Canadian Rockies Family Multisport
Bike, Hike and Raft 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.
Trip Planning Links
- 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 Jasper
Meet in Banff 
Take a scenic shuttle ride along the spectacular Icefields Parkway Stride 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. Get a new perspective on the landscape during a fun-filled guided raft trip down 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 Explore the town of Jasper and enjoy dinner on your own as as a family Myriad optional activities await: 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 Bow Lake
Pedal along a quietly winding road past trees and lakes to Athabasca Falls, one of the Rocky Mountains' most powerful and breathtaking cascades Revel in the view of the Athabasca Glacier and the massive Columbia Icefield Stay on the shores of brilliantly blue Bow Lake in a historic hunting lodge built by Jimmy Simpson, a pioneering mountain guide Tumbling glaciers and soaring peaks flank a long gradual ascent along the stunning Icefields Parkway to Bow Lake Keep an eye out for resident wildlife, including moose, elk, bighorn sheep and black bears.
Days 4-6 Lake Louise
Walk to a beautiful view of Bow Falls Ride over the Continental Divide en route to the hamlet of Lake Louise, a world-renowned turquoise beauty ringed by magificent glaciated peaks Families stroll alongside the lake's shimmering shore and follow the path of the Victoria Glacier up 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 Spend time at the Post Hotel's Temple Mountain Spa Dine at the hotel's acclaimed restaurant, which showcases the cuisine of chef Hans Sauter Pedal a route lined with virgin forest and wildflowers toward Banff Enjoy a delicious farewell picnic.
- 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:
Family Casual Inns Family Deluxe Camping
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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 30 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the tour experts. For multisport tours in , trust our in-depth connections. 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
SECLUDED LODGES: Premiere Inns*
Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
Jasper (2 nights) Situated on the shore of beautiful Lake Beauvert and offering abundant amenities and activities, from a full-service spa to tennis, golfing, boating and horseback riding.
Num-Ti-Jah Lodge
Bow Lake (1 night) Full of authentic pioneer character, this rustic and welcoming 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) A prestigious Relais & Châteaux member with a spot on Conde Nast Traveler's Gold List, where regional crafts accent natural pine beams and river stone fireplaces. Kids and adults will enjoy the indoor saline swimming pool.
Canadian Rockies Family Multisport
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
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 |
Day 1
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- Hiking 4.7 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
- Hiking 1.6 (Adults)
- 250 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
- Level 1 4 Route Options Available
- 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
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
- Gondola Ride and Activities (Kids)
Day 6
- Levels 1 to 2 3 Route Options Available
- Biking 10, 21 miles
- 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
- Hiking 1.4 miles
- 150 feet elevation gain
On this Family Trip, our routes follow gentle terrain with little significant gain or loss in elevation. Liberal van shuttling is incorporated into the itinerary to facilitate our activities and mileage is kept moderate to enable you to spend more time exploring on your own.