Photo by Chris Czermak on Unsplash
Ten days from Calgary to Vancouver: the Bow Valley and the turquoise lakes at Lake Louise, the Icefields Parkway north to Jasper, then two days on a scenic rail journey west to the coast. The mountain days need a car; the train takes the place of the drive.
From average weather, 2021 to 2025: days that are warm but not hot, with few rainy days, score highest. Crowds and prices change through the year, so check them before you book.
Arrive, settle in and see the city center on foot: the tower, the river path and the island park.
A tall tower in the middle of downtown with a viewing deck over the city, the river and, on a clear day, the line of the Rockies to the west. A good way to see where the trip is heading. Check ahead on opening and tickets.
Go when Late afternoon, when the light is soft and the mountains show to the west.
Local tip Go up on a clear day or not at all, because the view is the point. Check ahead on the weather.
A curved pedestrian bridge over the Bow River, a short walk from downtown and one of the city’s best-known landmarks. Cross it on foot and look back at the skyline.
Go when Afternoon, on the walk between downtown and the island park.
Local tip Cross on foot and stop in the middle for the view of the river. Keep to the walking side so cyclists can pass.
A leafy island park in the Bow River just north of downtown, with paths, picnic spots and views of the skyline. A quiet way to end the first day. Check ahead on any closures.
Go when Early evening, before the light goes.
Local tip Walk the loop path and pick a spot on the grass. Bring a layer, because the evenings cool quickly.
The province is known for its beef, from a burger to a steak, a fitting first dinner in the city.
The drive west to the mountains, with a stop in Canmore on the way, then the first views of Banff from the gondola and the river.
A mountain town in the Bow Valley, about halfway between Calgary and Banff, with the Three Sisters peaks above it and a creek running through the middle. A good place to stretch your legs and have a coffee before Banff.
Go when Morning, on the way to Banff.
Local tip Park near the main street and walk to the creek. The Three Sisters show best from the edge of town in clear weather.
A casual lunch on the main street, with a bakery or a cafe on every block, before the drive on to Banff.
A gondola ride up Sulphur Mountain to a ridge with a wide view over Banff, the Bow Valley and the peaks around it. Check ahead on tickets, the weather and the last ride before you drive over.
Go when Late afternoon on a clear day, or first thing the next morning if the cloud is low.
Local tip The weather at the top can differ from the town, so bring a layer. Check ahead before you drive over.
A chain of quiet lakes just west of Banff, with Mount Rundle across the water. Pull over at a lookout and watch the light fade, and check ahead on parking and wildlife notices.
Go when Sunset (about 7:56 PM), when the light turns gold across the water.
Local tip Park only at the marked pull-outs, and give wildlife on the road plenty of room.
A full day around Banff: a canyon walk early, a long lake in the afternoon and a soak in the hot springs at the end.
A limestone canyon with boardwalks that follow the creek past waterfalls. It is very popular, so go early, and check ahead for trail closures, parking and shuttles.
Go when First thing in the morning, before the boardwalks fill.
Local tip The path is narrow in places and often wet, so wear shoes with a grip. Check ahead for closures.
A long, deep mountain lake a short drive from Banff, with a shore path and peaks on every side. Walk a stretch of the shore, and check ahead on parking and wildlife notices.
Go when Late afternoon, before sunset (about 7:56 PM), when the light slants along the lake.
Local tip The wind can pick up on the water, so bring a layer. Check ahead for parking and wildlife notices.
A mineral hot spring pool on the lower slope of Sulphur Mountain, with mountain views from the water. A calm end to the day. Check ahead for tickets and any closures.
Go when Early evening, as the day ends.
Local tip It is a short ride from town, so a taxi or the town bus saves a parking hunt. Check ahead for tickets and closures.
The big lake day. Start early at Moraine Lake, go on to Lake Louise and climb to the tea house. Both lakes limit access, so check ahead on shuttles and parking.
A glacier-fed lake in the Valley of the Ten Peaks, known for its blue color. Access is by shuttle or another restricted way, so check ahead and book early.
Go when The first slot of the day you can book, when the light is low and the shore is quiet.
Local tip Do not drive up on a hope. Check ahead on the shuttle and book before you go, and bring a warm layer.
A turquoise lake below a glacier, with a flat path along the shore and a historic hotel at its foot. Arrive early because parking fills, and check ahead on shuttles from the overflow lots.
Go when Early morning, before the lot fills and the tour groups arrive.
Local tip Walk along the flat shore path to the far end of the lake for a quieter view. Check ahead on parking.
The village a few minutes from the lake has casual cafes and a market, a good place for a sit-down lunch before the climb to the tea house.
A trail climbs from the shore of Lake Louise to a small mountain lake and a historic tea house beside it. Check ahead for trail conditions, wildlife notices and the tea house season.
Go when Afternoon, after the lake, and leave with plenty of daylight left.
Local tip Take water, a layer and food for the way back. Check ahead on trail conditions and the tea house season.
One of the great mountain drives. Leave early, stop at the lake and the glacier, and end the day in Jasper. Services are few on the way, so fill the tank first.
A lake far below a lookout on the Parkway, a vivid blue-green from glacier flour. A short walk from the lot leads to the lookout. Check ahead on parking and road conditions.
Go when Morning, when the light is clean and the lookout is quiet.
Local tip The lookout is a short walk from the lot. Stay behind the railings, and check ahead on road conditions.
A tongue of ice that flows down from the Columbia Icefield beside the Parkway, easy to see from the road and from a path to its foot. Stay on the marked paths and out of the ice, and check ahead on access, tours and the weather.
Go when Midday, when the road is at its clearest.
Local tip It is colder at the glacier than anywhere else on the drive, so bring a jacket. Stay out of the ice and off the closed ground.
A powerful waterfall in a narrow rock gorge beside the road to Jasper, with short paths to railings above the river. Stay behind the railings, and check ahead on parking and closures.
Go when Afternoon, on the way into Jasper.
Local tip The rock near the water is slick, so stay on the paths and behind the railings.
A full day around Jasper. Walk a canyon in the morning, spend the afternoon on a long lake and end by a quiet one. Finish early to be ready for the train.
A deep, narrow limestone canyon with a path and bridges that cross it again and again. Go early, wear shoes with a grip, and check ahead for trail closures and conditions.
Go when First thing in the morning, before the paths fill.
Local tip Start at the top and walk down as far as you like. The bridges and the wet rock need good shoes, so check ahead on conditions.
A long mountain lake with a small island that appears on many a postcard, reached by a scenic road from Jasper. Check ahead on the road, boat trips and wildlife notices, and give animals on the road plenty of room.
Go when Midday, with a few hours to spare.
Local tip The road to the lake can have wildlife on it, so drive slowly and stay in your car near animals. Check ahead on boat trips.
Elk, bison, trout or a bowl of pasta in a relaxed spot in town, a good way to end the last mountain day.
Local tip Eat on the early side, because the train day starts early.
A calm lake a short drive from Jasper with a bare peak rising behind it and a small island linked by a footbridge. Good light at the end of the day. Check ahead on parking.
Go when Early evening, as the light turns.
Local tip It is a short drive from town, so it fits the end of the day. Park only in the marked lots.
A scenic daytime rail journey west from Jasper through the Yellowhead Pass and the river canyons, with a night in Kamloops before the second day to the coast.
Check ahead: This kind of journey runs in season and on set days, so check ahead on the schedule and book it first, then plan the other days around it. It is one way, so the rental car is returned in Jasper.
Leave the car in Jasper and let the train take over. The first day runs west through the Yellowhead Pass and past the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, then stops for the night in Kamloops.
The highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, seen from the rail line as it runs west from Jasper. Look for it on the right-hand side of the train, in a gap between the clouds if you are lucky, and check ahead on which service you are taking.
Go when The first day on the train, in the morning.
Local tip The peak is often in cloud, so keep watching. Ask the staff on board which side to sit on if you can.
Out of the dry Thompson Valley, through the canyons of the Fraser River and down to the coast, ending in Vancouver.
→ Kamloops to Vancouver
Back on ordinary days. The waterfront, the park and the old center, all on foot or by bike.
A big park on a peninsula beside downtown, ringed by a seawall path for walking and cycling, with views of the harbor and the mountains. Allow a few hours.
Go when Morning, when the seawall is quiet.
Local tip Walk or cycle the seawall in the direction of traffic, and leave time to stop at the viewpoints along the way.
The oldest part of the city, with cobbled streets, brick warehouses and a steam clock that whistles on the quarter hour. Good for an unhurried walk. Check ahead on the clock and on events.
Go when Afternoon, as a walk between the park and the water.
Local tip The cobbles are uneven, so wear comfortable shoes. The steam clock is on the main street, and you will hear it before you see it.
Salmon, halibut, prawns or a bowl of chowder, the coast’s own flavors, in a spot near the water.
A peninsula under a bridge with a public market, workshops and a waterfront promenade. Go for the evening light on the water, and check ahead on market hours.
Go when Late afternoon into evening, when the market is winding down and the light is good on the water.
Local tip Come by the small ferry across the water instead of driving, because parking is tight.
One more mountain view, this time from a bridge over a forest, then the trip to the airport.
A long footbridge hung high over a forested river canyon on the north shore, with treetop walks and cliff paths on the far side. Go early, and check ahead on tickets and opening.
Go when Morning, before the day groups arrive.
Local tip The bridge sways, and the paths on the far side are narrow, so go slowly. Check ahead on tickets and opening.
By average weather from 2021 to 2025, June to September are the most comfortable months for walking around Canadian Rockies. This plan is built for mid September, which is one of the best months. Crowds and prices change through the year, so check them before you book.
It covers 10 days in Canadian Rockies, planned for mid September. Each day is built around a small number of stops, with room to rest.
It was planned for most travelers. The pace and the places reflect that, so check it fits how you travel.
No. Places marked "book ahead" need a reservation. Hours, prices and availability change, so confirm before you go.
Yes. Archie drafts a day by day plan for your dates and takes your pace, the weather and who is travelling into account. You can start one from the Archie app.
Yes. It is a starting point you can change to fit your own trip: swap a place, add a day or move the pace.
Each day has about 2.1 to 141.2 kilometers between its stops, and 328.4 kilometers in all across 10 days. A short hop is a walk and a longer one a ride. Distances are straight-line estimates, so allow extra for the streets.
4 big days in Banff and Lake LouiseAbout 100 km awayAn easy add-on
6 days in Glacier National ParkAbout 400 km away
6 days in VancouverAbout 470 km awayAnother guide with a page about Canadian Rockies. It opens in a new tab.
Photo: Benefactor123, CC BY 3.0 on Wikimedia Commons
Make it yours in a minute, then move days around and add what you want.
A trip idea · Updated October 2026
Want your own days planned like this? Plan your own trip on the web or get the Archie app.
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