Tunnel Mountain Summit

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Tunnel Mountain Summit is a Mountain, Scenic Lookout and Hiking Trail at Banff AB, Canada, located in Banff National Park

Tunnel Mountain Summit crowns a small forested peak that rises straight above the town of Banff, in the Canadian Rockies of Alberta. The Stoney Nakoda people know it as Sacred Buffalo Guardian Mountain. Its English name comes from a railway tunnel once planned through it but never built. At around 1,690 metres, this is one of the most popular short hikes in the park, a well-graded switchback of roughly two kilometres climbing through pine and Douglas fir to open ledges near the top. From there the views open out over the town, the winding Bow River and Bow Valley, and the peaks of Mount Rundle, Cascade Mountain and the Fairholme Range. Banff sits at around 51°N, well south of the auroral zone, so the northern lights are far rarer here than in the Arctic and tend to sit low on the northern horizon. They do reach these latitudes during strong geomagnetic storms, and when they do, this open, elevated summit with its clear view north is one of the better places near Banff to catch them.

Where to find Tunnel Mountain Summit?

51°10'39"N, 115°33'14"W

Aurora hunting in Banff?

The aurora season here runs from October to March, with the best chances of seeing the Northern Lights in November, February and March. The natural setting around Tunnel Mountain Summit makes it a wonderful spot to watch for the Northern Lights.

What do people think of Tunnel Mountain Summit?

  • 4.8

  • Bring water. There's none at the top and you'll want some after the trip up.

    Russ M3 May 2013

  • Get here early to avoid the crowd. Bring plenty of water and be prepared for. COld weather

    Dave H12 June 2011

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