I have been lucky to see a lot of incredible displays of wildflowers on my adventures, but nothing has topped Healy Pass, the best wildflower hike in Banff. It is a must-do and not only for wildflowers but for larch trees in the fall season as well.

The trail takes you through the forest before bringing you to a dreamy alpine meadow absolutely covered with wildflowers, along with some of Banff’s most beautiful mountain views. It truly is one of the most beautiful views I’ve ever seen, and the hike isn’t too hard compared to others in Banff National Park.

Important: Leave No Trace

Before you head on the trail and experience the best wildflower hike in Banff, please take a moment to learn about the Leave No Trace (LNT) principles. They are simple guidelines that we all need to follow to protect the wildflowers, wildlife, and the future of the outdoors—things like staying on trail, not leaving litter, and not picking wildflowers are a part of the LNT principles.

These guidelines are essential for us to follow in order to protect these incredibly fragile ecosystems. More people are hitting the trails every year, which is great, but it also means that it’s even more important to talk about, learn, and implement the LNT principles.

“The future of humanity and indeed, all life on Earth, now depends on us.”
— David Attenborough

When we all do our part, we can help ensure that these places stay as beautiful for all future generations to come. Here they are:

1. Plan ahead and prepare.
2. Travel and camp on durable surfaces.
3. Dispose of waste properly.
4. Leave what you find.
5. Minimize campfire impacts.
6. Respect wildlife.
7. Be considerate of others.

For Healy Pass, the best wildflower hike in Banff, here is how you can implement all of these principles:

Plan ahead and prepare: Make sure to check the weather, trail conditions, and any closures or notices. This hike is long (about 18km round trip), so be prepared with enough water, food, layers, and safety equipment, and know where you’re going.

Travel and camp on durable surfaces: Do not walk off trail. The trail at Healy Pass is a bit narrow, so be cautious when stepping aside to let someone else pass. Wildflowers are resilient, but not invincible. There is only one established campground, Healy Creek, along this trail. If you continue over the pass, you can reach Egypt Lake. Both require reservations.

Read my most-read post—the ultimate backpacking gear guide here.

Dispose of waste properly: Whatever you bring in, you pack out. Yes, even banana and orange peels. Use the washroom before you hit the trail, and if the urge hits, then dig a hole away from water sources, do your business, cover it, and do not leave toilet paper.

Leave what you find: Don’t pick wildflowers, ever.

Minimize campfire impacts: This one doesn’t apply to Healy Pass as campfires are not allowed.

Respect wildlife: Healy Pass is home to grizzly bears, marmots, and other critters. Remember to give them space, do not feed them, and make a lot of noise so they don’t get surprised. Remember, you’re in their home.

Be considerate of other visitors: This trail can become very busy during wildflower and larch season, so please be kind, yield to uphill hikers, refrain from loud noises or music, and let faster hikers pass.

How To Get to the Healy Pass Trailhead

Self-drive/ By Car to Healy Pass:

The trailhead is located at Sunshine Village, a ski resort, which has a ton of parking. It is only about 15 minutes away from Banff, 27 minutes away from Canmore, 40 minutes from Lake Louise, and 1.5 hours from Calgary.

The start of the trail is behind the main gondola building. No payment is needed for parking.

If you plan on renting a car to get around, check out Expedia for the best rates here. No need for a high-clearance vehicle for any hikes in Banff National Park, so depending on the amount of luggage you have, I’d pick a car as it is usually the most affordable option.

By Bus to Healy Pass:

If you don’t have a car, you can take a free shuttle bus to and from Banff, which is awesome! Check the schedule here.

When to Go to Healy Pass

While this hike is absolutely stunning at any time of year, the wildflowers typically bloom from about mid-July to mid-August. Every year is slightly different, and different wildflowers peak at different times, which is why there is no set date.

I went on July 24th, and they seemed to be fully peaked and absolutely beautiful.

To find out when the wildflowers are peak, I usually look at the latest AllTrails reviews and Instagram photos with the location/hashtag tags under ‘Healy Pass’. You could also stop by the visitor centers in Banff and ask a ranger if they know.

Quick Things to Know Before You Go to Healy Pass

TRAIL CLOSURES: Before you start the best wildflower hike in Banff, make sure to check the Parks Canada bulletin, as this trail has closed in the past for grizzly bear activity. This is good practice for every hike in Banff National Park.

OFFLINE MAP: Make sure you have the trail downloaded on an offline map, such as AllTrails, so you know where you are going.

PARKS PASS: Have a valid parks pass, either for the day or a yearly Discover Pass. Buy them here or in person.

Need more hiking inspo for the Canadian Rockies? Read about the Berg Lake trail and (some) of the best day hikes in the Rockies.

BEAR COUNTRY: Grizzly bears are often in this area, so be sure to make noise, give them space if you see them, and have bear spray. It’s always a good idea to hike in a group of four or more—so either get some friends together or you could wait for hikers to start the same time as you.

DOGS: Furry friends must be on leash at all times in Banff National Park. Discard their waste in garbage bins or hike with the waste and don’t leave it trailside for later retrieval. Find more information here.

DRONES: Leave your drone at home. They are illegal in all Canadian national parks, which includes this trail! For more info, click here.

CAMPING: Only camp in designated areas and reserve in advance here.

Ready to hike the best wildflower hike in Banff?

Trail Stats of the Best Wildflower Hike in Banff

Length: 8.8 km one way (17.6km round trip)
Elevation gain: 655 m
Hiking time: 6 to 7 hours round trip

These are the trail stats from Parks Canada, but I definitely clocked more kilometers and elevation when I hiked Healy Pass, so be prepared for a bit higher stats. Download an offline map of the trail here.

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Quick Trail Overview of the Healy Pass Trail

The entire Healy Pass trail is quite gradual, which I personally love. You’ll start by going through a lush forest that follows Healy Creek and takes you through the Healy Creek campground.

The trail really opens up and the stunning alpine meadows begin around the 6-7km mark. Keep following this trail to the top of the pass, and take your time, because the views are incredible!

At the top of the pass, you can keep going a bit to see some more Canadian Rocky Mountain goodness. The trail continues to Egypt Lake and Pharaoh Peak. These are huge day hikes, so consider trail running or camping overnight.

The hike can take 4-6 hours to complete, depending on your fitness level and how you’re feeling that day. I swear I feel different every time I hike, so it really depends.

The Best Spot for Wildflowers

Since the first ~6km is through a forest, you can find wildflowers starting around the 6-7km mark. You will go over a bridge that takes you over a little creek, and the wildflowers should start from here and go to the top of the pass. It is a huge part of the hike, so if there are people around, just keep hiking to find your slice of paradise on the trail.

Photo Tips for Healy Pass

If you’re looking to photograph Healy Pass with soft light, just after sunrise is a really beautiful time to be up there. I personally love it when light hits the flowers. Early mornings are also great to beat the weekend crowds!

There may be patches of no wildflowers, so getting nice and low is a great way to make the wildflowers seem more abundant. I loved shooting with my 24-70mm lens for this.

Never, ever, go off-trail for a photo. Instead, use rocks (a durable surface) to get different angles. I explain how I did it here at Healy Pass in this TikTok.

Grizzly Bear Country

At Healy Pass, you will be in grizzly bear country, so here’s what you need to do while you enjoy the best wildflower hike in Banff! Remember, all of these tips can be used while hiking any trail in the Canadian Rockies.

1. Travel in groups: A ranger in Banff once told me that there has never been a bear attack in Banff involving a group of four or more. If you’re on edge, consider finding friends to go with or wait for some hikers to start the trail at the same time.

2. Make noise: This is one of the best and easiest ways to avoid an interaction with a grizzly bear. Talk, clap, or sing, especially around corners and by water, as both your and the bear’s vision and hearing are impaired.

3. Carry bear spray: Always have bear spray and have it in reach and ready to use. Only use bear spray if a bear is charging you and is close. You don’t want to be fumbling with your pack if a bear is charging you, so have it in a place you can access quickly (like a hip belt). It helps to practice drawing it as if you were in this situation.

4. Stay on the trail: Don’t wander off the trail, where bears may be present (and also, staying on the trail is a part of Leave No Trace). While on trail, look for signs of bear activity like fresh bear scat/poop, scratches on trees, dug up soil/bear digs and more. If you see them, be extra alert.

5. Be alert: Another way to avoid an interaction with a bear is to be alert and look down the trail and around you at all times. This is one of the best ways to protect yourself and the bear because it avoids surprise attacks, and you’re able to give a bear as much space as possible if you see one. Slowly back away, talk in a calm voice, slowly grab your bear spray, and do not run.

6. Check the Parks Canada bulletin: Take a look at the Parks Canada bulletin to see if there are any trail closures. This trail has been closed due to grizzly bear activity many times.

7. Stay connected: It’s helpful to have a Garmin inReach in case of an emergency.

Know that bears aren’t out to get you. They just don’t want to be surprised, you to go near their food or babies.

What to Pack on a Wildflower Hike to Healy Pass

You’ll be out in the backcountry for a good chunk of the day, so make sure to be prepared. This is what I brought with me on the best wildflower hike in Banff!

• Footwear: I usually go for Danner Mountain 600s hiking boot,s but also like Salomon trail runners during the summer, too.
• Hiking gear: My go-to is the Osprey Kyte 36L backpack.
• Clothing: I bring a rain jacket/shell (I love my Arc’teryx Beta AR) and Patagonia fleece or Arc’teryx insulated jacket with me, no matter what the weather predicts, and then wear whatever outfit works for you! I wore my Outdoor Research Ferrosi 5″ shorts and a white long-sleeved shirt.
• Sun protection: Patagonia caps have been a favorite of mine, but any hat works. Don’t forget sunscreen and sunglasses, too.
• Safety gear: bear spray, BioLite headlamp, first aid kit, Garmin inReach, and bug spray.
• Water: reservoir or bottle.
• Snacks, camera, and anything else you feel you need!

Check out what I take with me on every day hike here.

When to see Healy Pass during Larch Madness

Incredibly, Healy Pass is not only stunning in the summer with the wildflowers, but it is also incredible in the fall. There are thousands of larch trees along the trail and pass, so when late September – early October hits, there is a sea of gold. I hiked the trail on September 28, and it was peak.