Hiking in the Canadian Rockies

Arrive at Calgary Airport and jump on the complimentary shuttle to your hotel. Check in and enjoy the evening at leisure, relax and perhaps have a dip in the swimming pool. The adventure starts tomorrow morning!

Meet your guide in the hotel lobby at 08:00 and get ready to hit the road. Drive from Calgary to Moraine Lake, which sits within the impressive Valley of the Ten Peaks, where your first hiking trail begins in Banff National Park. The path climbs up through forest with occasional viewpoints over the turquoise waters of the lake below and the jagged mountain peaks that surround the valley. After emerging at a beautiful meadow with three alpine lakes, the trail then steepens for the ascent to Sentinel Pass. Enjoy spectacular views down to Paradise Valley before beginning your descent. Head to the campground at nearby Lake Louise for a quick crash course in how to set up camp, then settle in for the evening.

Starting from Lake Louise, today's off-the-beaten-track hike takes you up Fairview Mountain (2744m), climbing almost 1000m to find an astounding viewpoint at the summit. Be wowed by the views down on Lake Louise and out across the Banff National Park. The final 1-2 km of the ascent involves a steep incline to reach the top. Stop off for a well-earned drink in Lake Louise, take a dip in the lake if you're feeling brave, or head straight back to the campground.

Explore another area of Banff National Park today. After a short drive north along the Icefields Parkway, one of the world's most scenic roads, you'll hit the trail at Bow Lake and climb up to Lake Helen through alpine wildflower meadows. Take in the stunning vistas of Crowfoot Glacier, Bow Lake and Cirque Peak along the route, as you continue on the trail to arrive at Lake Katherine. Cool off with a swim in Bow Lake after your hike if you like, then back to camp to rest before an evening out in Lake Louise.

Continue the drive along the Icefield Parkway. You'll stop off at some classic viewpoints along the way, including Peyto Lake and the Athabasca Glacier. Stop at the trailhead for today's hike – the Wilcox Pass trail, at the southern end of Jasper National Park, this is a moderate hike to alpine meadows which reveals incredible views of the peaks and glaciers on the edge of the Columbia Icefield (if the trail is closed due to snow, you'll instead hike the Parker Ridge Trail or similar). Return back to Lake Louise for your final night at this campground, before heading west tomorrow.

Today you’ll head west to Canyon Hot Springs Resort and Campsite, in Albert Canyon. Situated between Mount Revelstoke National Park and Glacier National Park, this will be your base for the next two days. Along the way (between Lake Louise and Golden), you’ll turn off Highway 1 to stop off at Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park. Today offers an easier day of activity to aid with recovery after your first few days of hiking. Enjoy walking the trail around the park's largest lake, or if you feel like it, there is the option to rent a Canadian canoe locally for approximately $100CAD per hour, and navigate the ethereal green glacial waters of the lake. After your stop at the lake you’ll drive through the town of Golden and up over Rogers Pass, with steep-sided mountains on both sides of the highway, and on to your next campground of the trip.

From your campsite this morning you’ll head to Revelstoke National Park. The hike will begin with the scenic drive all the way up to the viewpoint on top of Mount Revelstoke (1939m), which panoramic views of the Columbia Valley, and from there you’ll hike into the backcountry on the Eva Lake Trail. This out-and-back route offers stunning scenery all day – think pine forest and pristine mountain lakes, perfect to soak those tired hiker’s feet in. Once back at the van, you’ll drive down the mountain to Revelstoke and then on back to your camp.

Leaving Canyon Hot Springs this morning and heading east back through Rogers Pass, you’ll experience another national park, as you take on the wonderful Balu Pass hike in Glacier National Park. This lesser-known trail takes you through grizzly bear country on another beautifully scenic and diverse trek, with an element of challenge involved as you tackle the steep elevation to reach the high pass at the end in between Cheops Mountain (2517m) and the aptly named Grizzly Mountain (2730m). Once back down at the roadside you’ll drive for around 2.5 hours to the world-famous mountain town of Banff, where you’ll be based for the final two nights of your trip, offering you some of the most iconic views of the entire Rockies.

For your last day of hiking in the Rockies you’ll tackle the Cory Pass Trail. This circular route around Mount Edith offers epic views of Mount Cory. It begins with a steep section as you head up through the forest, and once above the treeline you’ll be on more rocky terrain. This route includes a short section of scrambling, your guides will show you the way and by this point in the trip will understand everyone’s abilities well. After the rewarding challenge of today’s hike, grab a shower at camp, and then head into Banff this evening to celebrate an unforgettable adventure in the Rockies!

After breakfast it’s time to pack up camp for the last time. Say goodbye to the Rockies as you drive back to Calgary Airport.