Canadian Rockies Roadtrip

Howdy folks!

This blog post and YouTube video describes the tour we did with G Adventures : Canadian Rockies: National Parks Westbound with a few days added on either end.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qd8xuuSVxo0

Calgary

Our adventure began in Calgary, a quiet city, but the perfect gateway to the Rockies. We spent our first day exploring the parks of Calgary and even spotted at otter in the river! We had Tim Hortons for lunch and ice coffee of course. We then climbed (via elevator) Calgary Tower for amazing views over the city before visiting Calgary Zoo for the rest of the afternoon.

There isn’t a huge amount to do in Calgary but enough for a couple of days and its a great place to start your adventure. The tram is also really easy to get around on and reasonably priced.

Our second day was a bit rainy but we did some more exploring, saw a farmers market in the town and visited Fort Calgary to learn the history of this region. We then had a chilled afternoon before meeting our G Adventuresgroup and leaders and getting dinner together before an early night as it was going to be an early start the next day.

In Calgary we stayed at Coast Calgary Downtown for two nights and with the tour Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Calgary Downtown.

Banff

Leaving Calgary early we had a short stop in Canmore to pick up some last minute supplies for camping and a fresh water stop. We then headed onto the campsite to set up our tents for the first time and get some lunch.

Once we were all set up we then went on a short hike at Tunnel Mountain. Unfortunately, it was raining but we still got some epic views of Banff. After our hike we headed into town to explore the picturesque street, shops and gardens. We also walked to Cave and Basin historical site and along the river just out of town where we were lucky enough to see a bear and its cubs. Next we headed back into Banff to get some dinner and back to the campsite for our first peaceful night under canvas.

Lake Louise

Our next day was my favourite of the whole trip. After packing up camp we headed to the beauty of Lake Louise. From the lake level the lake was still half frozen, it looked impressive but not like the pictures. We hiked with the group to the Agnes Lake Tea House which was the most beautiful hike, the further you climb the more impressive the views became. On reaching the Tea House we climbed further through the snow to little beehive where the views were incredible!

We then headed back down to the Tea house for a hot chocolate and lunch before heading back down the trail to the van. We stuck luck on our way out from Lake Louise when the road to Moraine Lake was open. Did you know this was the picture of a MacBook screensaver? After exploring Moraine Lake we headed back to the Lake Louise village to grab a coffee then onto another campsite to get set up for the next night. After dinner and a campsite we headed to bed in this forest campsite.

The next day was full of excitement. We headed into Yoho NP to go whitewater rafting for the morning along the Kicking Horse River. The afternoon we spend hiking around Emerald lake managing to miss the showers when we could. It was then back to the lake Louise campsite.

Jasper

Next up we headed to Jasper. Stopping off at the Icefield Parkway on the way. The beauty is so spectacular, the drive is one of the most scenic mountain landscapes on Earth. The parkway offers an unforgettable journey through a vast wilderness of magnificent peaks, pristine mountain lakes, and broad sweeping valleys. Along the way we stopped at Bow Lake and the Columbia Icefield Centre, where we walked with an expert guide atop the still active Athabasca Glacier. We had an epic hike onto the glacier before heading onto the Jasper campsite.

We woke up in the alpine town of Jasper amid snow-capped mountains and glacier lakes. Today we went for a mountain hike through the snow in the Bald Hills, then headed back into Jasper to explore.

Wells Grey Park

The next morning we sorted our laundry then went an a stroll through Maligne Canyon, the deepest gorge in the Canadian Rockies. The trail is an easy loop that is full of waterfalls, bridges, dense pine forests, and streams that seem to pop out of nowhere. Next we headed onto Mount Robson, the tallest mountain in the Canadian Rockies. We stopped at the visitor centre before jumping back in the van to continue on to Wells Gray PP for an evening by the campfire.

An exciting adventure was on the cards for the next day. We went canoeing in the Canadian wilderness, Clearwater lake. We paddled to the other side of the lake for lunch before heading back to the base. On the way back to the campground we stopped at some of the most fascinating waterfalls in the park, including Helmcken Falls — world famous for being three times taller than Niagara Falls.

Whistler

We were in for a travel day next, but there was plenty to see on the way. As we drove from the densely wooded forests of Wells Gray PP through the Canadian desert and into the coastal mountains of BC. The evening was spend visiting the multimedia night walk in the forest.

The next morning we explored one of Canada’s greatest natural playgrounds. The scenery here was almost dreamlike and one of the best ways to immerse yourself in it all is with a morning hike. We visited a train wreck in the morning. Then got the cable cars up to the top where there was still a lot of snow about. Before hiking around the village and Daisy Lake in the afternoon. That evening we went for dinner in Whistler and on our way back saw more black bears.

Tofino

The next day we took a ferry across to Vancouver Island and visited the ancient Douglas firs. The morning started with a short drive to the ferry terminal before embarking to Nanaimo, also on Vancouver Island. We stopped at a farmers market with goats on the roof for snacks. The continued driving to Tofino on the far west of the island. We arrived in time to witness a gorgeous west coast sunset.

Our next day was an exciting one we got up close and personal with mother nature today on a half-day whale watching tour by Zodiac. We were lucky enough to see humpback whales, seals and sea otters. In the afternoon the hiked on the rugged and untamed landscape and spend time exploring endless stretches of beach. From hikes through rainforests to catching waves out in the Pacific Ocean Tofino is an outdoor adventurers’ paradise.

Victoria

Another travel day, we visited the farmers market for lunch on our journey south to Victoria. We were then out for dinner, our final meal with the group that evening. We enjoyed a tour of the city before a fantastic meal watching the sunset.

Vancouver

The final day of the tour involved hopping on a ferry back to the mainland. Then saying goodbye to the group in Vancouver. But that wasn’t quite the end for us. We hired bikes to cycle around Stanley Park. We then spend the evening hanging out in our hotel, luxury after 2 weeks of camping!

The next morning we visited Gastown to see the steam clock and for brunch. Before catching our flight back to the UK.

Until next time, happy travelling!

Katherine x