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Rachelle Rutgrink
Ultimate Banff, Jasper, Yoho, Kootenay and Glacier Outdoors guide (70 curated spots + 7-day itinerary)
Welcome to the pristine wilderness of Canada's most iconic national parks – Banff, Yoho, Kootenay, Glacier, and Jasper. Embark on an unforgettable journey through these breathtaking landscapes, where towering mountain peaks, turquoise glacial lakes, and verdant forests await your exploration. Lace up your boots, breathe in the crisp alpine air, and let our guide lead you through a tapestry of natural wonders, immersing you in the untamed beauty and rich biodiversity of these remarkable wilderness areas. Your next unforgettable adventure begins here.
*** WHAT YOU GET IN THIS GUIDE ***
- 70 curated spots. Way more than any traditional guide!
- A FREE 7 day itinerary
- Discount suggestions where possible
- A collection of EASY, MEDIUM and HARD trails for day hiking.
- Beautiful pictures of Canada's rocky mountains
- A collection of good cafes, restaurants and coffee shops.
- A collection of outdoor stores for mountain gear.
- Fun trips for beginner and seasoned adventurers.
- A packing list for outdoor adventures.
- A list of important, must-know information such as a wildlife, seasonal information and useful tips from someone who has hiked the Rockies.
*** WHO YOU SUPPORT THROUGH YOUR PURCHASE ***
Meet Rachelle, a fervent outdoor enthusiast hailing from Maastricht, whose very essence thrives amidst the beauty of the natural world. With an unyielding passion for outdoor travel and a profound love for hiking, Rachelle has become a modern-day explorer, traversing untamed paths and scaling peaks in pursuit of exhilarating adventures.
In sharing her outdoor odysseys, she kindles a spark within others to embrace the allure of the great outdoors. Their adventurous narrative beckons fellow wanderers to heed the call of the wild, lace up their boots, and set forth on the trail of discovery. As we embark on this journey alongside her, their story becomes an anthem to the joys of hiking, reminding us that the path less traveled is often the most rewarding.
Adventure • Budget • Luxury • Foodie • Nature • People & Culture • Sustainable/Eco • Road Trip • Mountain • Camping • Van Life • Slow Travel
Free
10
So, you're going to the Canadian Rockies?
After living in Montana for many years, I knew and expected the terrain to be quite similar. I was in for quite the surprise when this area of Canada turned out to be one of the most beautiful places I've EVER visited.
Below you'll find my favorite stops (separated by location) that we found along the way from Edmonton to Calgary (and a few stops over in BC!), along with tips on the area and an interactive map. I've included the hotels used personally, as well as some additional top rated stays at several price points. I've also included some stops that we didn't make it to this first time around, but we will definitely be heading back for them!
Quick Disclaimer: Respect nature and wildlife. Wildlife is WILD and nature is natural. Treat them as such. Leave no trace when outdoors, and respect wildlife by giving them space.
Locations included:
🏔️ Edmonton
🏔️ Jasper National Park
🏔️ Banff National Park
🏔️ Banff, Alberta (town)
🏔️ Lake Louise (town)
🏔️ Canmore, Alberta
🏔️ Calgary, Alberta
I've added quite a few hotel options, as they all book up extremely quickly and are not cheap. I did highlight the ones we stayed at as well as provided descriptions of those!
Pssst. Above is the exact route we drove also! We drove up from Montana, but flying in to Edmonton and renting a car or RV to drive this itinerary down through to Calgary is an awesome option. If you wish to continue this trip further like we did, drive down to Yoho and Kootenay National Parks in BC and Glacier National Park in Montana from Calgary! I have a separate guide for Glacier, but highly recommend if you have the time!
I have listed a variety of different things from nature and hiking to food and craft beer to a few select "other" options (that don't involve hiking). However, this guide primarily focuses on the true beauty of nature in Canada. You won't run out of options!
We found the Parks in Canada to be extremely accessible, dog friendly, and overall pretty clean. The red Adirondack chairs were the coolest thing, and I'm not going to explain that... You'll see what I mean.
Couples • Groups • Plus Size • Digital Nomads • LGBTQ+ • Families • Backpackers • Solo Female • Pets • 50+ • Adventure • People & Culture • Wellness • Overlanding • RV • Van Life • Photography • Road Trip • Coffee • Mountain • Camping • Relaxation • Romantic • Nature • Luxury • Budget • Foodie • History
$19.98
4
This guide will walk you through Jasper National Park, including the best hikes, as well as budget-friendly things to do and places to stay.
Make sure to check out my Banff National Park guide, as well as my Yoho, Glacier, and Mt. Revelstoke National Park guide, for a complete trip to the National Parks in the Canadian Rockies!
Total trip time: 3-5 days
Nearest major city: Calgary or Edmonton
Backpacker • Couples • Digital Nomads • Family • Groups • Female Solo • Adventure • Budget • Camping • Outdoors • Overlanding • RV • Sustainable/Eco • Van Life • Shopping • Road Trip
Free
3
Alberta is a beautiful province with stunning landscapes and plenty of outdoor activities. Here's a 4-day itinerary to explore Jasper, Lake Louise, Banff, Canmore, and Calgary. Alberta is an outdoor enthusiast's paradise, so be sure to make time for hiking, wildlife viewing, and enjoying the natural beauty of the Canadian Rockies.
Adventure • Nature • Road Trip • Relaxation
Free
3
West Canada glace road
- Unlimited access to the interactive map
- Unlimited access to detailed information
- More than 114 things to do including accommodation, activities, attractions, beaches, mountains, hikes, some secret places and more...
- Unlimited access to several types of suggested routes
- Direct links to service reservation pages
- Different itinerary suggestions depending on your interests.
- Recommendations
50+ • Accessibility • Backpacker • Digital Nomads • Family • Gluten-free / Celiac • Groups • Vegan • Female Solo • Plus Size • Pets • Adventure • Budget • Camping • Coffee • History • Outdoors • Overlanding • People & Culture • Photography • RV • Slow Travel • Road Trip • Van Life • Sustainable/Eco
$39.00
0
Embark on an unforgettable road trip through the breathtaking landscapes of Banff National Park to Jasper National Park, a journey that promises awe-inspiring vistas and natural wonders. As you navigate the scenic Icefields Parkway, you'll be surrounded by towering mountain peaks, turquoise lakes, and glaciers. Witness the iconic beauty of Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, framed by majestic peaks, before venturing northward to the rugged charm of Jasper National Park. Along the way, encounter diverse wildlife, including elk and bears, and be captivated by the serene beauty of Athabasca Falls. This road trip is a celebration of Canada's pristine wilderness, offering an immersive experience in the heart of the Rocky Mountains.
Family • Couples • Backpacker • Adventure • People & Culture • Coffee • Outdoors • Foodie • Road Trip • Romantic • Slow Travel • Budget
$10.00
0
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