Here's a road-trip for Western Canada, a route organised with the help of locals, it's a nice and handy loop, that will leave you wanting to migrate, continue reading to find out just why. Travel through British Columbia and Alberta before taking a trip over to Vancouver Island. An adrenaline packed adventure from hikers heaven to surfers paradise. Both with dramatic topography, a chance of wildlife encounters, strong first nations cultural heritage and remote wilderness, encompassing starkly different landscapes. Glacial blue lakes, aspen, pine, spruce and fir forests and snowcapped mountains to ancient coastal rainforest, emerald islets and miles of sandy beaches. For reference this was done in around 3 weeks, but times in each place are fairly flexible depending on how much time you have and what you want to do, we've also included a few alternative options along the way.
Home to Vancouver, British Columbia
Flight time (from UK) : a 9 hours 30 minutes direct flight
Learn about the indigenous communities of Canada and how you can support them on your travels, educate yourself on who's land in which you will be hiking, celebrate their unique heritage, cultures, and outstanding contributions to nature of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. Be a responsible traveller. Also, get clued up on being bear aware!
Vancouver, British Columbia
First up, one of many stops in Vancouver on this route, so you don't need to cram in everything to this first stop. Experience the rich first nations cultures and heritage of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh nations, who's land in which Vancouver lies. Explore this foodie and coffee loving city, there really is something for everyone. Check out our guide to the city of Vancouver coming soon .
Suspension Bridges
Vancouver was one of the first major cities in the developed world, where nature was fought for, not against, so its natural that the oldest attraction Capilano Suspension Bridge Park followed suit, and also claims the spot as most popular attraction.
The name is derived from the Squamish Nation and is originally spelt Kia'palano and translates to beautiful river.
The park is designed in collaboration of honouring first nations traditions, tranquility and adventure. Its not just the bridge, there's a Kia'palano centre and museum to learn more, a tree top walk way through the douglas fir, red cedar and western hemlock trees, cliff side walk above the canyon, rainforest boardwalk and more suspension bridges.
At $55 (2020) per adult it's pretty pricey so if you're on a budget or want to visit another suspension bridge, try Lynn Canyon suspension bridge, it's free, still busy but it's not to far from Capilano.
If you've got a bit more time visit Cascade Falls suspension bridge, we didn't visit here ourselves but the photos look incredible and you get the unique view of the waterfall.
Stanley park
Vancouver's largest urban park, situated on the pacific north west, bordering downtown Vancouver. Find temperate rainforest, views of mountains, beaches, culture and history.
There's many trails through the park and rainforest as well as an the world's longest sea wall which forms an uninterrupted waterfront path with amazing views of the city skyline.
Vancouver is confronting its role in the erasure of First Nations particularly, the erasure of Musqueam,
Visit Brockton Point, enter through an archway of 3 red carved cedars to the visitor centre. Welcoming you to the traditional lands of the Coast Salish first nations, including Squamish, Musqueam and Tsleil-Waututh nations.
Deer Lake Park, Burnaby Lake Regional Park and Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area
Head out of the hussle and bussle of downtown Vancouver and to explore a more tranquil park in the city. Lots of walking trails and wildlife at each of these parks. For another panoramic view catch the cable car up Grouse Mountain.
Vancouver, British Columbia to Kamloops, British Columbia
Drive Time: 4 hours
Stop here for 1 night unless you fancy a little longer to explore.
First off don't fly straight from Vancouver to Canmore, Banff or Calgary you'll miss out on so much! Head off, and drive along the world's longest national road the Trans Canadian Highway, for approx 350km, only a small section compared to its vast length. Kamloops is a great place to stop overnight to break up the journey into the rockies.
Places to stop on route, include Hell's Gate National Park, where Fraser River reaches its narrowest point and the railroad passed over, if you want to do this you'll have to take the longer route to Kamloops, totalling 5 hours instead of 4.
Kamloops sit on the dispossessed territory of the first nations Secwepemc people. Much of their traditional land has been destroyed by construction, including the highway, mining, logging and tourism resorts. It's name should be, Tk'emlups, which means 'where the river meets', as it is where the North and South Thompson rivers converge, yet it is now known as Kamloops due to the mispronunciation of Scottish fur traders. There is very little government protection for their heritage and culture. Visit the Secwepemc Museum and Heritage park, as well as some of the other experiences on offer, to learn more about these first nations people, allow them to continue their traditions and sustain their livelihoods. The Kamloopa Powwow festival is one of the largest gatherings of Indigenous culture in Western Canada and allows the Secwepemc to celebrate their heritage through different means of storytelling, its an event which attracts over 20000 people.
Many call Kamloops a desert, technically it receives, a higher annual rainfall than a desert classification, and is therefore deemed semi arid, its a stark contrast to the environment that you'll be heading towards in Alberta. It's a lot milder than surrounding areas, and one of the sunniest places in BC, admire the sandstone canyon, hoodoos, open grasslands and pine forest.
Kamloops has a big arts scene, a place full of street art and public art displays, there's a nice walking route to see all these on their tourism website, and some of them are constantly changing. You can also opt to visit the galleries and museums.
Other things to do;
Biking
Visit the Lake for Watersports
Hiking
Horseback riding
Climbing
Zipline
Expect no less from Canada, it is location for winter snow sports of course.
Alternatively; take a trip to the famous Whistler first.
Kamloops, British Columbia to Canmore, Alberta
Drive time: 5.5 hours
Jump back in the car and start to head into the Canadian Rocky mountains, from this point on the mountains get bigger, the valleys get steeper, the trees get greener and the lakes get bluer. Your sat nav will soon tell you to stay on the road for approximately 500km, an unfathomable amount of time for not needing directions for a Brit. That's the Trans Canadian Highway for you, as you're once again on the famous road towards Canmore. It's voted one of the world's most scenic drives, so it's ideal for a summer road trip, and with one long road and no stressful directions, sit back and enjoy the view, look out for bears and soak in your surroundings. It was here we got our first bear sighting, one foraging for food for its cubs, make sure you stay in your vehicle, unlike some people who we saw! The sad truth about such a scenic road, whilst it made places accessible to so many, its construction destroyed livelihoods for many first nation communities.
In the winter its a bit more challenging, especially if you venture off the main road, some areas will require you to have winter tyres on or tyre chains. Take precautions, check weather forecasts and have an emergency kit on you.
Arrive in Kananaskis Country, situated in the front range of the Canadian Rockies. A great place to stay with access to Banff NP and Jasper NP but without the huge crowds, is Canmore. Canmore is located on the sacred land of the Stoney Nakoda people. Learn more about where to stay over on our Canmore guide now .
Stops and Top view points on route:
Mount Revelstoke National Park
Giant Cedars Boardwalk Trail
Canmore, Alberta
You'll want to spend the longest amount of time here and in Tofino, at least the best part of a week or longer if you've got the time.
A first glimpse at one of the rockies glacial blue lakes will blow you away and make you feel like you are stepping into a postcard. The striking turquoise colour almost appears unnatural, but it's all thanks to the glaciers above and the sun, we won't bore you with the geological processes, if you want to find out you can look that up yourself. Fancy a dip, make sure you're prepared for just how cold it is, and have someone with a towel on standby. In the winter, they'll freeze over and create a magical wonderland where you can go ice skating, but the blue tones in the summer are something else. Partnered with lush green forest and snowcapped mountains, you will be left in awe.
For suggestions on what to do in Canmore and beyond check out our guide, after some time in Canmore it's time to head further north. A mix of adrenaline, hiking, nature and relaxing is in store.
You'll want to purchase an annual discovery pass ($140 -2020) for this route it will give you access to 80 destinations including Historic sites and National Parks and will work out cheaper than paying daily at each locations you'll need it for. Use it for Banff National Park, Jasper National Park, Yoho National Park, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, and Glacier National Park.
Get your adrenaline fix and go white water rafting. Just remember, don't turn down a wetsuit even on a hot day, as you're about to get a little more than splashed by glacial run off. Prices usually range around the $100 per adult.
Choose from Kananaskis River, Horseshoe Canyon and Kicking Horse River, on our 'Canmore and the Canadian Rockies guide' we weigh up each option clearly so you can decide which is best for you.
For pure alpine awe head to Banff National Park, The Icefields Parkway and Jasper National Park, to see more information click for this guide.
Peyto Lake, Banff National Park
Lake Louise, Banff National Park
Moraine Lake, Banff National Park
Saskatchewan River Crossing
Parker Ridge, Banff National Park
Banff Hot Springs
Spirit Island, Jasper National Park
Cavell Meadows
Mount Edith
Bow Lake, Icefields Parkway
Columbia Icefield & Athabasca Glacier - These glacial fields of ice straddle both Banff and Jasper National Park, and are actually the largest south of the Artic Circle. The most accessible glacier in the world is the Athabasca glacier, Jasper National Park. Depending on the time in the season expect to pay $80-130 per adult, this price now includes the glacial skywalk.
Linking Banff National Park with Jasper National Park is highway 93, more commonly known as Icefields Parkway. Passing through a whole host of glaciers as it runs 143 miles and 3 hours without any stops, but who wouldn't want to stop? You'll want to every 2 minutes, and there's no resisting those views, forest river valleys that rise and drop sharply in the mountains. You'll soon realise why its yet another one of the scenic drives on this list voted as one of the world's most spectacular, and takes Canada's top spot. It's got our vote that's for sure, and it's not just the viewpoints at any point be prepared to stop or slow down for a wildlife encounter, especially bears!
Big Hill and Big Bend
The road clings to the curve of the mountain, gaining elevation, before the famous hairpin turn, known as big bend, that drops into the valley below. This was our favourite view along the Icefields Parkway, it showed the true expanse of the valley.
Look out for elk, deer, big horned sheep, mountain goats, foxes, coyotes, wolves, moose and of course the one animal on most peoples lists, bears.
For better knowledge on hiking in the rockies than we could provide check out these 2 hiking bloggers;
JuJu Milay - Jujumil (left) check her out here and on her blog.
Andrea Ference - (right) Vagabond hearts check her out here and on her blog.
Canmore, Alberta to Vernon, British Columbia
Drive time: 5 hours
Stop here for 1 night unless you fancy a little longer to explore.
To change it up don't do the same route back south through Kamloops, instead, this time break up the journey with a stop in Vernon, great place to stop for 1 night and a fab destination in its own right, if you've got time to stay longer. A hidden gem of lush greenery. Stay on the shores of Vernon's biggest attraction Lake Okanagan.
Like most first nations, the Syeelhwh Nation is confined to reserve areas, and do not have the rights to their traditional land, despite never negotiating a treaty. Syeelhwh Nation means the people who live their, and Okanagan translates to transport towards head or top end' deriving from the traditional transport route from the head to the Columbia River.
Vernon, British Columbia to Vancouver, British Columbia
Drive Time: 5 hours
Of course there's a multitude of watersports on offer, and many houses around the lake have direct access, alternatively stay higher up on the hillside side for the best views, and obviously in the winter it is yet another popular ski resort. Think fictional summer at the lake house, and you're probably picturing Vernon.
Vancouver, British Columbia
Back in the city once again, and you're probably thinking, well, what's going to top the time you've just had in the rockies, well, its tough and maybe nothing will quite match it, but it's time for a totally different landscape and climate. Head to one of the world's surf havens. It's popular and world renowned, but I'm sure if the water was warmer, it would be much more well known.
Vancouver, British Columbia to Tofino, Vancouver Island
Drive time to ferry port: 40 minutes (dependant on where you're staying in Vancouver)
Ferry time: 1.5-2 hours
Drive time Nanaimo to Tofino: 3 hours
Drive time Victoria to Tofino: 4 hours 45 minutes
Take a ferry from Tsawwassen, Vancouver to Victoria, Vancouver Island or Horseshoe Bay, Vancouver to Nanaimo, Vancouver Island. Don't be fooled by the word island, it is actually bigger than the likes of Belgium. So buckle up, and set off towards on the far west of the island where you'll find paradise in the form of Tofino. This whole roadtrip is full of scenic drive and here's another one voted one of the best in the world, the Pacific Rim Highway, British Columbia, particularly the section between Port Alberni and Tofino. The 90 minute section chicanes through stunning scenery and is the best route to take. Enhancing the sense of reaching the edge of the continent.
Tofino, Vancouver Island
You'll want to spend the longest amount of time here and in Canmore, at least the best part of a week or longer if you've got the time.
Nicknamed the 'Whistler of the West Coast', Tofino is a remote destination where luxury has gone wild, with a bustling surf culture and untouched calming wilderness. It is a popular destination, yet it does not get the recognition other destinations in West Canada get, thus it doesn't quite get as large crowds! You're in the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations territory, specifically Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations. In the Wakashan language of the First Nations, Nuu-Chah-Nulth translates to 'All along the Mountains and Sea'.
Explore large expanses of beach to the backdrop of the coastal rainforest, trails through the forest or head up to viewpoints of Clayoquot sound for an eagles eye view, the best can be found on Meares Island. Take an ocean safari or two, to go bear or whale watching and see much more, whilst you're out on the water, thrill seekers will prefer the rush of the zodiac. Foodies will also love Tofino just as much and don't forget to pay a visit to a First Nations Art Gallery. There's so much to write about Tofino so take a look at our full Tofino guide.
Here's our two favourite restaurant so good we returned! :
Sobo
Shelter
Other food suggestions:
Wolf in the fog
Summit bread co
Basic goodness pizzeria
1909
Rhino coffee house
Tofino, Vancouver Island to Vancouver, British Columbia
One last night in the city, so you don't have to worry about getting the ferry on the day of your flight.
Vancouver, British Columbia to Home
Flight time (to UK) : a 9 hours 15 minutes direct flight
Socks and Sandals
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