Western Rockies Drive & Hike

7 Days & 6 Nights 5 Read 2 reviews

Get off-the-beaten-path and experience the wild Western Rockies
Explore four National Parks on foot: Banff, Yoho, Glacier, and Mt. Revelstoke
Keep an eye out for wolves, moose, bears, and big horn sheep
Visit true Canadian mountain towns Canmore, Golden, and Revelstoke
Travel the Bow Valley Parkway and Powder Highway—two classic drives

If you are looking for mountain solitude, rejuvenating wilderness, and hikes through rugged, glaciated landscapes, this is the tour or you. On an off-the-beaten path adventure, you’ll explore parts of the Canadian West that few tourists ever see. Starting in Canmore, a laidback basecamp for Banff National Park, where you’ll get oriented to the vast Rocky Mountain landscape. Travel west through the Purcell, Selkirk, and Monashee Ranges, all a hiker’s paradise. You’ll put in plenty of effort on daily hikes, but you’ll be rewarded with alpine scenery, from the contrast of high peaks and lush valleys of the Iceline Trail to the wildflowers of Mt. Revelstoke National Park. And each night you’ll find yourself tucked into hand-picked accommodations and wake up to hearty breakfasts cooked by locals – it doesn’t get more Canadian than this.

What To Expect

Travel restrictions and resources, to and from any destination

This adventurous drive & hike tour takes you to colorful mountain towns and hikes in four national parks. The itinerary includes routes that will get you closer to the summits and wildlife of the region, and further from the crowds. Moderate to challenging hikes will have you out on the trail for 5-8 hours (averaging 8-9 miles per day ) with significant ascent and descent. This tour suits an experienced hiker looking to be wowed by this outdoor playground.

Tour Style:

Self Guided | Go at your own pace on an independent tour.

Activity:

Drive & Hike | Enjoy the best of a large region by car and on foot. Day hikes in the best places. Itinerary usually inn to inn, with mapping provided. No bag transfer. Car hire offered as an option or included.

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Wildlife, National Parks & Trails, Mountains

Activity Level & Terrain

The hiking trails are paths on dirt, gravel, and rock – although they are maintained by Parks Canada there is always the possibility of washed out, snow-covered, or overgrown conditions.

Navigation

Navigating is easy using the Macs Adventure Navigation App. Your daily hikes will be mapped in the app with GPX tracks, route notes, and turn-by-turn directions. You can download all of the routes for use offline, which means you won’t need cell service or Wi-Fi (which are often unreliable outside of your accommodations). Written turn-by-turn driving directions are included in the app; although the drives are straightforward, you may still consider using a GPS device while in the car. You will also have 24/7 Macs Adventure telephone support.

Experience & Fitness

The hiking on this trip is moderate to challenging. Hikes will typically take 5-8 hours, averaging 8-9 miles and several thousand feet of ascent and descent. To get the most from your trip, you should be a regular hiker and do some training prior to departure to get accustomed to hiking every day.

Due to the nature of the itinerary, you will return to your car after each hike; therefore, you can always shorten a hike by turning back early. In addition, there are sometimes options for hikes of differing lengths (eg, the Iceline Trail).

Note: You will be hiking and traveling in bear country. Your pre-departure information pack will outline the best practices for responsible travel in bear country and other wildlife-specific practices.

Accommodations

Stay six nights in hand-picked accommodations, chosen for their character, comfort, and Rocky Mountain charm. While each accommodation differs in style - from B&Bs to cabins, lodges, and boutique hotels - they all offer outstanding service, excellent food and warm hospitality.

As a popular summer destination with a short hiking season, lodging in this region fills early; therefore early booking is recommended. The properties shown here are the ones we use most frequently. If we are unable to secure you a room in the following properties at the time of your booking, we will do our best to accommodate you in an alternate property which we have selected for their standard of comfort (we will let you know this before we confirm your booking). For some nights it is also possible to upgrade your lodging.

Single Rooms

This trip is based on two people sharing a room. If you’d like separate rooms, a single supplement is required. If you would like to request a twin room (same room with two separate beds), pleasenotify us during booking so we can request this option where it is available. This trip is not available to solo hikers.

Meals

Breakfast is included each morning. Typical breakfasts include juice, tea, coffee, yogurt, granola, breads, jams, eggs or a choice of hot dish. Please notify us of any dietary restrictions at the time of booking.

Lunches and dinners are not included. There are places to purchase picnic provisions in each of your overnight destinations and we recommend taking a lunch with you on the trail. For dinner, choose from the nearby restaurants; just ask your host if reservations are needed.

Included

6 nights in characterful accommodations (B&Bs & lodges)
6 Breakfasts
Detailed digital pre-departure information pack
Turn-by-turn digital route notes
Macs Adventure Navigation App for your smartphone
24/7 telephone support

Excluded

Travel to/from Canmore & Revelstoke
Car rental
Lunches, dinners, snacks, and drinks
Personal equipment
Travel Insurance
National Parks Passes

Extras

Additional nights before, during or after the trip
Accommodation upgrades (if applicable)

When To Go

The hiking season in the Canadian Rockies is relatively short as snow can remain in the mountains until early summer and autumn arrives early with cool temperatures and higher chances of snow falling (although it can snow during the summer months here too). The opening of trails in early season is dependent on the previous winter’s snowpack and can change dramatically from year to year.

June and July bring the longest days, with July and August being the warmest months. However, weather is variable in the Rockies, and you should be prepared for a range of conditions. The optimal months for wildflowers are mid-July to mid-August, which also brings higher numbers of tourists. September and early October are characterized by typically drier weather and fewer crowds, making this a great time to visit. Depending on your adventure goals, any time between June and October offers a memorable Canadian Rockies experience!

Availability

This trip is available mid-June through early-October (ending Canadian Thanksgiving, the second Monday of the month). As this region is a highly popular tourist destination, we suggest booking as far in advance as possible for a better chance at securing your desired dates. This tour is available to start any day of the week.

Getting to the Start

Fly into Calgary International Airport (YYC) and rent a car from there. Driving to Canmore takes 1 hours 20 minutes.

Getting from the End

You may choose to return your car and fly from the Calgary International Airport (YYC) (4.5 hour drive). You may also choose drive to return your car and fly from the Kelowna International Airport (YLW) (2.5 hour drive).

General Information

You will need a car for this itinerary. Either plan to drive to the trip start or fly to Calgary and rent a car (1 hour 20 minutes from Canmore). if you wish, we can arrange a rental car for you for an additional charge.

Visas

For US citizens traveling in Canada for less than 180 days, no visa is required. You are required to have a valid passport with a blank passport page.

For non-US citizens travelling to Canada, an electronic travel authorisation (eTA) is required to enter. For more information about the eTA system, and to apply online, visit the official Canadian government website. See Entry requirements.

Equipment

Our pre-departure information pack includes a detailed equipment list on what to take with you. This includes warm and cold weather gear, hiking boots, rain gear, and lots of other specifics. If you have any questions about what to take, we'd be happy to share our own top tips and advice.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance helps protect your travel investment, your belongings and most importantly you, from unforeseen circumstances that may arise before or during your trip. For more information, please visit our travel insurance page.

How far in advance do I need to book?

What is responsible travel in bear country?

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Canmore Day 2 Hike Bourgeau Lake 9 miles / 15 km Day 3: Hike the Iceline Trail & Drive to Golden 12.5 miles / 7.7 km

Your full drive from Canmore to Golden is only 2 hours but get an early start because you’ll stop halfway to experience one of Yoho National Park’s most famous hikes, the Iceline Trail. You’ll have the option to head straight for the summit on an out-and-back tour through this geologically young landscape, where the glaciers only recently retreated. Or opt for a longer loop hike for a full day adventure, descending through the Little Yoho Valley.

The town of Golden is home to Kicking Horse Mountain Resort and you’ll find this authentic railway-turned-ski-town nestled in the valley between two mountain ranges and at the confluence of two mighty rivers. You may be ready to go straight to your night’s lodging just outside town, where warm hospitality will distract you from your tired legs and sore feet, so kick back and explore the “Heart of the Parks” region tomorrow.

Hike: 7.7 mi +2263 ft, 5 hrs

Extended circuit hike: 11.6 mi +2329, 8 hrs

Overnight Golden

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Home Lodge | Bed and breakfast

A unique and unforgettable experience, staying at Lynn and Sigi’s mountain-style boutique lodge provides seclusion and tranquillity only a few minutes from the town of Golden. Stylish but comfortable rooms, an outdoor hot tub, and gourmet homemade breakfasts are only part of the package – the 40-acre setting, Scottish Highland cattle, and enthusiastic hospitality are the real Home Lodge signature.

Moberly Lodge | Lodge

With mountain views on both sides, hand-hewn log architecture, and elegantly decorated guest rooms, the Moberly Lodge is sure to exceed your idea of what a mountain lodge can be. Top it off with Lucille’s bubbling generosity and homecooked breakfasts, and you’ll wonder why you have to leave Golden.

Le Beausoleil B&B | Bed and breakfast

This small but comfortable craftsmen style timberframe B&B will immediately put you at ease with mountain views from the hot tub and energetic hosts Heather and Bob ready to answer any questions you may have. After a day on the trail, kick back and relax on the garden patio or easily access downtown Golden.

Day 4 Hike Balu Pass and Wildlife Afternoon in Golden - 8 miles 8 miles / 13 km

The drive into Glacier National Park will deposit you at the Rogers Pass Discovery Center, the starting point for your hike up to Balu Pass. A creekside approach through spruce and hemlock forests brings you to the alpine zone for the final push, worthwhile for the icefield views you’ll get from the top.

In the afternoon, drive back to Golden and experience Canada’s unique wildlife. Choose from the Kicking Horse Grizzly Centre, the Northern Lights Wolf Centre, or the Rocky Mountain Buffalo Ranch (all entrance fees payable locally). You’ll have an even deeper appreciation for this place once you learn about the natural history of its four-legged inhabitants.

Hike: 8 mi, +/-2585 ft, 4 hrs

Overnight Golden

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Home Lodge | Bed and breakfast

Moberly Lodge | Lodge

Le Beausoleil B&B | Bed and breakfast

Day 5: Asulkan Valley Hike and Drive to Revelstoke 8.6 miles / 14 km

Hop back on the Powder Highway, a route made famous by the unparalleled snow conditions it receives in the winter; you’ll see evidence of this by the avalanche bridges that funnel snow over the highway. Further west than your trip yesterday, the Asulkan Valley hike follows the valley carved out by the Asulkan Glacier. Beginning in lush forests and shade, you’ll soon find yourself amid the rocky moraines, reluctant snow patches, and milky glacial runoff hundreds of feet above the highway. Go as far as you’d like, and if you have the energy top out at the simple mountain hut at the head of the valley before returning the way you came.

The last hour of driving to Revelstoke may be a blur of mountain bliss and tired muscles but try to keep your eyes open as you descend into the western Columbia Range. Revelstoke with its vibrant, walkable downtown streets welcomes you for the next two nights, where you’ll be sure to end the tour on a high note.

Hike: 8.6 mi +/2851 ft, 6 hrs

Overnight Revelstoke

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Holten Heritage House | Bed and breakfast

This 1897 Victorian mansion, the social epicenter for Revelstoke elite during the mining boom, retains much of its historic charm while offering a comfortable and characterful basecamp in this bustling mountain town. In addition to the antique furnishings and fireplace lounge, the fresh, healthy breakfasts are a highlight.

Journey’s Perch | Guest House

A recently converted church, many of the small details have been preserved – from the stained-glass windows to the vaulted ceilings – in this newly renovated guesthouse that caters to the active traveller. Breakfasts at the oversized wood ‘picnic’ table and user-friendly common areas make this a great place to rub elbows with other outdoors enthusiasts.

Alpenrose B&B | Bed and breakfast

You’ll feel like you’re visiting family at Amber’s 5-room B&B with her attention to every detail, from comfortable rooms to a hearty, from-scratch breakfast. The location just outside town makes for quiet escape with easy access.