Sulphur Mountain

Posted March 23rd, 2007 by Chris

Banff

Distance:

5.5 km

Difficulty:

Strenuous

Elev. gain:

742 meters

Time required:

2 - 5 hours

Bikes permitted:

Dogs permitted:

Yes

Download GPX | Download KML

Directions to trail head

Once you arrive in Banff continue south through town on Banff Avenue. On the south side of town you will cross the bridge over the Spray River. Once you have crossed the bridge you will turn left, travel approximately 100 metres and then turn right at the fork in the road up Mountain Avenue. If you go to the left at the fork you will end up at the Banff Springs Hotel. There are plenty of Gondola signs up Mountain Avenue which will lead you to the upper and lower parking lots at the base of the mountain. The Gondola leaves from the lower lot (waypoint #141) and the trail head is at the north west side of the upper lot (waypoint #143).

Hazards on trail

During the winter, avalanches are a real risk. There are numerous signs posted at the trailhead.

Hike Description

If you have been to Banff you have probably done this hike. Many people hike up the mountain and ride the Gondola down. Beware, the ride down is no longer free. I think that you also have to buy the ticket to come down at the base but check the signs to be sure. This is the satellite image of the area and this hike via Everytrail.

This hike is approximately 5.5 kilometres one-way. The elevation gain is 742 metres with an average grade, according to MotionBased, of 17 percent. Once you are at the top of Sulphur Mountain you can get to Sanson Peak via the short walkway. If you want to get into peak bagging here is a chance to bag a second without much additional effort. At the top of Sulphur the view is 360 degrees of fantastic with a view of the Banff townsite and valley, Mount Rundle and the Sundance Range.

The GPS track for this hike can be downloaded via the file attached to this post. Go to the "About" page for directions prior to download or use of this data. Please submit your feedback and let me know your thoughts on the hike. If you have the the GPS data for other hikes in Alberta please send it along with a couple pictures to chris[at]hikealberta[dot]com.