Calgary Trip Overview
This of-the-beaten path tour can be done in either direction, starting in Calgary, Banff, or Canmore.
Road trips in Canadian Rockies, are more than a vacation. They’re a romance all your own, with your faithful steed carrying you to the place you’ll discover a brand-new part of yourself.
For many, visiting the Canadian Rockies and Banff National Park, is simply a way to drive and get from Canmore or Banff to Lake Louis. But not too many decide venture into rugged backcountry and drive the unique and interesting stretch of roads and explore the Canadian Rockies valley’s, rolling ranch lands, set against a backdrop of rocky peaks.
This off the beaten path tour will take you mainly through Kananaskis Country and some of the best of the Alberta wilderness. You will travel through not one, but four provincial park areas, with plenty of opportunities to stop and take pictures of the abundant wildlife and beautiful scenery.
Additional Info
Duration: 10 to 11 hours
Starts: Calgary, Canada
Trip Category: Outdoor Activities >> 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours
Explore Calgary Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Calgary, Alberta, Canada
This of-the-beaten path tour can be done in either direction, starting in Calgary, Banff, or Canmore.
Road trips in Canadian Rockies, are more than a vacation. They’re a romance all your own, with your faithful steed carrying you to the place you’ll discover a brand-new part of yourself.
For many, visiting the Canadian Rockies and Banff National Park, is simply a way to drive and get from Canmore or Banff to Lake Louis. But not too many decide venture into rugged backcountry and drive the unique and interesting stretch of roads and explore the Canadian Rockies valley’s, rolling ranch lands, set against a backdrop of rocky peaks.
This off the beaten path tour will take you mainly through Kananaskis Country and some of the best of the Alberta wilderness. You will travel through not one, but four provincial park areas, with plenty of opportunities to stop and take pictures of the abundant wildlife and beautiful scenery.
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Canmore, Canmore, Kananaskis Country, Alberta
This of-the-beaten path tour can be done in either direction, starting in Calgary, Banff, or Canmore.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Spray Lake, Kananskis Valley, Alberta Canada
The Smith-Dorrien/Spray Trail (gravel-surfaced) also known as Highway 742, stretches between the town of Canmore and Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. It allows access to a vast area containing coniferous forest, muskeg, subalpine and alpine habitats.
Spray lakes scores a 10/10 on the breathtaking scale in Oscar-winning The Revenant with Leonardo Di Caprio.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Upper Kananaskis Lake, Canmore, Alberta Canada
Upper Kananaskis Lakes is a natural lake that were made substantially bigger by hydroelectric projects.
15 years since release of the movie Brokeback Mountain, the area shows how much of can change yet the backdrop still remains the same! The Upper Kananaskis lake remains untouched and kept all of its beauty!
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Highwood Pass, Alberta Canada
As far as scenic drives go, driving through the Highwood Pass — consider it the most scenic and remote section of Highway 40, or the Kananaskis Trail — in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park is tough to top. Reaching the dizzying height of 2,206 metres, this is the highest paved road in Canada. Riveting views of the Rockies are constant throughout the journey.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Longview, Longview, Alberta
Longview is a quaint little stop along the Cowboy Trail that lives up to its name. The town once known as ‘Little New York’ is the most direct gateway to the Kananaskis Provincial Park and offers galleries, gourmet dining, one of a kind events, a family friendly campground, and views for days.
Home to Alberta’s strong ranching heritage, you’ll find the historic Bar-U Ranch just south of town, as well as history pieces throughout our eateries and galleries. Speaking of food, from a world famous steakhouse and jerky to the history of the Twin Cities Hotel or the flair of New Little New York Bistro, Longview offers options no matter your taste or budget.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Elbow Falls Provincial Recreation Area, Hwy 66 18 km’s west of Highway 22 / Highway 66 intersection, Bragg Creek, Alberta T0L 0K0 Canada
The most popular destination in the Elbow Valley. A short trail next to the highway brings you to a beautiful waterfall that has been used as a backdrop for several movies including the opening scenes of the Bourne Legacy, Brokeback Mountain and Land.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Powderface Trail, Alberta T0L, Canada
The scenic and twisty Powderface Trail is a very exciting journey located in the front ranges of Kananaskis Country. It is a spectacular drive and the road cuts through remote Kananaskis Country, running alongside creeks and dense coniferous forests.
Duration: 2 hours
Pass By: Stoney Nakoda Resort Casino, 888 Nakoda Way, Morley, Alberta T0L 1N0 Canada
Known as the “Basecamp of the Rockies,” the Stoney Nakoda Resort & Casino is located in a stunning mountain setting. While many of our guests visit to enjoy the peace and tranquility of Alberta Rocky Mountains, we offer plenty of fun, and high-energy activities too. In addition to a full casino, you’ll enjoy a wide range of diversions and amenities.
