Banff National Park at the scenic Rocky Mountains
Designated
Canada's first national park in 1885, Banff's jagged majestic outlines
set against vast blue skies epitomize the Canadian Rocky Mountains.
Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its world renowned rugged,
scenic splendor, the park attracts more than four million guests from
around the world every year. 'Banff' is derived from Banffshire in
Scotland, the birthplace of two of the original directors of the Canadian
Pacific Railway.
Banff National Park encompasses 6,641 sq km (2,564 sq miles) of grassy
meadows, lush fir, pine, aspen and spruce forests as well as craggy,
lichen-covered limestone and shale mountains dating as far back as 45-120
million years.
Apart from its scenery, Banff is famous for its wildlife. The 54 mammal
species here include moose, elk, mountain goats, bighorn sheep,
white-tailed and mule deer, cougars, black and grizzly bears and
Alberta's southernmost herd of the endangered woodland caribou.
There is so much to see and do here - hiking, fantastic bird watching,
trout-fishing, boating, exploring Castleguard (Canada's longest cave
system) and driving on the scenic Icefields Parkway. The park is also
home to seven national historic sites - Skoki Lodge, Abbot Pass Hut,
Howse Pass, Cave and Basin, Banff Park Museum, Fairmont Banff Springs
Hotel and the Cosmic Ray Observatory on Sanson Peak.
Particularly wonderful is the sensation of being surrounded by 10
snow-clad peaks towering more than 3,030 m (10,000 ft) above you, as you
paddle a canoe through the turquoise waters of Moraine Lake. Generally,
winters are long and summers cool and short, with only occasional hot
spells. Banff National park is open all year round, but the peak season
is July and August. Don't miss the gorgeous mountain landscapes, large
varieties of plants and mammals and the highest town in Canada. Do not
miss especially the views from Moraine Lake.
