Join us as we discover some of Canada's most beautiful landscapes. Two weeks of road tripping in a campervan through the Canadian Rockies... Who hasn't dreamed of it? That's exactly what we're offering you after two weeks spent among the mountains of the national parks in the province of Alberta. From Banff to Jasper, passing through the legendary Lake Louise, with pine trees, sunshine and plenty of fun! Still on board? Then let us take you along for the ride!
First steps in Canada
Arriving at around 3pm in Vancouver after a rather pleasant flight, here we are on Canadian soil. What excitement — we were bursting with anticipation! We still had a lovely afternoon ahead of us to explore the city and start soaking up its atmosphere. We chose to wander the streets on foot and set off in search of a bar to sample the local flavours.
We spent the early evening at the Lamplighter bar. You can enjoy a great selection of beers and light bites there. — Free Wi-Fi if needed. We chose to fill our stomachs at Tacofino. A pretty popular spot, and for good reason! We were not disappointed with our choice; the tacos were delicious. Later, during our stay, we would try the famous poutine. Delight or disaster? Stay tuned...
At 9:30pm, with a few beers and a good meal taking their toll, we succumbed to exhaustion. It was still early by local time, but with the 9-hour time difference, it was time to get some sleep. Our stop in Vancouver was fairly brief, but we wanted to be in good shape and hit the road as quickly as possible. We would take the time to explore the city more thoroughly before catching our flight home at the end of the trip. We never say no to adventure, and even less so when it involves heading into the Canadian mountains.
First miles on the road
In Canada, distances can quickly become very great. Before experiencing the wide open spaces, you need to put in some serious driving. From Vancouver, you should allow a good 8 hours of driving to reach the Rockies. Fortunately, the mood in the campervan was great. Florent, our proud driver, immediately set the tone by adopting the famous Canadian accent within just a few minutes. That's a good sign!
Note: Prepare a good playlist on your smartphone and a Jack cable for your trip. Radio reception is not very good, and you know as well as we do how much music can set the rhythm of a road trip.
Surrounded by towering pine trees
After a full day of driving, we arrived at night in Banff National Park, in the province of Alberta. We drove through an enormous forest of tall pine trees, and that's when we spotted wildfires in the distance. This hypnotic spectacle of light, flames and smoke left us awestruck and rooted to the spot for a few moments. This little reminder showed us just how powerful nature is and how it rules the land in this country... Later, we learned that wildfires are quite common. They were not very significant that year and were largely under control. "Good news".
Tip: Google Maps now makes it easy to download offline maps of the regions you're visiting. You no longer need an external GPS and you save on your 4G data!
Where to spend the night?
After a first pleasant but rather cold night (remember to bring a good sleeping bag), we started the day gently with a hearty breakfast, watching the sun rise over the surrounding mountains. This quickly became our daily routine at the campsites where we stayed afterwards. Try to book as many campsites in advance as possible when you can. They are often packed during tourist season. However, for a large number of campsites, you'll need to arrive early to have any hope of securing a spot, as it's impossible to reserve a pitch in advance. If you're feeling a little more adventurous, you'll always have the option of finding a more secluded spot, away from prying eyes, to spend the night.
Banff and surroundings
There is certainly no shortage of activities or places to visit in the area. It's even a real pleasure to simply drive and admire the landscapes around you. You won't be disappointed doing the circuit around Emerald Lake. It covers 5km and you'll have the chance to swim in it. The water is lovely, even in September! We spent a few nights at a campsite on the heights of Banff.
It was the perfect opportunity to skip the camp cooking and go and try the famous Poutine! It's essentially a large portion of fries topped with a maple syrup brown gravy and partially melted cheese. It's worth trying at least once in your life, but not necessarily twice! Banff, by the way, is a very pleasant town, though quite touristy.
In September it's still warm, and the weather is ideal for enjoying the sunshine. We recommend spending a few hours canoeing on the Bow River. Take in the scenery! We took a quick dip in the 5°C water — it's invigorating, but it's almost impossible to stay in for more than a few seconds. If you do better, let us know!
Wednesday, September 6, 2017 — it's already been almost a week since we've been exploring the region. Today we arrive at one of the park's most renowned spots: Moraine Lake. A magnificent lake, surrounded by 10 peaks rising above 3,000m in altitude. Here we took the time to soak in the scenery.
Like us, you can also hike the round trip to Consolation Lake. It will take you roughly two hours. The destination is well worth it, but stay alert — the area is known for bear sightings!
Lake Louise
The next day we hit the road again to make our way to Lake Louise. A major tourist destination covering 80 hectares, the lake is nevertheless well worth a visit. A small piece of advice: avoid the lake's immediate surroundings, which are overrun by tourists, and head out on the Big Beehive trail instead. We decided to set off early to avoid the crowds on the route and, above all, to make the most of the sunlight on the right side of the mountain. After roughly two and a half hours of climbing, we reached the highest point of the day. We had our lunch at 2,250 metres above sea level, legs dangling over the edge as we gazed out over the view of the Lake. Pure bliss!
From Lake Louise to Jasper via the Icefields Parkway
Knowing we were approaching the halfway point of our journey, we decided to head up to Jasper via the famous Icefields Parkway. The only road — 230 km in a straight line through the mountains — connecting the two destinations. The views were well and truly up to our expectations. If you set off early enough, you'll have Peyto Lake all to yourself! If you have the time, also stop at Bow Lake. The reflection of the mountains on the lake offers a panorama you won't soon forget.
Canadian Rockies Part 2
To keep you in suspense, we won't reveal everything just yet. Check back soon for the continuation of our Canadian adventures. We'll be sharing the second part of our journey with you. Word has it the scenery is even more breathtaking in Jasper National Park!!! Just a little more patience...
Discover nature and the great Canadian outdoors