Destination 01
Banff
Banff Gondola
Sulphur Mountain panorama
sight
Bow Falls
Short walk from town
nature
Lake Minnewanka
A scenic lakeshore drive with mountain views and short walks
nature
Banff & Jasper Loop
Canadian Rockies icefields
Route preview
7 days through Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper.
Banff & Jasper Loop is a 7-day curated route with 3 destinations and 8 suggested stops. Preview stops and timing, then find it in TripsCircle Explore.
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13 stops
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23 stops
Destination 02
Lake Louise
Lakeshore trail
Turquoise water under Victoria Glacier
nature
Moraine Lake
Valley of the Ten Peaks (shuttle season)
nature
Plain of Six Glaciers Trail
A longer hike beyond the busy lakeshore into alpine terrain
adventure
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32 stops
Destination 03
Jasper
Icefields Parkway
One of the world’s great drives
adventure
Athabasca Glacier
Columbia Icefield edge
nature
Route highlights
The moments that shape this trip.
- 01Lake Louise
- 02Moraine Lake
- 03Icefields Parkway
- 04Athabasca Glacier
Trip guide
Planning Banff & Jasper Loop.
A week in the Canadian Rockies that builds toward one famous drive. Banff is the base for the first days, with the gondola up Sulphur Mountain and an easy walk to Bow Falls. Lake Louise brings glacier-fed turquoise water along its lakeshore trail, plus a visit to Moraine Lake and its Valley of the Ten Peaks. Jasper finishes the loop after the Icefields Parkway, with a stop at the Athabasca Glacier on the way.
Good for Road-trippers and hikers who love mountain lakes
When to go
June through September is when lakes are open, roads and trails are mostly clear and daylight is long. Alpine snow can linger into early summer, and weather turns quickly in the mountains. Late summer is busy, so earlier starts help.
Getting around
Most groups drive a rental car, which makes the Icefields Parkway easy to take at your own pace. Some popular spots, such as Moraine Lake, use shuttles in season. Check park and road conditions before each day and allow extra time for wildlife and scenic stops.
Tips for your crew
- Keep the Icefields Parkway as its own day with no tight schedule. The stops along it are as good as the destination.
- Check shuttle and access rules for Moraine Lake ahead, and reserve lodging early, since the mountain towns book out for summer.
- Start Lake Louise outings early. Parking and trails fill fast on clear days, and morning light on the water is the best of the day.
