Facts
| Distance: | 10 km (6.2 miles) round trip |
| Start Elevation: | 1,392 m (4,567 ft) |
| Max Elevation: | 1,397 m (4,583 ft) |
| Elevation Gain: | 5 m (16 ft) |
| Time Required: | *40-80 mins |
| Season: | All Year Round |
* Note: These are running times not hiking times. The fastest times are for someone with a 10km road pace of under 6:30/mile or 4:00/km.
Details
| 0-1.2 km | Dirt trail, flat forest trail. |
| 1.2-5.05 km | Paved road, flat meandering road |
Links
Overview
The Vermilion Lakes road is just that, it's a paved dead-end road. It certainly isn't a trail run but it is one of the most popular year round runs in Banff and one that I do regularly. In the winter time it is snow covered and if you run on the side, just off the tarmac, it's pretty much the same impact on your body as if you were on a dirt trail. The views are spectacular and it is perfectly flat. Makes for a great training run whether you're trying for a steady pace or need a good spot for some intervals. Sometimes it's nice just to run this trail as a real easy run and soak up the scenery. Keep an eye open for Elk, Canada Geese, Bald Eagles and Coyotes.
Trailhead
The run starts just a few minutes from the centre of town. You can cut through the Fenland Trail to keep off the road as much as possible, just keep an eye open for the small footbridge that will take you across the river to Vermilion Lakes Road. Once you hit the road turn left and follow it all the way out. The turn-off for the road is on the left hand side, just before the intersection with the Trans Canada Highway.
Car: Drive out of Banff on Lynx Street past the Hospital and Brewster Bus Depot and across the railroad tracks. Just pass the right-hand turnoff for the Recreation Centre you will see a parking lot on your left for Forty Mile Creek. Park here and either use the Fenland Trail to short-cut you onto Vermilion Lakes Road or continue along the road for a couple of hundred metres and turn left at the start of Vermilion Lakes Road.
Run Run out of Banff on Lynx Street past the Hospital and Brewster Bus Depot and across the railroad tracks. As soon as you have crossed the railroad tracks you will see the trailhead for the Fenland Trail. Cut in here and follow the loop around until you see a small footbridge that will take you onto Vermilion lakes Road.
Public Transit: Not Applicable
Vermilion Lakes Trailhead (Forty Mile Creek Trailhead)
*Click and drag map, zoom in and out or switch modes.
Banff Townsite, 
Forty Mile Creek Trailhead
Trail
This is a flat easy, smooth paved road. It certainly doesn't fit into the trail category but as a year round training ground it certainly is an important route to include in any list of Banff runs. You will probably see other runners here even in the depths of winter. The route can form part of a much longer run when coupled with Healy Creek or Edith Pass. At the turnaround point in the road (5.1km) a dirt trail continues that will bring you out to the Cory Pass/Edith Pass trailhead at the start of the 1A Highway.
Route
Elevation
As you can see there is virtually no elevation change throughout the course of this run.
Photo Gallery
Safety
The biggest safety concern on this run is tourists in large RV's who are not paying attention to the road. The views are stunning and it is not uncommon to see people driving and videotaping at the same time. Use good road sense, run into the direction of traffic and keep your eyes peeled.