Top Things to do in Canadian Rockies
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The 10 Best Things to do in Canadian Rockies, Canadian Rockies
From Alberta’s southwestern border north into British Columbia, the Canadian Rockies are a network of provincial and national parks that collectively make up a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Banff and Jasper national parks are connected by the Icefields Parkway, one of the most scenic drives in the world. The towns of Canmore, Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper are hubs for adventures including hiking, horseback riding, rafting and wildlife viewing. Accommodation ranges from hotels to mountain lodges.
Restaurants in Canadian Rockies
1. Icefields Parkway
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,845 reviews
Scenic highway cutting through breathtakingly beautiful mountain passes.
Reviewed By BCW_1016 - Charlevoix, United States
We drove it in our rental car leaving Banff at 7:30AM and did not get beck until after 4PM - so much to see! This is an absolutely beautiful drive with many places to stop to take in the marvelous views of mountains, lakes & streams and/or enjoy short hikes. You can see many glaciers on the mountains. We took the drive in mid September and the Aspen trees were a beautiful golden color against the backdrop of green pine trees. Our turning point was at the “Ice Field Center” where we walked up to the glacier. If you wanted to get up close and personal with the ice, tours are available - they take you out onto the glacier on a special bus and let you walk around for a few minutes. A very enjoyable day.
2. Moraine Lake
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5,819 reviews
This beautiful lake nestled in the mountains is best known for its appearance on the back of the Canadian dollar bill.
Reviewed By AlbertSalichs - Manresa, Spain
Moraine Lake is one of the main sightseeings in Banff National Park, one of the three national parks, which are close with others: Yoho, and Jasper National Parks. Here it is possible to do some different excursions (we did one, the Consolation Lake Trial about 6 km surrounding the lake and go up to a the other lake), really a wonderful excursion with great views of the lake and surroundings.. Near the lake, there are some natural areas of forest, where you can see also very beautiful views. A Top in (West) Canada!!! In fact, the best views are from a little top in front of Morraine Lake, from where you can see incredible views of the lake and the Valley of Ten Peaks. (See also Banff National Park, Minnenwanka Lake, Consolation Lake, Louise Lake, Herbert Lake, Hector Lake, Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, Johnston Canyon, Mistaya Canyon, Crowfoot Glacier, Bow Glacier, North Saskatchewan River, Valley of Ten Peaks).
3. Canmore Cave Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,031 reviews
Canmore Cave Tours operates year-round tours in Rat's Nest Cave, near Canmore, Alberta, Canada. For those seeking as much excitement as possible, including squeezes, rappels, and other adrenaline-inducing activities we offer a 6-hour "Adventure Tour". For those just looking to sample what the cave has to offer, or those with less time, we offer a 4.5 hour "Explorer Tour". We can offer these tours year-round, in any weather because the cave is a constant 5 degrees Celsius, a comfortable temperature any time of the year.
Reviewed By Kansiy - Calgary, Canada
Thanks Annie for early morning Monday tour, lots of fun !!!! Me and my kid loved it ... THANKS AGAIN ????????????
4. Peyto Lake
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3,192 reviews
Reviewed By Mary-Meadows - Hamilton, Canada
Driving back from the Icefield we happened upon this hidden gem. We were able to drive to top parking lot so only a short walk out to the lookout through a pine forest that was so beautiful with the snow on the trees from the snow we received that morning (yes in June!) When you get to the lookout the view of Peyto Lake is breathtaking. The colour is brilliant blue. So glad we found this beauty!
5. Athabasca Glacier
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 927 reviews
The snow never melts on this glacier, a major tourist attraction.
Reviewed By Fee_n_Gaz
Take the huge bus up to the glacier for a walk then walk out over the canyon using the glass bridge. Great staff on the bus keeping you entertained and amazing sights, well worth a visit.
6. Banff Gondola
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10,210 reviews
Soar to the top of Sulphur Mountain to experience a stunning bird's-eye view of six incredible mountain ranges. With breathtaking vistas in every direction, your adventure begins with an eight-minute journey to the summit of Sulphur Mountain in a modern, fully enclosed four-passenger gondola cabin. Glide up over the treetops to the crest of a steep-sided Rocky Mountain peak and step out into a jaw-dropping mountaintop experience at an elevation of 2,281 metres (7,486 feet). Stroll along the ridgetop boardwalk where the views get better with every step. Then warm up in our newly transformed, state-of-the-art summit facility. With new restaurants, interactive interpretive exhibits, a multi-sensory theatre and a breathtaking 360-degree rooftop observation deck, the new Banff Gondola summit heightens every sense.
Reviewed By alisona532 - Brisbane Region, Australia
A wonderful gondola ride up Sulphur Mountain for superb views looking down on snow covered pine trees, birds and mountain goats with views of Banff below and 360 deg views of mountains. Truly awe-inspiring. An 'igloo' to go into to thaw out if you get too cold on top of the viewing platform, heaters, staff to take your photos for you with your camera at no extra cost, is all part of it. A fairly steep stair walk for the fit gets you to the summit but is no better a view than the big platform. There is also an interesting mosaic mirror bear statue/artwork on the viewing platform. Very good for the soul to view the natural beauty and the clean air is good for the lungs too.
7. Johnston Canyon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,478 reviews
Scenic wooded canyon with trails for hiking and biking.
Reviewed By GailS905 - Sydney, Australia
This is an absolute must do if you are visiting Banff. What I will warn is that no where does it explain the level of fitness required to do this walk. All the brochures say easy and suitable for all levels of fitness and age...well I have to say I struggled with it. I am in my 60’s and I do have a level of fitness in that I can easily walk 5kms and I swim 1km almost every day but this walk was NOT easy. There is some steep up hill parts albeit short and even the coming down requires use of muscles so that you do not slip. So just a warning to consider. Having said that I did make it and it was very worth while the view from the top falls is AMAZING and we even saw ice climbers in action. If you don’t think you can make it to the top falls, the bottom falls gives you a really good taste of Johnston Canyon and it is easier to get to. We went on a tour but you could easily do it yourself as a lot of people do and then you can take it at your own place and turn around when you like as it is one trail there and back, you cannot get lost.
8. Athabasca Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,708 reviews
A spectacular waterfall in Jasper National Park.
Reviewed By BrittanyMExplores - Winnipeg, Canada
Athabasca Falls is located approximately 30 minutes south of the town of Jasper along the scenic Icefields Parkway. It is a place definitely worth stopping and exploring. There were a network of paved pathways leading to various areas overlooking the waterfalls and viewpoints of the deep and narrow canyon. Athabasca Falls was powerful and gorgeous waterfall with a stunning backdrop of forests, mountains and the river flowing through as huge volumes of water rushed down into the canyon. There were a few lookout points offering different views of the falls along the trails. I visited on a sunny afternoon and the area was quite crowded with some of the lookout areas being very small, so I had to wait my turn in order to get up front and take photos. The pathways were interesting to explore and one of them led through a narrow section between two walls of the canyon with stairs carved into the rocks. There were some great vantage points overlooking the river and the canyon to see where the water had eroded the rock to create caves and unique rock formations over many years. Athabasca Falls was a wonderful area to discover, admire the natural beauty and take plenty of photos. The parking lot was large and could accommodate quite a few vehicles. It would probably be best to visit in the morning during the summer season before the crowds of people show up. If you’re driving the Icefields Parkway, definitely stop here.
9. Maligne Lake
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,494 reviews
Reviewed By 520cynthiab - Pencoed, United Kingdom
We did a boat trip on Maligne Lake, the driver and the guide on the boat were very knowledgeable and chatty, they helped make the trip fun. The lake is large and very beautiful, and once we stopped it was very quiet, I liked that there was only one boat at a time docked. Spirit Island was a little disappointing, I think we all thought it would be larger, it’s only small and not really an Island, but it was interesting hearing all about it.
