Going on road trips can be your best bet to enjoy the vast mountains, glacial lakes, and beautiful waterfalls of the Canadian Rockies from up close. Simply hop into your four-wheeler and get ready to enjoy nature’s bounty on these amazing Alberta road trips. Today we are going to discuss some of the best Alberta road trips for an amazing day outing.
Here are the 7 amazing Alberta road trips you can’t give a miss!!
Bow Valley Parkway
Time taken: 1-3 hours
If you are visiting Banff National Park, then you need to drive through the Bow Valley Parkway at least once. This 50 km long road originally linked Banff and Lake Louise during the early 1900s. You can still take this route for some sightseeing. However, the time taken in this route is considerably more than that of the highway. The Bow Valley Parkway runs parallel to the Trans-Canada, with the Bow River separating the two. You will find excellent hiking options along the way, with the most popular being Johnston Canyon. Morant’s Curve offers excellent accommodation options and scenic spots for pulling over. A section of Bow Valley Parkway is closed by Parks Canada during summer months for vehicles. This makes it the perfect time for cycling.
Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive/Loop
Time taken: 1-2 hours
The Minnewanka Scenic Drive covers a distance of 24 km and can help you experience the ethereal beauty of the four alpine lakes. Get your picnic supplies along to spend an entire day on the road. Along the way you will come across stunning views of the lake and remnants of a mining town. Additionally, don’t forget to bring a kayak or stand-up paddleboard for engaging in water activities. Parks Canada rules prohibit paddling at more than one lake each day.
If you are going from Banff, then first you will come across Cascade Ponds. Keep driving to reach Johnson Lake, which offers excellent swimming opportunities. Next comes Two Jack Lake, which is perfect for paddle boarding. You can reach Lake Minnewanka following a 5-minute drive from Two Jack Lake. There are excellent trails surrounding the lake for taking a scenic walk. You can also board a cruise from the boathouse and head out to Devil’s Gap. Alymer Lookout and C Level Cirque are some notable hikes along the way.
Highwood Pass
Highwood Pass stands at 2206 meters and offers excellent views of the Front Range. The road passes through the Peter Lougheed Provincial Park in Kananaskis. Typically the highway opens on 15th June. But often the snow starts melting before, and you can embark on this route for car-free cycling. The road remains closed during winter due to heavy snowfall. There is also a high avalanche risk between 1st December and 14th June. You can enjoy hiking trails like the Arethusa Cirque, Pocaterra Ridge, and Mist Mountain along the route.
Red Rock Canyon Parkway
The Red Rock Canyon Parkway in Waterton National Park is one of the most popular Alberta road trips. The 9 km long drive will take you through sprawling mountains and grassland prairies. You can bring your bike, car, or rental from Pat’s downtown to enjoy nature in its most virgin form. Make sure to pull over every now and then to enjoy the views along the way. You will come across the Red Rock Canyon at the end of this drive. Bring your entire family along and have a fun time at the park.
Maligne Lake Road
Maligne Lake Road is famous for the scenic beauty that one can come across while you drive here in Jasper. You will cross Maligne Canyon, beautiful Medicine Lake, and finally drop at Maligne Lake. You will start from Jasper Town, and your final destination is Maligne Lake. The road you will cross during the trip will cover a glacier-curved valley, which lies between two beautiful mountain ranges-Elizabeth and Maligne.
It is a dream destination for every scenic lover as they will cross the turquoise glacier lake, the spirited Malgine River and those beautiful peaks whose beauty will leave you in awe. How can we miss mentioning the wildlife that you will rendezvous with? Bighorn sheep, moose, black bears, white-tail deer, elk and other animals you will come across while travelling. You will have a new story to share about what you saw in your every drive!
Icefields Parkway (our favourite Alberta road trip)
The Icefields Parkway or Hwy 93 North, is of the most scenic Alberta road trips connecting Banff and Jasper lures visitors from around the globe. If you wish to enjoy nature at its most unfiltered form, then the turquoise lakes, rock spires and waterfalls of this driveway needs to be on your upcoming travel itinerary. If you are planning a roadtrip from Banff to Jasper, then you simply can’t miss out on these scenic destinations which you can get along the way.
While the distance can be covered within a few hours, we recommend giving it some time. A few of our favourite spots are Herbert Lake, Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, Athabasca Falls, Sunwapta Falls. About halfway between Banff and Jasper, you’ll reach Athabasca Glacier. Here you can enjoy a Athabasca Glacier walk tour or you can walk on the glass bottom floor bridge at Jasper Skywalk.
Smith Dorrien Trail to Kananaskis Trail (Hwy 742 to Hwy 40)
Time taken: 3-5 hours
The 70 km long Smith Dorien Trail runs from the south of Canmore to the Kananaskis Trail. You can start driving from Canmore, and next you will pass the Goat Pond. Here you can paddleboard or kayak in the water. Next comes Spray Lake, the Mount Engadine Lodge, and multiple trailheads for hiking to Chester Lake, West Wind Pass, and Burstall Pass. The Blackshale suspension bridge comes before reaching Highway 40. Kids love going on this suspension bridge, which will finally take you towards the Kananaskis Lakes. Be prepared for a bumpy ride, as the Smith Dorrien Trail is made of gravel and is extremely dusty.
