RoutesNorth America
Two Weeks in the Canadian Rockies and British Columbia
Sea to Sky, the Icefields Parkway and the turquoise lakes of Banff.
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Dotted path is schematic (great-circle-ish arcs between stops), not a transport route.
Stop by stop
Click a stop (or its pin on the map) for costs, country facts and what to do there.
1Vancouver CACycle the Stanley Park seawall and browse Granville Island market.2 nights
We do not hold a full destination profile for Vancouver or its country yet, so there are no cost, climate or visa figures for this stop; the route notes describe what it involves.
car on the Sea to Sky Highway to Whistler · about 2.0 hours
2Whistler CARide the Peak 2 Peak gondola and swim or paddle on the valley lakes.2 nights
We do not hold a full destination profile for Whistler or its country yet, so there are no cost, climate or visa figures for this stop; the route notes describe what it involves.
car via Lillooet and Kamloops to Clearwater · about 6.0 hours
3Clearwater (Wells Gray) CASee Helmcken Falls and other waterfalls in Wells Gray Provincial Park.1 night
We do not hold a full destination profile for Clearwater (Wells Gray) or its country yet, so there are no cost, climate or visa figures for this stop; the route notes describe what it involves.
car via Mount Robson to Jasper · about 3.5 hours
4Jasper CAWalk Maligne Canyon, take a boat on Maligne Lake and look for wildlife.3 nights
We do not hold a full destination profile for Jasper or its country yet, so there are no cost, climate or visa figures for this stop; the route notes describe what it involves.
car along the Icefields Parkway to Lake Louise · about 5.0 hours
5Lake Louise CAHike to the Lake Agnes Tea House and take the shuttle to Moraine Lake.2 nights
We do not hold a full destination profile for Lake Louise or its country yet, so there are no cost, climate or visa figures for this stop; the route notes describe what it involves.
car to Banff · about 1.0 hours
6Banff CARide the Banff Gondola, walk Johnston Canyon and soak in the hot springs.3 nights
We do not hold a full destination profile for Banff or its country yet, so there are no cost, climate or visa figures for this stop; the route notes describe what it involves.
car to Calgary · about 1.5 hours
7Calgary CAReturn the car and fly out from Calgary airport.1 night
We do not hold a full destination profile for Calgary or its country yet, so there are no cost, climate or visa figures for this stop; the route notes describe what it involves.
Vancouver and the Sea to Sky
Vancouver combines a compact downtown with Stanley Park's seawall, Granville Island's public market and quick access to North Shore trails. Travellers with extra days often add Vancouver Island, a ferry ride away, for Victoria and the surf beaches around Tofino. The Sea to Sky Highway follows Howe Sound past Squamish to Whistler, where the summer gondolas, the Peak 2 Peak link and lakes such as Lost Lake replace the ski season.
Across British Columbia to Jasper
The long inland crossing runs through the dry Fraser and Thompson country to Clearwater, the gateway to Wells Gray Provincial Park and its waterfalls, including Helmcken Falls. From there the Yellowhead Highway climbs past Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, to Jasper. Jasper is quieter than Banff, with Maligne Canyon, Maligne Lake and good chances of seeing elk and other wildlife along the roads. Part of the town was damaged by a wildfire in 2024, and some trails and facilities have been reopening in stages.
Icefields Parkway, Lake Louise and Banff
The Icefields Parkway between Jasper and Lake Louise is among the best known mountain roads in the world, passing Athabasca Falls, the Columbia Icefield and Peyto Lake's viewpoint. Lake Louise and Moraine Lake are the classic turquoise lakes; Moraine Lake Road is closed to private vehicles, so access is by Parks Canada shuttle or commercial bus, booked ahead in summer. Banff town has the gondola up Sulphur Mountain, hot springs and the Johnston Canyon walk, and Calgary airport is ninety minutes east.
Practical notes
Visas: Visa-exempt travellers flying in need an eTA, and others need a visitor visa, so check the official Government of Canada site. Transport: A rental car with one-way drop-off in Calgary; the Whistler to Clearwater leg is a long day of driving, and a Parks Canada pass is required in the national parks. Weather: July and August are warmest and busiest; June can still have snow on high trails, and September brings autumn colour with cooler nights. Budget: Canada's mountain parks are expensive in summer; the mid figure assumes two people sharing a car and mid-range hotel rooms, park passes, the Moraine Lake shuttle and gondola tickets. Safety: Bear awareness matters on every trail, and bear spray is commonly carried; wildfire smoke and closures are possible in late summer, so Parks Canada and DriveBC updates are worth watching.