Enjoy two exhilarating weeks in Alberta, exploring the mountains, lakes and wildlife in the Canadian Rockies, hiking, and getting to know Calgary and Edmonton.
This itinerary is great for adventurous travellers with time to hike and explore the Canadian Rockies’ trails, hot springs, and wildlife in Banff and Jasper national parks, plus dip into Alberta’s two biggest cities.
At a glance
- 14 day itinerary
- 2163 km (1344 mi) total distance
- 30 hrs 36 mins drive time
- Your starting point is in Edmonton
Ride the High Level Bridge Streetcar
A lovingly restored vintage streetcar is your ride over the Edmonton River Valley. Get a taste of Edmonton’s history from your costumed guide. Rail enthusiasts should plan to visit the Strathcona Streetcar Barn & Museum to see more streetcars and artifacts.
River Valley Adventure Co. Segway Adventure
Roll through Canada’s largest urban park (it’s 22 times the size of New York’s Central Park) on a guided segway tour of Edmonton’s River Valley. Your tour starts with some basic segway skills, then you’re off to explore the paths and parks.
Fort Edmonton Park
Unravel the stories that matter to Edmonton’s past and present. Learn the city’s trading-post roots, hear Indigenous stories, play 1920s midway games, try an outdoor escape room and plenty more at this journey through local history.
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Hop a free ride on the funicular that connects downtown Edmonton with the river valley.
Calgary Tower
Get a panoramic view of downtown and the architecture that hints at the history of Calgary. Sites include the elegant Fairmont Palliser hotel (built in 1914), Olympic Plaza (1988) and the Bow (2019)—the second-tallest tower in Canada. Watch the multimedia tour on your phone to learn more about the view.
Downhill Karting at WinSport Canada Olympic Park
Try downhill karting at the site of the 1988 Winter Olympics. Ride the chairlift to the top of the hill, then pick your kart. The speedy, gravity-powered ride twists and turns down the slopes for 1,800 m (5,905 ft).
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Hit the Calgary Farmer’s Market just a few minutes (2.7 km or 1.7 mi) from WinSport for local food, art and music.
Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo
Meet a family of gorillas, walk through an owl habitat and watch out when you get close to the hippos. Nearly 1,000 animals call this zoo home. Learn how the zoo protects endangered species here and internationally. Special events include breakfast with the gorillas and adult-only nights out.
Heritage Park Historical Village
Ride a 1940s steam train, see a pre-1915 newspaper press in action and learn loads about what life was like in Alberta’s early days. Interpreters are always nearby to tell engaging tales (including ghost stories) and to lend colour to the 200+ exhibits and historical buildings.
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After the Zoo, explore charming Bridgeland nearby for lunch, ice cream or shopping.
Fort Museum of the North-West Mounted Police
A ballet for horses is a highlight of any visit here. The recreation of the 1876 Musical Ride brings to life a fun pastime for early Mounties. Sign up for the Groom-a-Horse program and you’ll get to wear the red serge, help prepare a horse and enjoy VIP seating during the Musical Ride.
Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump World Heritage Site
For more than 6,000 years, Blackfoot hunters drove dozens or hundreds of buffalo at a time over Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump. The result? A massive amount of food and hides to enable their communities’ survival. Take a self-guided tour of the cliff and visit the excellent interpretive centre.
Waterton Lakes National Parks Visitor Centre
Slightly off the beaten path, Waterton is easy to fall in love with. The visitor centre can point you to hikes at all levels, bike rentals, ways to take advantage of the lakes and where to meet bison. Notice it’s pretty windy? Ask the staff how the area geology affects the mighty breeze.
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The stars are a spectacle in Waterton. Book a guided night sky tour or just look up!
Cameron Falls
Stunning Cameron Falls is a short walk from the visitor centre. It’s one of the most-photographed spots in town and you’ll soon see why. For another view and a spray of glacier-fed mist, follow the paved path to the right of the falls.
Red Rock Canyon
Hop the stream that carves through a rusty red canyon on this short but memorable interpretive hike. The vibrant hues come from oxidized iron in the argillite rock. After the canyon, try the nearby Blakiston Falls 2-km (1.2-mi) hike for a beautiful waterfall view.
Waterton Lakes
Cruise past rocky peaks and wild forests. The Goat Haunt tour with Waterton Shoreline Cruise Co. includes a stop at a scenic, remote ranger station in Montana (no passport needed). The Canada-U.S. Border Cruise often features shoreline wildlife sightings, plus a great view of the stark border cutline through the trees.
Prince of Wales Hotel
A railway baron inspired by Swiss architecture. A short-lived Canadian prohibition. Waterton’s proximity to the United States. They all combined to bring to life the Prince of Wales Hotel in 1927. Enjoy a locally inspired dinner of bison or trout in a luxurious setting with spectacular views.
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Drive Bison Paddock Loop Road to see bison, who were once threatened with near-extinction.
Bar U Ranch National Historic Site
Try roping, farm chores and cowboy coffee at this National Historic Site. The Rockies and the rolling Porcupine Hills are a picturesque backdrop to the historic cookhouse, blacksmith shop, working animals and more. Weekends include Stoney Nakoda interpreters for a dose of Indigenous story telling.
Eau Claire Distillery
The barley for Eau Claire Distillery’s small-batch spirits is harvested using traditional, horse-drawn farming methods, and Alberta ingredients are front and centre at all times. Sample the prickly pear cactus-infused vodka, Parlour Gin with Saskatoon berries, and whisky aged 4,000 feet above sea level.
Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary
Meet the friendly ambassador wolfdogs and learn how the sanctuary rehomes and protects the energetic canines. In an interactive tour, you’ll get up close with the resident packs and find out what makes the animals unique and what challenges they face with humans who think they want them as pets.
Alpine Helicopters
Gain an eagle’s view of the Rockies, glaciers, lakes and, well, maybe even eagles, in this unparalleled tour. Seeing the Three Sisters peaks up close is downright astonishing. While you absorb the view, your guide can tell you all about the topography you’re seeing and how it came to be.
Grassi Lakes Trail
A pair of unreal, turquoise lakes and a waterfall are your reward on this 3.4-km (2.1-mi) loop. For an easier hike, take the Upper Grassi Lakes Trail, and come down via the interpretive trail. Spot climbers scaling the cliffs and pictographs by Hopi people estimated to be up to 1,000 years old.
Grotto Canyon
Smooth limestone walls stretch overhead as you walk the creek bed on this popular trail. A charming little waterfall and a cave mark the halfway point of the 7.1-km (4.4 mi) hike. Keep an eye out for the reddish hues of pictographs painted hundreds of years ago.
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Have more time? Book an unforgettable (and dark) half-day tour of Rat's Nest Cave.
Cave & Basin National Historic Site
Take a deep breath and discover the hot springs that inspired Canada’s national parks system. You’ll learn what that bracing sulphur smell comes from, why bathing is no longer allowed (it involves a tiny snail) and how special this place has been for Indigenous people for more than 10,000 years.
Banff Upper Hot Springs
Soak in the thermal waters while taking in views of Mount Rundle and Cascade Mountain. It’s the same view travellers have been treated to since the original bathhouse was built in 1886 — and for thousands of years prior. Bring your own swimsuit or rent a 1920s-style one for a dose of whimsy.
Banff Gondola
Ride up Sulphur Mountain in an enclosed gondola with views that will make your heart skip. When you land at 2,281 m (7,486 ft) above sea level, follow the boardwalk up to Sanson's Peak. Or hike the full 5.5-km (3.4-mi) trail up Sulphur then relax in the gondola on the way down
Lake Minnewanka Cruise
Cruise the largest lake in the Rockies for engaging commentary paired with postcard views. Do some wildlife spotting and hear tales about the underwater ghost town beneath the lake’s surface. Take Roam Transit route 6 from downtown Banff so you don’t have to worry about parking.
Discover Banff Tours
As the sun sets, your guide will drive you to wildlife viewing hotspots on the lookout for elk, deer, bighorn sheep and even black bears. Along the way, hear stories of Banff history and animal facts and enjoy a few stops for some hands-on interpretive talks.
Mt. Norquay Sightseeing Chairlift
Fresh mountain air and coffee at a mountainside bistro kick off your day. The chairlift is perfect for wildlife-spotting and the view of Banff from above is a spectacle. Even the twisting uphill drive to the resort itself is fun and often a chance to see wildlife.
Mt. Norquay Via Ferrata
Via Ferrata is an exhilarating guided tour up Mt. Norquay’s cliffs. You hook onto a safety cable built into the mountain and scale the pitches using steel handles, ladders and suspension bridges. It’s bucket list fantasy meets Rocky Mountain reality.
Cliffhouse Bistro
Marilyn Monroe once stopped by this mountainside bistro, so you know it has to be worth a peek. Friendly staff welcome you for lunch and craft beer after your gondola ride or when you’re ready to refuel after Via Ferrata.
Banff Trail Riders Cowboy Cookout
After you meet your horse (and learn some riding basics), your trail ride follows the shoreline of the Bow River, where beavers and porcupines play. Dinner is cowboy-approved Alberta steak on the grill and all the fixings. On the ride back, a stop at Windy Knoll offers stunning Bow Valley views.
Lake Louise Gondola
This gondola ride is one of the best spots in the Rockies to spot grizzlies, lynx, moose, mountain goats and more. Enjoy a hot breakfast at the top and book a guided hike along upper-mountain trails that aren’t accessible to the general public.
Moraine Lake Shoreline Trail
The Valley of the Ten Peaks rises around the striking turquoise of Moraine Lake, making for a captivating shoreline stroll. (That wild colour comes from glacial erosion.) Book a Lake Louise Gondola ticket with a shuttle to Moraine Lake, as private vehicles aren’t permitted to park nearby.
Lake Agnes Tea House
Just like hikers more than 100 years ago, you’ll find this tea house a charming way to refuel on your hike. Everything on the menu is made from scratch and hiked in or delivered via helicopter. Hike onward to Little Beehive or Big Beehive for spectacular views of Mount Victoria and Lake Louise.
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Duck into Chateau Lake Louise for a craft cocktail (or zero proof facsimile) at the Lakeview Lounge.
Ice Explorer Bus
Crunch across an icy landscape 50 million years in the making. You arrive at the frosty Columbia Icefield care of a massive Ice Explorer bus. Fill your water bottle with chilly glacier water while your guide shares how Athabasca Glacier got here and how fast it’s receding.
Columbia Icefield Skywalk
Birds below, glaciers above and an unforgettable view through a glass floor built into the side of a mountain. The Skywalk is the undisputed champ of this spot, but don’t miss out on the boardwalk with interactive displays and the knowledgeable guides full of facts about the peaks and wildlife.
Sunwapta Falls
Chase a powerful waterfall just a short detour off the Parkway. The thundering upper falls are a few steps from the parking lot. They plunge through a limestone gorge and drop 18 m (59 ft). Stretch your legs with a 1.3-km (0.8-mi) hike through lodgepole pine to the smaller lower falls.
Athabasca Falls
Layers of quartzite are a robust base layer to one of the most powerful waterfalls in the Rockies. There are lots of viewpoints not far from the parking lot. Explore further along paved pathways and climb a staircase carved into the canyon.
Jasper Park Information Centre
The rustic lodge that’s home to the Jasper Park Information Centre is quintessential national parks architecture. It was built in 1913-14 from local stone and timber. Today, it’s a go-to for travellers looking for insider tips for seeing the best of the park.
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Try Jasper Ave Brewing for a flight of creative craft beers and super-Canadian pub fare.
Jasper SkyTram
Head for the rocky summit of Whistlers Mountain on the longest and highest aerial tramway in Canada. At the upper station, watch for marmots and pikas. Then, it’s a short (but moderately challenging) 1.4-km (0.8-mi) hike to the summit. You’ll be gifted a 360-degree view of six mountain ranges.
Maligne Lake Cruise
Let time stand still as you cruise the calm waters of Maligne Lake. Your guide will add colour to the journey with stories of early explorers, animals and glaciology. A highlight is a stop near iconic Spirit Island, a sacred place for the Stoney Nakoda First Nation.
Jasper Wildlife Discovery Tour
Osprey and elk, bears and mountain goats — they all call Jasper home. On this tour, you might encounter each of those creatures as they get up to their early evening routines. Your knowledgeable driver will take you to top wildlife-spotting locations plus scenic viewpoints off the beaten trail.
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Stargazing is epic in Jasper. After dark, head to Pyramid Lake to see a dense carpet of stars.
Miette Hot Springs
Miette Hot Springs are so hot (54°C/129°F) they need to be cooled down before they enter the public bathing area. After a restorative soak, stroll the short Source of the Springs trail to see the ruins of the 1938 bathhouse and the steaming source of the thermal waters.
West Edmonton Mall
This famous mall is the size of a small city and it’s not only a destination for shopping. West Edmonton Mall is home to a waterpark, a skating rink and more than 100 spots to eat. You’ll find exactly what you’re looking for from the 800+ stores.
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Up for a steep but rewarding 8-km (5-mi) hike? Find the Sulphur Skyline trailhead at the hot springs parking lot.
Elk Island National Park
This haven for bison has some of the best wildlife viewing around. More than 250 bird species live here with elk, bears and foxes. Picnic on the sandy beach of Astotin Lake, then try the Living Waters Boardwalk or one of the many other hikes with diverse views of forests, marsh and meadow.
Art Gallery of Alberta
Take in the twisting architecture of the Art Gallery of Alberta. The steel ribbon references the aurora borealis and hints at the diversity of the collection inside. Then, experience contemporary and historical art, from engravings to augmented reality and literally everything in between.
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For nightlife, head to Whyte Ave, a historical neighbourhood with trendy local shops and dining.
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