NEW Trip for Summer 2024Magdalen Islands Haven WalkView Trip Details
Duration
14 days
Activities
  • 11 day hikes
Accommodation
  • 13 nights hotels/lodges
Meals
  • 1 Dinner
  • 12 Lunches
  • 13 Breakfasts

Price

$4190USD

* All prices subject to applicable taxes

Trip Code: MWC

Overview

Trip highlights


  • Start your journey in the beautiful coastal city of Vancouver
  • Hike in the Coast, Cascade, Columbia, and Rocky Mountains
  • Immerse yourself amongst mountain lakes and glacier views
  • Explore world-renowned Banff National Park
  • Take in incredible views on high trails in Glacier National Park
  • Experience the 'fire and ice' of Kootenay National Park's Stanley Glacier Trail
  • Challenge yourself on Yoho National Park's Iceline Trail
  • Smell the flowers in Revelstoke National Park's Meadows in the Sky

This active adventure takes us to each of the mountain chains of Western Canada from Vancouver to Calgary, with outstanding day hikes in the country's finest national and provincial parks. At night we stay in comfortable hotels or mountain lodges and during the day our fully supported hikes reveal the natural splendours that this area is famous for. Home of elk, moose, caribou, bighorn sheep, black and grizzly bears; this is a vast wilderness of countless alpine lakes and pristine rugged mountains. On foot, we can explore places with names like 'Meadows in the Sky', enjoy spectacular ridge hikes, and award ourselves with sweeping vistas across granite peaks and tumbling glaciers. This is truly a hiker's paradise.

Activities:
Grading:
5

Moderate

More info about grading system


Rating: 


Arrive on your own in Vancouver. In the evening you’ll meet your guide and go through a short group briefing where you’ll meet other participants and details of the itinerary will be discussed. Overnight Vancouver.

Meals:  Nil

One of the most amazing things about Vancouver is its superb location between the Coast Mountains, Fraser River, and the Pacific Ocean. Just beyond the city limits, you can very quickly enter a stunning wilderness of old growth forest - of towering Douglas Firs, huge ferns, and hanging mosses. We'll explore part of this today as we make our way up Hollyburn Mountain for an outstanding view of the city, the Strait of Georgia, and Vancouver Island. Return to Vancouver for overnight. Walking: 9 kms. Elev. gain: +/-350m.

Meals:  B,L

We’ll explore the city this morning with visits to Stanley Park and Lions Gate Bridge, Chinatown, and Gastown. From Vancouver, we drive up the Fraser Valley and into the Cascade Mountains crossing Allison Pass. Overnight Manning Provincial Park. Walking: 2-3 kms

Meals:  B,L

The Skyline loop trail in Manning Park begins at Lightning Lake with a gradual ascent to the ridge. The rewards of this climb come with a spectacular view of the Cascade Mountains whose meadows are adorned with an amazing display of wildflowers. From Despair Pass we hike down to Strawberry Flats, to the trailhead, and then return to our hotel. Walking: 19 kms. Elev. gain: +/-700 m

Meals:  B,L

We head northwards towards the northern tip of the American Great Basin Desert, which extends as far south as Mexico. On the way, we cross over the Coquihalla Summit, one of the highest points in the Cascade ranges, where we will stop for a hike to the summit of Zoa Peak. This area is very well known for its rugged granite peaks and open ridgelines. After our hike, we will continue to BC's hot and dry interior, a climate perfect for growing apple, apricots, peaches, cherries, and grapes. We'll spend the night in the historic town of Merritt, BC. Walking: 11 kms. Elev. gain: +/-635 m.

Meals:  B,L

We continue our travels across the changing landscape of British Columbia towards Revelstoke. In order to really appreciate how the landscape has changed, we will stop halfway and hike along the summit of the Enderby Cliffs, giving us expansive views south into the Okanagan and north to the Monashee Mountains. In the afternoon, we continue to the quaint mountain town of Revelstoke for overnight at a comfortable lodge. Walking: Approx 7 kms. Elev gain: +/-450 m

Meals:  B,L

Mt. Revelstoke National Park is best known for its 'Meadows in the Sky Parkway' and the mountain top trails at the end of the road. The road gains 1000m in elevation from the town of Revelstoke and passes through a variety of different forest zones until it ends at treeline. From here, we can begin our mountain top hike through beautiful flower filled meadows to Eva Lake, Miller Lake, and Jade Lake Pass. We return to Revelstoke for overnight. Walking: 16 kms. Elev gain: +/-450 m.

Meals:  B,L

As we head east we are now traveling into the heart of the Selkirk Mountains, some of the most daunting and rugged mountains in Canada (part of the Columbia Mts). We follow the route to Rogers Pass, famous for the difficulties it presented in the construction of Canada's first railway. We will stop first for a very brief visit to the Trail of the Giant Cedars to see a section of inland temperate rainforest with truly 'giant' trees. Then, once we are in Glacier National Park, we will begin a rewarding hike up to Balu Pass that quickly leaves the forest and leads to views of the park's signature mountain, Mt Sir Donald, on the opposite side of the valley. We continue to our comfortable lodge just east of the park in Golden, BC for the next two nights. Walking: 13 kms. Elev gain: +/-780m.

Meals:  B,L

After the previous days' (and next day's) big elevation, today we will take it a little bit easier and enjoy a spectacular ride to the top of the mountain at Kicking Horse Resort. From the gondola we then have a few options to walk ridge lines or to hike to the summit of Terminator Peak. To the east and across the valley we will have fantastic views of the Rocky Mountains stretching to the south and north as far as the eye can see. Walking: 4-7 km. Elev Gain: ~300 m.

Meals:  B,L

We follow the Kicking Horse River into the heart of the Rocky Mountains. Our hike today is in the Yoho Valley, starting at 302m high Takakkaw Falls. We'll hike to the top of the Iceline Trail for extreme close up views of the Emerald Glacier and views across the Yoho Valley to the Wapta Icefield. After our hike, we make our way into the province of Alberta, to our home for the next two nights in Lake Louise. Walking: 12-17 kms. Elev gain: +/-700 m.

Meals:  B,L

We have a casual day today exploring some of the easy short walks along the Icefields Parkway in Banff and Jasper National Parks. The highlight walk will be to Parker Ridge with expansive views of the Saskatchewan Glacier. The parkway also has some of the trip's best opportunities for spotting wildlife such as bears, bighorn sheep, and mountain goats. Walking: 5 kms. Elev gain: +/-250 m.

Meals:  B,L

Today, we'll hop back over the provincial border some great hiking in Kootenay National Park, BC - just west of Banff National Park. Our route today is the Stanley Glacier Trail which takes us quickly into a hanging valley and through the remnants of two forest fires, one occurring in 1968 and the other more recently in 2003. It is aptly known as the 'Fire and Ice' trail because, once we are through the burnt forest, we suddenly see looming above us Stanley Glacier. The trail continues for some time and finally ends at an alpine plateau just a few hundred metres below the hanging ice. Returning to Alberta this evening to stay overnight in Canmore (2 nights). Walking: 12 kms. Elev gain: +/-400 m.

Meals:  B,L

Our final day of hiking in the Rockies brings us to the eastern edge of the Rockies for a great view of the prairies and the city of Calgary, 60 kms to the east. We'll choose either the Heart Mountain Loop or walk up to the Yamnuska Ridge. We can now truly say that we have seen all of the mountain chains in Western Canada, from the Pacific Ocean to the Prairies. After our hike, we will enjoy a farewell dinner together in Canmore. Walking: 11 kms. Elev gain: +/-1000 m.

Meals:  B,L,D

Our trip concludes with a transfer to Calgary, which will depart after breakfast. Should you plan on staying longer or don't want to leave in the morning, there are scheduled airporter shuttles that leave every few hours from Canmore (approx $60 per person).

Meals:  B


Inclusions

  • 13 breakfasts, 12 lunches, 1 dinner
  • 13 nights double occupancy hotels/lodges in generally 3-star category
  • Private transport for road journeys, including transfer to Calgary on last day
  • Experienced guide who also drives
  • National Park entry fees and sightseeing as indicated

  • Personal expenses
  • Arrival transfer to Vancouver hotel
  • Visa fees
  • Travel insurance
  • Meals not indicated
  • Tips
  • International airfares
  • Applicable taxes

About Your Leader

Your guide is an experienced professional, local hiking guide with certification from the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG) and/or from the Interpretive Guides Association.


Suitability

Moderate

5

These adventures involve trekking, cycling, rafting or paddling for up to 6 or 7 hours a day at a steady pace. The majority of our moderately graded hiking trips involve the carrying of a day pack only, though some may involve carrying a pack of up to 8 or 9kg (18-20lbs). Hikers should be prepared for plenty of roots, rocks, significant elevation gain, steep inclines/declines, some wilderness camping, and potential variable weather conditions. Cyclists should be prepared for undulating terrain and some steep hills. You will need a good level of fitness and be in good health.


Departure dates


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Priceper person from

$4190USD

* All prices subject to applicable taxes

Options & Supplements*
    * Prices listed are per person. All prices subject to applicable taxes.

Trip reviews


Why travel with us

Our Expertise

Everyone who works with us, from our office staff, ground staff and guides is the ‘’real deal’’. Our team is comprised of actual hikers and cyclists who have explored or live in the region in which you will be travelling. Our entire network is highly-specialised in active travel.

Great Value

Quality services at the best price make our adventures great value for money. Having essential items included like National Park fees, charming accommodations, most meals, bikes for cycling trips, maps and support for peace of mind. Our inclusions allow you to better budget for your big adventure.

Innovative Itineraries

We look beyond the horizon to find new and exciting adventures. We’re passionate about shaping the next generation of outdoor travel in Canada, and constantly seek different ways, routes and alternatives to exceed our clients’ dreams.

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