5 Days in the Canadian Rockies: Banff to Jasper
Five days lets you drive the Icefields Parkway from Banff to Jasper — the most scenic road in Canada — with time for Lake Louise, the Columbia Icefield and a hike or two along the way.
Five days lets you drive the Icefields Parkway from Banff to Jasper — the most scenic road in Canada — with time for Lake Louise, the Columbia Icefield and a hike or two along the way.
The full plan
Arrive in Banff; ride the gondola to Sulphur Mountain and walk the summit boardwalk.
Lunch in Banff town.
Soak in the Upper Hot Springs and stroll the Bow River trail.
Dinner downtown — the Bison or Eden.
Sunset at Surprise Corner.
Banff town
Canoe Lake Louise at first light, before the crowds.
Picnic at the lake or village deli.
Shuttle to Moraine Lake and the Rockpile Trail; hike to Lake Agnes Tea House if time allows.
Dinner at the Chateau Lake Louise.
Drive the Bow Valley Parkway toward the Icefields Parkway.
Lake Louise village
Start the Icefields Parkway early; stop at Bow and Peyto Lakes.
Picnic at Peyto or the Columbia Icefield Centre.
Ride the Ice Explorer onto the Athabasca Glacier and walk the Glacier Skywalk.
Dinner at the Columbia Icefield Centre or continue to Sunwapta.
Continue north toward Jasper.
Sunwapta Falls or Hinton
Arrive in Jasper; walk Maligne Canyon.
Lunch in Jasper town.
Cruise to Spirit Island on Maligne Lake, or ride the Jasper SkyTram.
Dinner in Jasper town.
Stargaze in the Dark Sky Preserve.
Jasper townsite
Visit Athabasca and Sunwapta Falls.
Lunch in Jasper town.
Explore Pyramid Lake or shop for souvenirs before departing.
Optional early dinner in Jasper.
Drive south to Edmonton/Calgary or stay a final night.
Jasper or onward
Where to stay
Banff, Lake Louise, Sunwapta/Hinton, then Jasper town.
Stay in the heart of The Canadian Rockies
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Turquoise lakes and Rocky Mountain peaks.
Stampede city with a skyline and river valley.
Dark-sky wilderness north of Banff.