#FreshFromTheField: 5 Things We Enjoyed in the Canadian Rockies

Having spent years exploring places like Patagonia and the Peruvian Andes, we approached the Canadian Rockies with measured expectations. The landscapes here are beautiful, but in a different way. They are more accessible, more developed, and undeniably more visited. Rather than demanding days of trekking to reach a glacial valley, many of the most celebrated viewpoints are a short walk from the car park. For many travellers, that is precisely the appeal. This wasn't a journey that left us speechless in the same way Torres del Paine or the Cordillera Huayhuash have. Yet, it was still an immensely enjoyable road trip through well-protected wilderness, where excellent infrastructure makes it remarkably easy to spend long days outdoors. Here are a few moments which stood out.

Hiking to Raven's End

When we made Canmore our base for a few days, one of our favourite walks was the trail to Raven's End. Unlike some of the Rockies' better-known attractions, the trail felt pleasantly low-key. It meandered through forest before gradually revealing views across the surrounding mountains, rewarding us without demanding an especially strenuous climb. Perhaps because it isn't one of the region's marquee hikes, it offered something we found ourselves increasingly appreciating throughout the trip: a little breathing room. For more adventurous hikers, the trail up a challenging scramble continues to the summit of Mount Yamnuska. We called it a day at The Chimney, a steep and narrow rock gully just after Raven's End, just to have a view from a higher point.

A Detour into the Kootenays

The Kootenays ended up being one of the quieter parts of our journey. While Banff and Lake Louise attract the majority of visitors, the roads here are less busy, the towns smaller, and the hiking trails noticeably less trodden by international tourists. We particularly enjoyed the easy walk up to Lyon's Bluff where expansive views opened across forested ridges and broad valleys, shopping at the farmers' market in Nelson and watching the sunset on Slocan Lake.

The Joy of Driving

If there is one thing the Canadian Rockies do exceptionally well, it is the road trip. The highways are beautifully maintained, distances between stops are manageable, and every hour or so there seems to be another lake, waterfall or viewpoint worth pulling over for. Unlike many of the remote regions we often travel through, exploring here requires relatively little logistical effort. That ease makes the Rockies an excellent introduction to nature-focused travel in North America. You can cover considerable ground in comfort while still spending much of the day outdoors. The trade-off, of course, is that you are rarely alone. One of the highlights of the drive between Canmore and the Kootenays was the Upper Arrow Lake ferry crossing between Shelter Bay and Galena Bay. After a 30-minute ferry ride, we stopped at the nearby Halfway Hot Springs with friends who grew up in the area, dipping between the hot mineral pools and the cold waters of Halfway River, before continuing our journey to Nakusp for amazing sourdough pizzas. Another section worth driving is the Icefields Parkway between Jasper and Lake Louise, where we had the opportunity to stop at many viewpoints such as the Athabasca Glacier and Athabasca Falls.

Staying at the Iconic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

Rather than making a brief stop at Lake Louise, we chose to stay at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Canada's ultimate alpine grande dame and a must-visit for fellow hotel geeks. More than the hotel itself, what we appreciated was having access to the lake before and after the busiest hours of the day. Early mornings, before the parking lots filled, were undoubtedly our favourite time to wander the shoreline to watch the glow of the surrounding peaks of Mount Fairview and Mount Victoria. The hotel also served as a convenient base for visiting nearby Emerald Lake and Moraine Lake without constantly changing accommodation. Although all three lakes are undeniably photogenic (and crowded during the summer months), each has a distinct character. Emerald Lake is surrounded by dense forest, ideal for an unhurried stroll or a peaceful canoe paddle; whereas Moraine Lake is set beneath the dramatic Valley of the Ten Peaks and has a more theatrical setting. Its intense blue waters and towering alpine backdrop create one of the Rockies' most iconic vistas, particularly when viewed from the Rockpile at first light.

A new, noteworthy addition to the hotel's facilites is the 19,000-square foot Basin Glacial Waters spa which opened this summer and only open to hotel guests. Though the 3-hour access fee of CAD275 per person fee may seem hefty, the alpine wellness experience was worth every dollar in our opinion. Fed by mineral-rich glacial waters sourced from the Canadian Rockies, the experience is deeply rooted in its natural surroundings, with outdoor thermal pools, and indoor sauna and steam rooms framed by mountain views. We highly recommend trying the 12-minute Aufguss ritual, included in every spa visit. It is an intense sauna experience hosted by a trained sauna master pouring essential oil-infused water onto hot stones and using choreographed towel movements to circulate fragrant steam.

The Rocky Mountaineer from Kamloops to Jasper

Our final highlight was travelling aboard the Rocky Mountaineer between Kamloops and Jasper, the second half of the Journey Through the Clouds train journey which departs from Vancouver. There is something wonderfully relaxing about seeing the landscape unfold from the train rather than from behind the wheel, maybe because we could sit and stare, rather than focus on driving. Rivers, forests and mountain ranges pass slowly beyond the panoramic windows while the onboard hosts provide thoughtful commentary about the region's history, wildlife and geology. Seeing Pyramid Falls upclose while the train rolled by was also a plus!

A Note on Travelling in Summer

One thing worth mentioning is that we travelled during the height of the summer season. While the long daylight hours make hiking and road trips wonderfully easy, they also coincide with the busiest time of year. Popular viewpoints, lakes and village centres become crowded, and parking often fills early. For travellers like us accustomed to places where wilderness still feels genuinely remote, the Canadian Rockies can sometimes feel surprisingly busy. Even in the national parks, the infrastructure is extensive and tourism is ever-present. That accessibility is one of the destination's greatest strengths, but it inevitably softens the sense of wildness.

We found ourselves enjoying the quieter corners of the Canadian Rockies — the Kootenays, lesser-known trails, and the hours just after sunrise — far more than the iconic viewpoints at their busiest. Looking back, what we appreciated most was not a single landmark, but the rhythm of the journey itself and being able to make daily plans on the fly because there are so many options to choose from. Long drives between mountain towns, easy hikes, comfortable lodges, and the freedom to spend each day outdoors without complicated logistics. It is a destination that lends itself well to slow exploration, particularly for those looking for an approachable road trip with children and grandparents through some of North America's most beautiful mountain scenery.

Get in touch with us to find out more about self-guided road trips, rail journeys on the Rocky Mountaineer trains, as well as VIP booking perks at luxury hotels around Canada!

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