Walking in the Canadian Rockies

Our tour of the Rockies starts in Calgary. This dynamic city is a rich fusion of modern architecture and traditional heritage, where the pioneering history of the Canadian West is woven into everyday life. Due to the number of flights arriving into Calgary late, our tour leader - who for the duration of the tour will also be our driver - will meet you in the hotel reception on the morning of day two. A message will be left at reception with details of timings as well as anything else you'll need for the day. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to arrive at any time. If you'd like an airport transfer, you'll need to arrive into Calgary International Airport (YYC), which is a 20-minute drive from the hotel. If your flight arrives earlier in the day, you might like to explore the city and soak up the friendly ambience. Filled with museums, shops and cafes, the centre of the city is a great place to meander and take in Calgary's culture, as well as the ever-present mountains that provide an awe-inspiring backdrop.

We head out of the city this morning and along the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1), where the wide expanses of the Canadian prairies quickly give way to the jagged peaks of the great Rocky Mountains. Forming the backbone along much of western Canada, the Canadian Rockies are part of a chain of mountain ranges formed over millions of years worth of geological forces. The result is a spectacular landscape of dramatic jagged peaks carved out by creeking glaciers, and pocketed with serene alpine lakes. It's a wild environment where wildlife roams freely and picture-postcard scenery seems to change with every turn in the road. After a two-hour drive into this landscape, we stop at Boom Lake for our first walk - a 10 kilometre/6 mile, mostly flat trail. The walk starts alongside Boom Creek, following the river upstream and into shade of spruce and fir forests. As we near the lake, the forest thins out and the landscape opens up to reveal the glacial alpine waters of Boom Lake. It's a quieter trail that serves as a great introduction into our coming days walking in the Rocky Mountains. We'll then continue on to Lake Louise, where we expect to arrive in the late afternoon. Today's 10 kilometre/6 mile hike is expected to take around three hours with 175 metres/574 feet of ascent.

Fed by meltwater from the sweeping Victoria Glacier, Lake Louise's deep turquoise colour comes from so-called 'rock flour' - fine rock particles ground down by the glacier and held suspended in the water, causing the sunlight to scatter vivid blue and jade green light across the surface. Framed by dense pine forest and set to the backdrop of rugged snow-capped mountains, it's easy to see why this is one of Canada's most photographed locations. We start our hike today on the shores of the beautiful lake, before taking a well-maintained trail towards Lake Agnes. The walk takes us up from the shoreline and into the pine forests above, climbing steadily on a series of switchbacks. There's a halfway stop at Mirror Lake beneath the big beehive, before we continue onto Lake Agnes, set against rocky peaks and cliffs. On the shore of Lake Agnes sits a quaint teahouse dating back over one hundred years, a great place to unwind and enjoy our packed-lunch. It's an out-and-back trail, so we'll return via the same route. This morning's 8 kilometre/5 mile hike is expected to take around three hours with 495 metres/1,624 feet of ascent. Later this afternoon, we set off for Moraine Lake. Like Lake Louise, its striking colours are caused by rock flour, although some would say that Moraine is a deeper, more striking blue and enjoys a more dramatic backdrop, surrounded by the sharp summits of the Valley of the Ten Peaks. After some time to take in the lake from the Rockpile viewpoint, we'll take a short walk up to Consolation Lakes. The trail snakes through shaded woodland before giving way to more open rugged scenery as we cross glacial moraine - rock piles that are left behind by a retreating glacier. Our destination is the pair of peaceful lakes, backed by the snowcapped peak of Quadra Mountain. This afternoon's walk will be 6km/3.7 miles and is expected to take two hours, with an elevation gain of 135 metres/442 feet.

We have the full day set aside today to enjoy the majesty of one of the world's most scenic drives - The Icefields Parkway. The road threads its way through the dramatic mountain scenery, with snow-capped peaks, glaciers, waterfalls and glacial lakes all visible along the way. We'll take it slow, making a series of stops at scenic points like Bow Lake, Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Glacier, where it's possible to get very close to the glacier. Also keep an eye out for wildlife, as there is a chance to spot elk, black bears, mule deer or bighorn sheep. The drive will be around seven hours including stops, and we aim to reach the charming town of Jasper by the late afternoon.

Today we take on our most challenging but rewarding walk as we hike up onto the Bald Hills ridge. The walk starts on the shores of Maligne Lake and immediately heads up on a steady gradient on wide trails which snake through the forest. The landscape will begin to shift as we ascend, from dense forest to alpine meadows as we come out onto the rounded grassy slopes of Bald Hills. Here we follow the ridgelines to the top, which offers sweeping 360-degree views of Lake Maligne below and the layers of mountainous terrain stretching into the horizon. Today's 11 kilometre/ 6.8 mile hike is expected to take around five to six hours with 700 metres/2,296 feet of ascent.

We set off this morning back along the Icefields Parkway to the alpine town of Banff. Along the way, we make a stop to walk up to Parker Ridge, a short but rewarding hike which takes us up to a viewpont where we can take in the magnificent crevassed expanse of the Saskatchewan Glacier as it carves its way unapologetically through the landscape. The walk is around 6 kilometres/3.7 miles in length which we anticipate taking around three hours to complete. Total elevation gain is 495 metres/1,624 feet. From here we continue on to Banff, with a total driving time of around three and a half hours. Sitting in the heart of Banff National Park, Banff is a small town that serves as one of the key gateways to the Rockies - still retaining an old frontier town charm but now with a selection of international restaurants, cafes, and independent shops. On arrival, we'll do a short orientation of the downtown area, along with heading up to one of the many viewpoints in the area like Hoodoos or Surprise Corner.

We'll take on two relaxed hikes today, aimed at regaining our energy and enjoying the stunning mountain scenery. In the morning, we drive into Kootenay National Park and follow the rugged, water-hewn Marble Canyon, cut through by Tokkum Creek. The walk is predominantly flat, and we'll cross over the water on wooden bridges at various points, taking in the canyon surroundings. Returning to our vehicle, we'll continue to Lake Louise, home to one of the most photographed glacial lakes in Canada. In the afternoon, we head to Moraine Lake, Lake Louise's emerald-hued neighbour, for a hike to Consolation Lake. Part of the hike passes through a (flat) boulder field, which does require some concentration as you navigate the uneven rocks, but otherwise the path is easy, very well-maintained and in the constant peaceful shadow of the Rockies. Our two leisurely hikes today are 1.9km / 1 mile and 5.8km / 3.6 miles. The first hike is predominantly flat and the second has an elevation of 135m / 440ft. They should take approximately 45 minutes and 2 hours respectively. Heading a short way out of Banff this morning, we make our way to the nearby gondola station for a memorable gondola ride up to the top of Sulphur Mountain. The gondola offers sweeping views of the town and valley below as it climbs its way up, and once on top of the mountain, there are expansive views across the Rockies, including the peaks of Mount Rundle, the Three Sisters and Sundance Peak. This afternoon, we take on a walk with a difference, hiking alongside a representative from the Y2Y initiative. Y2Y, or Yellowstone to Yukon, is a large-scale conservation project that covers a vast area of some 2,000 miles of mountains from Yellowstone in the US all the way to the Yukon in northern Canada. The aim is to connect and protect the wildlife habitat, providing wildlife corridors and allowing otherwise isolated national parks to work together to keep ecosystems connected. This allows animals like elk, bears and wolves to move freely across the different environments and between the differing terrains. We learn about the incredible work that Y2Y have been doing as we walk through the very landscapes they are protecting. Our walk today includes a donation to Y2Y, which is included within the price of the tour.

Heading back to Calgary today, we have one last walk in the Rocky Mountains, within the stunning landscapes of Kananaskis Country. Compared to the high profile areas of Jasper and Banff, the Kananaskis area offers a far quieter experience and is often referred to as the playground of the locals. We'll take on the Chester Lake trail, which offers varied landscapes transitioning from pine forests to alpine meadows and then on to Chester Lake itself, a clear-water lake displaying reflections of Mount Chester, which towers imposingly over the lake. We'll then continue on to Calgary, around a two hour drive from the Kananaskis area. Today's 9 kilometre/5.5 mile hike is expected to take around three hours with 530 metres/1,738 feet of ascent.

The trip ends in Calgary this morning, after breakfast. If you'd like an airport transfer, you'll need to depart from Calgary International Airport (YYC). If your flight departs later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at the hotel.