Sulphur Mountain — Attraction in Alberta

Last summer, my wife and I visited the breathtaking Sulphur Mountain in Banff, and it was an amazing experience. We started the day by taking the Banff Gondola, the ride itself was incredibly scenic, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains and the valley below. As we ascended, the anticipation grew—knowing we were about to witness something truly remarkable.

Once we reached the summit, the views were nothing short of surreal. The 360-degree panoramic vistas of the Bow Valley, Lake Minnewanka, and the surrounding peaks were awe-inspiring. The observation deck and interpretive center provided some much-needed respite, but we were eager to explore further, so we decided to embark on the Sulphur Mountain Summit Trail.

The trek itself was a challenge, especially as the air grew thinner the higher we went. The trail is somewhat precarious, with a steep incline and a few narrow sections. After reaching about two-thirds of the way up, we decided to turn back for safety reasons, but even so, the journey was totally worth it. Along the way, we encountered some incredible wildlife, including a marmot that made an unexpected appearance, adding to the charm of the hike.

All in all, Sulphur Mountain was an unforgettable adventure, combining a scenic gondola ride with the challenge and reward of a mountain trek. Whether you're looking for a relaxing visit to take in the views or an active outdoor experience, Sulphur Mountain offers something...

This is truly a once in a lifetime experience - and make sure you are not constrained for time when you visit Sulphur Mountain.

You could either trek up or take the gondola all the way to the top. Having previously done many gondola rides (and not being keen on intense treks), I wasn't expecting much on the way up.

But that perception changed within moments of the gondola leaving the base station.

The jaw dropping views as we rose up from the valley and ascended the heavily forested cliffside cannot be described in words. You have to live the experience in person and make sure you visit Sulphur Mountain sooner rather than later.

The 8 odd minutes gondola ride up ends pretty soon as time literally flies by. The ride ends in the mountain top restaurant and a small museum with terraces offering sweeping views of the valley, Banff town, Bow River and the Banff Fairmont Hotel.

You can walk out towards the Sulphur Mountain Peak (about 15 minutes of leisurely walking) and make sure you soak in the views. No matter which direction you face - you will see something that inspires you to take memorable pictures and videos.

Come prepared with adequate warm clothing as Sulphur Mountain is normally very windy (and the wind can literally blow you away). In the colder months - prolonged stays outdoor can be...

The legs of a Louisianian are not built the same as the folks we hiked this mountain with. I come from a completely flat place. While I enjoy hiking, I don’t often walk or hike an incline. This is nearly 100% incline.

The other people hiking all passed us up. Young, old, big, small. They ALL passed us. Our time to the top was 3:30 and our time back down was 2:30. I can believe some folks made it in an hour and thirty minutes, but not this guy.

This is an incredibly difficult hike. It’s straight up with only about 20m or so of flat part at any point. It’s about 4.5km (3.5 miles) each way.

About halfway up it becomes even more difficult and steep.

The views from the top are beautiful. You can take the elevator to the 4th floor of the diner and see a nice view, or you can walk about another 2.8km on a boardwalk to another viewpoint. We passed on that.

Is the hike worth it? Yes, if you like a challenge. The view is beautiful as well. There isn’t much to see on your way up. Trees obscure the view. The best word I can use to describe it is “grueling”.

If you want an easier hike, take the Grassi Lake loop in Canmore. It’s about a third the distance and has prettier views on the way up and more to see at the top. Better “bang...