston Canyon — Gondolas
Traveler rating
4.8/5
Based on 26 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Banff Tour — Hike in Sunshine Meadow & Johnston Canyon — Gondolas worth booking?
Banff Tour — Hike in Sunshine Meadow & Johnston Canyon — Gondolas is a 9-hour experience in Banff, Canada, from $208 per person. It scores 65 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 26 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 65 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (26)
- Duration
- 9 hours
- From
- $208 per person
Enjoy a refreshing one-day Banff hiking tour to bask in the scenery of one of the world's most beautiful National Parks. Stroll through Johnston Canyon and take in the sights, wander Sunshine Meadows admiring the gorgeou
What you get
About this experience
Enjoy a refreshing one-day Banff hiking tour to bask in the scenery of one of the world's most beautiful National Parks. Stroll through Johnston Canyon and take in the sights, wander Sunshine Meadows admiring the gorgeous flora and natural beauty of the valley. Finally, relax and feel your spirits soar in a gondola up to Sulphur Mountain to feel the alpine breeze and drink in the wonders of the peaceful Rockies. A tour designed for hiking lovers, our guide will help you cover three of the Kananaskis Country's most beloved moderate trails, showcasing Canada's finest scenery. This adventure is best paired with our Lake View Day Tour to give you a a two-day unforgettable experience, immersing yourself in all that Banff and it's surrounding beauties has to offer.
What's included
Included
- On-board WiFi
- GST (Goods and Services Tax)
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Sunshine Meadow Gondola
- National Park Fee
- Complimentary bottled water
Not included
- Gratuities
- Banff Gondola Fee — Price fluctuates around
- On-board restrooms
What you'll see and do
Sunshine Meadows
a gentle alpine trail above Sunshine Village with sweeping wildflower meadows, panoramic mountain views, and three small hidden alpine lakes tucked among the ridges. Easy, well‑marked paths with rolling terrain and short climbs—great for families and casual hikers.
180 minutes here · Admission included
Johnston Creek originates north of Castle Mountain in a glacial valley southwest of Badger Pass and south of Pulsatilla Pass, at an elevation of 2,500 meters (8,200 ft). The creek flows southeast between Helena Ridge and the Sawback Range, and then south through a gorge known as Johnston Canyon. As Johnston Creek approaches the Bow River, it flows through a large canyon formed by erosion over thousands of years. The creek has cut through the limestone rock to form sheer canyon walls, as well as waterfalls, tunnels, and pools. A popular hiking trail follows the canyon and leads to a meadow within the Johnston Valley above the canyon. The first part of the trail consists of a constructed walkway with safety rails and bridges, while the last part of the trail is natural and more rugged. Within the meadow are the Ink Pots, which are six blue-green spring-fed pools.
105 minutes here
Vermilion Lakes
The Vermilion Lakes are a series of lakes located immediately west of Banff, Alberta, in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. The three lakes are formed in the Bow River valley, in the Banff National Park, at the foot of Mount Norquay. The area offers wildlife viewing opportunities and breathtaking scenery. Offering spectacular views of Mount Rundle and Sulphur Mountain, the proximity of these lakes to town make them a fantastic place to watch sunrise or sunset.
15 minutes here
Sulphur Mountain
Timeless Rocky Mountain views. 100% reimagined summit experience. Take the Sulphur Gondola (Optional) and discover sweeping scenes of six mountain ranges, the Bow Valley and the charming town of Banff from the Sulphur Mountain summit. Once you're at the top, begin your adventure by strolling the boardwalk to the Cosmic Ray Station and Sanson's Peak and learn about Canada's first national park. The air is clean and clear up here. When gaze down from the jagged mountain ridge, you stare in amazement at the town, lakes, and rivers on the valley floor far below, and a lot more. it’s such a revitalizing and calming sensation.
85 minutes here · Admission not included
Cascades of Time Garden spreads out behind Banff National Park's historic administration building at 101 Mountain Ave. A geological sequence of cascading ponds and water courses provide the garden’s namesake and is highlighted with flowers, shrubs, rustic bridges, pavilions and flagged walks. The peak season for blooms is June through September.
15 minutes here
Bow Falls
Bow Falls is a major waterfall on the Bow River. The falls rumble about 30 feet over a low-gradient pitch of channeled bedrock, providing a short turbulent interrupt of the cerulean waters of the Bow River. The falls are pretty, and under the right conditions, exceptionally photogenic, but not terribly impressive. The 1953 Marilyn Monroe film “River of No Return” featured the bow falls.
15 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Banff
Mount Royal Hotel — 138 Banff Avenue — Banff, Alberta, Canada — T1L 1J3 Note: Tour buses are required to park behind the hotel. Your tour guide will contact you before your tour starts, so please ensure you provided accurate contact information during booking. Please wait behind the hotel.
Meeting point
Banff
Canmore Visitor Center — 2801 Bow Valley Trail — Canmore, Alberta, Canada — T1W 3A2 Your tour guide will contact you before your tour starts, so please ensure you provided accurate contact information during booking. Please wait in front of the building for pick-up.
Meeting point
Banff
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Calgary NW University Area — 2373 Banff Trail NW — Calgary, Alberta, Canada — T2M 4L2 Your tour guide will contact you before your tour starts, so please ensure you provided accurate contact information during booking. Please wait in front of the hotel for pick-up.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Mount Royal Hotel — 138 Banff Avenue — Banff, Alberta, Canada — T1L 1J3 Note: Tour buses are required to park behind the hotel. Your tour guide will contact you before your tour starts, so please ensure you provided accurate contact information during booking. Please wait behind the hotel.
Ends at
Canmore Visitor Center — 2801 Bow Valley Trail — Canmore, Alberta, Canada — T1W 3A2 Your tour guide will contact you before your tour starts, so please ensure you provided accurate contact information during booking. Please wait in front of the building for pick-up.
Ends at
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Calgary NW University Area — 2373 Banff Trail NW — Calgary, Alberta, Canada — T2M 4L2 Your tour guide will contact you before your tour starts, so please ensure you provided accurate contact information during booking. Please wait in front of the hotel for pick-up.
Options you can book
No Banff Gondola Ticket
No Gondola Ticket
Tour + Banff Gondola Ticket
Gondola Ticket
Special Date Discount+Gondola
Special date discount: this offer only apply to certain dates.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- cmn, en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Banff2Go
Know before you go
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 26 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
6 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
6 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Physical effort
2 mentionsExpect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
Traveler reviews
26 verified traveler reviews for Banff Tour — Hike in Sunshine Meadow & Johnston Canyon — Gondolas. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Amazing trip and tour guide
The tour guide provided us lots of interesting knowlege of the geography and history of Banff. He was so attentive and helpful. The landscape is breath-taking. We will come back soon
via Tripadvisor
The best tour guide
We REALLY liked our tour guide Yong. Very knowledgeable and accomodating and he took us to places we weren't aware. He also respected our age (77 and 78)
via Viator
Great tour of must sees in Banff
Seeing all the beautiful scenery around Banff with a private tour was great! Bow Falls, Banff, the Hoodoos, and some beautiful lakes were all beautiful
via Viator
Who knew Hoodoos!!
Hovin was an excellent guide. The scenery was hard to describe accurately as it was so beautiful. We enjoyed the hike at Johnston Canyon and the waterfalls. Going through Banf was interesting to experience the vast amount of traffic. The Two Jacks Lake and Minnewanka Lake were very beautiful. It was a wonderful tour and our most unusual new knowledge was the Hoodoos! Thanks again!
via Viator
Amazing host, amazing tour
We had Caroline as a host and she was amazing, very friendly and very knowledgeable. We highly recommend this excellent sightseeing tour. Richard and Cathie L
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 9 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $208 to $380
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 9
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Banff2Go, who run 11 experiences we rank across 3 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 56.9.
See everything Banff2Go runsWhy this scores 65
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Banff Tour — Hike in Sunshine Meadow & Johnston Canyon — Gondolas: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Banff.
How much does Banff Tour — Hike in Sunshine Meadow & Johnston Canyon — Gondolas cost?
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Prices start at $208 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Banff usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Banff Tour — Hike in Sunshine Meadow & Johnston Canyon — Gondolas take?
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Plan for about 9 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Banff is not rushed.
Is Banff Tour — Hike in Sunshine Meadow & Johnston Canyon — Gondolas worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 65 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 26 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Banff, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Banff Tour — Hike in Sunshine Meadow & Johnston Canyon — Gondolas?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Banff Tour — Hike in Sunshine Meadow & Johnston Canyon — Gondolas suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 9-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Banff Tour — Hike in Sunshine Meadow & Johnston Canyon — Gondolas?
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Around 9 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Banff can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Banff and add a light layer if any part of the 9-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Banff Tour — Hike in Sunshine Meadow & Johnston Canyon — Gondolas start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Banff within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Banff?
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On Outty we rank every Banff experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and the Icefields Parkway Full-Day Tour, Hop-On and Hop-Off Banff Bus, ShuttleBus 2way Banff to Lake Louise (1Hr) and Moraine Lake (1Hr). The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Banff?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Banff?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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