Roast My Trip: The 7-Day Banff Itinerary That Tried to Do It All (Ep. 1)

There’s something oddly entertaining about watching strangers plan a trip to Banff like it’s a race against time. We get it — the Canadian Rockies are bucket-list worthy. But when your itinerary reads like a caffeine-fueled scavenger hunt across half of Alberta, it’s time for a gentle course correction.

Every week, we see visitors posting their Banff and Canmore travel plans on social media. Some are solid. Others… well, let’s just say they could use a bit of local insight.

In this series, we take real itineraries we’ve found online and give them a friendly roast. Nothing mean — just a chance to swap the tourist traps for local gems, separate the good ideas from the what-were-you-thinking, and offer pro tips from people who actually live here.

This week’s itinerary? It’s got potential — but it’s also got a 500-kilometre day five. Here’s the original itinerary—No need to click, we break it down below.

Before You Even Pack Your Bags…

First off, this itinerary is set for June — which, while a popular choice, comes with a few caveats. Don’t get us wrong, summer in Banff is stunning. Long days, warm temps, lively patios — it’s pure magic. But it’s also the busiest time of year. Think sold-out tours, shoulder-to-shoulder trail traffic, and buses packed tighter than a hiker’s backpack.

But here’s the upside: that crowding gives you a great excuse to skip the obvious and go off-script. Some of the best hikes, viewpoints, and experiences in the Bow Valley are just off the radar — quieter, less Instagrammed, but equally (if not more) impressive.

Another quick note: the original poster was a bit unsure about which park pass to get. Easy fix — just stop at the Parks Canada booths as you leave Canmore and head into Banff. Stay in the left lane, pull over, and grab a pass that covers all the mountain national parks (including Yoho and Jasper).

Oh — and food recs? Yep, they asked for those too. Luckily, we’ve already done the legwork. Check out our most recent restaurant guide, and you’ll eat like a local.

Day 1 & 2 – Calgary: A Nice City…But You Didn’t Come For This

• Original Itinerary: Calgary Tower, Crossroads Market, visit with family.

We’re not anti-Calgary — far from it. It’s a cool city with good food, great coffee, and lots of local flavour. That said, if your itinerary is already tight, you’re better off heading straight to the mountains. The Rockies are what you came for.

If you do want a taste of Calgary before driving west, skip the tourist traps and hit up 17th Ave — packed with great restaurants, cafes, and shops, it’s way more reflective of the city’s vibe than the Calgary Tower ever will be.

Day 3 – Banff: A Solid Start, With One Major Mix-Up

• Original Itinerary: Drive from Calgary → Camp at the national park → Park at train station → Explore town → Little Beehive hike → Gondola

We love to see camping on an itinerary — good call there. And parking at the train station? Smart move. Banff’s train station lot is central, free, and connects easily to all the main transit routes, including the one you’ll need for the gondola.

But here’s where the plan unravels a bit:

The Little Beehive hike is actually in Lake Louise, about 40 minutes away. Not ideal if you’re planning a full day in Banff proper.

Instead, keep it local:

• Take the #1 Roam bus from the train station to the Banff Gondola.
  

• Get there early — yes, even on weekdays. Summer in Banff doesn’t have slow days.
  

• If you’re up for a workout, skip the gondola and hike up Sulphur Mountain (read our blog post on how to hike it). You’ll land at the same summit and save the cash. 

Bonus: you can ride down for a discount if you don’t feel like walking. 

(However, we recently asked one of the Gondola attendants if riders could go down for free, and they said yes. Our gut feeling says this policy might change in the middle of the summer busy season, though)

While you're up there, walk the 500m boardwalk to the Sanson’s Peak viewpoint — panoramic gold. Hungry? Sky Bistro has killer views, but also killer prices (not in a good way), so plan accordingly.

Still have daylight? On your way back into town (take the bus again), stop at Cascade Gardens — a quick, beautiful spot for photos and a quiet wander. From there, walk back into Banff and explore the shops, museums, and restaurants tucked into the side streets around Banff Ave.

Day 4 – Banff to Lake Louise: Paddle, Peak, and a Scenic Drive

• Original Itinerary: Canoe Vermilion Lakes → Hike Tunnel Mountain or Surprise Corner to Hoodoos → Drive to Lake Louise Campgrounds

Starting the day with a canoe on Vermilion Lakes? Love that for you. It’s one of the most peaceful ways to see Banff, especially in the early morning when the water is glassy, and the views of Mount Rundle are reflecting back like a postcard. Head to Banff Canoe Club (Bow & Wolf) to rent gear.

As for hiking, you’ve got two solid picks:

• Hoodoos Trail: A meandering riverside path with views of Mount Rundle and those funky hoodoo formations at the end.
  

• Tunnel Mountain: Our pick for best bang-for-your-buck views. It’s short, not too steep, and the panoramic lookout over Banff and the golf course is chef’s kiss.

Both are close to town and easily doable before your next move: driving to Lake Louise.

Take the 1A (Bow Valley Parkway) instead of the main highway — it’s slower, but way more scenic. Wildlife sightings (including bears) are common, but please stay in your car if you see one. A quick pull-off at Morant’s Curve is worth it — iconic train-meets-mountain backdrop.

Day 5 – Lake Louise to Jasper: Ambition Meets Reality

• Original Itinerary: Shuttle to Lake Louise + Moraine Lake → Hike Fairview Loop + Moraine Shoreline → Drive to Jasper via Icefields Parkway → Optional: Pyramid Lake Loop

Alright, a few clarifications off the top:

• Despite what the original poster had mentioned in the original itinerary, Lake Louise isn’t a national park (it’s part of Banff), and
  

• This itinerary is doing the absolute most.

Trying to tackle both lakes, hike two trails, and then drive all the way to Jasper plus squeeze in Pyramid Lake? That’s not an itinerary — that’s a triathlon.

Here’s our advice:

• If you really want to see Lake Louise or Moraine Lake, pick one. If we were leaning toward one, we’d choose Moraine Lake. We recommend sunrise just because of how busy it gets (any other time will feel like Disneyland). If you do Lake Louise though, this is where you could do the Little Beehive hike you wanted to do on Day 3. 

• Skip both and instead visit Bow Lake on your drive to Jasper. It’s stunning, way less crowded, and the Bow Glacier Falls hike (9km) is a hidden gem. Seriously, we think it’s actually better than Lake Louise. 

• Save your energy and enjoy the Icefields Parkway, one of the most jaw-dropping drives in the world.

Peyto Lake and Athabasca Falls are excellent stops. And when you reach the Columbia Icefields, skip the pricey tour — there’s a free 1-hour trail right from the parking lot that gives you literally the same epic views.

End your day in Jasper with a well-earned dinner. We’re fans of Jasper Brewing Co.

Day 6 – Jasper: Rafting, Recovery, and Re-Thinking That Hike

• Original Itinerary: White Water Rafting → Maligne Lake Viewpoint Hike

A super important point about Jasper: Parts of Jasper are still closed due to the tragic wildfires of 2024. Some parts of Jasper may still not be open as crews still battle to restore Jasper back to normalcy. This shouldn’t deter you from visiting; however, the town needs visitors now more than ever, and the places unaffected by the fires are still definitely worth visiting. 

Rafting in Jasper? Absolutely.  A+ decision. It’s adrenaline with a view — and one of the best ways to see parts of the park you can’t get to by foot. Here are some rafting options depending on your level of adventure. 

But pairing that with a long hike at Maligne Lake? Maybe not.

• The Maligne Lake viewpoint trail is gorgeous… but it’s 2+ hours of driving, often snow-covered in June, and the hike itself can run 3–4 hours.
  

• After rafting, you’ll want something more relaxed.

Instead, we suggest:

• Grab picnic food in town

•  Head to Pyramid Lake or Pyramid Island

• Soak in the views and have a beach day.

Want a walk instead? Try the Maligne Canyon Loop — close, scenic, and doable for all fitness levels. 

Day 7 – Jasper to Calgary: Not the Spa Day You Think It Is

• Original Itinerary: Drive to Calgary → Nordic Spa in Kananaskis → Midnight Flight

Let’s just say it: this final day is unhinged.

Waking up in Jasper, driving 5+ hours, soaking in the spa for another 4–5 hours, and then going straight to the airport for a midnight flight? You’re gonna be pruned and exhausted.

Here’s our local-approved alternative:

• Use this day to re-do the Icefields Parkway at a slower pace. You almost certainly skipped a few stops on the way up — now’s your chance to fix that. Rushing through here would be a crime against nature.
  

• If you’re craving a soak, try Miette Hot Springs instead. It’s cheaper and nestled right into the mountains. Don’t get us wrong, though, the Nordic Spa in Kananaskis is AWESOME, but you really need to dedicate at least a half day to it.
  

• Stop in Canmore on your way to Calgary — a hidden gem that often gets overshadowed by Banff. Great food, small-town charm, and cool filming locations like The Last of Us railway bridge.

From there, it’s a short drive to the airport — and you'll end the trip relaxed and better fed.

Got Your Own Banff Or Canmore Itinerary?

Send it our way — and we might roast it next.

(Gently. Lovingly. With insider tips included.)

Final Thoughts

This itinerary is packed with some great choices — and with a few key tweaks, it could easily become a weeklong trip to remember.

If you cut Calgary at the start, slow the pace just a little, and give yourself more space to enjoy the highlights (instead of racing from one to the next), you’ll open up time for a few more bucket list stops — and way less stress.

Because here’s the thing most visitors get wrong:

• Banff isn’t something to rush through. It’s something to feel.

The best trip isn’t the busiest one — it’s the one where you actually connect with the place.