The Ultimate Alberta Road Trip
The Ultimate Alberta Road Trip - 14 day itinerary
A two-week road trip in Alberta takes you through some of Canada’s most breathtaking landscapes, connecting the energy of Calgary and Edmonton with the otherworldly rock formations of the Canadian Badlands and the rugged beauty of the Rocky Mountains.
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Browse this example itinerary to give you an idea of how you might like to structure your visit, according to your length of stay. Purely Canada offers a tailor made service, so we can put any route together and these examples of differing lengths act as a handy guide to what your final itinerary could include.
For further advice, please call us on 01372 372123.
Calgary
Days 1 to 2
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The main gateway to Alberta, Calgary is located in a spectacular setting, crossed by two rivers, with the Rocky Mountains to the west and the Canadian Badlands to the east.
The city is built on western culture: celebrated each July with the 10-day Calgary Stampede, known as ‘The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth’, you can also get a taste of the spectacular event year round at the SAM Centre. Don’t miss Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre, Heritage Park, Canada's largest living history museum, and Calgary Tower, where a glass-floored observation deck provides magnificent city views.
Make time to explore one of Calgary’s vibrant neighbourhoods such as Bridgeland, Kensington or Inglewood, where you will find top restaurants and award winning breweries and distilleries.
Canadian Badlands
Day 3
Distance - 240 miles
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Head to the Canadian Badlands to uncover Alberta’s rich dinosaur heritage and marvel at its exceptional natural landscapes. This unique region is world-renowned for its prehistoric past and striking geological formations, making it a must-visit destination for history buffs and nature enthusiasts alike.
Begin your adventure at Dinosaur Provincial Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where some of the world’s largest dinosaur fossils have been unearthed and where you can join a guided paleontological dig. In Drumheller, stand inside the mouth of the world’s largest dinosaur, a towering T. rex statue offering panoramic views, and visit the Royal Tyrrell Museum, home to one of the most impressive collections of dinosaur fossils anywhere in the world.
End your day at the iconic Hoodoos, marvelling at the eerie sandstone pillars carved by wind and water over millions of years.
Edmonton
Days 4 - 5
Distance - 180 miles
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Edmonton, Canada’s Festival City and Alberta’s capital, is known for iconic attractions and immersive cultural experiences.
Feed your curiosity at the Royal Alberta Museum and immerse yourself in stories of Alberta’s past and present. Explore life through the diversity of the Indigenous First Nations’ and Métis Peoples’ histories and perspectives at Fort Edmonton Park. Sample Edmonton’s culinary scene on a food bike tour, the best way to explore the city and the delicious food that it offers.
For some of the best dining, shopping and world class entertainment, visit the buzzing ICE District or head to West Edmonton Mall, North America’s largest retail space with stores, restaurants and attractions such as roller coasters, water slides and an aquarium.
Jasper
Days 6 - 7
Distance - 225 miles
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Nestled in the heart of the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies, Jasper offers a perfect blend of breathtaking natural beauty and charming small-town vibes.
Outdoor enthusiasts are spoiled for choice with activities like hiking, kayaking and wildlife viewing, with trails like the Valley of the Five Lakes and Maligne Canyon providing stunning views and the chance to spot moose, wolves and even bears in their natural habitat. Adventurous visitors can paddle on the turquoise waters of Maligne Lake or take a scenic boat cruise to the picturesque Spirit Island. For those looking to relax, the Miette Hot Springs offer a soothing soak with incredible mountain vistas.
In town, Jasper’s friendly atmosphere is enhanced by cosy cafes, local boutiques and a variety of dining options, perfect for refuelling after a day in the great outdoors. As night falls, the Jasper Dark Sky Preserve reveals a breathtaking canopy of stars, making stargazing an awe-inspiring experience.
Jasper to Lake Louise via
the Icefields Parkway
Day 8
Distance - 150 miles
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Driving the Icefields Parkway in Alberta will be the drive of your lifetime, offering breathtaking views at every turn. Stretching between Jasper and Lake Louise for 141 miles (227 km), this scenic route is famous for its towering mountains, turquoise lakes and abundant wildlife.
Along the way you can stop at iconic spots like Athabasca Falls, Mistaya Canyon, Peyto Lake and Bow Lake, perfect for capturing stunning photographs. The Columbia Icefield is a must-see, where you can take a guided tour onto the Athabasca Glacier or visit the thrilling Skywalk with its glass floor overlooking the Sunwapta Valley.
You will find many picnic areas and lookouts along the route, which provide peaceful spots to relax and soak in the incredible scenery.
Banff, Lake Louise & Banff National Park
Days 9 - 11
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With the turquoise waters of Lake Louise reflecting snow-capped peaks, the vibrant wildflowers dotting the valleys and the sheer majesty of the Rocky Mountains towering against the sky, Banff is the crown jewel of Canada. The first National Park to be established in the country, today it offers accessible year-round experiences every day of the year for visitors.
Go up the Banff Gondola and discover sweeping scenes of six mountain ranges and the Bow Valley. Visit Johnston Canyon and enjoy stunning natural beauty and a roaring waterfall mere feet away. Enjoy an afternoon tea at the picture perfect Fairmont Château Lake Louise or spend the night at Sunshine Mountain Lodge, Banff’s only mountain top hotel.
Whether you stay in Banff or Lake Louise, there is an abundance of activities to choose from: go on a wildlife tour, plan a horseback ride, hop on a bicycle tour, hike with an Indigenous guide or simply spend time shopping on the charming Banff Avenue.
Canmore & Kananaskis
Day 12
Distance - 15 miles
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Framed by rugged peaks like the impressive Three Sisters, Canmore and the surrounding Kananaskis Valley are a wild, unspoiled paradise. From hiking and biking to horseback riding and white-water rafting, there is no shortage of ways to explore the great outdoors. For a unique experience, join a small-group cave tour or embark on a walk with an Indigenous Cree guide, who will teach you how to identify plants.
Canmore, one of the most beautiful mountain towns in Canada, boasts a laid-back yet lively atmosphere that makes it an ideal place to unwind after a day of exploration. Drop by the Carter-Ryan Gallery and see art collections by acclaimed Indiginous artist Jason Carter, visit one-of-a-kind locally owned boutiques or take a food tour and discover places you would not find on your own, tasting Alberta like an insider.
Waterton Lakes National Park
Day 13
Distance - 215 miles
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One of Alberta’s best kept secrets, Waterton Lakes National Park is an untouched paradise inviting visitors to reconnect with nature.
Spring in particular is a sensational time of the year to visit the park – the endless carpets of vibrant blooms that paint the landscape have given Waterton the nickname ‘Canada’s Wildflower Capital’.
But there are opportunities to take in its natural beauty in every season, including climbing summits, hiking or cycling scenic trails and exploring the picturesque Cameron Lake by canoe or paddleboard. Wildlife enthusiasts can spot white-tailed deer, bighorn sheep and even black bears roaming freely and stargazers will relish in the crystal-clear views of stars, planets and the Milky Way.
Whether seeking rustic camping experiences or lakeside luxury hotels, Waterton offers a range of accommodations to suit every traveller’s style.
Return to Calgary
Day 14
Distance - 185 miles
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Take a leisurely drive back to Calgary Airport for your return flight. Enroute make a stop at Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump to learn about the cultural significance of this the area to the Plains People. Eau Claire Distillery in Turner Valley provides the perfect lunch stop and the opportunity to taste local spirits.
Unmissable Experiences To Add
