There’s absolutely nothing in the city to give us the same feeling as the great mysterious things of nature, even though they may be stone and ice. It is only among them that we feel the utter helplessness and insignificance of ourselves – Jimmy Simpson
I have no idea who Jimmy Simpson was, but when I read this quote in the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies (whew, such a mouthful) in Banff, I couldn’t agree more with the guy. The solitude one can find in vast spaces of nature just has a humbling effect. It’s comforting in a way as well, to realize how little you mean in the grand scheme of things. Climbing a mountain, looking at the stars, or walking through a giant canyon; it’s like a blanket for all of your insignificant sorrows. And Banff is like one great outdoor therapy couch to enjoy it all from.
The surroundings of Banff were like a damn fairytale when I visited the town in the beginning of October 2018. As this part of the Rockies had already witnessed significant amounts of snowfall early in the season, it was just a pure joy to hike and drive around in the area. Covered in white, everything just felt so peaceful.
But it must be mentioned; although magical due to all the snow, the little town of Banff was also a bit Disneyesque. The streets of the city center were just one big flow of commercialism; everything was about shopping and consuming. Not really the quiet getaway I was looking for in the mountains.
Nevertheless, once you leave the center behind, you can’t deny that the setting of the town is superb. Banff’s tucked in by mountains and big lakes on all sides. Add to that an abundant amount of meadows, canyons, hot springs, thick forests and rivers and you’ll understand that there are trails for all kinds of hikers in the area (stay tuned for my post regarding five short, but stunning hikes in Banff).
For now, let me show you my twenty favourite snaps and where to find these spots!
A bright day at Bow Lake, as seen from the Icefields Parkway
I spotted this insanely cute bird around the shores of Peyto Lake
Peyto Lake; a blue Canadian winter scene
Along one of the snowy trails of Peyto Lake
Sunset along the Bow Valley Parkway
Frozen landscapes around Lake Agnes
View on Lake Louise from the trail to Lake Agnes
Sunset at Snow Peak, as seen from the Vermillion Lakes
Lake Louise
The dock at Lake Minnewanka
Lake Minnewanka as seen from the little bridge at the Stewart Canyon
Sunset view at Vermillion Lakes
Detail in the north of Peyto Lake
The iconic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel
Lake Agnes
Lake Louise
'The Beehive'
Lake Minnewanka
Lake Louise as seen from the hiking trail to Lake Agnes
Mount Rundle at sunset
Here’s where to find those scenic surroundings in Alberta!
