Day 1

Meet your Backroads Trip Leaders (the folks wearing Backroads T-shirts) at 8:30 a.m. at Banff Park Lodge in Banff. Please arrive dressed in your hiking clothes and with a daypack containing extra layers and rain gear.

Shuttle to Kootenay National Park 45 Minutes
Stanley Glacier Basin Hike 5 Miles (1,200-foot elevation gain)
Shuttle to Lodge 1 Hour

Welcome to the Canadian Rockies! After a brief trip orientation in Banff, we shuttle west through Bow Valley toward Lake Louise and continue over the Great Divide, which marks the border between Alberta and British Columbia. From here waters flow east to the Bow River and eventually to the Atlantic, or west to the Vermilion, Kootenay and Columbia Rivers en route to the Pacific.

Today we hike in Kootenay National Park, known for its varied climate, diverse topography and wealth of wildlife. Atop the rise at Vermilion Pass, you’ll see evidence of the devastating Tokumm-Verendrye fire, which burned nearly 13 percent of the park in 2003. The trail ascends steadily through the remnants of the burn before leveling off. At Stanley Glacier Basin, take in magnificent Stanley Glacier and the 1,000-foot limestone cliff bordering the southern reaches of the park—the perfect backdrop for a packed lunch. After you make your way down, we shuttle to the grand timber-framed Cathedral Mountain Lodge in Yoho National Park.

This evening at the lodge we toast our first day in the Canadian Rockies at a wine reception featuring Okanagan vintages from British Columbia, followed by a delicious meal.

Lodging: Cathedral Mountain Lodge

Day 2

Emerald Lake Hike 8.2 Miles (1,000-foot elevation gain)
Longer Option: Iceline & Highline 8.6 Miles (1,300-foot elevation gain)

When this area’s First Nations people wanted to express a sense of awe and wonder, they used the word yoho. As we explore the grandeur of Yoho Valley, sitting 4,950 feet above sea level, you’ll know exactly what they meant. Starting near the base of Takakkaw Falls, hike along a series of switchbacks that take you from the valley floor through forests of spruce, fir and cedar, and across an avalanche slope. The higher you climb, the more spectacular the vistas, which include distant Wapta Icefield and the sublime feathery cascades of Takakkaw Falls. (Takakkaw is a Cree Indian word meaning ―it is magnificent‖—an apt description for this dramatic waterfall, one of Canada’s highest at 1,250 feet.)

Enjoy lunch at Yoho Lake, nestled deep within the pass, and take an invigorating dip if you need a jolt to complete the rest of our hike. An optional side trip heads up to the Iceline Trail viewpoint for an even better perspective on the falls and the valley. From Yoho Pass (at 6,030 feet), descend to the shore of Emerald Lake and Emerald Lake Lodge, passing Michael Falls on the way. Then make yourself comfortable at the lodge. How about kicking off your hiking shoes and soothing your muscles in the huge outdoor hot tub surrounded by terrific alpine scenery!

Lodging: Emerald Lake Lodge

Day 3

Emerald Basin Hike 6.3 Miles (1,000-foot elevation gain)
Optional Emerald Lake Loop Hike 3 Miles

Today is yours to spend as you please, whether hiking, canoeing or relaxing with a good book. The hike to Emerald Basin follows a mostly flat trail, tracing the lakeshore through a dense forest of Engelmann spruce and Western red cedar. After a short climb through a pocket of rain forest, you’ll wind up in a natural amphitheater—an idyllic spot for lunch—set within the rugged cliffs of the President Range. Frequent avalanches have cleared away much of the vegetation, and snow can linger here well into summer. You might prefer a more easygoing loop hike around Emerald Lake. A bracing plunge in the lake (if you dare!) might be just the thing before dinner.

Lodging: Emerald Lake Lodge

Day 4

Shuttle to Helen Lake Trailhead 1 Hour
Helen Lake Hike 7.5 Miles (1,600-foot elevation gain)
Longer Option: Dolomite Ridge 8.6 Miles (1,800-foot elevation gain)
Shuttle to Post Hotel 30 Minutes

As we shuttle to the Helen Lake trailhead on the Icefields Parkway, you can look forward to an unforgettable hike into one of the most beautiful alpine meadows in Banff National Park. In peak season, this plateau is carpeted with wildflowers, and marmots often approach within arm’s reach. We begin with a moderate but steady ascent through a subalpine forest along the west-facing slopes of Bow Valley. The trail soon emerges from stands of Engelmann spruce and alpine fir, providing excellent views across to Crowfoot Glacier and Bow Lake. Once the trail enters the amphitheater harboring Helen Lake, it’s not long before you reach the shore, a lovely setting for a lunch break. For commanding vistas of Katherine Lake and the sea of peaks that compose the Waputik Mountains, you can climb farther onto the high ridgeline.

This afternoon we shuttle to the Post Hotel & Spa, tucked in the alpine village of Lake Louise. This Travel + Leisure favorite is known for its exceptional service, outstanding cuisine and award-winning wine cellar. Consider pampering yourself at the Post’s magnificent 3,200-square-foot Temple Mountain Spa—Travel + Leisure claims the Alpine Aroma-Detox treatment is not to be missed! (Please note that spa treatments aren’t included in the trip price; advance reservations are highly recommended. See ―During Your Trip‖ for more information.)

Lodging: Post Hotel & Spa

Day 5

Larch Valley Hike 5.2 Miles (1,800-foot elevation gain)
Longer Option: Sentinel Pass 7.2 Miles (2,400-foot elevation gain)

Today’s hike begins at the iconic, impossibly blue Moraine Lake and follows a switchback trail to the meadowland of Larch Valley, named for the trees whose needles turn a brilliant gold in the fall, blanketing the valley in a dazzling hue. (To fully appreciate the lake’s striking shade of turquoise, be sure to look back from a distance.) Climbing higher, the dramatic sight of Mount Fay and the Wenkchemna Peaks greet you. The latter gets its name from the Stoney Nakoda word meaning ―ten.‖ You might want to stop at Minnestimma Lake for lunch before continuing to the top of Sentinel Pass (8,600 feet) for a stunning panorama of the Valley of Ten Peaks and Paradise Valley. The tall rock spires just beneath the pass—aptly named Sentinel Towers—are popular among rock climbers.

Back at the hotel you can kick back in luxury—maybe visit the spa. We meet up this evening for an elegant meal in the Post’s renowned dining room.

Lodging: Post Hotel & Spa

Day 6

Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse Hike 6.2 Miles (1,200-foot elevation gain)
Shuttle to Banff 1 Hour

A morning shuttle brings us to lovely Lake Louise, a World Heritage site located at 5,680 feet and one of the most photographed areas in the Rockies. You’ll understand why when you see the reflection of Mount Victoria in its shimmering blue-green waters. Walk along the shore before ascending through a stark rocky landscape hemmed in by vertical towers and blinding white glaciers. Keep an eye out for the mountain goats, pikas and hoary marmots that make their homes in the boulder fields, and be sure to stop and take in the spectacular views behind you.

A 1,200-foot climb brings us to the Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse, built in 1924 and nestled among pine trees with amazing vistas of Mount Victoria and the six surrounding glaciers. After lunch at the teahouse, you can head back down to the lake and revel in the glorious scenery a bit longer. Later in the afternoon, we shuttle to Banff.