We Fixed This Overstuffed 6-Day Banff and Jasper Itinerary (Ep. 3)

This month’s brave soul in our Roast My Trip series seems determined to win gold in the Great Canadian Road Trip Olympics.

Clocking hundreds of kilometres in just a few days, they’ve planned more time behind the wheel than actually soaking up the Rockies. 

But don’t worry — with a few tweaks, we’re turning this hectic hustle into a smoother, smarter itinerary that still ticks all the must-see boxes.

Day 1 – From Calgary to Jasper

Original Itinerary: Arrive in Calgary → Drive Straight to Jasper (4.5 hours) → Explore Downtown Jasper

Ah yes, the classic “land in Calgary and immediately drive to Jasper” strategy. A bold move — but unless you’ve trained for endurance road trips, this one’s a doozy.

Here’s the thing: that “4.5-hour drive” is a lie. Between Calgary traffic, fuel stops, snack emergencies, and all the “Wait, we have to pull over and take a photo of this!” moments on the Icefields Parkway, you’re looking at closer to 6 hours. Minimum. And that’s without factoring in fatigue from the flight.

What we’d do instead:

• Break it up early. If you land in the morning, make Banff your first pit stop — stroll down Banff Ave, grab a quick bite (we’ve got a guide to fast eats), and stretch those travel-weary legs.

• Hit the scenic musts en route:

• Bow Lake – one of the most underrated stops on the Icefields Parkway. Quick photo op or a short stroll to the shoreline, especially stunning in the afternoon light.

• Saskatchewan River Crossing – yes, for gas. No, it’s not cheap.

• Columbia Icefield – worth a stop even if you’re skipping the official tour bus scene. Our recent article dives into the off-the-beaten-path bits.

• Athabasca Falls – you’ll drive right past it anyway, so knock it off now instead of doubling back later.

Final tip: Don’t rush this drive. It’s one of the most beautiful in the world — treat it like the main event, not just a commute to Jasper.

Day 2 – Jasper

Original Itinerary: Visit Jasper National Park → Go to the Museum → Hike → Head to Skywalk → Do the Scenic Drive via Icefields Parkway → Stop at Athabasca Falls and Columbia Icefields → Head Back to Jasper

So, the plan was to “visit Jasper National Park.” Just that. All of it. In one day.

We love the ambition, but here’s the fix:

• First off, the detour back down the Icefields Parkway? Scrap it. We already hit Athabasca Falls and the Columbia Icefield yesterday (as we should have), so let’s not waste gas doing laps for Instagram.

• That frees up your day to actually explore Jasper — which, by the way, has way more to offer than just being a stopover on the drive north.

• Start at the Jasper Museum for a quick history hit, then check in with Parks staff or the visitor centre about trail conditions. Some routes may still be recovering from the 2024 wildfires.

• Go for a real hike. If the legs are feeling fresh, try Valley of the Five Lakes (might currently be closed when you visit), Wilcox Pass, or Sulphur Skyline (hot springs reward included).

• Add a scenic lookout or two — Pyramid Lake or the Miette Road viewpoints are solid picks.

Local tip: Jasper isn’t about racing around. It’s about slowing down — spotting wildlife, chasing waterfalls, and letting the mountains do the talking.

Day 3 – Lake Louise

Original Itinerary: Jasper → Lake Louise → Calgary Airbnb

This day feels like the forgotten middle child of the itinerary.

Let’s sort it out:

• Driving back to Calgary? Perfect. It gives you another crack at those jaw-dropping Icefields Parkway stops you may have missed — think Peyto Lake or Mistaya Canyon.

• Lake Louise shows up twice in your itinerary, so let’s pick one day and do it right. Today’s the one.

• Want a peaceful way to skip the crowds? Most people shuffle straight to the shoreline for that iconic Lake Louise shot — and yes, it’s gorgeous, but it’s also crammed with tourists and selfie sticks. Instead, walk to the back of the lake — there’s a quiet climbing area tucked away, and if you’re lucky, you’ll catch some seasoned climbers dancing up the cliffs. It’s serene, scenic, and a totally different vibe than the mosh pit at the front.

• Craving elevation? The hike to Lake Agnes is popular for a reason. Want even fewer crowds and better views? Keep going to Big Beehive or even Devil’s Thumb if you're an experienced hiker. Just be honest about your hiking fitness — this isn’t the place to discover your knees aren’t what they used to be.

After all that, you’ll be more than ready to cruise back to Calgary and settle into your Airbnb for the night.

Day 4 – Back To Banff

Original Itinerary: Chill Banff Town Day: Depart Calgary → Banff Ave stroll → Hike Tunnel Mountain → Lunch in Banff → Sulphur Mountain hike/gondola → Snack → Depart Banff

The theme for Day 4 is supposed to be “chill,” but with this lineup and a 5:45pm departure time back to Calgary, it’s anything but chill.

Let’s slow it down and smarten it up:

• Tunnel Mountain is a great pick — short, rewarding, and right from town. You’ll earn those views without burning out your legs.  Read our Tunnel Mountain guide.

• Skip Sulphur Mountain. Honestly, the trail’s a slog, the views are similar to Tunnel, and the gondola price is as steep as the ride. Use that time to actually explore Banff instead of standing in line with 400 other people trying to take the same photo.

• Banff Ave is fine, but don’t stop there. Wander down to Central Park, stroll the Bow River trail, or swing by the Whyte Museum if you want to blend your mountain air with a bit of culture.

• Lunch tip: Between Magpie & Stump and The Maple Leaf, we’d go Magpie every time — especially if you can snag a spot on the patio. If you need an afternoon pick-me-up, go to Whitebark Cafe. 

Day 5: Moraine Lake

Original Itinerary: Depart Calgary → Lake Louise → Walk + explore → Moraine Lake + Rockpile Trail → Lunch → Hike C Level Cirque → Snack/rest in Banff → Depart Banff

Since we already knocked out Lake Louise on Day 3, no need to circle back — let’s focus on Moraine Lake instead.

• Moraine requires a shuttle, and the only one we recommend? Sunrise. Yes, that means a brutal 3AM wakeup from Calgary, but it’s worth it. The lake is breathtaking — and the only way to actually enjoy it without hundreds of elbows in your photo. Skip the 10AM crowd-fest.

• If sunrise isn’t your thing, and you missed Bow Lake on Day 1, head back. It’s just 35 minutes up the road, and if you’ve only seen it from a pull-off, you haven’t really seen it. You can plan a hike to Bow Glacier Falls — about 1.5 hours round trip, with big payoff. You’ll get up close to the glacier and one of the tallest waterfalls in the region. Way less crowded. Way more memorable.

Plan it smart:

• If you do Moraine at sunrise, you’ll have plenty of time later for C Level Cirque in Banff.

• If you do Bow Glacier Falls instead, that’s your main hike for the day — and honestly, a solid one.

Day 6: Skydiving!?

Original Itinerary: Depart Calgary → Johnston Canyon → (Maybe) Skydive → Canmore → Dinner → Depart

Ah yes, skydiving casually wedged between a canyon stroll and a coffee, like it’s just another scenic lookout. Bold.

Here’s what needs adjusting:

• Skydiving isn’t in Banff. The nearest drop zones are in Calgary or Golden (3 hours from Calgary), so you’ll need to budget time accordingly — both in terms of travel and the multi-hour prep process. This isn’t a quick “in-and-out” thrill ride.

• We’d skip Johnston Canyon altogether. It’s beautiful, sure, but also one of the busiest spots in the park. You’ve already seen waterfalls on this trip — Athabasca Falls and potentially Bow Falls if you squeezed it in on Day 5. No need to fight the crowds just to see more water falling.

• Dedicate the morning to skydiving — it’s a bucket-list item. Give it the time it deserves.

• Canmore deserves love. After the adrenaline rush, wind down with a walk through town or an easy trail like Policeman’s Creek, then treat yourself to a proper meal. Honestly, the food scene in Canmore rivals Banff — and locals agree. (Our restaurant poll had Canmore as the clear winner.)

Got Your Own Banff Or Canmore Itinerary?

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

(Gently. Lovingly. With insider tips included.)

P.S. Feel free to ask a question or leave a comment below!

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