Canadian Rockies Family Multisport
Biking, Hiking and Rafting in Banff and Jasper National Parks
If you and your family can't decide between biking or hiking in the Rockies, now you don't have to. We've taken our two favorite activities to one of our most popular destinations and created a terrific trip that's bound to delight the whole family. Come bike and hike in Banff and Jasper with our Trip Leaders - certified Mountain Parks Heritage Interpreters who know these national parks intimately. Pedal past glaciers inching their way down the faces of mighty peaks, hike to lakes in crayon-box hues of deepest blue and vibrant green, take to the water on an easygoing raft trip, and explore miles and miles of Canada's breathtaking Rockies.
- Family-friendly bike routes through an alpine landscape of unimaginable beauty
- Putting on crampons and trekking across Athabasca Glacier
- Incredible views from the Lake Louise Gondola
- Floating down Class II rapids of the Athabasca River
- Spotting signs of marmots, deer, beaver and coyote
The Day-to-Day Itinerary
Days 1-2 Family-friendly bike routes through an alpine landscape of unimaginable beauty 
Amble through pristine mountain wilderness in the Valley of Five Lakes, winding past its jade-green namesakes and through the habitats of mule deer, beavers and coyotes Float Class II rapids of the Athabasca River Adults pedal from stunning Maligne Lake, stopping for a hike in Maligne Canyon while kids are introduced to the exciting sport of rock climbing with accredited instructors A myriad of optional activities await in Jasper: indulge in a massage at our hotel's full-service spa, play a round of golf or survey your surroundings on horseback or from a paddle boat.
Day 3 Revel in the view of the Athabasca Glacier and the massive Columbia Icefield What did you say? It's tough to hear over the roar of Athabasca Falls, one of the Rockies' most impressive cascades, which we reach by pedaling peaceful roads Tumbling glaciers and soaring peaks flank a long gradual ascent along the stunning Icefields Parkway to Bow Lake Keep an eye out for wildlife, including moose, elk, bighorn sheep and black bears.
Day 4 Bike over the Continental Divide to impossibly blue Lake Louise, a world-renowned beauty and World Heritage site ringed by towering glaciated peaks The stunning vista overlooking Bow Falls makes waking up earlier worthwhile.
Days 5-6 Natural and historic treasures discovered by land and water Families stroll alongside the lake's shimmering shore and follow the path of the Victoria Glacier, ascending through a rocky landscape to the Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse After a hearty lunch at the teahouse, adults continue hiking while kids return to the hotel for some fun activities with the Kid Coordinator Opt for spa time before a meal in the Post Hotel's acclaimed dining room Virgin forest and wildflowers line your bicycling route to the beautiful resort town of Banff.
Adult Route Rating What's this?
- Premiere Inns: These lodgings possess both elegance and authentic regional flair.
- Casual Inns: These lodgings are comfortable and appropriate to the area with such characteristics as authenticity, scenic settings and proximity to our activities.
- Deluxe Family Camping: We set up the tents (and take them down), handle every camp chore and perform culinary magic.
Other Trips You Might Like:
Yellowstone Multisport Yosemite Multisport Alaska MultisportOther National Park Trips
Look at what other guests are saying about this trip!
The occasion for our Backroads trip was a family reunion/golden anniversary celebration. The Canadian Rockies was a magnificent venue, and the multisport activities were fun and challenging. Our leaders were expert, friendly, knowledgeable, and very anticipatory of our needs. They helped make the entire trip memorable. Indeed, our Backroads trip will be a certain touchstone for everyone in my family. Thank you so much.- Redlands, CA More about this Trip All Guest Reviews
For 32 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the tour experts. To see all our multisport tours click here. For our selection of award-winning biking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning walking and hiking tours click here.
Canadian Rockies Family Multisport
Premiere Inns*
Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
Jasper (2 nights) Upon opening in 1915, it offered ten luxury tents on emerald-green Lac Beauvert; it has since hosted royalty and Hollywood stars in the elegant cedar chalets and log cabins. (pool, spa, golf)
Num-Ti-Jah Lodge
Bow Lake (1 night) Full of authentic pioneer character, this rustic retreat on the shores of Bow Lake was founded over a century ago by colorful outfitter Jimmy Simpson.
* Casual Inn
Post Hotel & Spa
Lake Louise (2 nights) This European-style chalet, set on the Pipestone and Bow Rivers, is the epitome of rustic elegance. A Relais & Châteaux member. (pool, spa)
Canadian Rockies Family Multisport
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Activity Level | Average Time | Biking Average | Walking Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 miles | 2-5 miles |
| 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
Kid-Friendly Routes
The route options below are for adults and older kids with more biking experience who are up for longer rides or hikes. For all other kids (and adults who choose), we make it easy to do even less than the shortest option mentioned below, usually by taking a short lift in one of our support vehicles. We are here to make sure everyone has a great time so there's no need for you to worry about whether your child will be able to "keep up."
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Day 1
- Level 1 2 Route Options Available
- Hiking 3.2, 4.3 miles
- 250 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 1 to 2 3 Route Options Available
- Biking (Adults) 23, 29 miles
- 2000 - 2500 feet elevation gain
- Optional Hiking (Adults) 1.6 miles
- 200 feet elevation gain
- Rock Climbing (Kids) 4 hours
- River Rafting 2 hours
Day 3
- Levels 1 to 2 4 Route Options Available
- Biking 8, 11, 21, 24 miles
- 400 - 2400 feet elevation gain
- Glacier Walk 2 hours
Day 4
- Levels 1 to 3 4 Route Options Available
- Optional Hiking 4 miles
- 500 feet elevation gain
- Biking 8, 29, 37 miles
- 400 - 1100 feet elevation gain
Day 5
- Levels 2 to 3 2 Route Options Available
- Hiking 6.2, 8 miles
- 1200 - 1800 feet elevation gain
- Gondola Ride and Activities (Kids)
Day 6
- Levels 1 to 2 3 Route Options Available
- Biking 12, 22 miles
- 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
- Hiking 1.4 miles
- 150 feet elevation gain