How to Hike Aylmer Lookout in Banff

Banff is full of beautiful views, but Aylmer Lookout offers one of the best. Reaching this viewpoint demands some leg power and a long day of walking, but those who make the journey are treated to surreal panoramas over Lake Minnewanka and the surrounding mountain ranges.

For those keen to spend a full day hiking in Banff, Aylmer Lookout is a highly rewarding trek that can be easily accessed from downtown Banff. The straightforward route and absence of technical terrain make this trail accessible to all hikers with good stamina.

Aylmer Lookout is especially appealing early in the hiking season when snow blankets higher elevations, but the views are unbeatable at any time.

Aylmer Lookout Hike Guide

Key Points

Getting to the Aylmer Lookout Hike

The Aylmer Lookout hike starts from the Lake Minnewanka Parking Lot, just a few kilometres outside the town of Banff. The area is exceptionally popular in the summer months and the parking lot fills up quickly. Regular buses from Banff provide alternate transportation and make it possible to complete this hike without a car.

You can reach the trailhead a few different ways:

• By Car: It takes about 15 minutes to drive to the trailhead from downtown Banff. Parking is limited, so plan to arrive early in the morning.
• By Public Transport: Banff has a great bus service that makes it easy to visit without a car and avoid competing for limited parking during busy periods. Roam Transit Route 6 will take you from Banff to Lake Minnewanka and the start of the Aylmer Lookout Hike. With regular buses for 12 hours of the day between May to September, you should have ample time to complete the hike and catch a return ride.
• By Bike: It is also possible to bike the 10km from downtown Banff to the trailhead. While hikers may want to save their legs for the trail, the first 8km of the trail along Lake Minnewanka is open to mountain biking before July 10 and after September 15.

Aylmer Lookout Route Description

The Aylmer Lookout hike follows the shoreline of Lake Minnewanka before winding up a forested hill. The route is well-marked with signs at key junctions so even those who are navigationally challenged should find the trail easy to follow.

To start the hike, walk along the paved path from the parking lot past the washrooms, boat launch, and cafe. There are opportunities to venture down to the rocky beach for photos and the famous red chairs.

Continue along the road that bypasses the picnic areas to reach the trailhead sign for Stewart Canyon. From here, the path transitions into a dirt trail that leads into the forest along the shoreline.

After an easy, well-shaded kilometre of walking, you should reach the wooden bridge that straddles Stewart Canyon. Many choose to end their hike here and return to the day use areas, but this is just the start if hiking to Aylmer Lookout.

Cross the bridge and continue up the trail that ascends into the forest on the other side, keeping right at the junction with Stewart Canyon. The trail soon switches back and traverses along the mountainside back towards Lake Minnewanka.

Beautiful views start to open up as you approach the lake, which is now well below the trail. Be extra cautious when crossing the few sections that drop off towards the water.

For the next couple of kilometres, the trail undulates with minimal elevation changes as it follows the shoreline. Many treed sections provide shelter from the sun and wind, making this a comfortable trek. The shimmering blue waters and ever-changing angles of Mount Inglismaldie add much beauty and interest to the journey.

A simple bridge across a creek indicates that you are approaching Aylmer Junction, and the turn off to Aylmer Lookout. From here, you can finally see your objective in the distance.

At Aylmer Junction, the trail forks in three directions, the left-hand trail goes up to Aylmer Pass and Aylmer Lookout, the middle trail continues along the Minnewanka shoreline, and the right-hand trail leads into the campground.

If you need a lunch break before the more strenuous ascent, you can venture down to the lakeshore by walking through the campground. Otherwise, take the left-hand trail signed with bear habitat advisories. Unless seasonal restrictions are in effect, it is possible to mountain bike to this point and continue to the lookout on foot.

Past the junction, the trail starts to ascend gradually. Over the next 4 kilometres, you’ll steadily gain over 500m in elevation. While the nearby creek provides some background ambiance as you work your way up, you never get close to the water.

After about 2 kilometres of hiking, the trail splits again, with a sign that makes it easy to choose the right path.

A few more switchbacks through the forest will bring you to the top, and the remains of an old fire lookout.

From here, you can behold the full majesty of Lake Minnewanka, extending out on either side and framed by snowy peaks. The cruise boats going back and forth to Devil’s Gap appear like tiny toys on impossibly blue waters. You can look back towards Banff and see how far you traveled.

Once you’ve soaked in the scenes, filled your camera roll, and rested your legs, simply retrace your steps back to the trailhead. If you make it back to the boat launch early enough, consider ending your adventurous day with a relaxing cruise on Lake Minnewanka.

When to Hike Aylmer Lookout

Aylmer Lookout is an excellent option for hikers visiting Banff in late May or June when snow lingers at higher elevations.

From July 10 to September 15 seasonal restrictions are in place to minimize the chance of surprise encounters with resident grizzly bears who feed on the area’s abundant buffaloberries.

During this period, bikes and dogs are not permitted to travel beyond the Stewart Canyon Bridge and hikers are legally required to travel in groups of 4 or more. This means that those looking to hike Aylmer Lookout during the peak summer months will need to travel in a group.

If you are visiting during this period and set on hiking Aylmer Lookout, you can often team up with other hikers through social media groups. Restrictions aside, you should always take precautions while hiking in bear country, including carrying bear spray, packing out all garbage, and making noise to avoid surprise encounters.

Snowfall in the Rockies often starts in October, so check conditions and pack accordingly if attempting the hike later in the fall.

How Long Does it Take to Hike Aylmer Lookout?

Unless you trail run or mountain bike the shoreline section, hiking Alymer Lookout demands a full day. Plan for the excursion to take a total of 7 to 9 hours.

You will cover most of the distance in about 2 to 3 hours each way along the shoreline of Lake Minnewanka. The climb from Aylmer Junction up to the lookout and back takes about 3 hours.

How Hard is the Aylmer Lookout Hike?

Aylmer Lookout is not a particularly hard hike, but you will want to have the endurance for a full day out and over 20 kilometres of trekking. While the distance is long, rest assured that there is nothing technical along the trail, and the inclines are fairly gradual.

How Busy is the Aylmer Lookout Hike?

Aylmer Lookout is reasonably well-trafficked, especially on weekends in the early summer when there fewer snow-free trail options in Banff.

The section to Stewart Canyon can attract large crowds of novice hikers enjoying an easy excursion. While crowds will thin out beyond the Stewart Canyon Bridge, you probably won’t be alone on the way to Aylmer Lookout and will likely cross paths with other hikers or campers. Keep an eye out for mountain bikers early in the season until the seasonal closure starts in mid July.

To enjoy more solitude on this hike, set out early, visit on a weekday, or reserve a campsite at one of the designated areas along the shores of Lake Minnewanka (LM8 or LM9 are ideally situated for this hike).

Is This Hike Suitable for Kids and Dogs?

Given the distance, this hike is suitable to older children and dogs who have experience spending full days on the trail. Going as far as Stewart Canyon is a great alternative for younger children. Since this is an out-and-back hike, you can always travel as far as is comfortable and then turn around.

I have seen many active dogs out completing this hike. There are some short shale sections, but nothing too technical or challenging. While most of the trail is shaded, there are only a few water sources, so be sure to bring enough water to sustain your furry friends on hot days.

Remember that dogs are not permitted beyond Stewart Canyon between July 10 and September 15. When dogs are permitted, they should always be on a leash and under control.

Backcountry Camping Options

If the long approach to Aylmer Lookout seems too daunting, consider breaking up the journey by camping overnight along the shores of Lake Minnewanka.

Parks Canada manages multiple backcountry campgrounds along the shoreline, with Aylmer Junction (LM8) and Aylmer Canyon (LM9) being the most convenient for those looking to ascend Aylmer Lookout. LM8 is closed between July 10 and September 15, but LM9 is only located 1 km further down the shoreline towards Devil’s Gap.

The waterfront location makes these some of the best campgrounds in Banff. Both areas provide basic camping amenities, including pit toilets, bear-proof storage lockers, cooking areas, fire pits, and firewood. To camp here, you’ll need to secure a reservation through Parks Canada and follow all regulations.

Hiking Tips for the Canadian Rockies

• Check the weather and trail conditions before leaving home. AllTrails is a great resource with reviews from those who recently completed the trail. Parks Canada also posts conditions and advisories on its website.
• There is limited cellular service on the trail and surrounding area so it’s important to plan ahead and consider bringing a satellite communicator in case of emergency.
• Be aware of wildlife and always carry bear spray. You can also stay safe in bear country by respecting advisories, maintaining an awareness of surroundings, making noise on the trail, hiking in groups, and packing out all food and waste.
• Plan for your own level of fitness and comfort. Make sure you budget enough time to travel at your own pace and pack plenty of food and water to keep you sustained. If hiking later in the day, set a turn around time to avoid getting caught out in the dark.
• Dress for variable conditions with layers. Check out this post for advice on what to wear while hiking in the Rockies. I also love to leave a bag with clean clothes, extra water, and salty snacks in the car to feel refreshed on the post-hike drive.

Other Awesome Banff Hikes

If you prefer a moderate day hike near Lake Minnewanka, C-Level Cirque is an excellent alternative with only about half the distance of Aylmer Lookout, making it an easier hike in Banff. It offers similar views over the lake, but from a different angle.

There are countless trails to explore in Banff National Park, but two long trails without scrambling comparable to Aylmer Lookout are nearby Healy Pass and Mount Bourgeau.