• Banff Gondola - A quintessential Banff experience is the gondola ride to the summit of Sulphur Mountain, offering breathtaking 360-degree views across six mountain ranges.

Stroll along the boardwalks leading to the Sulphur Mountain Cosmic Ray Station, where you might spot bighorn sheep. Relish the new bistro, coffee, and market-style dining while watching the sunset.

• Bow Falls - Situated on the Bow River near the Banff Springs Hotel, just before the Spray River joins.

Water levels vary dramatically throughout the year, especially during the spring thaw. A small car park and trail lead to a higher viewing area. The view of Bow Falls was pivotal in choosing the site for the Banff Springs Hotel.

• Surprise Corner - For over a century, visitors have been amazed by the view of the Banff Springs Hotel, Bow Falls below, and Sulphur and Rundle Mountains in the background.

A small car park and viewing platform are located across the road. Be cautious of traffic as it is a blind corner.

• Cave and Basin National Historic Site - Known and used by First Nations people, the Cave and Basin area gained fame in 1883 when three railway workers discovered the cave and its thermal mineral springs. This event spurred interest and tourism, leading to the establishment of Banff National Park, Canada’s first national park.

Explore the Interpretive Centre and boardwalks to see the original underground cave and the endangered Banff Springs snail.

• Banff Upper Hot Springs - Originally, travelers came to Banff to “take the waters” as part of a health retreat. Soak in the hot mineral springs, rich in sulphate, calcium, bicarbonate, magnesium, and sodium.

Water temperatures range between 37-40C/98-104F, and these are the only hot springs in Banff National Park where you can bathe. They are located just above the Banff Gondola base station.

• Lake Minnewanka - Meaning “water of the spirits” in Nakoda, Lake Minnewanka is a glacial lake expanded by three small dams. Small cruise boats tour the 21km (13 miles) length of the lake, offering excellent opportunities to see wildlife along the shoreline and learn about Aboriginal artifacts dating back 10,000 years.

The 6.4km (4 miles) return Stewart Canyon hike is an easy and rewarding trail. Locals and travelers alike enjoy ice cream or a BBQ while taking in the spectacular mountain views.

• Hoodoos Trail - Known as hoodoos, fairy chimneys, or goblins, these geological formations showcase the power of rain, wind, and ice in eroding rock and leaving behind teetering spires. An easy, flat trail leads to a viewpoint capturing the hoodoos, Bow River, and Rundle Mountain.
• Vermilion Lakes - This trio of shallow, wetland lakes near town is an excellent spot for wildlife viewing, including many birds, coyotes, and occasionally bears and moose.

It’s a lovely, easy walk or bike ride from downtown. You can also access it via canoe from the Bow River when water levels spill into Echo Creek.

• Bow Valley Parkway - The old Trans Canada Highway 1A drive connecting Banff and Lake Louise is framed by impressive peaks and offers a slower, more relaxed alternative to the fast Highway 1. There are many scenic viewpoints along the route, including iconic views of Castle Mountain and Morant’s Curve, where you can attempt to recreate the famous historic photograph used to market the Park by train.

The most visited attraction along the route is Johnston Canyon, a relatively easy hike with metal walkways bolted to canyon walls. The Lower Falls is a scenic reward for completing the trail, and those wanting more can continue an uphill hike to the Upper Falls.

The Bow Valley Parkway is an excellent place to view wildlife.

• Johnston Canyon - One of Banff National Park’s most popular natural attractions is the short hike to Johnston Canyon. It’s a relatively easy 1.1 km (1 mile) walk along the trail and steel catwalks built into the canyon walls to the Lower Falls, where you can crouch through a short tunnel to a final viewing platform.

Continue on the trail a bit further (and steeper) to the Upper Falls. In the summer, the cool canyon provides natural air-conditioning with the fine mist from the falls. In winter, the area transforms into an icy landscape of frozen waterfalls and snow-covered trees.

• Moraine Lake - The Valley of the Ten Peaks is considered iconically Canadian and was featured on the Canadian $20 bill for many years. Enjoy canoeing, a short walk to the Rockpile Viewpoint or Consolation Lake, or a delicious meal at Moraine Lake Lodge. Moraine Lake typically thaws from June to October.
• Icefields Parkway - This incredibly scenic drive is a highlight of any tour in the Canadian Rockies and has been voted the World’s Most Beautiful Mountain Drive. You can drive the Icefields Parkway in either direction.

Along the way, we’ll point out must-do stops and places to explore if you have time. Be amazed by the incredible mountains, brightly colored lakes, and glaciers lining the road. The thundering waterfalls are spectacular, and your chances of spotting wildlife are excellent.

• Yoho National Park - Yoho National Park continues the National Parks system immediately west of Lake Louise. There are three very worthwhile places to explore in Yoho, along with some extra short stops.
• Takakkaw Falls - Takakkaw Falls are the biggest and mightiest of the many incredible waterfalls in the Canadian Rockies. Enjoy the mist from this glacier-fed cascade. The drive through Yoho Valley to the falls is often a lucky spot for wildlife sightings, with other short scenic stops along the way.

The road usually opens in June due to avalanche hazards.

• Emerald Lake - The Rockies boast many spectacularly colored alpine lakes surrounded by gorgeous mountain peaks. Even with many to choose from, Emerald Lake stands out and is not to be missed. After the initial thrill of viewing the lake, you can enjoy a flat hike around its perimeter or paddle a canoe on its blue waters. One of the Rockies’ premier lakeside lodges is located on the shore of Emerald Lake, offering casual or gourmet lunch options.

There’s also a bonus quick stop at Natural Bridge on the access road to Emerald Lake.

• Spiral Tunnels - A pivotal event in creating the new nation of Canada was completing a railroad connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The Canadian Rockies posed a significant challenge for railway engineers and surveyors.

The Spiral Tunnels exemplify the ingenuity required to tame the mountains. From the viewpoint, you can see the two spiral tunnels where trains, climbing and descending through Kicking Horse Pass, appear to pass over themselves to manage the steep grade.

• Parker Ridge Trail - Close to the Icefield Centre, Parker Ridge is a popular short but steep hike. The reward for reaching the ridge’s edge is superb views of the Saskatchewan Glacier filling the valley behind.

Due to the elevation of 6,000 feet, the hike may be more tiring than expected. Take your time and rest if needed. The view is worth it, and most people spend about 1.5 to 2 hours enjoying the experience. Snow is common on the trail year-round.

• Crowfoot Glacier - Located alongside Bow Lake, Crowfoot Glacier is a fine example of a hanging glacier, appearing stuck to the mountain’s face. The glacier was originally shaped like a crow’s foot, but as it has shrunk, it now has just two toes.
• Bow Lake - Bow Lake is fed by the Bow Glacier above it. The water running out of the lake forms the Bow River, which flows through Banff National Park and into Calgary. An historic lodge, Num Ti Jah, sits beside the lake, built by Jimmy Simpson, one of Banff’s legendary early guides.

Due to the availability of only small trees, the hand-built log building was constructed in an unusual hexagonal shape. At its time, it was the largest log building in the world. Bow Lake is an excellent photo stop.

• Lake Louise - The jewel of the Canadian Rockies, turquoise-colored Lake Louise is perfectly framed by towering peaks and Victoria Glacier. Stunning photos can be taken from the lake’s foreshore.

Hike the famous Plain of Six Glaciers or Lake Agnes Tea House trails to take in the surrounding views and see glaciers calving on warm days, sending thundering chunks of snow and ice off the glacier’s face. Bring cash to enjoy treats at the teahouses, as no debit or credit payments are available. Rent a canoe or take the Lake Louise Sightseeing Gondola for a leisurely pace.

• Weeping Wall - An impressive cliff that we drive under as the valley narrows, the Weeping Wall oozes snowmelt from above and trickles through the rock. This process continues through winter, creating excellent frozen falls for ice climbers.
• Jasper SkyTram - Located on Whistlers Mountain near the town (different from Whistler Ski Resort), this is Jasper’s most popular attraction. The tramway glides to 2200m (7200 feet). After enjoying the views from the top station, you can hike higher into the alpine to a series of viewpoints above the treeline or enjoy mountaintop dining.
• Athabasca Glacier - Located around halfway between Jasper and Banff on the Icefields Parkway, the Athabasca Glacier is one of the route highlights and one of the most accessible glaciers in the world.

You can take in the views from the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre or book a Columbia Icefield Adventure Tour, which takes you onto the glacier on an Ice Explorer, a giant all-terrain vehicle.

• Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre - The Athabasca Glacier is one of the outflows from the larger Columbia Icefield and is one of the most accessible glaciers in the world. You can drive right to the glacier’s toe, watching the markers showing its retreat over more than a century.

The Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre is where you can book the Columbia Icefield Adventure Tour, which takes you onto the glacier on an Ice Explorer, a giant all-terrain vehicle. This ticket also includes a separate bus to a glass-bottomed SkyWalk over a canyon. Allow at least 3 hours for the combined experience. If short on time, you can book the SkyWalk by itself.

• Sunwapta Falls and Canyon - Sunwapta has one of the prettiest settings of the many impressive waterfalls in the Canadian Rockies. Outstanding viewpoints are accessed within a minute of the car park.

Those with more energy will enjoy exploring the 3km loop trail that explores peaceful pools lower into the canyon and can be completed easily in an hour.

• Peyto Lake - Located at Bow Summit, Peyto Lake is simply amazing. Despite being an hour’s drive from the Columbia Icefield, Bow Summit is the highest point on the Icefields Parkway.

The elevated viewing location, surrounding mountains, and glacier-fed waters make Peyto Lake one of the most superbly colored mountain lakes you will ever see. Fingers crossed for a sunny day, as more sunshine makes the color brighter.

• Pyramid and Patricia Lakes - Sitting on a benchland above Jasper, this short drive offers one of the most iconic views of Jasper, looking across Pyramid Lake to Pyramid Mountain. Take the small footbridge to the island for a unique photo opportunity. On the drive, learn about a secret WWII project tested on neighboring Patricia Lake.
• Maligne Canyon - Water from tall mountain ranges and nearby lakes has carved this impressive, deep, and narrow canyon through limestone. It’s a must-see.

From the main parking area, the canyon is only a minute’s walk, but there are many different views to peer down into. For those looking to hike, starting from the 5th Bridge location offers the opportunity to follow trails running the entire canyon length.

• Maligne Lake - Located at the end of Maligne Lake Road, after passing Maligne Canyon and Medicine Lake, we arrive at Maligne Lake. There are several places to enjoy the lakeshore, though hiking trails are short and limited.

The most popular activity at Maligne Lake is taking the famous cruise to capture the iconic photo of Spirit Lake. Prebook your cruise time if planning to go.

• Athabasca Falls - Located at the Jasper end of the Icefields Parkway, the Athabasca Falls cut through very hard quartz-rich rock, cascading through a narrow canyon. A spectacle at any time, during the spring thaw, snowmelt delivers an incredible amount of water over the falls for an impressive show.
• Old Fort Point Loop Trail - Close to town, Old Fort Point offers a short stair climb and trails for those wanting to go further, providing superb views back to the town and along Jasper’s valleys. Big Horn Sheep are commonly found here.
• Mt. Edith Cavell - A lovely side trip requiring a minimum of 2 hours to complete if you have the time. Visit from Jasper or add to your Icefields Parkway day if you leave early!

Two superb hikes depart from the small viewpoint and car park. The Path of the Glacier, 1.6km (1 mile) with a 70m (230 feet) elevation change to Cavell Pond, where you may see icebergs floating from above Cavell Glacier. Or, the Cavell Meadows Trail, 7km (4.3 miles) with a 500m (1640 feet) elevation change (recommended in mid-summer) for an array of mountain wildflowers, views of Angel Glacier, and squeaking mountain pikas and ground squirrels.

• Miette Hot Springs - On the eastern side of the National Park, approximately 50 minutes’ drive from Jasper, are Miette Hot Springs. These are the hottest thermal pools in the Rockies, offering a scenic view while soaking. Relaxing in the pools after a long day of sightseeing is ideal, but visiting at any time is enjoyable.

Driving Highway 16 from town offers many wildlife viewing opportunities, especially as we follow the Athabasca River. There are also several short sightseeing and viewpoint stops along the way.

• Canadian Rockies - As the audio guides play commentary based on your GPS location, you can create your own itinerary along the tour route(s) to match your interests and schedule.

Our most comprehensive guide for exploring the Canadian Rockies. This one app includes all four of our individual tours for Banff Townsite and Surrounds, Lake Louise and Yoho, Icefields Parkway, and Jasper National Park.

Some of the highlights are listed below;

• Toll-free support via phone, chat, and email
• Offline tour access with pre-download feature
• Multifaceted trip planners: in-app, web, and PDF formats
• Automated location-based stories, tips, and directions
• GuideAlong (GyPSy Guide) with 520 audio points
• One-time purchase without usage time or expiry date
• Customizable itineraries with flexible routes

• National Park Passes
• Attractions (Banff Gondola, Hot Springs, Cave & Basin) ticket prices vary.

Don’t miss a thing as GuideAlong’s Canadian Rockies Audio Tour takes you on an incredible journey through craggy mountains, sparkling lakes, and ancient glaciers. Along the way, you’ll be guided to all of the area’s famous highlights while you spot wildlife along with the world’s most scenic drives.

This self-guided audio tour helps you discover more on your road trip with fascinating behind-the-scenes stories, local tips, and directions that play automatically along the drive.

Enjoy the freedom to explore offline at your own pace so you can spend more time at places that interest you, and bypass any that don’t.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.