Glacial lakes, icy peaks & alpine craft beer
Glacial lakes, icy peaks & alpine craft beer
AB T2N 1X2, CanadaAB T6E 2A1, Canada
Trip overview
Journey through the heart of the Canadian Rockies from Calgary to Edmonton, experiencing world-famous turquoise lakes, roaring canyons, the majestic Icefields Parkway, and cozy mountain town culture.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1 — AB T2N 1X2
Higher Ground Cafe
Cozy local Kensington coffeehouse serving organic fair-trade coffee and hearty breakfast fare before heading west into the mountains.
1126 10 St NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1X2, Canada
Johnston Canyon Trail
A dramatic catwalk trail built into limestone canyon walls leading past roaring lower and upper waterfalls into pristine forest.
Bow Valley Pkwy, Banff National Park, AB T0L 0E0, Canada
Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive
Stunning glacial lake loop offering sweeping mountain panoramas, lakeside picnic spots, and frequent bighorn sheep sightings.
Lake Minnewanka Scenic Dr, Banff, AB T1L 1K2, Canada
Day 2 — AB T0L 1E0
Moraine Lake & Valley of the Ten Peaks
Iconic turquoise glacial lake framed by ten jagged 3,000-meter peaks, offering surreal canoeing and rockpile viewpoint hikes.
Moraine Lake Rd, Lake Louise, AB T0L 1E0, Canada
Lake Agnes Tea House Trail
A scenic mountain hike from Lake Louise up to an historic alpine tea house built in 1901 serving fresh baking and tea.
Lake Agnes Trail, Lake Louise, AB T0L 1E0, Canada
Day 3 — AB T0L 1E0
Peyto Lake Viewpoint
Famous wolf-head-shaped lake renowned for its intense electric turquoise water fed by glacial rock flour from Bow Glacier.
Icefields Pkwy, Improvement District No. 9, AB T0L 1E0, Canada
Sunwapta Falls
Thunderous waterfall carved by glacial meltwaters surging around a small pine island before plunging into a deep canyon.
Icefields Pkwy, Jasper National Park, AB T0E 1E0, Canada
Day 4 — AB T0E 1E0
Spirit Island & Maligne Lake Cruise
A panoramic boat trip across deep glacial waters to the sacred and world-renowned Spirit Island surrounded by towering granite peaks.
Maligne Lake Rd, Jasper National Park, AB T0E 1E0, Canada
Jasper Brewing Company
Canada's first brewpub inside a national park, crafting crisp mountain-water beers paired with pulled pork poutine and bison burgers.
624 Connaught Dr, Jasper, AB T0E 1E0, Canada
Day 5 — AB T0E 1E0
Miette Hot Springs
Hottest natural mineral springs in the Canadian Rockies, cooled to comfortable pool temperatures framed by Fiddle Valley peaks.
Miette Rd, Jasper National Park, AB T0E 1E0, Canada
Beaver Boardwalk
An extensive wetland boardwalk built around active beaver ponds, ideal for spotting wildlife and learning about boreal ecology.
Collinge Rd, Hinton, AB T7V 1L4, Canada
MEAT
Laid-back barbecue joint in Edmonton's historic Old Strathcona neighborhood offering smokehouse ribs, brisket, and local craft brews.
10465 82 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T6E 2A1, Canada
Experiences & guides
Bookable tours and stops worth a detour along this route.
Guide content may not reflect current conditions. Always verify information before your trip.
Frequently asked questions
The Canadian Rockies road trip covers about 700 mi and roughly 14h 14m of driving, comfortably spread across about 5 days.
This itinerary maps out 12 stops from AB T2N 1X2, Canada to AB T6E 2A1, Canada. Highlights include Moraine Lake & Valley of the Ten Peaks, Peyto Lake Viewpoint, and Spirit Island & Maligne Lake Cruise.
It begins in AB T2N 1X2, Canada and ends in AB T6E 2A1, Canada, following a mapped, road-following route the whole way.
The estimated cost is around $1,814, covering fuel, lodging, food, and activities. Your actual total varies with the season, your pace, and the choices you make along the way.
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