Jasper and Banff National Parks, Canada
I can summarize my trip to Jasper and Banff National Parks, Canada in 3 words....Switzerland on Steroids !!! and its right in our backyard !!!
Mother nature has rewarded this region with breathtaking views of Mountains, Forests and Glaciers. I did not want to blink my eyes for a single second. The cloud-ringed mountains, crystal clear blue and emerald lakes, steep waterfalls and glacial icefields make these parks one of the must-see attractions in Canada.
It was a 10 day trip. Seems long but I would recommend this much time as theres a lot to do especially if you are a nature lover and like hiking (i love both). Places I visited and recommend...
Started the trip with a stop at Miette Hot Springs, had the best chicken souvlaki pita at Resort cafe and hiked up a very strenuous 8.6km Sulphur Skyline Trail. The ascend was steep and continuous but the 360 panorama views at the top were rewarding. Upon return I dipped into the hot springs and it sure felt refreshing !!! Carry lots of water, bear bell, bug & bear spray and start early to avoid extreme heat.
Stayed at the Fairmont golf resort in Jasper. The resort provides gorgeous views of the mountains and the lake and you get to enjoy wildlife right outside your room. The rooms do not have A/C. Just keep the window open for an hour at night and the room cools down. When you leave the room in the day, close the curtains to keep it cool.
Downtown Jasper is just 3km away from the resort and offers tons of eating places. Daily breakfast was the "Upsydaisy Wrap" at "The Other Paw". Dinner venues included Korean Kimchi House, American Cantonese Chinese, Evil Dave's and Becker's. All good.
If you like hiking, don't miss the Maligne canyon hike. Start at 6th bridge and walk along the river to go up to 1st bridge which is where the canyon is. Along the way you will see several limestone formations and dramatic views of the gorge and canyon.
Another highlight is the cruise to Spirit Island in Maligne Lake. The cruise is the only way to get to Spirit Island. You are bound by cruise times and only get 10 minutes at the island but it is worth it. The best part is the views of the mountains and the lake on the return trip. Make sure you stand outside on the boat deck on return.
I took the Jasper tramway to Whistler mountain. A 1km short hike on mountain offers panoramic views of the city, surrounding mountains and downtown Jasper.
Stopped at the Valley of 5 Lakes. You hike a route that winds through 5 beautiful lakes. Along the route the park service has red chairs placed at prime spots where you can sit and enjoy the view. Look for #sharethechair pictures on Instagram. Warning !!! Mosquitos in this area are pretty nasty. They bit me through 3 layers of clothing.
Next stop was Mt Robson, the tallest mountain in the area. Its far but the drive is scenic. You rarely get to see the peak of the mountain as it is always covered by clouds. Another excellent drive and point of interest was the Columbia Ice Field. Make sure to arrive before 9am to beat the crowd. A bus takes you to the base of the glacier where you can drink glacier water (they say you will remain young forever). Went to Skywalk and hiked the 8km Wilcox Pass Trail. Its a strenuous and never ending trail but you get to see unobstructed views of Athabasca glacier at the trailhead. Totally worth it. The Athabasca Falls is another great attraction at the park.
That marked the end of the Jasper area and beginning of the Banff area, the land of blue lakes. Stops on the way to Banff included Mount Edith Cavell, Angel Glacier, Sunwapta Falls (Cascading falls, make sure to hike to the bottom), Bow Lake and Crow Feet Glacier.
Attractions in Banff included the Gondola ride to Sulphur Mountain from where you get to enjoy great a view of the city including the iconic Fairmont hotel, the Bow Valley Pkwy drive , Bow Falls, Lake Minnewanka and the Johnston Canyon hike.
One of my favorite stops was Lake Moraine. It is most serene and bluest lake i've ever seen. Being a glacial lake it gets its color from the mineral deposits that flow into the lake as the snow melts. The area around the lake has several hiking trails, most popular being the Rockpile trail where you hike up a pile of rocks to get a view of the lake from behind the trees. Lake Louise was gorgeous too and had a bright emerald color. Popular hikes in the Lake Louise area is the trail up to Emerald Lake and Lake Agnes tree house.
My last stop was Yoho National Park. Towering rockfalls, spectacular waterfalls and soaring peaks define this park. The highlight is Takkakaw Falls, fed by the Daly glacier and is 302 meters from its base. Emerald Lake is another good attraction. I ate at the Cilantro restaurant there.Their sangria was outstanding and the dining in the midst of the turquoise color lake was an amazing experience.
Other restaurant recommendations in Banff : Tapas (my fav), Wild Orchid, Tacos at Tavern 1883, Pad Thai and Bamboo Garden.
That was the end of an amazing trip. Alberta is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places on Earth and a must-see for all nature lovers.
Travels Tips:
I flew into Edmonton and had a rental car reservation through Dollar. This is the only rental company that is away from the airport and close at midnight. So, if your flight is delayed and you land after midnight, you are out of luck. I would recommend paying a higher price and booking with Hertz / Avis