Trails Master Plan

Trails Master Plan

The Trails Master Plan will be used to help guide the development of trails and trail maintenance in the Town of Banff for the next 10 years. Adopted by council on February 23, 2015, the intention of the plan is to help the town create a more robust trails network to support recreational uses, visitor experience and a more sustainable active transportation system.

Download a copy of the Trails Master Plan (PDF)

Projects in Progress:

• Upgrade the trail along Bow Falls Road from Rundle Avenue to Bow Falls to Trail Type 2; Investigate options to put an on road pedestrian route on the north side of Bow Falls road from the falls parking lot to Spray Avenue.  Horses to remain on existing trail on the southside.  Administration to return with a detailed report with potential scope of work in Q1 of 2021.– design 2021, construction 2022 
• Improve connectivity from Valleyview to Mountain Ave. Connecting the trail network running behind and on the lower (East) side of Valleyview to appropriate Mountain Ave pedestrian routes. The Town continues to investigate long-term options for improved connectivity in this area and will tie upgrades to Mountain Ave improvements in efforts to ensure road and curb widths support safe pedestrian and cyclist movements. 
• Identify priority streets for active modes improvements - Design work for the next project – a sidewalk on the north side of Moose Street from Banff Avenue to Muskrat Street - will commence in fall/winter 2020.  This work will likely be constructed over two years, with the Banff to Beaver block first and Beaver to Muskrat the following year.  
• Design and plan a Type 3 trail from Cave Ave to Jasper Way. – design 2021, construction 2022 
• Research potential policy and infrastructure changes for winter cycling.

Trail Lighting Projects 

Project description & goals: Provide lighting in line with the Trials Lighting Policy to the sections of trail located to the North and South of the Pedestrian Bridge. Future trail lighting projects will be undergoing a review with Town Council and Parks Canada in the upcoming months. 

Current Status: Trail lighting that will support safe and active transportation (i.e. walking and cycling) over the Bow River has begun. The lighting will connect the trails leading to the pedestrian bridge (i.e. to Buffalo Street and Glen Avenue).  The lights will be attached to short posts that direct warm light onto the pathway while also shielding the non-trail side. This will help to reduce light pollution and respect the dark night sky in the National Park. To view the Town’s Trail Lighting Policy visit, https://banff.ca/DocumentCenter/View/4346/Trails-Lighting-C7002

This project is fully funded by the Province of Alberta’s Municipal Stimulus Program. 

For more information about the project please contact Amanda Arbuckle at amanda.arbuckle@banff.ca or 403.762.1213.