Glaciers & Granite: The Ultimate
7 day Roadigo trip with 26 stops: Calgary → Banff → Lake Louise → Icefields Parkway → Jasper → Canmore → Calgary
Calgary → Banff → Lake Louise → Icefields Parkway → Jasper → Canmore → Calgary
Arrival & Banff Vibes
Grab your rental (SUV recommended for those mountain views) and stock up on snacks. The drive west starts flat but the wall of mountains appears surprisingly fast.
Calgary International Airport (YYC)
Grab your rental (SUV recommended for those mountain views) and stock up on snacks. The drive west starts flat but the wall of mountains appears surprisingly fast.
Banff Townsite
Stretch your legs on Banff Avenue. It’s touristy but the view of Cascade Mountain framing the street is iconic. Grab a "BeaverTails" pastry for the road.
Bow Falls
Bow Falls is a major waterfall on the Bow River, Alberta just before the junction of it and the Spray River. They are located near the Banff Springs Hotel and golf course on the left-hand side of River Road.
Mount Norquay Lookout
Drive up the switchbacks for a bird's-eye view of the town and Mount Rundle as the sun starts to dip.
The Iconic Blue Lakes
You have to take a shuttle now (private cars aren't allowed), but seeing the "Twenty Dollar View" from the Rockpile is non-negotiable. It’s even better than the photos.
Moraine Lake
Moraine Lake is a snow and glacially fed alpine lake in Banff National Park, 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) outside the village of Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada. It is situated in the Valley of the Ten Peaks, at an elevation of approximately 1,884 metres (6,181 ft). The lake has a surface area of 50 hectares.
Lake Louise
Lake Louise is a beautiful mountain lake in the middle of Banff National Park in the Alberta Rockies region of Alberta. The lake is surrounded by snow-capped peaks, and at the far end is a large glacier. The lake is quite isolated, but provides a magnificent setting for a luxury resort, the Château Lake Louise, and a conference wing on the 'inland' side of the hotel.
Fairmont Château Lake Louise
Pop inside for a coffee or just admire the architecture. It’s the grand dame of the park.
The Icefields Parkway - South
This is the start of the most beautiful drive in the world. The reflection of Crowfoot Glacier in the water here is stunning.
Bow Lake
This is the start of the most beautiful drive in the world. The reflection of Crowfoot Glacier in the water here is stunning.
Peyto Lake
Banff National Park is in the Alberta Rockies region of Alberta. Together with six other national parks it makes up the UNESCO World Heritage site "Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks". Established in 1885, it is the world's third oldest national park, after Yellowstone National Park in the United States, and Royal National Park in Australia.
Mistaya Canyon
Mistaya Canyon in the western part of the Canadian province of Alberta is formed by the Mistaya River. Tourists visiting Banff National Park often visit the canyon because of its distinctive curvy walls and because it is easy to access, being just off the Icefields Parkway. The 0.
Columbia Icefield
The Columbia Icefield is roughly midway down the Icefields Parkway on Highway 93 in Jasper National Park within the Alberta Rockies. Jasper National Park is adjacent to the north of Banff National Park. The Columbia Icefield has several named glaciers, but the Athabasca Glacier is the main one that is accessible and most visible from the highway and visitor centre.
Glaciers & Giants
Take the "Ice Explorer" snow coach tour out onto the glacier itself, or do the guided "Ice Walk" if you want to touch the ancient blue ice safely.
Athabasca Glacier
The Athabasca Glacier is one of the six principal 'toes' of the Columbia Icefield, located in the Canadian Rockies. The glacier currently loses depth at a rate of about 5 metres (16 ft) per year and has receded more than 1.5 km (0.93 mi) and lost over half of its volume in the past 125 years. Easily accessible, it is the most visited glacier in North America.
Sunwapta Falls
Sunwapta Falls is a pair of waterfalls of the Sunwapta River in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada.
Athabasca Falls
Athabasca Falls is a waterfall in Jasper National Park on the upper Athabasca River, approximately 30 kilometres (19 mi) south of the townsite of Jasper, Alberta, Canada, and just west of the Icefields Parkway.
Jasper Townsite
Much more "chill" and rugged than Banff. Keep an eye out for elk—they literally wander the streets here.
Jasper’s Wild Side
Walk the bridges over the deepest canyon in the Rockies. Some spots drop 50 meters down.
Maligne Canyon
Maligne Canyon is a slot canyon located in the Jasper National Park near Jasper, Alberta, Canada. Eroded out of the Palliser Formation, the canyon measures over 50 metres (160 ft) deep. Popular for sightseeing and exploration, the area contains waterfalls, underground stream outlets, birds and plant life.
Medicine Lake
Keep an eye out for "The Disappearing Lake." In the fall, the water drains out through a massive underground cave system.
Maligne Lake
Maligne Lake is a lake in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada. The lake is famed for the colour of its azure water, the surrounding peaks, the three glaciers visible from the lake, and Spirit Island, a frequently and very famously photographed islet. The lake is located 44 km (27 mi) south of Jasper town, and is accessible by motor vehicle, including shuttle buses from Jasper.
Miette Hot Springs
Miette Hot Springs are commercially developed hot springs in Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada, between the towns of Hinton and Jasper. The pool is outdoors and offers visitors a view of the surrounding Fiddle River Valley.
The High Road Back
We’re heading south now. The views look completely different from this direction.
Jasper to Saskatchewan River Crossing
We’re heading south now. The views look completely different from this direction.
Waterfowl Lakes
A great spot for a picnic. It’s often much quieter than the big-name lakes.
Castle Mountain Lookout
As you head back toward Banff, stop for a photo of this massive limestone fortress that dominates the skyline.
Canmore
This is Banff’s cooler, more "local" neighbor. Check out the Three Sisters peaks and grab a beer at a local brewery.
Canmore & The Flight Home
Head back east across the prairies to drop off the car. Give yourself 3 hours before your flight for security and car return.
Grassi Lakes
The Upper and Lower Grassi Lakes lie at an elevation of about 1,525 m (5,003 ft) in the southern Canadian Rockies overlooking the town of Canmore, Alberta. They receive their water from the Spray Lakes Reservoir on the Spray River. The land is part of the Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park, which is part of the Kananaskis Country park system.
Quarry Lake Park
A perfect final spot for a quick dip (if you’re brave!) or a final gaze at the mountains.
Calgary International Airport (YYC)
Head back east across the prairies to drop off the car. Give yourself 3 hours before your flight for security and car return.
- Book your Moraine Lake/Lake Louise shuttles months in advance—they sell out instantly!