Breathtaking. It’s an interesting word, really. Looking up at the ice-draped Rockies is "breath taking." But stepping out on the glacier, feeling it crunch under your feet. Being humbled by the enormity is a different kind of breath taking. It’s the difference between "taking it in" and "diving in." Rafting on a glacier-fed river. Hiking a slot canyon. Biking among crystalline lakes. Moose. Bighorn sheep. The more you get into the Canadian Rockies, the more you’ll get out of it. Some vacations are about catching your breath. This one’s about losing it.
Days 1-2 Pedal and hike past towering peaks, glistening glaciers and impossibly blue glacial lakes
A short scenic hike in Johnston Canyon leads to a series of stunning waterfalls With iconic Moraine Lake as your starting point, follow a switchback trail to the meadowland of Larch Valley Hike higher for an inspiring view of Mount Fay and the Wenkchemna Peaks before continuing to 8,600-foot Sentinel Pass.
Day 3 Bike to Lake Louise and the stunning Icefields Parkway to Bow Lake
alongside the Continental Divide with sweeping vistas of mountains, ice fields, lakes and evergreens 
Got keen eyes? Use them to spot wildlife, including moose, elk, bighorn sheep and black bears.
Day 4 Explore Athabasca Glacier with expert mountain guides
at your side Ready to take the plunge? Float Class II rapids on the Athabasca River.
Days 5-6 Abundant wildlife, from bears and beavers to pikas and mule deer
Teal-hued Maligne Lake wows you before a gradual, mostly downhill spin Hike through spectacular Maligne Canyon, a limestone slot canyon up to 250 feet deep yet at points only 3 feet wide Amble through pristine mountain wilderness in the Valley of Five Lakes, winding past its blue-green namesakes.
Trip Highlights
- Natural and historic treasures discovered by foot, bike and boat
- Ice walk on massive Athabasca Glacier with informative mountain guides
- Pedal past towering peaks, virgin forests and the blue-green Bow River
- A float trip down the Athabasca River
- Spot signs of marmots, deer, beaver and coyote
Casual Inns
Baker Creek Mountain Resort (2 nights): This hidden gem, nestled in a wooded setting beneath the Canadian Rockies, features a great location and spacious homey cabins.
Num-Ti-Jah Lodge (1 night): A simple mountain retreat offering an atmosphere of secluded tranquility on the bank of Bow Lake.
Tekarra Lodge (2 nights): A cluster of simple cabins with fireplaces and porches, nestled in pines above the confluence of the Athabasca and Miette Rivers.
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Day 1
- Levels 1 to 2 3 Route Options Available
- Hiking 1.3 miles
- 100 feet elevation gain
- Biking 17, 30 miles
- 480 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 2 to 4 2 Route Options Available
- Hiking 5.2, 7.2 miles
- 1800 - 2400 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 2 to 3 2 Route Options Available
- Biking 24, 31 miles
- 1400 - 1800 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Level 2 1 Route Option Available
- Biking 21 miles
- 350 feet elevation gain
- Glacier Walk 2 hours
Day 5
- Levels 1 to 3 3 Route Options Available
- Biking 23, 31 miles
- 360 feet elevation gain
- Hiking 1.6 miles
- minimal elevation gain
- River Rafting 2 hours
Day 6
- Level 2 1 Route Option Available
- Hiking 3.2 miles
- 120 feet 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 mile | 2-5 miles |
| Level 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| Level 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| Level 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| Level 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
2012 Dates & Pricing*
CLASSIC TRIPS
- 7/2-7 Price: $2998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $700 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/30-8/4 Price: $2998 pp dbl. occ., (+ $700 for sgl. occ.)
- 8/13-18 Price: $2798 pp dbl. occ., (+ $700 for sgl. occ.)
- 8/27-9/1 Price: $2898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $700 for sgl. occ.)
*Prices may change. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.
Guest Trip Reviews
FANTASTIC trip - absolutely exceeded any expectations I had. The accommodations were stellar, the scenery spectacular and the leaders truly "off the charts". I am 37, and this so far has been the best, most relaxing, most invigorating, most moving vacation so far...but I am sure I will say that about the next Backroads trip as well! Several of us shed a tear or two when saying our goodbyes.- Hamilton, Bermuda
Thank you for a wonderful trip! The activities were perfect - the scenery unmatched, the food - delicious, the lodging offered exactly what I had hoped for!! I loved our guides as I felt like I was hanging with 2 of my best buddies!! What a way to experience the Canadian Rockies! I couldn't have asked for more!- Boise, ID
This was one of the best trips that I have had in a long time. I will highly recommend Backroads to my friends and family and hope that they will sign up for a trip in the future. Our leaders were superb. They really made the trip so enjoyable and helped me overcome my fear of heights during our hikes. Hats off to Backroads for a fabulous vacation that I will always remember. I look forward to future trips with your company.- Westchester, IL
An outstanding multisport trip that balances cycling, hiking and rafting. Among the best, most enjoyable vacation experiences I've had. Banff/Jasper is one of the most beautiful places I've visited, with a view around every corner that could be on a postcard. The trip leaders were accommodating, knowledgeable, flexible and overall great ambassadors for the area and for Backroads.- Fitchburg, WI
I am now the Southeastern poster child for Backroads. This was a life-changing experience, a rebirth, an epiphany, a blessing. As I have told my friends, the only part more spectacular than the scenery is the amazing people, both guests and staff. This was the smartest thing I've ever done for myself.- Spartanburg, SC
Far exceeded our expectations. We really enjoyed not having to worry about anything, including spend time researching where we were going to stay or eat. The organization and planning was off the charts and the leaders were fantastic. I had some reservations about being together with an unknown group of people for a vacation, but that turned out to be one of the nicest things about the trip.- San Anselmo, CA