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A 5-day Vancouver to Calgary, Canadian Rockies itinerary

A group of cyclists travel along the icefields parkway in the Rocky mountains

A 5-day Vancouver to Calgary, Canadian Rockies itinerary

There are few more picturesque journeys than a drive through the Canadian Rockies. Nestled between two exciting, thriving cities in Vancouver and Calgary, the Rockies are the natural wonder that every person should see at least once (but preferably several times) in their life.

So what does the drive look like?

  • After spending some time enjoying Vancouver’s amazing food and nightlife, you’ll head east stopping in towns littered with beautiful lakes, hot springs, ski hills, and wineries.
  • Once you enter the Rockies, it’s all bright blue lakes, snowy mountain caps, and glimpses of wildlife.
  • After taking it all in, you finish with a picturesque drive into the cowboy capital of Canada, Calgary — the perfect city in which to grab a craft beer, eat some more, enjoy live music, and then relax while looking through all of the photos from your journey!

The entire drive only takes about 10 hours, but this is not the type of trip you want to rush through. If that sounds right up your alley, here’s a more detailed itinerary for your trip from Vancouver to Calgary, through the Canadian Rockies.

A woman stands next to a large window looking out on Vancouver's harbour

Vancouver

Day 1: Vancouver

Your starting point

Trust us, it's not easy to leave VancouverExternal Link Title. You'll have to pry yourself away from beautiful Stanley Park, the charming, lively streets of Gastown, and the trendy coffee shops and breweries of Mount Pleasant. 

Take a day (or five) to enjoy the city's exciting attractionsExternal Link Title and even better foodExternal Link Title. Then it's time to see what else Canada has to offer.

A hiker in Revelstoke

Revelstoke

Day 2: Revelstoke

Total drive time: 6 hours

Must-stops along the way

From Vancouver, you'll head east, following the Fraser River along Highway 1 (the Trans-Canada Highway). There are countless potential stops during this first day.

  • ChilliwackExternal Link Title: If the season is right, pay a visit to numerous farms in the area and pick up local produce fresh from the fields. Chilliwack also has a huge community of potters, sculptors, woodworkers and other artisans -- perfect for souvenirs.
  • HarrisonExternal Link Title: Home to famous hot springs, Harrison is also a great place to go sturgeon fishing and land a dinosaur.
  • KamloopsExternal Link Title: In Kamloops the ground becomes a lot less flat, and you'll find the locals know how to take advantage! There's a wealth of hiking, mountain biking, and rock climbing in the summer, or skiing and snowboarding in the winter.

Eat

This entire leg of the drive kicks off in Canada's west coast foodie paradise. In other words, fill-up before you hit the road!

  • Nelson the SeagullExternal Link Title: Head for a light breakfast at Vancouver's Nelson the Seagull, where your poached eggs or avo on toast are almost as beautiful as the esthetic of the restaurant itself.
  • Jam CafeExternal Link Title: If Nelson the Seagull was great for a light breakfast, then Jam Cafe is perfect for a heavy one. This is the spot to get pulled pork pancakes, chicken french toast, or a nice, big eggs benny. It's all fuel for the road, right?
  • Granville Island Public MarkeExternal Link Titlet: Pick up fresh fruits, veggies, baked goods, and other snacks for the road at this quaint, waterfront market.
  • The Village Idiot BarExternal Link Title: A local's favourite in Revelstoke, this is the place to grab a beer and a pizza after your longest drive of the trip.

End your day

Ultimately, your destination on day one is Revelstoke, a small town nestled in the Columbia Mountains that is more than worth spending a day or two in if you like outdoor adventure.

A person going alpine rafting in Yoho national park

Yoho National Park

Day 3: Yoho National Park

Total drive time: 1 hour 45 minutes

Must-stops along the way

If you love outdoor adventure, you'll want to spend part of your second day exploring Revelstoke and surrounding areas before continuing on your journey eastward.

  • Revelstoke Mountain ResortExternal Link Title: Paradise for skiers, this resort has North America's highest vertical at 1,713 metres and is the only resort to offer lift, cat-skiing, heli-skiing, and backcountry skiing from one village base
  • Mount Revelstoke National ParkExternal Link Title: There are some 60 kilometres of trails to hike in this national park. You can also bike or drive to the peak for a spectacular view.
  • Glacier National ParkExternal Link Title: Only 30 minutes into your drive on day two you'll enter the second oldest national park in Canada. Located in the Selkirk Mountains, Glacier is known as the birthplace of mountaineering in North America, and the home of Rogers Pass -- a historic location between the Columbia and Rocky mountains which played an important role in the construction of the Trans-Canada Highway and Canadian Pacific Railway. Now, Glacier is also home to killer skiing and hiking, notably the 5-kilometre Mount Sir Donald Trail, and fairytale-like old growth forests that are yours to explore along the Giant Cedars Boardwalk.

Eat

You would think that these small Rockies towns wouldn't have much by the way of dining options. You would also be wrong.

End your day

Spend the full day Glacier, because you'll only need another hour and 15 minutes of driving to reach Yoho National Park, an underrated gem on the British Columbia side of the Rockies.

  • The Emerald Lake LodgeExternal Link Title: When your picture a lodge in the Rockies, it probably looks a lot like this once. Emerald Lake Lodge has a view to kill and, from its century-old fireplaces to its old saloon bar, is a great place to snap Instagram photos.
  • Camping in Yoho National Park: Why put actual walls between yourself and all that natural beauty. Yoho has over 150 campsitesExternal Link Title available at times between mid-May and mid-October.  
The town of Banff

Banff

Day 4: Banff

Total drive time: 1 hour

Must-stops along the way

Arguably the most beautiful leg of the drive, as you cross from British Columbia into Alberta, you'll understand why the Canadian Rockies are postcard perfect.

  • Yoho National ParkExternal Link Title: Spending the night in Yoho is nowhere near enough time to enjoy it. This park is full of things to do. Canoe at Emerald Lake; gaze at one of Canada's highest waterfalls; discover fossils over 500 million years old at Burgess Shale; or explore over 400 kilometres of hiking trails.
  • Lake LouiseExternal Link Title: You've seen the photos of it: the sparking turquoise waters, the overlooking Victoria Glacier, or the people skating on the frozen waters in winter. Now it's time to experience the jaw-dropping beauty for yourself. Paddle on the water in a signature red canoe, walk a trail along its edges, or photograph the heck out of it.
  • Moraine LakeExternal Link Title: Another turquoise, glacier-fed lake means another opportunity to set out on a canoe. More shoreline to walk, and more photos to take.
  • Lake Louise Ski ResortExternal Link Title: Pile into the Grizzly Express gondola and treat yourself to views of Victoria and Temple mountains. For the way down, there's line after line of prime ski heaven.
  • Sunshine VillageExternal Link Title: More great skiing and more great vistas await at Sunshine Village, which has 3,514 feet of vertical and over 145 runs. Make sure not to miss Bye Bye Bowl, a great black diamond run at the resort's apex
  • Mt. Norquay: In the summertime, Mt. NorquayExternal Link Title's Via Ferrata is a great way for non-rock climbers to experience what it feels like to scale a mountain. In the winter, of course, it's all about skiing or snowboardingExternal Link Title the 10 feet of yearly snowfall.

Eat

All the outdoor exploration and adventuring is going to leave you famished. But Banff has you covered.

End your day

A mountain town through-and-through, walk the main streets of downtown Banff and shop for souvenirs, outdoor gear, and more before turning in for the night.

  • Deer LodgeExternal Link Title: If you'd rather spend the night outside of town, Deer Lodge in Lake Louise is equal parts rustic and luxurious. Enjoy the dry wood sauna, the rooftop hot tub, and the ambiance of this teahouse turned retreat.
  • Fairmont Banff SpringsExternal Link Title: Known as the "Castle in the Rockies," this Fairmont is a luxury base camp for all of your skiing and snowboarding in the winter, or your golfing in the summer. Also, don't miss the legendary weekend brunch.
  • The Moose Hotel and SuitesExternal Link Title: Located just a few minutes walking from downtown Banff, this brand new hotel has a spa and two rooftop hot pools with mountain views.
The Calgary skyline

Calgary

Day 5: Calgary

Total drive time: 90 minutes

Must-stops along the way

Wake up in the beautiful town of Banff and cross off any must-see Rockies stops you may have missed on your previous day, before making your way to cosmopolitan Calgary.

  • Cave and Basin National Historic SiteExternal Link Title: The desire to protect this site is the reason Banff became Canada's first national park. Home to a natural hot spring used for centuries by Aboriginal Peoples, take a discovery tour and learn the history of a true Canadian icon.
  • Mt. Rundle: Not for the faint of heart, hiking Mt. Rundle is a full-day affair. It takes 7-8 hours to conquer the 11-kilometre scramble thanks to an impressive 1,577 metres of vertical and challenging terrain.
  • CanmoreExternal Link Title: Only 20 minutes drive from Banff, Canmore is a great place to see what else the Rockies have to offer beyond hiking and skiing (though they have that too). Visit the Canmore Nordic CentreExternal Link Title, which hosted many events during the 1988 Winter Olympics, for mountain biking or fat biking, snowshoeing, disc golf, and more. Canmore is also a great place to head into the darkness and try cavingExternal Link Title.

Eat

On this final day, you'll want to eat only enough to get by until you reach Calgary, where you can fill yourself until you have no room left, thanks to a booming restaurant scene.

End your day

Calgary, your final destination, will grow on the horizon as you continue your drive along the TransCanada Highway. Poke around this friendly, walkable city before making your way to a beautiful hotel for the night.

  • The Cultural DistrictExternal Link Title: Found in the heart of Calgary, this neighbourhood is home to dozens of arts and culture hotspots like galleries, museums, theatres, concert halls and outdoor festival space, plus excellent shopping, dining and nightlife, all within a few city blocks. It's a great place to have a walk around and do something spontaneous. After all, you'll definitely be spending a few more days in this incredible city, right?
  • Le Germain HotelExternal Link Title: Located at the foot of the Calgary Tower, this modern hotel puts you in the heart of the action and is sure to please.
  • The Fairmont PalliserExternal Link Title: Can you really go wrong with a Fairmont? Connected by the Skywalk to the Telus Convention Centre, the Calgary Tower, and the Glenbow Museum, this hotel really combines classic luxury with downtown action.  

This itinerary is great if you’re pressed for time, but if you can manage it, you should definitely spend an extra day or two at each of these stops. And, of course, take as much time as you can to explore the endless attractions of both Vancouver and Calgary.