Canada · WALKING & GHOST TOURS IN BANFF
Good walking & ghost tours in Banff fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 12 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Meet your certified guide at Banff’s Cave and Basin site for a 5-kilometer night walk through the national park. Guides such as Kael, Ewan, Ben, and Isla point out constellations, share local stories, help with phone photography, and provide headlamps and ice cleats when needed.
“Really amazing experience. Very bright stars and the guide was super informative and knew a lot about the area”
Cycle from Banff past Vermilion Lakes and along the Legacy Trail and Bow Valley Parkway, then trade your e-bike for a one-hour walk to Johnston Canyon’s Lower Falls. Guides such as Michael, Alina, Chris, and Jennifer add local stories, safety help, and photo stops.
“It was an amazing experience. Our guides, Bill and Dylan were fantastic and so engaging. We thought this was such a great excursion! Our only thought was that the bells on the bikes should be improved to be more useful. One of our members (bike #48) didn’t even have a bell which can be hard when it’s a busy day on the road.”
Join an English-speaking guide in Banff for a 105-minute evening walk through haunted landmarks, hotels, and historic streets. Guides including Jack, Jen, Mike, and Max mix paranormal tales with local history. Meet at the Good Earth Coffeehouse patio, and bring warm, weather-ready clothing.
“Jack was great! It was almost like a history lesson too which was an added bonus! Had such a great time :)”
Walk about 3.5 miles on uneven forest trails with a local English-speaking guide such as Jacob. You’ll hear stories about Banff and Canmore, watch for wildlife, and seek dark skies away from city lights. The two-hour outing suits active families, but not children under eight or people with mobility concerns.
“I was given the wrong address for pickup , so we didn't make it to the tour until it was too late :(”
Walk Banff with guides such as Alex or Clara, learning how the town grew alongside the Rocky Mountains. Expect an easy two-hour route with frequent stops, photo chances, time to browse shops, plus a hot or cold drink and a sweet treat. Groups are capped at 20 people.
“Alex our guide made tge tour/experience very informative and enjoyable. Definitely a must do whenever in town.”
Walk Canmore’s streets with guide Erin, hear the story of this mountain town, and finish with a refreshment and sweet treat. The two-hour English tour starts and ends at the Big Head sculpture, welcomes service animals, and caps groups at 20 people.
“An interesting, informative and enjoyable walking tour. Erin is very knowledgeable and friendly guide. A wonderful way to spend a couple hours in this beautiful historic town!”
Meet your English-speaking guide at the Banff Visitor Centre for a two-hour walk through Banff Avenue, the Bow River Trail, Cascade of Time Garden, Bear Street, the train station, Banff Park Museum, and Luxton Home Museum. Guides such as Aziz, Azim, and Jess bring local stories, photos, and practical dining and nightlife tips.
“This was an excellent guided walking tour. Our guide Aziz was knowledgeable, considerate and humorous and provided us with a great experience! Highly recommended!”
Leave Canmore with a certified English-speaking guide for a private 150-minute walk in wildlife-rich parts of the Canadian Rockies. You’ll ride to a remote trailhead, look for tracks and animals, and learn about local nature and history. Jacob may be your guide.
“Jacob our guide was very knowledgeable about the area and the wildlife that lives there. His extensive background in history made for a really interesting trip. He took us to some very unique trails and areas, we were very happy with the walk and the things we learnt along the way”
Use the Tripvia Tours app to walk a 5-kilometre return route through Banff with commentary by guide Don, automatic GPS-triggered audio, and location-based trivia. Start anytime, pause anywhere, and explore at your own pace, though you will need your own phone and should download the tour on Wi-Fi first.
“First part of the tour in the gardens was good. Second part was outdated and not able to be followed. Dialogue was too long and repetitive.”
Walk 2.2-plus miles around Banff’s Cave and Basin National Historic Site with location-triggered audio stories about hot springs, First Nations history, wartime internment, the Bow River marsh, and Sulphur Mountain. The $9.99 app tour is not an admission ticket, and site entry costs extra.
“This is NOT a walking tour. Its a narration to accompany the walk for which you pay separately. There are descriptive signs and rangers along the way. There are also additional fees to enter the cave and the hot springs.”
Walk 3 km through Banff with Erin, the local guide and owner, for stories about the town’s history, culture, and unusual sights. The route leaves Banff Avenue for photo stops such as the Art in Nature Trail and Luxton residence museum, with a sweet treat and drink included.
“Erin was delightful. The tour was a really good mix of modern and historical Banff. She showed us things we would never have discovered on our own eg the Art in Nature Trail and Luxton residence museum with narrative linking it to the Banff Trading post. It was definitely time well spent and highly recommended.”
Meet a local guide under a red umbrella at 224 Banff Ave for a two-hour walk through Banff. You’ll follow the Bow River Trail, visit the Cascade of Time Garden and Whyte Museum, and hear local stories in English or Spanish. Guide Azi has been praised for being warm, clear, and easy to talk with.
“Our guide Azi was so informative and easy to connect with! We felt comfortable asking questions and learning about the town. Merci!”
Pick a mountain, a shoreline or a table.
