The Banff Legacy Trail is a non-motorized, multi-use, paved, recreational trail suitable for walking, bicycling, in-line skating, etc. Functioning as a commuter route, tourist attraction, and training path, users will be able to safely travel from Canmore to Lake Louise and beyond, on a combination of trails and parkways in some of Canada’s most iconic scenery.
The trail, located in Banff National Park incorporates scenic views and runs primarily along the highway right-of way and wildlife fence from the national park East Gate to the Bow Valley Parkway. The Hard-surfaced trail is 3 metres wide and runs 26 kilometres with 5 crossing structures to be completed by the fall of 2010. Construction is estimated at $6.75 million.
The trail is an environmentally friendly tourism and visitor experience product for the Canadian Rocky Mountains World Heritage Site. The initiative showcases when Canadians work together we can create innovative and environmentally sustainable visitor and tourism products. Economically, it will contribute to the area beyond its construction, as tourism experts believe the trail will become part of a new tourism product through packaging and services, and will be a signature world-class tourism attraction for years to come.
In 2004, the Bow Corridor Regional Mobility Partnership(BCRMP) Mobility Strategy identified the creation of non-motorized, multi-use trail connecting the towns of Banff, Harvie Heights and Canmore as its highest priority. During the same time period, the Lands Adjacent to the Town of Banff Advisory Group recommended a similar trail, which resulted in the 2007 Park Management Plan Amendment committing to explore the feasibility of a regional trail through the Bow Valley.
The Province of Alberta has been instrumental in developing the concept of the trail and completing some of the preliminary work as members of the BCRMP. Upon the Province of Alberta’s completion of the 2 kilometres east of the park boundary, the trail will connect users from Canmore through Banff National Park.
In fall 2010, the trail will become part of the Trans Canada Trail Sentier Transcanadien (TCTST), a 21,500 kilometre recreational trail winding its way through every province and territory. When completed, TCTST will be the world's longest recreational trail, linking close to 1,000 communities.
The Banff Legacy Trail is an integral part of Banff National Park 125 anniversary celebrations, Canada’s oldest national park. The trail is befitting a legacy project as it located in Canada’s oldest national park and demonstrates collaboration between Parks Canada and other government, non-profit and local organizations.
News Release associated with this Backgrounder.
Government of Canada opens first section of Banff Legacy Trail
