Drive the Scenic Lake Minnewanka Loop

Driving the Lake Minnewanka scenic loop is one of the best things to do near Downtown Banff. This 24 km loop takes you through some of Banff’s most surprising and beautiful twists and turns. Along the way, you’ll pass four separate bodies of water, an old mining town, endless beauty, and some epic hiking if you want to stretch your legs. If you’re lucky, you might even see some wildlife – we almost always do!

What Makes the Lake Minnewanka Loop Great?

The loop starts just 5km from Banff, making it a great thing to do when you don’t want to venture too far from your hotel in Banff.

On the drive, there are four different bodies of water with spectacular views, and you stand a high chance of seeing wildlife. There are also some nice walking paths and loops, along with a few great hiking opportunities!

When is the Best Time to Drive it?

You can drive the Lake Minnewanka Loop anytime of day, but, like most popular things in the Rockies, we find it best to do it early in the morning or in the evening. This is your best chance to view wildlife and have a more crowd-free experience.

When we plan visitor trips, we usually advise them to enjoy a short road trip after dinner in the summer. If you want to go for a hike or have an activity planned, like the Lake Minnewanka Cruise, going earlier in the day is best.

What Highlights Do You Pass on the Loop

There are a few main highlights to be aware of on your drive.

Cascade Ponds

Cascade Ponds is one of my favourite places to head to in Banff when I just want to chill and enjoy my surroundings. These are a series of ponds under Cascade Mountain, with plenty of benches and fire pits to enjoy a picnic. It’s also a fantastic place to come year-round and grab some photos of the bridges that make walking between the ponds accessible

Johnson Lake

Technically a little detour off the main road, but a well worthy one! Johnson Lake is a locals’ lake and a bit quieter than nearby Lake Minnewanka and Two Jack Lake. It’s known for being one of the best places in Banff to take a dip, and we love to paddleboard on it as we find it less windy than other lakes in the Rockies. There’s also a nice walking path around the lake with minimal elevation gain.

Two Jack Lake

Two Jack Lake has a sweeping view of Mount Rundle, and is one of the most popular places to visit in all of Banff. On a sunny summer day, it truly sparkles and is a hot spot for stand-up paddleboarders and kayakers. In the winter, it’s still a scenic spot, and if you’re really lucky, you might even get to ice skate on it.

Lake Minnewanka

Of course, you’re travelling the Lake Minnewanka Loop road, so eventually you’re going to get to Lake Minnewanka. This is the largest lake in Banff, at 21 km long and 142 meters deep. In the summer, it’s a busy place to hike, picnic, canoe, and you even rent a motorboat. You can also hop on the popular boat cruises that take you to the lake’s start, called the Devil’s Gap, all while learning about the history of the area.

Bankhead Ghost Town

Bankhead was a tiny coal-mining town that thrived in Banff in the early 1900s. The town’s coal mine was situated under Cascade Mountain, which harboured superior-quality anthracite coal reserves. While it’s not in operation anymore, you can still see the remnants of the bygone days. There’s an interpretive trail with signs highlighting key buildings and providing interesting facts about the area

Public Transport

In the summer, Roam Transit Route 6 makes it easy to get from Downtown Banff and onto the Lake Minnewanka loop. This service runs seven days a week during the summer months only. Read more about how to get around Banff without a car.

Closures to be Aware Of

From November to May, the western section of the Minnewanka Loop is closed to allow wildlife passage. The remainder of the road is open, and Cascade Ponds, Johnson Lake, Two Jack Lake and Minnewanka Lake are completely accessible. You can still cross-country ski in the Cascade Valley.

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Hikes and Activities

Lake Minnewanka Cruise

Cruises on Lake Minnewanka run every day in the summer. If you want to get out on the water, this is one of the best ways to do it.

Hike to Stewart Canyon

The Stewart Canyon hike is a short 6km return hike with minimal elevation gain that begins at the Lake Minnewanka parking lot and follows the lake, offering pleasant views of the water. Eventually, the trail reaches a wooden bridge spanning Stewart Canyon and the Cascade River, offering an epic view.

Hike C Level Cirque

If you want a more demanding hike, one of the toughest ones in the area is C Level Cirque. This is a steep hike, but those who make the climb will be rewarded with fantastic views over Lake Minnewanka.

Cycle the Road

If you’re into cycling and don’t mind biking on a road with cars passing you, one of the best bikes to enjoy is this one. Earn your views! You can rent a bike at Banff Cycle and bike right from Banff. Be forewarned, there’s lots of elevation gain on this one!

Cross Country Ski Cascade Valley

The Cascade Valley Trail leaves from the Lake Minnewanka parking area and is a great track set cross country ski for all levels. We find ourselves on this trail often in the winter as it’s such a fun cross country ski!