Horseback Ride – Bow Valley Loop 3 Hrs
Starts atCA$ 272US$ 204€ 178£ 153A$ 294
Duration: 3 Hours
Age: 8+
Departure: 1:30pm
Season: May-Sep
Guaranteed departure. This tour runs as scheduled with no minimum group size — book with confidence, it won’t be cancelled for low numbers.
Overview
As you follow the trail, you’ll get to gaze up at sky-piercing mountaintops, thick alpine forests, rolling hills and jagged rock formations. Your journey continues through the Cave and Basin – the birthplace of Banff National Park, where you will find bubbling sulphur waters and remarkable rock caverns.
While travelling along the Sundance Canyon Trail, keep an eye out for beaver, elk, coyotes and occasionally, bears. You’ll spend approximately 45 minutes riding through the tranquility of the woods, where we often spot wildlife.
Continue your ride around the Windy Knoll as you climb Sulphur Mountain for spectacular views of the Bow Valley, before we follow the Bow River back to Warner Stables.
Highlights
The best parts of the tour for most people include the following:
Bow River
Pass the Cave & Basin Hot Springs
Sundance Canyon Trail
Windy KnollTour Details
Tour Duration
3 Hours
Departure Time
1:30pm
Age Required
8+
Weight Limit
230lbs limit
Season
May-Sep
Transport Options
Meet at Banff Trail Riders Stables
Included
- A friendly horse for every rider
- Lead and tail guides for your ride
- Basic horseback riding instruction
- Helmet
What will disqualify me?
- Aged below 8 years old
- Arriving after designated meet time (30 min prior)
- Arriving at the wrong meeting point
- Weighing over 230lbs / 104kg when checking in
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the tour?+
The tour is a three hour horseback ride. Please arrive 30 minutes prior to your tour start time.
What does the tour include?+
The tour is a three-hour horseback ride along the Bow River, past the historic Cave and Basin site, along the Sundance Canyon Trail, up Sulphur Mountain and the Windy Knoll viewpoint. You will be provided with a brief riding instruction, a helmet, a friendly horse, and lead and tail guides riding at each end of the small group.
Where is the meeting point?+
Please meet at Banff Trail Riders Stables, the big red stables located at the end of Sundance Road in Banff. When you arrive, please check-in for your ride at the office in the east barn which has signs for ‘Banff Trail Riders Stables’ and ‘office’. The stables are located approximately a five minute drive or a 20 minute walk from downtown Banff, and there is plenty of free parking at the site.
Please see the below map for the location of Banff Trail Riders Stables:
When should I arrive?+
Please ensure that you arrive 30 minutes before the ride is scheduled to depart.
What should I wear?+
You must wear sturdy, closed toed shoes enclosed to the ankle and long pants are best for riding. Please note that sandals of any kind are not permitted. Helmets are provided and are mandatory for all riders and mosquito repellent is highly recommended.
Is riding experience required?+
No experience is necessary and if you’ve never been riding before then we’ll be sure to pair you with the perfect horse so you can enjoy a comfortable ride. Our guides will also provide a brief riding instruction prior to the ride.
Can I bring a backpack on the ride?+
Guests cannot bring a backpack on the horse.
I have a medical condition / disability, can I go horse back riding?+
As avid horse people, we at Banff Trail Riders understand the healing properties of being around horses. Due to wide open national park format of our trail rides, we do not have an enclosed/controlled equine riding environment. We also fully respect the specialized coaches, training and equine equipment required to safely facilitate therapeutic and disabled riding. As a result we reserve the right to limit the availability of horseback riding due to anything which may in our judgement pose a threat to the health and safety of either horse, rider, fellow riders or guides. This includes but is not limited to being able to independently, promptly and without assistance respond to, follow and execute on trail guide direction as well as mount and unmount independently and without assistance.
If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact us and we will be happy to discuss these with you.
Can I go horseback riding if I am pregnant?+
Pregnant ladies must have a doctor’s note to ride.
What if it rains?+
Horseback rides run rain or shine, so please dress for the weather. Please do not wear a rain poncho, as they can flap in the wind and spook the horses.
What is the cancellation policy?+
There is a 24 hour cancellation policy, which allows you to change, cancel, or refund your booking up to 24 hours prior to your tour (or up to 7 days prior for group bookings).
Should I tip my guide?+
Tips are not expected, but are certainly appreciated. If you think your guide did a wonderful job and would like to indicate that with a tip, it will be graciously accepted.
Zero-Tolerance Drug & Alcohol policy+
Safety is our priority on the trail and we all depend on each other to be alert and tuned in to everyone’s safety and well-being. We have a strict, zero-tolerance policy regarding drugs and alcohol. Any guest suspected of intoxication or impairment upon arrival will not be allowed to ride and their fare will NOT be refunded
Booking Terms
- Riders must check in at least 30 minutes prior to departure.
- Riders must be at least 8 years old.
- Riders aged 17 and under must be accompanied on the ride by a legal guardian.
- Riders must weigh less than 230lbs / 104kg, fully dressed (your weight may need to be verified on our scales).
- Riders must wear fully enclosed shoes (no heels).
- Each rider must be able to speak and understand fluent English.
- Riders must be in good physical condition.
- Helmets are mandatory and to be worn by all riders.
- All adults must sign a waiver prior to the ride. A waiver must also be completed by the legal guardian of any child under the age of 18.
- Photo ID may be required for identity verification.
- Refunds are not issued if guests are disqualified from riding due to not meeting these requirements. This tour requires a minimum of 2 participants, please call the day prior to confirm the tour.
- By participating in a tour with Discover Banff Tours or Banff Trail Riders, guests are acknowledging that they understand that we may take video and photographs of them during their tour. These videos and photographs may be used in promotional materials including, but not limited to, social media.
- A 10% gratuity is mandatory for all group bookings of 10 or more guests. This gratuity helps us ensure high-quality service for larger groups. If the gratuity option is not selected at the time of booking, our team will contact you directly to arrange for this payment prior to your tour.
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Real, verified reviews from guests who explored the Canadian Rockies with us.