WESTERN CANADA

If you are planning a road trip across Western Canada, here are 10 incredible places that should be on your your list. These spots are guaranteed to provide you with the very best of what Western Canada has to offer. We’re talking mountains, lakes, hiking trails, wildlife and so much more!

WHISTLER

When planning our road trip around Canada, Key had only one non-negotiable must-visit destination on his list. This was Whistler, the adventure capital of Canada. An avid cyclist, he had heard the mountain trails in Whistler were some of finest in the world and it truly lived up to its reputation. If you visit in summer, make sure you rent some mountain bikes and hit the trails. We rented ours from Comor and they were really helpful at pointing out routes for us. We swapped wheels for oars and canoed on Alta Lake, another must-do if visiting Whistler in the summer. We rented ours from Backroads Whistler on the banks of the lake. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll grab the most incredible coffee and pastries from Purebread in Whistler Village before any adventure. I still dream about that coffee shop now!

VANCOUVER

Vancouver is such a cool city! We fell in love with it immediately and my only regret is that we were only there for 24 hours. Exploring Gastown is a must, especially at night when the lanterns light up the streets and there’s rows upon rows of restaurants and bars to try out. We spent our only day in Vancouver fueling up at the yummiest brunch spot in the city (we’re looking at you, Jam Cafe) before mooching around the fun gift shops and cycling through Stanley Park. We know there is heaps more to do in the city that we would have done if we had more time.I guess we will have to head back to see what else is on offer there.

SQUAMISH

An hours drive from Vancouver, Squamish is pretty special and has some of the most amazing views in Western Canada. Sandwiched between Vancouver and Whistler, it is the perfect stop on a road trip. Despite the downpour we experienced when we visited, we took the Sea-to-Sky gondola up to the summit of Mount Habrich to explore the mountainous region. There are numerous trails to hike on when you are at the top, a suspension bridge to test your fear of heights on and an incredible viewing platform and poutine-selling summit lodge. The views would have most definitely been better if it didn’t rain the whole time we were up there, but the trip up was still worth it! Squamish is also home to Shannon Falls, the third largest waterfall in British Columbia and is not one to miss if you are in the area.

WELLS GRAY PROVINCIAL PARK

Deep in the heart of British Columbia lies Wells Gray Provincial park, surrounded by the Cariboo Mountains. We stopped through this park on the way to Jasper and spent the day waterfall watching. The highlight was of course Helmcken Falls, one of the most impressive waterfalls in British Columbia, but there are countless waterfalls to visit as well as stunning hiking trails and ample wildlife-spotting opportunities. We spent a rainy evening at Hop N Hog Tap & Smokehouse in Clearwater, where we were served up the most delicious food alongside locally brewed pale ales, which we would recommend checking out if you are looking for a dinner spot.

JASPER NATIONAL PARK

One of the most incredible places to visit in the Canadian Rockies, Jasper is an outdoor enthusiasts dream. There are plenty of lakes, waterfalls and summits to explore in the area and we experienced just a mere few of what’s on offer. We recommend renting a canoe and rowing out on one of the many lakes. Our personal favourite was Pyramid lake. We rented a little green canoe and practically had the entire lake to ourselves. Hike the Valley of the 5 Lakes trail or choose the Maligne Canyon trail to see some of the best scenery in Alberta. After a day of adventure, we insist you head to Miette Springs to soak in the thermal waters and relax. The drive up is so beautiful and the warm pools are completely surrounded by the rocky mountains. It was one of the coolest experiences we had in Jasper. Head to downtown for a selection of gift shops, restaurants and coffee spots.

THE ICEFIELDS PARKWAY

The Icefields Parkway is an iconic scenic drive through the rockies, connecting Banff and Jasper, with glaciers, lakes, waterfalls and snow-capped summits around every bend. We were in awe the entire drive and it’s one of the best ways to experience the Rocky Mountains up close. For something super adventurous, book a helicopter tour with Rockies Heli to get the best view of the mountains. We were gifted a helicopter tour from Keys family as a birthday treat and it’s one of my most memorable days from our whole trip. Peyto Lake viewpoint and Mistaya Canyon are other incredible stops to not be missed when driving through. Our number one tip is to just drive and stop as you please as there is so much to see.

LAKE LOUISE

Lake Louise is probably one of the most popular places to visit in the rocky mountains. It’s a tourist hot spot that’s for sure, but with totally good reason. There’s an air of magic on Lake Louise that not even the crowds can erase. I was actually a little hesitant about visiting as I knew how busy it can get. Read any travel information about visiting the iconic lake and you’ll be warned that unless you plan to get there at 5am, you may as well not bother as you’ll not get a parking space. We decided to risk the hours of late afternoon and were so pleasantly surprised. We stayed a few hours, jumped on the last canoe session and really had such a peaceful visit. My advice to you is to avoid the 5am crowds of photographers clanking tripods, battling their way for the best spot and instead go for sunset, when it’s quieter and the vibe is much more relaxed. We came back again the following day, parked just fine and headed out on The Lake Agnes Teahouse hiking trail. We had lunch at the historic teahouse, which has been serving tea to hikers for over 100 years. Order the chai, it’s so good!

BANFF NATIONAL PARK

Banff is the ultimate location for outdoors adventures and is justifiably one of the coolest spots on everyone’s radar. We have been dreaming about visiting Banff for years, influenced by the Banff Mountain Film Festival that comes to our town annually. Stories of adventures in the mountains have had us hooked and we finally got the chance to visit the national park for ourselves. Take to the backcountry to explore Banff in all its glory (grizzly bears and all), cycle one of the many routes around the area or simply enjoy the mountains from the comfort of the Banff Springs Hotel. Whatever your adventure level, there is something for everyone in Banff. Tap the mud off your hiking boots and visit Banff town for a bite to eat and a locally brewed beer at one of the many bustling bars. Should you forget your crampons or hiking boots, there are loads of outdoorsy shops selling everything you could possibly need for your time exploring. We highly recommend cycling from Banff to Johnston Canyon if you’re visiting in May, June or in September. Parks Canada close the Bow Valley Parkway to vehicle traffic during these months and so it makes for the most epic 25km ride on the car-free roads. It was the coolest experience!

YOHO NATIONAL PARK

Often overlooked by its popular neighbour Banff, Yoho should not be forgotten. Lake spots and campsites are quieter, and you’ll have the hiking trails all to yourself. You’d be a fool to miss Emerald Lake, which is a strong contender for my favourite lake spot of our trip. We rented some paddleboards and brought them here for a sunset paddle. The water is the most stunning green and gliding through it on a paddlebaord such a cool experience. If you are short of time, prioritise Emerald Lake, but if you are staying longer, there are heaps of other lakes, such as Lake O’Hara and Lake McArthur to visit as well as many peaks to scramble up if you are feeling super adventurous.

CANMORE

Canmore is Banff’s slower-paced neighbour and is a good spot to base yourself if you want the charm of the rockies without the crowds. We absolutely loved Canmore, especially downtown. Head to Quarry Lake for a relax on the shores or even a wild swim if the weather permits and make sure to look up and take in the Three Sisters Mountains, cutely named Faith, Hope and Charity. It’s hard to miss the iconic mountains standing tall above Canmore. For a break from running around the mountains, stop for bagels at Mountain Bagel Company (i still drool thinking about them now) or go beer tasting at Grizzly Paw brewery. Keep an eye out for wildlife too, as we saw so many Elk in this region!