Breathtaking. It's an interesting word. Being humbled by the land is a different kind of "breath taking." Rafting on a glacier-fed river. Hiking a slot canyon. Biking among crystalline lakes. Elk. Bighorn sheep. It's the difference between "taking it in" and "diving in." Some vacations are about catching your breath. This one's about losing it.
Days
1-2 Pedal past virgin forests and vibrant wildflowers as you follow the winding Bow River 
A scenic hiking trail leads through Johnston Canyon to a picturesque waterfall Marvel at the blue-green hues of Moraine Lake, beneath the striking Wenkchemna Peaks Take advantage of a late-afternoon photo op at Lake Louise, a world-renowned beauty and World Heritage site ringed by towering glaciated peaks.
Day
3 Bike the stunning Icefields Parkway with sweeping vistas of mountains, glaciers, lakes and evergreens Got keen eyes? Use them to spot wildlife, including moose, bighorn sheep and black bears Wander along the shore of Bow Lake for a closer view of Bow Glacier Falls.
Day
4 In the mood for ice walking? Explore Athabasca Glacier with expert mountain guides Continue along the Icefields Parkway to Jasper National Park Check out Athabasca Falls, where the most powerful river in the park plunges over a cliff of eroded limestone Back on your bike, continue down the Athabasca Valley, tracing the river.
Days
5-6 Be wowed by teal-hued Maligne Lake After a gradual downhill spin, hike through spectacular Maligne Canyon, up to 250 feet deep and at points only 3 feet wide Ready to take the plunge? Float gentle Class II rapids on the Athabasca River, following a route used by early fur traders and explorers Traveling by boat offers a new perspective on the landscape—as well as more chances to see wildlife Amble through pristine mountain wilderness in the Valley of Five Lakes, winding past its blue-green namesakes.
If you want a truly awesome adventure with fantastic guides, food-to-die-for, amazing scenery and a wide variety of experiences this might be the trip for you. It certainly was for me! The rustic colorful inns, the marvelous picnic lunches, the scenic hikes, the great company, the exciting white water rafting trip, and challenging bike rides made this trips one of a kind!- Central Florida
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. Read the 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.
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This hidden gem, nestled in a wooded setting beneath the Canadian Rockies, features a great location next to a babbling brook.
This rustic and simple mountain retreat offers an atmosphere of secluded tranquility on the banks of Bow Lake.
A cluster of simple cabins with fireplaces and porches, nestled in pines above the confluence of the Athabasca and Miette Rivers.
There's no better way to find out about Backroads than by hearing it from the people who have traveled with us. For more about the Backroads Experience, read our Guest Testimonials.
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REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
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Comments about Canadian Rockies Multisport Adventure Tour:
If you want a truly awesome adventure with fantastic guides, food-to-die-for, amazing scenery and a wide variety of experiences this might be the trip for you. It certainly was for me! The rustic colorful inns, the marvelous picnic lunches, the scenic hikes, the great company, the exciting white water rafting trip, and challenging bike rides made this trips one of a kind!
Comments about Canadian Rockies Multisport Adventure Tour:
Everything about the trip was wonderful. The leaders, the destinations, the hotels - loved every minute!
Comments about Canadian Rockies Multisport Adventure Tour:
Scenery that is postcard worthy throughout this trip makes the travel to Banff, Jasper worthwhile.
Accomodations are upscale rustic, cycling routes beautiful, rafting and hiking a nice balance.
Displaying reviews 1-3
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.
Please click on a date below for specific pricing and possible itinerary variations.
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AVAILABLE TO BOOKi GOING FASTi CONTACT USi PRIVATE TRIP - RESERVEDi
Interested in a Private Trip? Check out the Make It Private tab for private dates available, or call us at 800-462-2848.
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.
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| Daily Route Options | |||||||||||
| Day | Activity | EASYGOING | ACTIVE | AVID | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | Level 5 | |||||||
| miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | ||
| 1 | Biking | 17* | 800 | 30 | 1500 | ||||||
| Walking/Hiking | 1 | 100 | |||||||||
| 2 | Walking/Hiking | 4 | 1500 | 5 | 1800 | 7 | 2400 | ||||
| 3 | Biking | 24* | 1400 | 31 | 2300 | 37 | 3000 | ||||
| Walking/Hiking | 4 | 500 | |||||||||
| 4 | Biking | 22 | 900 | ||||||||
| Other | Guided Ice Walk (2 Hours) | ||||||||||
| 5 | Biking | 23 | 700 | 31 | 900 | ||||||
| Walking/Hiking | 2 | 0 | |||||||||
| Rafting | on the Athabasca River (2 Hours) | ||||||||||
| 6 | Walking/Hiking | 3 | 300 | ||||||||
Note:
* Includes shuttle.
Learn more about how we determine our activity levels and fully support a range of abilities and interests.
Please note that our distance and elevation figures come from Ride with GPS. Other sources (such as Map My Ride and Garmin devices) may give differing elevation figures due to different GPS and mapping technologies. Readings from a Garmin or a smart phone are influenced by other factors such as air pressure.
After exploring these mountains for more than three decades, many of us now live among them. Backroads Regional Manager Alison Iles, who raised her kids in Banff, not only designed many of our Rockies trips but has also served on park development committees and chaired both the Interpretive Guides Association and the Heritage Tourism Association. Having helped set the standards for all travel in the region, she knows how to ensure our trips exceed all expectations.
On our Canadian Rockies trips we have an extra leader supporting you along the road and trail—for a total of three, compared to the industry standard two. So we can be in more places at once, giving personal attention to guests traveling at their own pace. Here's more on our Trip Leaders.
Coordinating multiple activities throughout a single day can be tricky, but with Backroads you'll never know it. When you explore Canadian Rockies with us, you switch activities seamlessly without missing a beat. We invented the multisport concept, and we're constantly adding new dimensions and fine-tuning the experience to make it even more enjoyable.
We design and support our Canadian Rockies trips to suit mixed abilities and varied interests—so you can set your own pace, then change things up as the day unfolds. And all guests are free to do the same, traveling together or apart, with no one cramping anyone else's style. Which sounds easy in theory, but it's hard to pull off. Here's more on how we do it.
In Canadian Rockies you head off each morning after choosing among several expertly designed routes—all with detailed directions, mileage and shuttle options. Unlike trips with one fixed daily route (or worse, one guide that everyone's obliged to follow), you're free to enjoy the best of the region at your pace, stopping wherever you want to explore further.
A great bike is obviously critical for a great multisport trip; you don't want to gamble on one that's been sourced locally to trim costs. This trip features our acclaimed Backroads Custom Titanium bikes, expertly tuned and fitted, and included in your trip price. Learn why our titanium bikes are ideal for most riders.
Backroads is the only active travel company providing two support vans in Canadian Rockies—because we know it's essential to ensure a truly great travel experience. It doubles our ability to be there when you need us to offer hydration, lighten your load or give you a lift if it's time to take a break. Read more on why two vans make all the difference.
Backroads first headed up to Canada in 1980, when an older Trudeau was prime minister, and we've been exploring its spectacular landscapes ever since. Our leaders are Canadian and many are proud to make their homes in Canadian Rockies—where we offer more trips than any other active travel company and have spent many more years finding the best ones.
Guests rave about our picnic spreads. Enjoy a welcome break in a scenic spot, or a quick refuel stop if you don't want to lose momentum. And because we have two vans, one can host lunch while the other is out providing support along the route.
With Backroads you won't end up with kids on what you thought was an adult trip; we have exclusive departures for families, so they're off having their own adventures. As you browse our unrivaled selection of trips and dates, you can count on finding a trip in Canadian Rockies that's geared exclusively to your choice of traveling companions.
Since 1979, Backroads Founder and President Tom Hale has shown that staying #1 means constantly evaluating our performance using the best possible source of information: our guests. As we systematically analyze your feedback on our trip consultants, leaders, hotels, meals and on-trip activities, we never stop working to make a great company even better.
In addition to the ideal balance of comfort and hospitality in our choice of lodgings, this Casual Inns trip includes nearly all of your meals, plus everything from cocktail receptions to the best snacks along the road. So there's rarely a need to reach for your wallet – we've got you covered.
Tom Hale has been keeping Backroads on track, with one eye on the horizon, since 1979. His passion for active travel, and for ensuring the highest-quality travel experience, is evident in every detail we add to make a guest's trip unforgettable—and the fact he's right there in the office, making it happen. To hear Tom describe his vision, watch our video.
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Gather your favorite people to share a Backroads adventure on a ready-to-book Private Trip - featuring all the legendary Backroads hallmarks from expert leaders to unforgettable activities. You can pick from the selection of dates below for your group; some dates are only available for 16 or more guests while other dates are available for 8 or more guests. If your party has fewer than 8 guests, or your preferred date is not available, we'll create a departure just for you. Call or email us to reserve your date.
Click on a date below for specific pricing and possible itinerary variations.
8 AVAILABLE TO BOOK FOR 8 OR MORE GUESTS 16 AVAILABLE TO BOOK FOR 16 OR MORE GUESTS RESERVED
Don't see your ideal travel date? Make a Date! i
Invite your family and friends on an adventure that's entirely your own - for your group of 8 or more. Find out more
I simply can't imagine a better way to immerse yourself in the life of a region, to explore hidden corners and appreciate nuances while enjoying the benefits and enormous satisfaction of traveling under your own power. These are experiences you cannot have behind the wheel of a car, or on a train or a tour bus. Active travel is, at its heart, a way of connecting more authentically with the world. Sure, Backroads provides amazing leaders, superb accommodations and meals, and opportunities you could never arrange on your own. But all of our comprehensive planning and support is aimed at something far simpler: bringing you the immediate, highly personal satisfaction of discovering a new world on your own terms.
— Tom Hale, Founder & President
