Horseback riding for the first time? No worries.
These Banff horseback riding tours have been designed to give you a taste of what the courageous settlers experienced over 200 years ago. You’ll ride your horse, following your expert guide, along the tranquil Bow River, an area home to wildlife in amongst the thick marshes and grassy meadows. And if you look up, you might spot an eagle or hawk soaring through the sky.
Pass by the historic Cave and Basin, the birthplace of Banff National Park, with craggy rock walls surrounding pools of bubbling thermal water. As you follow the winding trail on this ride, you’ll get unspoiled views of the magnificent Rocky Mountains the entire time.
Bow River Ride – 1 hour:
A 1 hour horseback ride along the Bow River and past the natural sulphur hot springs flowing from the Cave & Basin, the original historic hot springs. You’ll ride past roaring Bow Falls where you will cross the Spray River and pass by the famous Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course. A partial climb up Sulphur Mountain brings you through a wooded residential area and back to the corral.
Sundance Loop – 2 hours:
This ride is an extension of the 1 Hour Bow River Ride, which rides along the tranquil Bow River and passes by the historic Cave and Basin. The ride then continues up Sulphur Mountain and around the Windy Knoll viewpoint before returning to the stables.
Bow Valley Loop Ride - 3 hours:
This ride offers the greatest variety of scenery from the Cave and Basin area to a thick, lush forest. While travelling along the Sundance Canyon Trail, keep an eye out for elk, coyotes, beaver, and occasionally, bears. You’ll ride through the tranquility of the woods for about 45-minutes. You’ll continue your horseback ride around the Windy Knoll as you climb Sulphur Mountain for spectacular views of the Bow Valley, before following the Bow River back to stables.
Highlights:
- Explore Banff National Park on horseback like the pioneers did.
- Your horse will guide you along the tranquil Bow River and past the historic Cave and Basin.
- On the longer rides, gaze upon the Bow Valley from a high vantage point and then follow the Bow River upon your return.
When:
- Tours daily May to September *
*Subject to availability and weather / trail conditions permitting.
What’s included:
- A friendly horse
- Professional lead and tails guides riding at each end of the small group
- Basic horseback riding instructions
- All necessary equipment including helmet
Need to know:
- No previous horseback riding experience is required. You'll be paired with the perfect horse so you can have a comfortable ride.
- Minimum age is 8 years.
- Children aged 15 years and under must have someone 18 years and older with them.
- Maximum weight is 230 lbs.
- Our Banff Horseback Riding Tour provider is committed to the health of our horses and the safety of our guests. This means that the maximum weight and minimum age requirements are strictly enforced. As part of the check-in process, guests may be required to confirm their current weight on a scale and provide proof of the child’s age. In the event that these requirements are not met, the booking will be forfeited without a refund.
- Please wear closed toed shoes and long pants. Dress for the weather.
- Children will not be paired with an adult. They must ride their own horse.
- All adult riders must sign a waiver prior to the tour.
- A waiver must be completed by the parent or guardian of any rider under the age of 18.
- Please ensure you arrive 30 minutes before your ride is schedule to depart.
- For safety purposes helmets are provided and are mandatory to be worn by all riders.
- Please note that guests cannot bring a backpack on the horse.
The experience takes place at Banff, approximately a five-minute drive or a minute walk from downtown Banff. VIEW MAP
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