Mount Rundle Hike, Banff – DETAILED Scramble Guide with Photos
The Mount Rundle hike was on my bucket list for a while and last summit I finally completed it. From every apartment I’ve lived at in Banff I’ve been able to see the towering Mount Rundle summit looming out my front door. I always wanted to summit Mount Rundle just to “get it done,” however after completing the Mount Rundle scramble I can confidently say this trail should be at the top of every scrambler’s objective list.
The Mount Rundle scramble is one of the toughest, well known trails in Banff. It’s long, steep, has some exposure, and there’s a gnarly boulder field you must navigate. It’s not for beginners, but if you’re a serious hiker looking to add another near 3,000m mountain to your lineup, the Mount Rundle hike would be my top recommendation.
ps – if you’re looking to hike a near 3,000m mountain in Banff but want something less technical, try Cascade Mountain
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How to get to the Mount Rundle Trailhead
The Mount Rundle hike is luckily located within the town of Banff meaning you can easily hike Mount Rundle without a car. From the Calgary International Airport the Mount Rundle trail is 1hr 30mins (136kms).
More hikes in Banff that don’t require a car
The Mount Rundle trailhead is just off the Fairmont Golf Course Rd. To get here you’ll want to walk to the end of Banff ave toward the Bow River, cross the vehicle bridge, then take a left and walk the dirt path next to the river. You’ll come to a series of stairs which will lead you to Bow Falls.
From the Bow Falls parking lot cross the bridge which will bring you to the Fairmont Golf Course Rd. Walk past the first green space (hiker’s right). Just after the green space you’ll find the Mount Rundle trailhead sign on your right. It’s actually displayed as “Spray River East,” but you’ll need to take this trail to the Rundle turnoff.
If you’re driving you can park at Bow Falls. Arrive early in the summer months as parking can fill up quickly, especially on weekends.
Best Banff Car Rentals
Compare Rentals: I recommend using this site as it compares all the local rental shops to find you the best rate.
Poparide: peer-to-peer carpooling platform. Great for transportation between Banff-Calgary. Use my link to save $5 on your first trip.
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Taylor ♡
Where to Stay in Banff
From hostels to camping to luxury hotels – Banff has accommodations for everyone. Here are my top recommendations for where to lodge in Banff based on every budget.
I recommend giving this post a read as I’ve listed every Banff hotel worth staying at and organized them by category.
- Hostels – Samesun Banff (best location + bar/restaurant on-site), Banff International Hostel (second best), and HI Banff.
- Budget hotels – Bow View Lodge and High Country Inn.
- Mid-range stays – Banff Park Lodge, Mount Royal, Elk & Avenue, and the Banff Caribou & spa.
- Luxury stays – Fairmont Banff Springs and the Rimrock Resort.
- Cabin retreats: Johnston Canyon Bungalows, Baker Creek, and Castle Mountain Chalets.
- Camping – reservation information can be found here. Ensure you book campsites far in advance as they’re full during summer.
- For those on ski trips: lodge on-mountain at Sunshine Village, stay near Norquay, and see my Lake Louise suggestions below.
Lodging Options Near Banff
Enjoy the nature and activities of Banff National Park, but lodge away from the busy tourist town centre at any of the following:
- Lake Louise – Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise (luxury), Paradise Lodge & Bungalows (500m from the lake), Lake Louise Inn (value stay), HI Lake Louise (hostel).
- Canmore – Malcolm Hotel (luxury), Stoneridge Mountain Resort (condo suites with fully equipped kitchens), Mountain View Inn (budget), Canmore Downtown Hostel & the Canmore Hostel (party hostel).
- Johnston Canyon – Johnston Canyon Lodge & Bungalows, Castle Mountain Chalets, and HI Castle Mountain Hostel.
- Yoho National Park – Emerald Lake Lodge and Cathedral Mountain Lodge.
- Kootenay National Park – Storm Mountain Lodge & Cabins.
- Kananaskis Country – Mount Engadine Lodge and Kananaskis Mountain Lodge (luxury), Crosswaters Resort (mid-range), and HI Kananaskis Wilderness Hostel (budget).
About the Mount Rundle Scramble
- Distance: 15kms
- Elevation gain: 1,706m
- Estimated time: 6-12hrs
- Rated: scramble
- Type of trail: out & back
- Time of year: June to September
The Mount Rundle hike (AKA Waskahigan Watchi) is a summer scrambling route. Do not complete this hike if you can still see snow on Mount Rundle.
On the Mount Rundle hike you’ll encounter all kinds of terrain. From forested switchbacks to loose rock fields to airy ledges you get a little taste of everything. The Mount Rundle trail is well marked up until the treeline by arrows, ribbons, and yellow markers. Past the treeline the trail is an unmaintained scree field.
Once you reach the scree field you’ll see multiple “trails,” – none better than the other. I personally found staying hikers left on both the ascent and descent was easiest.
It’s imperative to stay on track. Contradictory to what I just mentioned, prior to the scree field there’s a specific trail that ventures up the Dragon’s Back and a few other areas where hiking off trail has led to fatal accidents.
The Mount Rundle hike is strenuous, but no technical climbing gear or maneuvers are required. If the path is followed correctly hikers should have no problem finishing this trail. If hikers venture off the Mount Rundle trail, it could end in disaster.
When to Hike Mount Rundle
The Mount Rundle scramble should only be completed when the snow clears completely off the mountain. You can monitor the snow situation from down below in the town of Banff.
Usually the snow melts off Rundle as easily as June, however during colder years with more precipitation you may not be able to hike Rundle until July. Mount Rundle is one of the first hike-able big summits in Banff as it’s location and shape means it gets lots of sun exposure and the snow can easily melt away.
You can continue hiking Mount Rundle usually until late September, but as soon as the first snowfall hits I’d recommend waiting until the following year to do the Mount Rundle hike. The Mount Rundle scramble is slippery to begin with due to all the slabs nevermind with a layer of snow.
How Hard is the Mount Rundle Scramble?
The Mount Rundle scramble has a bit of a bad rep for being this hard to navigate, potentially deadly, excruciating mountain to climb. In some ways it is, however I honestly did not find the Mount Rundle hike to be as daunting as everyone made it out to be. For reference I’m an experienced hiker and a moderate scrambler.
The Mount Rundle scramble is definitely not for beginners, however if you have previous scrambling experience and a good level of fitness that should be all you need to hike Mount Rundle.
The most technically challenging parts of the Mount Rundle scramble are descending the scree field and a medium size moves as you’re traversing the top ridge to the true summit. Aside from this the Mount Rundle hike only requires determination and strong legs.
Tips for Mount Rundle Hike
- Start early. The Rundle scramble is entirely exposed to the sun. Once the sun crests over the ridge you’re hiking straight into it. By starting the Rundle hike early you’ll (hopefully) be up the scree field by the time the sun crests and you’ll have it on your back for the descent.
- Bring extra layers, the Rundle summit is very cold and windy.
- Pack extra snacks and water. There are no natural water sources along the way.
- Use a bike for the first section of the Rundle hike. The trail is rocky and uneven but if you have a proper bike and some riding skills it’ll save you some time, especially on the descent.
- Download the Alltrails map beforehand.
- Proper footwear is a MUST.
- Hiking poles are very helpful for the Mount Rundle hike. On the scramble you’ll be using more handholds, but on the slabs they’re a life saver.
- The Mount Rundle hike should only be completed in good weather.
Top Tours & Excursions in Banff
Banff Gondola – epic views from the top of Sulphur Mountain.
Banff Hop on Hop off – explore the park at your own pace.
Lake Minnewanka Cruise – take a scenic boat ride down the largest lake in Banff.
Moraine Lake sunrise – chartered bus to see alpenglow on Canada’s most beautiful lake.
Norquay via ferrata – epic beginner friendly climbing route across iron bars on Mt Norquay.
Sunshine Meadows Gondola – find wild alpine flowers and hike around pristine alpine lakes.
Click here for a complete list of the Banff tours I recommend:
Hiking the Mount Rundle Trail
Below you’ll find my detailed trail description for the Mount Rundle hike. I’ve divided everything into sections to better describe each segment of the Rundle scramble.
Above you’ll see the scramble map from Parks Canada. As long as you stick to the trail you won’t come near any of the “sites of serious accidents” markers. If you’re weary, download the Alltrails map before you hike so you can track your GPS location along the way.
Mount Rundle Trailhead to the Turnoff (Lower Trail)
After walking past the first golf hole on the right of the Golf Course Rd you’ll see the Rundle trailhead sign (hiker’s right). The trailhead is for the Spray River East trail, but you’ll want to follow this until you hit the Mount Rundle turnoff 600m after.
When I hiked in 2024 the Rundle sign had been broken off and was more just a pole.
You can opt to use a bike on the Mount Rundle hike for this section. I brought my crappy townie bike which struggled on the way up and down, but if you have a better quality bike, having it waiting for you at the bottom of the Mount Rundle scramble is dreamy.
The next 3.5kms starts off with a steady ascent across the lower forested slopes of Mount Rundle before hitting a dozen steep switchbacks. This section is boring and honestly there’s not much to say about it. Parks mentions a series of cliff bands in their scramble guide here, but if you stay on-trail in the trees you won’t even notice the cliffs below.
There are shortcuts between switchbacks in the treed section, but I’d recommend sticking to the main trail, especially on the way down. The combination of bare ground + steep grade = very slippery terrain.
Central Gully to the Treeline
After the 3.5kms of switchbacks you’ll eventually reach Rundle’s Central Gully. It’s imperative you cross the Central Gully, aiming for the yellow arrow pictured below rather than hike up or down the gully.
Initially climbing up the gully seems safe, but the terrain eventually turns into steep, slippery slabs where people have died. You do not want to descend the gully either as the lower cliffs have led to fatalities as well.
Once you’ve crossed look back and take note of the yellow arrow from the direction you just came from. You’ll take the same route back on the descent.
The next 700m to the Mount Rundle treeline follows a steep forested section. There are yellow markers along the way to help guide you. I found grabbing onto the trees helped on the ascent and descent as a couple areas were exceptionally steep.
I started the Mount Rundle trail at 3:00am and made it just below the treeline for the 5:30am sunrise. This was the perfect spot to eat breakfast! For reference the Mount Rundle treeline is around 6kms in with around 1,000m gain from the trailhead.
Mount Rundle Dragon’s Back
After the treeline hikers will officially enter Rundle’s scramble territory. After exiting the trees look back to make sure you know where to return on the descent.
The Mount Rundle hike now transforms into a giant field full of loose scree, talus, and slabs. At first it’s not overly difficult, but the higher you climb the more challenging it becomes.
The first objective is ascending the Mount Rundle Dragon’s Back which is marked by a steep drop to the Central Gully on the left and another similar gully on the right. This section has a rep for being terrifying, extremely exposed, and hazardous. Most people avoid the Mount Rundle hike because of the Dragon’s Back.
I personally did not find it exposed in comparison to other hikes I’ve done in the area, but the slabs were precarious as they were covered in little stones making it extra slippery. As long as you have proper footwear, watch your step, hike in dry conditions, and are okay with things feeling a bit airy you’ll be fine.
The Dragon’s Back is short lived. Once you’re past it you can look forward to a long slog up a giant boulder field the rest of the way. I found this section to be the most tiresome as each step was uncertain. Would the rocks slide? Would they remain stable? Additionally the terrain is exceptionally steep.
I stuck mainly to the left here as I found the rocks were bit more stable.
Final Ascent Push to the Mount Rundle Summit
Once you make it through the boulder field you’ll reach the Mount Rundle ridge. There’s a quick 100m traverse across the ridge (hiker’s right) to the true summit where you’ll find a flat slab to enjoy the view. The ridge traverse isn’t overly difficult but there is one section where a medium sized move is required. As long as you take your time you shouldn’t have issues.
If at any point the Rundle traverse seems too difficult, you’ve likely strayed off the path.
If there’s any cornice snow along the summit stay away. This snow hangs out over the edge creating a literal death trap.
Once you reach the Rundle summit you’ll have views overlooking the Bow Valley, Lake Minnewanka, Cascade Mountain, Sulphur Mountain, and Kananskis Country.
My favourite was looking at all the unique rock formations and different peaks of Rundle towering over the Bow Valley and the Bow River.
It’s not recommended to continue traversing the Rundle peaks. This is technical climbing and requires gear + previous mountaineering experience.
Tips for the Mount Rundle Descent
- Stay the course. Don’t get creative and try to find new ways down the mountain. This could very well lead to fatality.
- Stick more to the left on the scree slope between the summit and the Dragon’s Back. I found I could scree ski a bit here to speed up the descent.
- Past the scree slope when you’re descending the Dragon’s Back hiking poles are extremely helpful.
- Avoid the shortcuts between the forested switchbacks on the lower trail. They’re epically steep and difficult to descend.
Banff Google Map: 600+ Pins
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Outdoors: 100+ hiking trails, backcountry campgrounds, ski resorts, waterfalls & lakes
Planning: lodging, restaurants, public washrooms & transit hubs
Things to do: tours, viewpoints & unique activities
I lived in Banff for years and know all the best spots!
Recommended Hiking Gear for the Rockies
Below are my personal recommendations and favourite products for Canadian Rockies specific hiking gear.
Backpack: I use the Osprey Sirrus 24L (men’s edition) for quick day hikes and the Osprey Sirrus 36L (men’s edition) for longer hikes requiring more gear.
Hydration: I use the 3L Hydrapak to carry water and always have aquatabs on-hand if I need to filter water.
Footwear: I currently use the Scarpa Kailesh (men’s version) and full cushion crew Smartwool socks.
Safety: I always carry the Garmin Inreach Mini 2 as my satellite device.
Here are my detailed posts for Canadian Rockies hiking gear
Rockies Hiking Gear: Winter
If you’re planning to hike the Rockies in winter, you’ll need to add a few more items to your gear arsenal.
The items below are what I use.
Spikes: I love Hillsound’s trail crampon which provides killer traction and long-lasting durability.
Snowshoes: I use TSL’s sustainable Symbioz Hyperflex snowshoe, however any snowshoe from TSL is top of the line. This one is their midrange model which offers similar features at a light weight and better price point.
Gaiters: this is my top pick for gaiters which are great for keeping water and snow out of your boots. If you’re on a budget, these ones are a little more cost effective and have plenty of great reviews.
Warmth: I use Aurora Heat’s reusable hand + ultra foot warmers for both hiking and skiing. They’re made of beaver pelt by Indigenous women in Canada’s Yukon.
Softshell Pants: these are my favourite pants (men’s sizing) for cold weather hiking. They’re water resistant, wind resistant, and warm. If you’re reading from the USA, these REI pants are equivalent: women’s sizing | men’s sizing.
and that’s everything you need to know about the mount Rundle scramble. Enjoy!
Canadian Rockies Hiking Tips
Guides for hikes in: Banff | Jasper | Kananaskis | Kootenay | Waterton | Yoho
Approach: take a conservative approach if you’re new to hiking and ensure you have lots of daylight. Trails here are steep, long, and can have challenging terrain.
Best Time of Year: July to early September is the most reliable for weather and minimal snow. This post outlines each month in Banff.
- Hiking in winter? Stick to easy, well-trafficked trails unless you’re knowledgeable about avalanche terrain. I always check the avalanche bulletin and use both Caltopo and Google Maps satellite view to survey terrain before hiking.
Pets: leashed dogs are allowed on all trails in the Rockies unless otherwise stated.
Safety: tell someone where you’re going and when you plan to return. I always carry the Garmin InReach Mini for additional safety as there’s minimal cell service in the Rockies.
Wildlife: carry bear spray and know how to use it. Here are bear safety tips from Parks Canada.
Maps: I purchase the Alltrails+ membership and download my maps before hiking so I always know where I am.
Helpful Canadian Rockies Hiking Posts:
More of my detailed hiking tips can be found here
Canadian Rockies Camping Tips
Plan to go camping in Banff and the Canadian Rockies? Here are some useful things to know.
Unless you’re on some form of public land – random camping and free car camping is not permitted in the Canadian Rockies. If you do plan to “free” camp in the designated areas, you must purchase the Public Lands Camping Pass.
Camping Reservations: reservation day (when bookings go live) usually occurs in January. Most summer camping reservations must be made then as sites fill up instantly.
- National park camping reservations can be made here and Kananaskis reservations can be made here: backcountry | front country.
- Can’t get a reservation? Sign up for cancellation notifications via Schnerp. I use this resource frequently and have found cancellations at the most popular spots in the Rockies like Lake O’Hara.
When to Camp: most campgrounds close for the winter, however a few remain open year round. July-August is best for backcountry camping. Keep in mind, temperatures are typically very cold at night even during peak summer.
Hut Camping: the Alpine Club of Canada has established alpine huts scattered around the Rockies and beyond. These huts must be booked in advance and cater to backcountry skiers, hikers, and climbers.
Packing advice and my personal gear recommendations can be found in my Backcountry Gear Guide.
Banff Google Map: 600+ Pins
Get my 600+ Banff recommendations saved to your Google Maps app
Outdoors: 100+ hiking trails, backcountry campgrounds, ski resorts, waterfalls & lakes
Planning: lodging, restaurants, public washrooms & transit hubs
Things to do: tours, viewpoints & unique activities
I lived in Banff for years and know all the best spots!
My Featured Banff Blogs
Travel Guides
Banff Activities
Quick Banff Guide
First time visiting Canada? This page outlines all my travel tips for those new to Canada.
When to visit: this post breaks down each month in Banff with average temperatures and corresponding activities.
How to get to Banff: fly into Calgary International Airport. From here, rent a car (what I recommend), RV, or take one of the following shuttles to Banff:
- Budget: On-It runs during the summer months and Pop-a-Ride is a ride-share program. You can use my Poparide link to save $5 on your first trip.
- Professional shuttles: Banff Airporter and Brewster.
- Car rental: having access to a car is the best way to travel to/from/within Banff. This site compares the best local rates.
Best Activities in Banff: here are all my recommendations for the best tours, activities, and unique experiences in Banff & beyond.
Moraine Lake or Lake Louise: read my guide for how to get there with the new road closures. If you want to see Moraine Lake at sunrise, you can book a shuttle here.
Lodging & Camping: Here’s my guide for hotels in Banff (Organized by Category). If you’re visiting during peak summer (mid June to early September), make your lodging reservations FAR in advance. Front country and backcountry camping reservations must be made on the Parks Canada reservation system. The system typically opens in January and it’s recommended you make reservations then.
Reservations: for activities and restaurants should be made well in advance during summer. Get Your Guide and Viator are popular tour booking platforms whereas OpenTable is used for restaurants.
Parks Pass: You’ll need a National Park Pass for your vehicle for each day you’re in Banff. Passes can be purchased at the East Parks Gates, the Visitor Centre, or online. If you’ll be in any of Canada’s National Parks for more than 7 days in a 365 day period, an annual Discovery Pass offers a better rate than purchasing individual day passes.
Roam Transit: once you arrive in Banff, use the local transit service as much as possible to avoid parking issues. There are bus lines within town, plus lines to popular spots like Lake Louise and Johnston Canyon. The bus to Lake Louise should be reserved in advance.
Parking: the best spot to park is the free lot next to the train station. More information about parking in town can be found here and parking fees can be paid here. Bylaw is strict, so ensure you’re following parking rules exactly.
Wildlife Safety: 11 ways to stay safe from wildlife, bear safety, & bear basics.
Happy adventuring!
Taylor ♡
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About the Author
HI, I’m Taylor – the voice behind The Holistic Backpacker.
After moving to Banff National Park in 2020 I became an outdoor adventure enthusiast and vowed to never stop exploring.
I now spend my days travelling the world, climbing mountains, and spending nights under the stars in the Canadian Rockies backcountry.
I created The Holistic Backpacker so I could share my adventures and help connect people like you with the same amazing experiences.
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