Canadian Rockies Road Trip

Getting there...

After finding a good flight deal on Skyscanner in the quieter time of October, my friend and I set off on an extensive journey, starting with a long flight from Auckland to Los Angeles. After a brief layover, we continued our travels to Calgary, a city known as the perfect gateway to the stunning Canadian Rockies.

While we initially considered public transportation to save money, we quickly recognized that it would limit our flexibility in exploring. Ultimately, we opted to rent a fantastic new Toyota through Budget Car Rentals, which we conveniently picked up from the airport. This decision opened up a world of adventure, allowing us to venture off the beaten track and discover hidden gems.

Entry...

While exploring the breathtaking landscapes of Banff and Jasper, you'll find that a daily fee of CAD $11 applies for each park. If your itinerary includes more than a week in these stunning locations or visits to additional parks across Canada, investing in a CAD $75 Annual Discovery Pass is a smart choice.

This pass grants you access to 80 national parks and historic sites nationwide and can be conveniently purchased online.

Some of the links on this blog are affiliate links for valuable services and products. This means that if you click on the link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Our morning in Banff kicked off with a delicious cup of coffee from Good Earth Coffeehouse, which we enjoyed while meandering along the Bow River Trail. The trail leads to a stunning set of waterfalls that left me imagining the breathtaking scenery deeper in the mountains that awaited us. For art lovers, the local artists have crafted an enchanting outdoor exhibition on the trees.

To make good use of our discovery pass, we visited the Banff Park Museum, where I was truly impressed. The museum features an incredible display of hundreds of stuffed animals native to the Rockies, with information about their behavior, habitats, and their history with humans.

Banff...

Banff, the largest town on our road trip, serves as the perfect base for adventures.

With an excellent variety of accommodation options, it promises a restful night after a day filled with trips to turquoise lakes, canyons and hiking trails on its doorstep.

Our accommodation, the lively HI Banff Alpine Centre, was nestled on a serene hill, surrounded by beautiful groves of spruce trees. It offered numerous short walks through nature and guest activities, making it an ideal spot for solo travelers looking to connect with others.

Our favorite experience during our time in Banff was our Banff Ghost Walk we organized on one of our nights. Led by an enthusiastic local, the tour takes visitors on a delightful group walk through the heart of the town, uncovering the intriguing tales of Banff's haunted history. Whether or not you believe in ghosts, the stories shared are engaging and provide a fascinating glimpse into the town’s rich past.

Art features along the peaceful Bow River Trail.

Bow Lake and its Mountain Range, the first to show its face along the highway

On the Road Again...

As Willie Nelson would say, we were on the road again!

With six days on our hands, we chose to drive three and a half hours north to Jasper National Park and spend three days in its breathtaking landscapes.

Afterwards, we planned to return to Banff for another three days of exploration.

For those with limited time, a day trip to Jasper can yield spectacular views along the highway, showcasing the park's remarkable beauty. However, do try get as much time here as possible.

Athabasca Falls, raging after the rain, is a five minute stroll off the highway. Don't fall in!

Athabasca Glacier, you can get surprisingly close to it!

The Hooved Locals...

I've never been happy about getting stuck in traffic, until I came to the Rockies!

When Canadians talk about animals running across the road like it's a normal every day occurrence, they aren't joking so take it easy on the road, especially at night.

Autumn is the mating season for elk so large bulls were chasing females down the highway, followed by a herd of bighorn sheep.

These animals are usually docile but can suddenly turn aggressive so it's still best to view them from the car or keep 30m away if on foot.

If you can handle getting up at the crack of dawn, I would highly recommend going for a drive up to Medicine Lake as you might see this peaceful guy hanging out with his calves.

Moose tend to stay close to water to avoid predators so if you don't have any luck there's plenty of other lakes in Jasper National Park to try.

A bighorn sheep and her lamb wandered out in front of us without a care in the world as we drove up the Maligne Valley Highway!

Even these guys can suddenly turn aggressive, especially when protecting their young, so treat every animal in this region with respect.

And the Clawed Locals...

Despite being told our chances of spotting bears were slim, we were incredibly fortunate to see five during our trip!

This time of year is particularly special as bears are busy fattening up before hibernation, making sightings more common.

As someone who has a deep obsession with these magnificent creatures, witnessing them in their natural habitat created some of the most unforgettable moments of my life.

It's important to remember, however, that bears are unpredictable wild animals. We kept a respectful distance of about 100 meters and obeyed the crucial rule of never feeding them; when bears receive regular handouts from humans, they can become aggressive and face dire consequences, such as euthanization.

Even if you don't plan on going hiking, it is still a good idea to have a bottle of bear spray with you. Bears are often seen in town as well.

For a tutorial on how to use bear spray, watch this short video.

Must admit, forgetting he's not Yogi Bear, my friend had to pull me back as I tried to jump out of the car and get a bit closer to this tank of a grizzly!

We think he might've been pursuing an elk he caught the scent of.

During our time in Jasper National Park, we were fortunate enough to encounter four black bears. Although these guys are more common than grizzlies, they are much more timid, and in an instant, will take off into the bush with remarkable speed!

Jasper...

Jasper was the favorite between the two townships, largely due to its charming, rustic small-town feel, where the local wildlife often seems to outshine the human activity. As we prepared to hit the hiking trails, we were grateful for the Downtown Hotel that not only offered us a cozy place to rest but also lent us a can of bear spray for just $5 a day.

Our location was ideal, just a short five-minute walk from Su Casa Mexican Lounge, where we were treated with nachos and fish tacos. The portions were so generous that we packed the leftovers for lunch the following day.

Su Casa Lounge, Canadians seem to love fish tacos!

The elk are taking over town!

They are a common sight on the streets.

Spirit Island...

We decided to jump on a scenic boat tour to Spirit Island, nestled halfway up Maligne Lake, the largest lake in the region.

This stunning location holds deep significance for the First Nations community, who view the surrounding mountains as embodiments of their ancestors.

After a scenic thirty-minute ride on the tranquil waters, our enthusiastic guide led us on a delightful walk around the island, sharing stories and facts about its history.

Lasting about two hours, the tour was a great afternoon in the great Canadian outdoors while learning from knowledgeable locals.

Tours operate all day from July to October.

Word of advice, push the layer of snow off the roof of your car before driving off to avoid an avalanche of snow down your windscreen whilst driving!

In typical Rocky Mountains fashion, it went from a sunny day to a winter wonderland in no time!

Hitting those Trails...

Kinney Lake

After a ninety-minute easy hike along a scenic trail from Yellowhead Highway, you'll be greeted by a view of Kinney Lake, with a striking reflection of Mount Robson on it's perfectly still waters.

Maligne Canyon

The Maligne Canyon Trail offers an opportunity to marvel at rock formations shaped by the relentless force of water over time. This three-hour return hike showcases nature's artistry. Although the most impressive sights can be enjoyed in just one hour.

If you keep your eyes peeled, you may also spot fossils along the canyon edges.

Lake Agnes

Nestled in the stunning mountains beyond Lake Louise lies the hidden gem of Lake Agnes, which can be reached by foot or horseback.

Although we arrived late in the day and missed the chance to visit the charming teahouse, I could easily envision enjoying a warm cup of coffee while taking in the view of the lake.

And Last but not Least... Lake Louise

Before boarding our flight in Calgary, we couldn't resist the allure of Lake Louise.

Along with Moraine Lake, photographers come from far and wide to get those perfect shots and showcase their beauty in travel magazines and advertisements that inspire many to visit the region.

Lake Louise enchants with its milky turquoise waters, a reflection of glacial silt, while Moraine Lake boasts a famous backdrop of rugged mountains.

However, their popularity means access isn't as straightforward as more hidden spots; Moraine Lake restricts entry to personal vehicles, and Lake Louise has its own designated car park that fills quickly with eager visitors.

Experiencing these natural wonders is a must, but planning ahead is essential to fully enjoy.

We didn't want any stress so decided to park the car at the Lake Louise Park n Ride and jumped on a comfortable Parks Canada Shuttle Bus which gets you to to both lakes and back for $16. These tickets need to be purchased online a week in advance, we didn't realize this and almost missed out by booking a day before!

As all vacations must eventually draw to a close, it was time to bid farewell to this breathtaking corner of the world.

In the future, I would love to upgrade and book a night at Lake Louise's Fairmont Chateau for a touch of luxury amidst the mountains.

Covering an astonishing area of 1,400 kilometers, these mountains have only allowed us to skim the surface.

Yet, the Icefields Parkway has certainly started an obsession with the region.

I can't wait to come back again!

I have only covered the highlights in this blog, so if you're planning a trip and need to know more, do not hesitate to get in contact with me, that's what I'm here for!