Best of Canadian Rockies : 1-Week Hiker's Itinerary

The Canadian Rockies has to be one of my favourite nature and hiking destinations. Filled with beautiful glaciers, mountain valleys and endless lakes a road trip through Banff, Yoho and Jasper National park is a must when visiting Canada. Not to mention all the wildlife you will see along the drives; mountain goats, buffalos, moose, elks and even bears if you are lucky.

My itinerary is designed for adventurers who love hiking (a lot of it!) and want to maximize their time and enjoyment in the parks while avoiding crowds as much as possible. Days 2, 3, and 4 can be done interchangeably. I’ve outlined the itinerary we followed, but we stayed flexible, adjusting based on weather conditions and shuttle reservations (more on that later!). If hiking isn’t your thing, don’t worry—this itinerary can still be enjoyed without all the trekking.

Day 1 : Arrival in Calgary

Calgary International Airport is the closest airport to Banff. I recommend flying here and driving to either Canmore or Banff. Both towns are excellent bases for exploring Banff and Yoho National Parks. Banff is larger, more well-known, and popular with tourists, while Canmore is quieter and offers a more budget-friendly option without sacrificing accessibility to the attractions.

We chose to stay in Canmore because it was more affordable but still convenient and accessible to all the attractions! We arrived late on this day and chose to relax, but if you do arrive early I suggest exploring Banff town, there are plenty of attractions, restaurants and places to unwind and settle in!

Day 2 - Morraine Lake - Sentimental Pass Hike and kayaking on the lake!

Morraine Lake situated in Banff National Park is one of the most visited lakes in the region. With picturesque blue-green waters and a stunning mountain backdrop it is a must when visiting the Canadian Rockies!

When visiting the key is to plan ahead!

Access to Moraine Lake is restricted to a public shuttle service from Lake Louise Park and Ride. Reservations generally open in April for the upcoming season and can be booked on the Parks Canada website. I recommend booking early, especially for peak summer months, as time slots fill up quickly. Departures start as early as 6 a.m. and continue until approximately 7 p.m., depending on the season.

Our first hike of the trip was Sentimental Pass Hike; a trek spans a 7.2mile round trip and takes you through the breathtaking alpine scenery showcasing views or Morraine Lake, Larch Valley and Paradise Valley. Taking roughly 4-6hours with a 725m elevation gain this is a moderate to challenging hike filled with a with a mix of terrain, including switchbacks and steady climbs as you approach the summit at Sentinel Pass.

To stay on track, I always use the AllTrails app and recommend downloading the trail map beforehand—it’s a lifesaver!

The hike we chose to do was Plain of Six Galciers - Big Beehive - Lake Agnes Tea House, 11.3 miles, upto 1000m elevation gains and take anywhere between 7-10 hours - this is a long hike and ranked as difficult. Essentially it combine 3 hikes into one, showcasing multiple lakes, glaciers and mountains. If this does not sound like your cup of Tea, fear not, most people choose to do a fraction of the hike and venture to Lake Agnes Tea House (2.3 miles one way), Big Beehive (3.2 miles one way) or both only!

So how do you get to Lake O'Hare?

• Shuttle Bus - the ideal and easiest way to access the Lake'O Hare. Now for the not so great news, it is extremely difficult to secure a shuttle bus reservation with only 2 (as of 2024) ingoing time slots each day. You can find all the information on reserving your tickets here: Parks Canada - Lake O'Hare. For 2025, the website shows a random draw for tickets!

• Hike in - For the unlucky ones like myself, who did not manage to secure a reservation - fear not, you can still access this gorgeous lake! Hiking the O'Hara Road from the parking lot to the lake, also the same road the shuttle drives through, will take you straight to the final destination. It is a 11km road, with 400m total elevation, a lot of ups and downs and will take between 2-4 hours to complete. If you do choose to do the hike in, again, I advise starting early as you may be able to catch a shuttle back. We started the hike in at 7:30am arriving at the lake at 9:30am. Currently there are more returning shuttles back and if they are not full, you will be able to return on the bus. Please carry cash as cash is the only form of payment.

Day 6 - Sulphur Skyline Trail

Day 6 and we are back to longer hikes, choosing Sulphur Skyline Trail in Jasper National Park. This trail is a moderately hard 5 mile round trip hike with a steep ascent but offering stunning panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys at the summit. After the hike is the options to relax in the nearby Miette Hot Springs offering some relaxation after an active day!

So you made it to the Lake, how do you spend the day?

We started by sitting on a small bench, enjoying a light bite after the long morning walk, and admiring the peacefully surrounds. Then, we started hiking! Our hike of choice for the day, one I also recommend is: Lake O'Hara and Lake Oesa Via Alpine Loop Trail.

5.6 miles, moderately difficulty (for the average active person) and showcasing two beautiful lakes, this hike is a must! It will take anywhere between 3-5 hours depending on your hiking abilities and I do advise downloading the trail map from All Trails. Follow it carefully as it can be easy to go off-track on this one! We definitely made our route longer than needed but wandering the wrong way a few times!

As the shuttles back run every 2 hours, we aimed to return for the 2:30pm shuttle back. I advise to get to the stop slightly earlier. The rangers will sort passengers into 2 lines, one for the ticket holders and another for those hopefuls trying to bag a ride back If the bus is not full!

Day 7 - Valley of Five Lakes to Calgary

On the final full day in the Rockies, it's time to head back to Calgary. But before you leave, enjoy on last easy hike at Valley of the Five Lakes in Jasper National Park. Showcasing 5 tranquil lakes in just under 3 miles, this trail is a nice way to end an activity filled week in the Rockies. We took our time strolling along the trail, snapping photos, and savouring the tranquility by the water.

Where to Stay:
For accommodation, you can choose between Jasper or Hinton. Jasper offers the convenience of being inside the park, with options ranging from hotels to lodges and cabins. Hinton, located just 15 minutes east of the park, is a more budget-friendly alternative with access to grocery stores and restaurants.

Day 5 - Emerald Lake/ Bow Lake/ Peyto Lake to Hinton or Jasper

On Day 5, we make our way to Jasper National Park, breaking up the drive by exploring more stunning lakes along the way. We dedicated this day to a travel day with less intense activities. On the drive to Jasper you can choose to stop and explore one or more of the remaining beautiful lakes - Emerald, Bow and Peyto lake.

• Bow Lake: We chose to hike the Bow Glacier Falls Trail, a 5.5-mile out-and-back hike that leads to picturesque waterfalls and glacier-fed waters.

• Emerald Lake: largest lake in Yoho National Park, is a stunning destination where you can enjoy kayaking, paddleboarding, or simply relaxing amidst breathtaking scenic surroundings

• Peyto Lake: a glacier-fed gem in Banff National Park, is famous for its striking turquoise colour and breathtaking views from Bow Summit.

After completing the Hike there are many options to enjoy the lake. One of the best ways to enjoy the turquoise waters is the rent a Kayak and spent some time on the glistening water

Day 3 - Lake O'Hare

Now this was my favourite lake in the whole region. And it is special for a reason. Protected from mass tourists, a trip to Lake O'Hare situated in Yoho National Park and is a true gem in the Banff region . The lake is emerald green, quiet and peaceful and provides the utmost tranquility for your nature adventures.

Day 4 - Lake Louise

Lake Louise - located in Banff National Park, this is another one that will be on everyone's Banff Itinerary. Family friendly and easily accessible (again only by shuttle bus from Lake Louise Park and Ride) I found Louise to be the most touristic/visited lake on my trip. There is a luxurious resort - Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise situated by the Lake and the initial impressions as I arrived gave touristic vibes. None the less, the lake is stunning and a must visit, just expect lots of crowds - even if you do start early!

tea break at Lake Agnes Tea House!