Recommended Hikes
Getting around in Banff
Hotels and Restaurants
Other
Recommended hikes
There are several other hikes in the area that you can do. We recommend these ones because we have done them and can attest to the payoff! Please do your research before you attempt them, especially if you are new to hiking. That being said, most of these are quite easy.
Getting around in Banff
By Car
We flew into Calgary and picked up a rental car from near the airport. This is the most comfortable way to travel for us but be warned, there are a lot of places in Banff and Jasper where finding parking is challenging. Most parking spots in Banff and jasper are either scanty or paid. So factor this into the cost when you take a car. You will also need a Parks Canada pass to enter the national parks. We bought the Discovery pass a week before we travelled. Please head over to the official website and purchase your pass. Do not forget to take a printout of your receipt and stick it on your car’s dashboard. You can be fined severely if you are caught without a pass.
Public Transport
There are shuttle buses that can take you from Calgary to Banff. The same is true for travel from Banff to Jasper and back. These are comfortable and cheap alternatives. The Public Transport system is quite reliable and many chose to travel this way. The best place to find information about all these bus services is the Visit Calgary website. Once you are in Banff town, your best bet is Roam Transit. You can find all the bus schedules and buy passes/seats from the Roam Transit website directly. Make sure you reserve seats at least 24hrs in advance if you are particular about catching sunsets at the lakes.
Hotels and Restaurants
Banff
Located almost at the very end of Banff Avenue. This is a budget-friendly hotel with all the amenities you could ask for. Downtown Banff is a 15min walk from here but the roam transit bus stop is a few feet away. The hotel provides free passes to ride the buses downtown or you could simply walk. We enjoyed the walk to and from this place. The rooms are large, the linen is clean and the staff is courteous. Staying in Banff can get expensive quite quickly but this place is a good option if you want to save some money but still enjoy everything Banff town has to offer.
Jasper
Excellent location! The property is right on the banks of the Athabasca River. You can enjoy leisurely walks within the property and quite possibly encounter elks right within its boundaries. It’s a short drive away from Jasper downtown and other hotspots like the Skytram and Pyramid Lakes. It has a quaint little restaurant/cafe with the best lemonades. Your evenings can be spent exploring the property or enjoying the bonfire. I would 100% recommend booking this place. We booked hotel rooms with a balcony and a view of the mountains.
Other
- Most parking is paid and can cost you anywhere between $10-$15. Make sure you budget for that.
- This is bear country, please carry bear spray, especially between Spring-Fall
- There is no cellphone coverage on the Icefields Parkway, download a map and keep it handy. You won’t get lost here but having a map helps with planning where you want to stop and which viewpoints to prioritize
- There is just one gas pump on the Icefields Parkway. It’s at the Saskatchewan river crossing and it is expensive! Fill up before you get on the Icefields Parkway.
- You will come across several animals on your drives. Please drive carefully. The road is their’s too!
- The hikes can take longer than what the websites or info pages say. Carry enough water and some trail mix. You will thank me later!
- Carry hiking gear. If you plan on doing the moderate to difficult hikes mentioned here, you need to have good hiking shoes, comfortable socks and hiking poles!
Note: None of the links, restaurants or hotels mentioned here are sponsored in any way. These are from our personal travel experience and places/resources we have experienced/used.
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