Region Overviews: Canada Travel Guide: Overview
Sprawling, massive Canada contains everything from six time zones to a series of ecosystems so diverse you could conceivably encounter polar bears and grizzly bears on the same trip.
Biking
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Canadian Rockies Bike Tour
Banff to Jasper National Park along the Icefields Parkway
Couples, Friends & Solos
6 days 5 nights
Activity Level: 2-4
Premiere Hotels
From: $5,099 - $5,349 pp dbl occ
($1,900 for sgl occ)
Breathe in the pristine air of the Canadian Rockies. Deeply as you ascend. Slowly when you reach a viewpoint. Snowcapped mountains, flowering meadows, virgin forests, crystalline lakes, rushing rivers—the raw beauty here can take your breath away. Explore this magnificent mountain range. And don't forget to breathe.
Canadian Rockies Bike Tour map
Alberta
Start Calgary / End Banff
Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Highlights
- Witness the beauty of soaring peaks, massive glaciers and brilliant lakes in some of North America's most dramatic landscapes
- Admire the blue-green glacial splendor of Lake Louise—a world-renowned jewel—and bike through the Bow River Valley
- Bike through Banff and Jasper National Parks—realms of amazing wildlife, from hoary marmots to black bears, bighorn sheep and pikas
- Journey through the heart of the Canadian Rockies and stay in an elegant mountain hotel with dramatic views of the Athabasca Glacier
Itinerary
Accommodations may vary based on departure date.
6 Days Premiere Hotels*
Accommodations may vary based on departure.
Day 1
Description
See dazzling views of the Bow Valley and Cascade Mountain unfold as you bike along the scenic Legacy Trail in Banff National Park to the postcard-perfect town of Banff | Pedal to Lake Minnewanka, known to Stoney Nakoda First Nations people as Minn-waki, or Lake of the Spirits | Treat yourself at our hotel's world-renowned Willow Stream Spa.
Accommodations
Fairmont Banff Springs
Banff
| Premiere Hotel Built in the style of a Scottish baronial castle, this exquisite hotel is set in the heart of Banff National Park and offers magnificent panoramic views, luxurious guest rooms and an award-winning 35,000-square-foot spa. Travel + Leisure World's Best. (pool, spa)
Day 2
Description
Keep an eye out for black bears, elk and bighorn sheep along your route | Bike the rolling hills of Bow Valley Parkway, past Pilot, Storm and Castle Mountains and the striking Bow River | Visit Lake Louise, a World Heritage site flanked by glaciated peaks | Savor what Travel + Leisure proclaims to be one of the best hotel dining experiences in North America at the venerable Post Hotel.
Accommodations
Post Hotel & Spa
Lake Louise
| Premiere Hotel This European-style mountain chalet, set on the Pipestone and Bow Rivers, is the epitome of old-world elegance. A Relais & Châteaux member. Travel + Leisure World's Best. (pool, spa)
Day 3
Description
Watch for mule deer and coyotes as you begin a steady ascent toward Bow Lake and the Crowfoot Glacier | Witness one of the most iconic views in the Canadian Rockies on the ride to Bow Summit—the highest point on the Icefields Parkway | In Jasper National Park, board a massive all-terrain vehicle to explore the Athabasca Glacier.
Accommodations
Glacier View Lodge
Athabasca Glacier
| *Casual Hotel A modest lodge with simple rooms selected for its phenomenal alpine wilderness location overlooking the famed Athabasca Glacier and Columbia Icefield.
Days 4-6
Description
Bike past Athabasca, Dome and Stutfield Glaciers and descend into Sunwapta Valley | Get exclusive access to the glass-floored Glacier Skywalk for an incomparable view of the valley below | With the dramatic Endless Chain Ridge in the skyline, arrive at roaring Athabasca Falls | Bike to Maligne Lake, world-renowned for its intense blue-green color | Explore Maligne Valley's karst landscape, from the seasonally “disappearing” Medicine Lake to Maligne Canyon | At the canyon, come face to face with the sculpting power of water in the depths of this limestone cathedral | Next to our lodge, take a tranquil evening stroll around Lake Beauvert | End an amazing week with a ride to Pyramid Lake.
Accommodations
Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
Jasper
| Premiere Hotel This 700-acre ideal mountain retreat sits in Jasper National Park and wraps around the beautiful Lake Beauvert. (pool, spa)
Dates & Prices
The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind — you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. View cancellation policy.
Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy in USD.
June 2024
July 2024
August 2024
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Our Private Trips are best for groups of 6 or more. We suggest joining a scheduled trip.
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Activity Level:
2-4
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. Several routes and a range of levels are offered each day so you can choose how much or how little activity you want to do. Learn more about how we determine activity levels.
Route notes
The routes on this trip are hilly, with some significant elevation gains and losses. This, coupled with the relatively high altitude, can make biking more challenging, but you're sure to finish each day with a great sense of accomplishment. Traffic can be busy on some routes, with narrow shoulders on Days 1–2 and wide shoulders on Days 4–6.
Daily Route Options
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. Several routes and a range of levels are offered each day so you can choose how much or how little activity you want to do. Learn more about how we determine activity levels.
Route notes
The routes on this trip are hilly, with some significant elevation gains and losses. This, coupled with the relatively high altitude, can make biking more challenging, but you're sure to finish each day with a great sense of accomplishment. Traffic can be busy on some routes, with narrow shoulders on Days 1–2 and wide shoulders on Days 4–6.
What's Included
Available Bike Options
The key to a stellar day's ride is a bike that's perfectly in tune with your cycling style… Backroads has you covered with the best bike fleet in the world! Please note that bike requests are subject to availability and prioritized based on the date they're submitted.
Click the arrow to see all bike options.
Backroads Performance Road Bike
Performance Road Bike
Included in your trip price
This custom-designed titanium bike is lightweight and responsive, featuring Shimano Ultegra Di2 electronic shifting, 11-speed compact gearing, a premium Mavic Ksyrium Pro wheelset and a full carbon fork.
Backroads Touring Bike
Touring Bike
Included in your trip price
A proven classic, this custom-designed titanium bike is suited for a wide range of cyclists. It features a comfortable ergonomic seat and a long wheel base that add to the bike’s control and stability.
Backroads Electric-Assist Bike
Electric-Assist Bike
Included in your trip price
Keep pace or zip ahead, pedaling with an electric boost. This bike provides plenty of power to flatten the hills and more than enough battery range to cover the distance.
Min. age to ride e-bike: 16+
Cannondale Synapse Pro Carbon Bike
Carbon Bike
Ride like a pro with the top-of-the-line carbon Cannondale Synapse Hi-Mod Red ETAP AXS. Delivering phenomenal acceleration and handling in a light and powerful package.
$650 rental fee; subject to availability
Co-Motion Torpedo Tandem Bike
Tandem Bike
This hand-built frame features Co-Motion's custom-designed cro-moly steel tubeset, powerful Avid disc brakes, Shimano Ultegra drive train, and a custom, upgraded wheelset. For experienced tandem riders.
$400 rental fee
Also Included
- All breakfasts, 6 lunches, 4 dinners
- Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
- Snacks and beverages between meals
- Additional guides and experts from the region on many trips
- Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
- Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information
- Private guided tours at museums, historic sites, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the Travel Planner
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
- Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner
- On biking and multi-adventure trips, use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
- Trailercycles, carriers, and kid-sized helmets for Family Trips
- Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing and canoeing as described
- Park and other entry fees
- Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the Travel Planner
- Select coach transfers
- Baggage transfers and porterage
Straight talk
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
Roads & Traffic
Our exploration of the Canadian Rockies includes time riding on the famed Icefields Parkway for its unrivaled access to wildlife and natural beauty. While the scenery is stunning, sections of the pavement can be rough and repaving is ongoing. The parkway's shoulder is wide, but the area is busy so you should be comfortable riding with traffic. Of course, you're always welcome to jump in the shuttle to avoid more trafficked sections.
Air-Conditioning
Post Hotel & Spa and Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge are Premiere Hotels. While they offer outstanding service and amenities, please note that they're not equipped with air-conditioning and guest rooms can occasionally become warm during peak temperatures.
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
Roads & Traffic
Our exploration of the Canadian Rockies includes time riding on the famed Icefields Parkway for its unrivaled access to wildlife and natural beauty. While the scenery is stunning, sections of the pavement can be rough and repaving is ongoing. The parkway's shoulder is wide, but the area is busy so you should be comfortable riding with traffic. Of course, you're always welcome to jump in the shuttle to avoid more trafficked sections.
Air-Conditioning
Post Hotel & Spa and Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge are Premiere Hotels. While they offer outstanding service and amenities, please note that they're not equipped with air-conditioning and guest rooms can occasionally become warm during peak temperatures.
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