Canadian Rocky Mountans: explore, amaze and enjoy

Posted byAngelaPosted inCanada, hotel, tips, Travel TipsTags:, , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Lake Louise ,Banff,Canada
Lake Louise

Life is not easy in an “urban jungle,” and it is just filled with monotonous days, stress, street noise and bustle. 

Escaping from the city and being in the park always brings me great enjoyment. Only in nature I can rest, get harmony, emotional balance and recharge. 

My favorite season is fall, but I can find beauty all year around: winter — white and fluffy, spring — goose is coming back, and everything is becoming alive, summer — green and sunny, autumn — colorful and peaceful. 

Canadian Rocky Mountans, mountains,Canada,Banff

I also enjoy the mountains. They are so powerful and inspiring.  

When I was standing on the top of the mountain in Jasper and looked at the stunning panorama… ah… that took my breath away… so impressive. 

We had an unforgettable experience when we visited the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks in Banff and Jasper. 

But, enough lyrics. It’s time to share my travel tips. 

Travel tips: 

Comfortable shoes and a warm jacket or hoody.
Canadian Rocky Mountans, Whistlers Mountain, Jasper,Banff, Canada
Whistlers Mountain, Jasper

No matter what season you are going to the Rocky Mountain Parks, you will need warm clothes and comfortable shoes. This is must-have clothes. (I wasn’t prepared.)

Pass to the park 
Banff, Canada, Alberta
Banff, Alberta, Canada

All visitors must purchase the pass to entrance the park and it’s not the same that you  probably already bought for the park. 

You have to buy a pass at the park entrance.

You will need to pay for each person in the vehicle for the number of days you will be  staying in the park. 

The cost for a daily pass is $10.  

Accommodation. 
Banff, Alberta, Canada, mountains
Banff, view from my hotel room

Book your hotel in advance and look for deals, because there is a limited choice of hotels and high prices. 

If you are planning to stay in Banff, you might also check hotels in Canmore as a possible option. Canmore is located close to the Banff and it is only 20 min drive. But if you could stay in Banff, I think it would be better. 

Explore highway #1a and 93. 
Canadian Rocky Mountans
Canadian Rocky Mountans

Banff is an absolutely lovely town. I really enjoyed being there and walking around. But there is more remarkable beauty to discover. 

I heartily recommend you explore Lake Louise and Highway #1a and 93. This is a wonderful road and a good alternative to the Trans-Canada Highway. 

What you will see there: 

Lake Louise 
Lake Louise , Banff, Canada,
Lake louise

Lake Louise is a picturesque hamlet in Banff National Park and absolutely world famous for gorgeous turquoise and fascinated mountains, hiking trails, canoeing and skating in the winter. 

Lake Louise is a must-see place with the incredible and stunning Canadian Rocky Mountains. 

Bow Valley Parkway 
Canadian Rocky Mountans, train,Banff
Bow Valley Parkway

The Bow Valley Parkway is 48 km long (one-way) and brings tourists to a spectacular route between Banff and Lake Louise with roadside viewpoints and breathtaking scenery. 

Johnston Canyon 
Canadian Rocky Mountans, hwy 1a, Johnston Canyon
Johnston Canyon

Johnston Canyon is a popular destination for hikers, because it is not only the best alpine pass in the Rocky Mountains, but also has magnificent nature, bridges, waterfalls and ‘blue’ spring pools. 

Canadian Rocky Mountans, hwy 1a, Johnston Canyon
Johnston Canyon
Morant’s Curve 
Canadian Rocky Mountans, Morant's Curve, Banff, Canada
Morant’s Curve

Morant’s Curve is another attractive area, where the Canadian Pacific Railway passes through. It’s worth to seeing it and also, you might spot wild animals along the roadside, especially early in the morning. 

Hector Lake 
Canadian Rocky Mountans, Hector Lake, Banff, hwy 1a
Hector Lake

Hector Lake is a small glacial lake and is named after James Hector, a geologist and naturalist with the Palliser Expedition. It is located on the Bow River, in the Waputik Range of the Canadian Rockies.   

Bow Summit and Peyto Lake 
Canadian Rocky Mountans, Peyto Lake, Banff
Peyto Lake

There you can find forest trails and an observation deck with lake and mountain views. 

Icefields Parkway 
Canadian Rocky Mountans, Icefields Parkway, Banff, Jasper, Alberta, Canada
Icefields Parkway

The Icefields Parkway (highway 93) is one of the most scenic highways in Canada, and it goes through Banff National Park and Jasper National Park. The Icefields Parkway is a sightseeing route through magnificent mountain scenery. 

The Parkway has two lanes, very busy in July and August and provides lots of viewpoints. Also, snow can forecast at any time of the year. 

Take a moment and enjoy the views and watch out for wildlife and vehicles, which can stop on the shoulder. 

Wildlife 
Canadian Rocky Mountans, wildlife, Banff

And of course, wildlife. 

Most likely you can see elk, bighorn sheep and deer, sometimes you can spot bear, mountain goats, coyotes, wolves, moose, cougars and lots of birds, like Clark’s nutcrackers or a crow, stellar jays, ravens, falcons and white-tailed ptarmigan. 

Canadian Rocky Mountans, wildlife, Banff
Jasper 
Canadian Rocky Mountans, Jasper, Alberta
Jasper, Albera, Canada

And now you are in the alpine town Jasper which is the centre of Jasper National Park. 


The Park has beautiful nature, hiking trails, glacier-fed lakes, forests and rivers. 

 
On top of that, you can take the Jasper Sky Tram and climb to the summit of Whistlers Mountain, where you can appreciate outstanding views.   

Enjoy your trip !

41 thoughts on “Canadian Rocky Mountans: explore, amaze and enjoy”

  4. Beautiful photographs of a heavenly part of our planet. In 1977 (all the way back then!), I drove my mother over the Rockies from Vancouver. It was rather terrifying as I was in a rented car and was not happy about driving along cliffs. Tractor trailers kept passing me at high speed which made me more nervous! But I had time to enjoy the mountains. I never went back but I did get to Glacier Nat Park not many years ago. I’m glad you are still young and have time to travel some more as you obviously get so much out of it.

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. We drove there too and yes, some parts of the road made me uncomfortable too 🙂
      This was an unforgettable trip from my past….. I’m not that young anymore 😀 but travel addiction still there 😀😀

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  9. Beautiful photographs Angela. We visited the Rockies around five years ago but only had time for three days on our road trip through Canada and USA. We stayed in Canmore and loved it. We visited Banff on the wettest mistiest day so a trip up the mountain was out of the question. We really enjoyed the dinners we had there

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. Oh please do if you will have an opportunity. I’m sure you will like it. 🙂 It’s an amazing experience. Just wear a proper clothes, because I didn’t and I was so cold 😀

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. No it was autumn so places were closed but the drive from Banff to Jasper was breath taking ; in Jasper we met a grizzly bear, coming across our path. I wrote about it in one of my posts.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Sorry I missed a couple of your posts.
        The story with bear…… OMG!!!!!
        We saw black bear and grizzly bear, but not that close.
        We also weren’t prepared to be in the mountains and didn’t have jackets (it was summer) and from time to time I was just freezing. 😀 And in Jasper we also stayed in Bear Hill lodge. It was comfortable and nice.

        Like

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