Calgary · Banff · Lake Louise · Jasper
7 days in the Canadian Rockies: Banff, Moraine Lake, Jasper
A week-long loop by car from Calgary: Banff's gondola and hot springs, dawn at Moraine Lake, the Icefields Parkway and the Columbia Icefield, then Maligne Lake and dark skies in Jasper. Works best mid-June to mid-September; the Moraine shuttle runs only June 1 to mid-October and the lakes thaw in June.
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- Day 110 am – 9 pm · 6 stops
- 10 am 1Calgary airport to Banff, and the park passCalgary
Every report rents a car at the airport; the drive up the Trans-Canada takes about 90 minutes. You need a Parks Canada pass: CAD 12.25 per adult per day, or CAD 83.50 for an annual Discovery Pass, which is cheaper for a week (Banff Guide, October 2026). The cost here is the Discovery Pass.
50 min by train or taxi · 109 km - 12 pm 2Lunch at Wild Flour BakeryBanff
The Banff bakery two first-hand reports ate at, one of them in June 2026 and full of praise for the almond croissant. Soups and sandwiches for lunch. About $15.
21 min walk · 1.5 km - 1:15 pm 3Cave and Basin National Historic SiteBanff
The warm spring in a cave whose discovery led to Canada's first national park, and the first stop on Parks Canada's own Banff and Jasper itinerary. Parks Canada warns that seasonal closures apply, so check the hours. Price not checked.
8 min by train or taxi · 3.4 km - 3:15 pm 4Banff Gondola up Sulphur MountainBanff
Three reports ride it for the view over six ranges, then walk the summit boardwalk to Sanson Peak (368 shallow stairs each way, not wheelchair accessible). Prices are dynamic by date, tickets are non-refundable and add a per-guest eco-fee, so compare totals before you buy. Clear views aren't guaranteed.
19 min walk · 1.4 km - 5:30 pm 5Dinner at the summitBanff
Two choices on top: Sky Bistro, which one family report suggests for dinner, or the Northern Lights Alpine Kitchen buffet, which a June 2026 report liked for picky eaters and which takes no reservation. A Sky Bistro booking still needs gondola admission. About $45.
16 min walk · 1.2 km - 7:30 pm 6A soak at the Banff Upper Hot SpringsBanff
The mineral pool a short walk from the gondola base, on Parks Canada's itinerary and in a family report. Evening is the time for it after a day on your feet. Price not checked; bring a towel or rent one.
- Day 26:30 am – 8:30 pm · 5 stops
- 6:30 am 7Two Jack Lake and Lake Minnewanka at sunriseBanff
Still water and Mount Rundle reflected at dawn, then on to Lake Minnewanka a few minutes up the loop; look for the red Adirondack chairs. Parks Canada and two trip reports put this loop on their Banff days. The Minnewanka boat cruise runs in summer only. Free with the pass.
24 min by train or taxi · 24 km - 8:30 am 8Johnston Canyon by the Bow Valley ParkwayBanff
Catwalks bolted to the canyon wall lead to the Lower Falls (about 20 minutes), the steeper Upper Falls, and the Ink Pots for those who want more. The walkway is narrow and busy, so both reports go early or after 5:30pm. Drive the Bow Valley Parkway slowly for wildlife and stay in the car. Free.
20 min by train or taxi · 20 km - 12:15 pm 9Lunch back in Banff townBanff
Banff Avenue has the cafes and galleries one report spent a first afternoon browsing. Several reports also stock a cooler at the grocery store for picnics later in the week. About $25.
10 min walk · 750 m - 2 pm 10A horseback ride along the Bow RiverBanff
Two first-hand reports took a one-hour ride along the Bow River, and one added the cowboy cookout. Rides go ahead in any weather, so bring a rain layer. If you've ever reacted to horses, think twice: one family's child had an allergic reaction. Price not checked.
10 min walk · 750 m - 6:30 pm 11Fondue at the Grizzly HouseBanff
A 1960s fondue house where you cook your meat on hot stones at the table. One detailed June 2026 report calls it the most memorable meal of the trip, which makes it this day's one lesser-known pick. Reserve. About $70.
- Day 36:30 am – 7:30 pm · 6 stops
- 6:30 am 12First Parks Canada shuttle to Moraine LakeLake Louise
Moraine Lake Road is closed to private cars all year, so it's the shuttle, a licensed tour or a Moraine Lake Lodge room. The 2026 shuttle ran June 1 to October 12, every 30 minutes from 6:30am, last return 7:30pm; CAD 12.75 return plus a CAD 3.50 booking fee, and it covers the Lake Louise connector too. 40% of seats go on sale on April 15 and the rest two days before. Park free at the Park and Ride.
13 min by train or taxi · 13 km - 7 am 13Moraine Lake from the Rockpile at first lightLake Louise
Five minutes up the Rockpile gives the 'twenty-dollar view' of the Ten Peaks. Crowds peak from about 9am to 4pm. The lake usually stays frozen until late June, so plan for July to September for the colour. Canoes from the lodge are about CAD 160 an hour, first come first served. Consolation Lakes is a flat 1.5 hours each way from the same trailhead.
3 min walk · 0 m - 9:45 am 14Lake Connector shuttle to Lake LouiseLake Louise
Included with your shuttle ticket; it runs about every 15 minutes and takes just over 20.
18 min by train or taxi · 11 km - 10:15 am 15Lake Louise lakeshore and the ChateauLake Louise
Walk the shoreline below the Victoria Glacier; one family report then went into the Fairmont Chateau for ice cream. The red canoes run about CAD 145 an hour, and one author suggests skipping them. Expect heavy traffic and full lots by mid-morning, which is why the shuttle matters.
3 min walk · 0 m - 12:30 pm 16Picnic lunch by the lakeLake Louise
Two reports recommend buying groceries and a cooler for the week and eating outside rather than queuing at the lake. About $15.
8 min by train or taxi · 2.8 km - 6 pm 17Dinner and an early night in Lake Louise villageLake Louise
Sleep in Lake Louise tonight so tomorrow's drive up the Icefields Parkway starts early. The village is small and fills in summer, so book the room and dinner well ahead. About $40.
- Day 47:30 am – 8:30 pm · 7 stops
- 7:30 am 18Up the Icefields Parkway with a full tankLake Louise
The 230 km to Jasper takes about 3.5 hours without stops; plan a full day. Fill up first: in summer the only fuel is at Saskatchewan Crossing, and Parks Canada says there are no services at all in winter. There is no cell signal. From November 1 to March 31 winter tires or chains are required, and the road closes for storms and avalanche control (check 511 Alberta). Watch for bears and keep moving.
- 8:15 am 19Bow Lake and the Crowfoot GlacierLake Louise
About an hour north of Lake Louise, right beside the road. Every itinerary used here stops; it's calmest early.
11 min by train or taxi · 7.1 km - 8:55 am 20Peyto Lake from Bow SummitLake Louise
The wolf-head-shaped turquoise lake. Allow about an hour for the 3.8 km round trip with an uphill section. One report's tip is to stand at the corner of the lower platform for a clear view. Free.
29 min by train or taxi · 29 km - 10:30 am 21Mistaya CanyonLake Louise
A short walk of about 1 km to a carved slot canyon. It's quieter than the big stops because tour buses skip it. Free.
46 min by train or taxi · 46 km - 12:30 pm 22Columbia Icefield: the Ice Explorer and SkywalkJasper
A 2.5 to 3 hour package: an all-terrain bus onto the Athabasca Glacier, a walk on the ice, then the glass Skywalk 280 m over the Sunwapta Valley. From about CAD 126 when booked two weeks ahead (July 2026); 20% off after 3:30pm. It runs about May 1 to mid-October and is closed for the 2026 season now. Eat at the Discovery Centre first. One author prefers a guided glacier hike to the buses for safety and environmental reasons.
30 min by train or taxi · 67 km - 4:30 pm 23Sunwapta and Athabasca FallsJasper
Two waterfalls on the way into Jasper; Parks Canada lists the Athabasca Falls day-use area as open (October 2026). It's crowded when tour buses arrive, so stop late in the day. Carry bear spray at Sunwapta. Free.
27 min by train or taxi · 27 km - 7 pm 24Dinner at Jasper Brewing Co.Jasper
The town brewpub two reports, including one from 2026, recommend for a first night. There can be a line in summer. About $35.
- Day 59 am – 10:30 pm · 6 stops
- 9 am 25Maligne Lake cruise to Spirit IslandJasper
A 90-minute narrated cruise with a 15-minute stop at the tiny island. About CAD 80 (2026); book ahead. Drive the Maligne Road early for elk, moose and bears, and to beat the parking lot. Note: Maligne Canyon is still closed after the 2024 wildfire (Parks Canada, October 2026), so don't plan on it.
7 min walk · 550 m - 11 am 26The Mary Schäffer LoopJasper
An easy 3 km lakeshore loop named on Parks Canada's itinerary and walked by one family report. Free.
11 min walk · 800 m - 12 pm 27Lunch at the Maligne Lake cafeJasper
Two reports eat lunch at the lakeside cafe rather than driving back into town. About $22.
37 min by train or taxi · 37 km - 3 pm 28Pyramid Lake and Pyramid IslandJasper
Walk the footbridge to the island, or rent a canoe; two reports spend an afternoon here, and Parks Canada lists the trailhead as open (October 2026). Free to walk.
9 min by train or taxi · 5.3 km - 6:30 pm 29Dinner at Earls in JasperJasper
The upstairs dining room two trip reports used for dinner in Jasper. Watch for elk on the roads at dusk. About $40.
8 min by train or taxi · 2.0 km - 9 pm 30Jasper Planetarium in the Dark Sky PreserveJasper
Jasper is a Dark Sky Preserve, and two reports book the planetarium's night-sky show and telescope session. Summer darkness comes late (sunset near 10pm in June), so this works best from August on. Price not checked.
- Day 68:30 am – 9 pm · 5 stops
- 8:30 am 31Valley of the Five LakesJasper
A 4.5 km loop past five lakes in shades from jade to blue, on Parks Canada's own Jasper itinerary. It reopened in May 2026 after the wildfire and Parks Canada lists it as open (October 2026). Carry bear spray. Free.
- 12 pm 32Lunch at Harvest Food & DrinkJasper
A first-hand family report calls this 'some of the best' food of the whole trip, which makes it the day's one lesser-known pick. About $25.
- 1:30 pm 33Jasper SkyTram up Whistlers MountainJasper
A cable car to the alpine above town, which two guides suggest if you didn't do it earlier in the week. It's seasonal and the price wasn't checked, so confirm dates before you build the day around it.
39 min by train or taxi · 39 km - 4:15 pm 34Miette Hot SpringsJasper
The hottest springs in the Rockies, about an hour east of town, with four pools at different temperatures. Parks Canada pairs them with the Sulphur Skyline trail. Summer hours ran 9am to 11pm in one report, from mid-June to early September. Price not checked.
35 min by train or taxi · 35 km - 7:45 pm 35Last dinner in JasperJasper
Back in town for a last evening. Reports named Jasper Brewing Co., Earls, Evil Dave's and Kimchi House; pick whichever you haven't tried. About $35.
- Day 78 am – 3 pm · 3 stops
- 8 am 36Back down the Icefields ParkwayJasper
The drive south shows you every view from the other side. Stop at anything you missed going north, and fuel up in Jasper first. Calgary is about 410 km away in all.
- 11:45 am 37Lunch at Laggan's Mountain BakeryLake Louise
A family report ate here on the way home and took sandwiches to the riverside picnic tables. The day's one lesser-known pick. About $15.
- 12:45 pm 38Lake Louise to Calgary airportLake Louise
About two hours down the Trans-Canada. Allow extra time on summer weekends, when Banff traffic backs up.