Cascade Mountain Hike in Banff & Jasper National Parks 2025
The epic Banff mountain with magnificent views
Best time: July–September
Cascade Mountain is a prominent peak towering over the Town of Banff in Banff National Park in Alberta. With the elevation of 2,998 m (9,836 ft), the Cascade Mountain summit can be reached by an 18-km (11-mi) trail with an elevation gain of about 1,764 m (5,787 ft). The hike through Cascade Amphitheater features a forest, a river and some scrambling on snow. It is best used in July, August, and September. Beware of thunderstorms during the summer.
The Cascade Amphitheater trail starts at Mt. Norquay Ski Area. It offers excellent views of the town of Banff, Lake Minnewanka, and amazing 360-degree views of the surrounding peaks. It can be reached by the Norquay Road from Banff. The trail is going down to Forty Mile Creek. But once you get to the forest, it begins to climb through a series of switchbacks. Once you get to the Cascade Amphitheater, take the right turn for the summit. This trail is marked with a yellow flag tape. The hike is quite difficult and can take about nine hours for both ways. Cascade Mountain Trail features wildflowers and wildlife like marmots and bighorn sheep that are typical for the Rocky Mountains.
