THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Spend two days following glacier-fed creeks from BTR Stables to Sundance Lodge—10 miles of horseback riding, cowboy-style lunches, one night of backcountry comfort, and a return to Banff with stories and starry skies.
Spend two days following glacier-fed creeks from BTR Stables to Sundance Lodge—10 miles of horseback riding, cowboy-style lunches, one night of backcountry comfort, and a return to Banff with stories and starry skies.
The morning air tastes of glacier melt and pine as you swing into the saddle outside Banff. Horses clip along a trail that edges glacier-fed creeks, the Bow River daring you to pause at its banks; cowboy coffee steams in paper cups while the guide sorts tack. Ten miles of ridge and valley put a slow, steady rhythm in your legs before the lodge appears—a low-profile backcountry building where a wooden porch and crackling fireplace replace cell bars and city light.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Banff Trail Riders · Banff, Alberta
The morning air tastes of glacier melt and pine as you swing into the saddle outside Banff. Horses clip along a trail that edges glacier-fed creeks, the Bow River daring you to pause at its banks; cowboy coffee steams in paper cups while the guide sorts tack. Ten miles of ridge and valley put a slow, steady rhythm in your legs before the lodge appears—a low-profile backcountry building where a wooden porch and crackling fireplace replace cell bars and city light.
This route follows the geological seams of the Canadian Rockies: sculpted limestone, moraines, and clear streams fed from high alpine snowfields. The Bow River corridor has long been a travel route—used by Indigenous peoples, later by fur traders and mountaineers—and today the culture around Banff mixes park stewardship with outfitting traditions. Sundance Lodge is about 16 km (10 miles) from Banff, offering a night of real backcountry hospitality: cooked meals, a soft bed, and stories traded over wine.
Practical guidance: the trip runs Saturdays, May–October; plan for roughly 2 days (return to BTR Stables ~4:30 pm on Day 2). Maximum rider weight is 230 lbs and minimum age is 9. Expect uneven trails, long periods in the saddle, and no cell service or electricity at the lodge. Pack layered clothing, a rain shell, sturdy closed-toe footwear, riding gloves, and any personal medications. Tell guides about heights, weights, and experience at booking; helmets are provided for riders under 18. Ride steady, respect the animals, carry out what you carry in, and you'll leave with both maps of the land and a quieter pulse.
easy.
2 days (approx. 48 hours; ~10 miles one-way).
Light fitness; able to mount/dismount and remain seated for several hours; no advanced conditioning required
No formal experience is required, but riders must be capable of controlling a horse independently; guides pair mounts to rider ability.
Three meals are included with set menu options; vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free menus are available for an additional cost—advise diets at booking.
No; the lodge has no electricity or Wi‑Fi and cell service is unreliable—plan accordingly for communications and charging needs.
Bookings are all sales final with no refunds for cancellations—confirm your dates and traveler details carefully before purchase.
The Bow Valley corridor was a traditional travel and trade route long before Banff was established; early outfitters built the trail network used by modern pack trips.
This excursion operates inside a sensitive mountain ecosystem—guests are asked to pack out waste, stay on designated trails, and follow guides’ directions to minimize impact.
Banff Trail Riders operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
The morning air tastes of glacier melt and pine as you swing into the saddle outside Banff. Horses clip along a trail that edges glacier-fed creeks, the Bow River daring you to pause at its banks; cowboy coffee steams in paper cups while the guide sorts tack. Ten miles of ridge and valley put a slow, steady rhythm in your legs before the lodge appears—a low-profile backcountry building where a wooden porch and crackling fireplace replace cell bars and city light.
The morning air tastes of glacier melt and pine as you swing into the saddle outside Banff. Horses clip along a trail that edges glacier-fed creeks, the Bow River daring you to pause at its banks; cowboy coffee steams in paper cups while the guide sorts tack. Ten miles of ridge and valley put a slow, steady rhythm in your legs before the lodge appears—a low-profile backcountry building where a wooden porch and crackling fireplace replace cell bars and city light.
This route follows the geological seams of the Canadian Rockies: sculpted limestone, moraines, and clear streams fed from high alpine snowfields. The Bow River corridor has long been a travel route—used by Indigenous peoples, later by fur traders and mountaineers—and today the culture around Banff mixes park stewardship with outfitting traditions. Sundance Lodge is about 16 km (10 miles) from Banff, offering a night of real backcountry hospitality: cooked meals, a soft bed, and stories traded over wine.
Practical guidance: the trip runs Saturdays, May–October; plan for roughly 2 days (return to BTR Stables ~4:30 pm on Day 2). Maximum rider weight is 230 lbs and minimum age is 9. Expect uneven trails, long periods in the saddle, and no cell service or electricity at the lodge. Pack layered clothing, a rain shell, sturdy closed-toe footwear, riding gloves, and any personal medications. Tell guides about heights, weights, and experience at booking; helmets are provided for riders under 18. Ride steady, respect the animals, carry out what you carry in, and you'll leave with both maps of the land and a quieter pulse.