1:30pm
Departure Time
3 Hours
Duration
8yrs+, 230lbs limit
Riders
May-Sep
Season

This thrilling three-hour journey might get you up close and personal with some of the most unique wildlife in Banff.

YouTube video

 

Explore the rustic terrain and grassy meadows of the Bow Valley. As you follow the trail, you’ll get to gaze up at sky-piercing mountaintops, thick alpine forests, rolling hills and jagged rock formations. Your journey continues through the Cave and Basin – the birthplace of Banff National Park, where you will find bubbling sulphur waters and remarkable rock caverns.

While travelling along the Sundance Canyon Trail, keep an eye out for beaver, elk, coyotes and occasionally, bears.

Ride around the Windy Knoll and then up Sulphur Mountain, where sweeping views of the Bow Valley await. This is definitely a trip you’ll want to bring your camera for.

Included
  • A friendly horse for every rider
  • Lead and tail guides for your ride
  • Basic horseback riding instruction
  • Helmet
Transport Options
  • Meet at Banff Trail Riders Stables (Banff)
What will disqualify me from riding?
  • Aged below 8 yo
  • Arriving after designated meet time (30 min prior)
  • Arriving at the wrong meeting point
  • Weighing over 230lbs / 104kg when checking in
Guide Quote

Mike's Pick

"Riding through the bow valley taking in nature and sharing my cowboy culture with my guests is the best part of my day." - Mike Beerwald, Trail Guide


The best parts of the tour for most people include the following:

1

Bow River

Your horse will guide you along the tranquil Bow River – an area home to wildlife in amongst the thick marshes and grassy meadows, with unspoiled views of the magnificent Rocky Mountains.
2

Cave & Basin Hot Springs

Pass by the historic Cave and Basin – the birth place of Banff National Park. Here, craggy rock walls surround pools of bubbling thermal water.
3

Sundance Canyon Trail

While travelling along the Sundance Canyon Trail to thick forest, keep an eye out for beaver, elk, coyotes and occasionally, bears.
4

Sulphur Mountain and Windy Knoll

Ride around the Windy Knoll and then up Sulphur Mountain, where sweeping views of the Bow Valley await.
Included
  • A friendly horse for every rider
  • Lead and tail guides for your ride
  • Basic horseback riding instruction
  • Helmet
Transport Options
  • Meet at Banff Trail Riders Stables (Banff)
What will disqualify me from riding?
  • Aged below 8 yo
  • Arriving after designated meet time (30 min prior)
  • Arriving at the wrong meeting point
  • Weighing over 230lbs / 104kg when checking in
Guide Quote

Mike's Pick

"Riding through the bow valley taking in nature and sharing my cowboy culture with my guests is the best part of my day." - Mike Beerwald, Trail Guide


The tour is a three hour horseback ride. Please arrive 30 minutes prior to your tour start time.
The tour is a three-hour horseback ride along the Bow River, past the historic Cave and Basin site, along the Sundance Canyon Trail, up Sulphur Mountain and the Windy Knoll viewpoint. You will be provided with a brief riding instruction, a helmet, a friendly horse, and lead and tail guides riding at each end of the small group.
Please meet at Banff Trail Riders Stables, the big red stables located at the end of Sundance Road in Banff. When you arrive, please check-in for your ride at the office in the east barn where you’ll see signs for ‘Banff Trail Riders Stables’ and ‘office’. There is plenty of free parking at the site.
Please ensure that you arrive 30 minutes before the ride is scheduled to depart.
You must wear sturdy, closed toed shoes enclosed to the ankle and long pants are best for riding. Please note that sandals of any kind are not permitted. Helmets are provided and are mandatory for all riders and mosquito repellent is highly recommended.
No experience is necessary and if you’ve never been riding before then we’ll be sure to pair you with the perfect horse so you can enjoy a comfortable ride. Our guides will also provide a brief riding instruction prior to the ride.
Guests cannot bring a backpack on the horse.
Horseback rides run rain or shine, so please dress for the weather. Please do not wear a rain poncho, as they can flap in the wind and spook the horses.
There is a 24 hour cancellation policy, which allows you to change/cancel or refund your booking up to 24 hours outside your booked tour (up to 7 days for group bookings).
Gratuities are customary and very much appreciated.
Pregnant ladies must have a doctor’s note to ride.

Included
  • A friendly horse for every rider
  • Lead and tail guides for your ride
  • Basic horseback riding instruction
  • Helmet
Transport Options
  • Meet at Banff Trail Riders Stables (Banff)
What will disqualify me from riding?
  • Aged below 8 yo
  • Arriving after designated meet time (30 min prior)
  • Arriving at the wrong meeting point
  • Weighing over 230lbs / 104kg when checking in
Guide Quote

Mike's Pick

"Riding through the bow valley taking in nature and sharing my cowboy culture with my guests is the best part of my day." - Mike Beerwald, Trail Guide


Included
  • A friendly horse for every rider
  • Lead and tail guides for your ride
  • Basic horseback riding instruction
  • Helmet
Transport Options
  • Meet at Banff Trail Riders Stables (Banff)
What will disqualify me from riding?
  • Aged below 8 yo
  • Arriving after designated meet time (30 min prior)
  • Arriving at the wrong meeting point
  • Weighing over 230lbs / 104kg when checking in
Guide Quote

Mike's Pick

"Riding through the bow valley taking in nature and sharing my cowboy culture with my guests is the best part of my day." - Mike Beerwald, Trail Guide


  • Riders must check in at least 30 minutes prior to departure.
  • Riders must be at least 8 years old.
  • Riders aged 17 and under must be accompanied on the ride by a legal guardian.
  • Riders must weigh less than 230lbs / 104kg, fully dressed (your weight may need to be verified on our scales).
  • Riders must wear fully enclosed shoes (no heels).
  • Each rider must be able to speak and understand fluent English.
  • Riders must be in good physical condition.
  • Helmets are mandatory and to be worn by all riders.
  • All adults must sign a waiver prior to the ride. A waiver must also be completed by the legal guardian of any child under the age of 18.
  • Photo ID may be required for identity verification.

Refunds are not issued if guests are disqualified from riding due to not meeting these requirements. This tour requires a minimum of 2 participants, please call the day prior to confirm the tour.

Included
  • A friendly horse for every rider
  • Lead and tail guides for your ride
  • Basic horseback riding instruction
  • Helmet
Transport Options
  • Meet at Banff Trail Riders Stables (Banff)
What will disqualify me from riding?
  • Aged below 8 yo
  • Arriving after designated meet time (30 min prior)
  • Arriving at the wrong meeting point
  • Weighing over 230lbs / 104kg when checking in
Guide Quote

Mike's Pick

"Riding through the bow valley taking in nature and sharing my cowboy culture with my guests is the best part of my day." - Mike Beerwald, Trail Guide


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