Here are some shorter, 1-3 hour hikes (shorter if you have a vehicle or rent a bike) around/near the townsite that may offer some scenery / wildlife photo ops (or just a chance to stretch your legs!):
In no particular order...
- Tunnel Mountain
http://www.banff.com/hiking/tunnel_mtn.shtml
- Tunnel Mtn. Rd., overlooking the Bow River - there is a popular outcropping from which to view the Banff Springs Hotel, which is nestled in the forest directly across the river from you. A common postcard shot.
- Sundance Canyon from the Cave an Basin; the "Cave" at the start is how Banff first came into being. Two explorers/surveyers scouting a route for the CN railway saw steam rising from a snowcovered outcroping, and discovered the natural hotspring in the cave. The trail from the Basin up to Sundance canyon is only 1.5km or so - a paved bikepath through the forest. A nice evening walk.
http://www.banff.ca/activities-events/summer/banff-hiking/sundance_canyon.htm
- The Bow Falls from near the golf course road, just below the Banff Springs Hotel.
- Vermillion Lakes Rd, looking back towards the townsite - frames the angular Mt. Rundle jutting up from the forest, with Lake Vermillion in the forground. A common postcard shot.
- if you have a car, you can drive up to/past Lake Minnewanka from the townsite (15 minute drive). Not overly scenic, but there are some rocky outcroppings surrounding where you may see some mtn. goats. Canon used to have have a mtn. goat shot/ad on the back cover of National Geographic magazines, that was shot in this area (if I recall).
- Elk are a common site in the townsite, but they come and go. Sometimes they are around, sometimes they are not. The golfcourse in the morning or evening is a possibility. Or wandering down the main street is a (somewhat) less possiblilty. I can't remember their rutting season, later in the fall I believe, but they *can* be aggressive if they are in their rut and feel someone is crowding them, so use caution. I've seen bears within the townsite, and there have been mtn. lion sightings right outside our backfence, in a subdivision within the townsite, so always use caution even on trails within the townsite. Let someone (hotel front desk, or the parks office) know your hiking schedule, and a bear bell hanging off your pack is not a bad idea either (Mountain Magic or Monod's Sports downtown will have them), especially if you will be wandering alone and not chatting with anyone to give any unsuspecting wildlife a heads up that you are around.
- Take a wander through the hallways of the Banff Springs as well, especially the ballroom areas, etc. Some beautiful Scottish-castle-esque architicture inside and out.
...off the top of my head - there is lots more to see!
Sean.
