C-Level Cirque trail offers a great mix of forest, alpine views, and a dramatic cirque carved into the side of Cascade Mountain. If you're looking for a slightly quieter trail with solid elevation gain and big payoff views, this one’s a great choice.

The trail starts near Upper Bankhead, just a short drive from downtown Banff. It follows an old mining road, where you’ll pass some interpretive signs and the remnants of abandoned buildings along the way. From there, the trail climbs steadily through the forest, offering peeks through the trees as you gain elevation.

After about 4 km and 450 meters of climbing, you’ll arrive at the cirque — a massive, glacier-carved bowl surrounded by rugged cliffs. On a clear day, you’ll have great views across the valley and even down toward Lake Minnewanka. The official trail ends at the bottom of the cirque. A steep and loose path continues further up to the right. Be aware this path is unmaintained and can put you at risk of rockfall from the crumbly cliffs above.

The round-trip distance is about 7.8 km (to the bottom of the cirque), and while the elevation gain is steady (around 780m), it’s doable for most intermediate hikers. It’s especially beautiful in late spring through fall, when the snow has melted and the wildflowers are out.