Horseback Riding in Banff- What to Expect on a Guided Trail Ride

Horseback riding in Banff is a relaxing way to experience the natural beauty of the Bow Valley. Whether it’s a short 1 hour trail ride near the Banff townsite or an overnight backcountry lodge trip, you’ll get to enjoy blue rivers, rocky mountains, grassy meadows, and peaceful forests, all while letting loose your inner cowboy or cowgirl.

Horseback Riding in Banff- Banff Trail Riders

Guided Banff horse riding tours are offered exclusively by Banff Trail Riders and operate out of Warner Stables and Banff Springs Corrals, both conveniently located near downtown Banff.

There are several tour options for horseback riding in Banff including hourly trail rides and multi-day horseback riding vacations.

The hourly trail rides stick close to the town of Banff, exploring along the Bow River, Spray River, and around Sulphur Mountain. These tours cater to beginners or those who are short on time. The Banff trail rides range from 1-4 hours.

The multi-day trips venture out into the backcountry of the Sundance Range and include overnight stays at Halfway Lodge and/or Sundance Lodge. These tours are perfect for people who have some riding experience and are comfortable being on a horse for 4-6 hours a day. The multi-day trips range from 1-5 nights.

Since the hourly horseback rides are the most popular, with several departures a day, here’s a look at one of the Banff trail rides offered by Banff Trail Riders.

Banff Horseback Riding Tour- Sundance Loop Trail Ride from Warner Stables

The Sundance Loop Ride is a 2 hour guided horseback experience that explores along the Bow River and climbs partway up the forested Sulphur Mountain.

The tour starts at Warner Stables, on the outskirts of the Banff townsite. After checking in at the barn and receiving a riding helmet, you’re free to look at the horses until your tour group is called.

When it’s time for the tour, your group will enter into a corral for some basic horseback riding instruction. You’ll learn how to handle the reins to make the horse turn left, right, and to stop.

After this quick lesson, you’ll be matched up with a horse and helped onto its back. The staff will then adjust the length of the stirrups so that you’re comfortable sitting on the horse. It’s important to make sure the stirrups are fitted correctly otherwise you could end up with sore legs and knees.

Once everyone is on their horse, one guide will start leading the group out of the corral and onto the trail while another guide follows behind to keep everyone together.

Leaving Warner Stables, the horses walk slowly in a line beside Sundance Road before turning onto a tree-framed horse trail. After a short ride in the forest, the views open up a bit once you begin to ride alongside the Cave and Basin Trail.

As you pass by the Cave and Basin National Historic Site, your guide will tell you a bit about its history and how it inspired the creation of Banff National Park. You can’t see the site from the trail, so you’ll have to pay a visit afterwards if it’s of interest.

After passing by the historic Cave and Basin, the tour turns onto Sundance Trail and heads through the forest towards the Bow River.

Once you reach the river, the horses will be riding beside a paved walking path that runs along the shore. The views of the Bow River and surrounding mountains are lovely during this stretch of trail, especially the blue-green colour of the water.

As the horses continue on, they’ll eventually leave the river behind and start heading towards Sulphur Mountain. Before you arrive at the mountain you’ll get to enjoy views of marshes and meadows backed by rocky peaks.

The next part of the trail ride takes you into the forest as the horses climb a short ways up Sulphur Mountain. It’s quiet and secluded, with the occasional mountain view appearing through breaks in the trees. 

While on Sulphur Mountain you’ll pass by Windy Knoll, but won’t get to go up to the lookout to enjoy the view. Again, this might be a place worth coming back to if it’s of interest.

After leaving Sulphur Mountain, the horses will make their way to Marsh Loop Trail for another ride beside the beautiful Bow River.

The last section of the Marsh Loop Trail, heading away from the river, is one of the most scenic parts of this trail ride. As the horses slowly pass through an area of thick marshes you’ll be able to see mountains all around. It’s especially pretty in fall when the grasses, bushes, and tree leaves start to turn golden yellow.

Your Banff horseback tour ends upon return to Warner Stables. Before being helped off your horse, don’t forget to give him a pat on the back as thanks for an enjoyable trail ride in Banff.

Review of Banff Trail Riders and Horseback Riding in Banff

Horseback riding in Banff is a unique way to experience the area and learn a bit about its history.

During the ride the guides share some interesting facts about the park and point out notable landmarks. They can be a little hard to hear if you’re in the middle of the group, so hopefully you get lucky and are riding close to the lead or tail guide.

The horses were very responsive, easy to manage, and appeared to be well cared for. Throughout the ride the guides will make sure you’re positioned properly in the saddle, especially when going up and down hills, to make things easier for the horse.

Since the horses followed so well in a line, even someone who has never been on a horse before would be able to participate in this activity. A horseback ride is also a good choice for people who aren’t into hiking but still want to explore the scenic trails around Banff.

Overall, horse riding in Banff is a relaxing, easy-going activity that will allow you to see the park the same way that pioneers and early travellers did.

Accommodations in Banff

For your convenience, here is a list of hotels in Banff. Please consider booking your Banff accommodations through the included link. It costs nothing extra and helps support this website. Thank you!

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Adventure Alberta was hosted by Banff Trail Riders in order to bring you this story. Hosts have no editorial influence on articles and our opinions are strictly our own.