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Routes in Western Canada

In Alberta and British Columbia you will find the most beautiful natural wonders of Canada. There are many national parks and huge mountains with glaciers and countless fjords. Chances are that you will spot black or brown grizzly bears or you can spot orcas on a boat trip through the Inside Passage. Near okanagan, you can relax in the Harrison Hot Springs or other water activities.

One place not to be missed is both Mount Revelstoke National Park and Glacier National Park. The recreation area can be visited year-round and has spectacular scenery. Walk the Natural Brigde that stands over the Kicking Horse River in Yoho National park or take a cable car ride to Sulphur Mountain and enjoy the soothing Banff Hot Springs. Through the surroundings of Wells Gray Provincial Park, you can travel to Clearwater, an interesting town where you can take a river safari and perhaps spot bears. Another attraction is the bustling city of Vancouver, a hip city with many culinary and cultural festivals.

Highlights of Western Canada

Inside Passage

Canada' s most impressive fjords are located along the Inside Passage. With a boat trip, you will sail through deeply carved fjords with green forested shores. The azure water beckons you to take a dip but the water in the fjords is literally ice cold. In this environment, you are completely at one with nature. The unspoiled landscape you will sail past is occasionally interrupted by a wooden fisherman's cottage or beautiful lighthouse. If you are lucky, whales dance through the water in the distance and bald eagles fly along with the boat. This tour can be taken from Vancouver Island and RVs are also allowed on the boat.

Banff

The town of Banff lies at the foot of the Rocky Mountains and has grown due to its popularity of nature and imposing hotel. The Banff Springs hotel cannot be missed among the beautiful green surroundings and high mountains. The Banff Gondola takes you within eight minutes to the top of Sulphur Mountain which provides an insane view of the surrounding area. From this point you can see, for example, Lake Minnewanka and Bow Valley. The whole area is a national park and offers hikers the most beautiful trails through the mountains. Visit "The Hoodoos," giant limestone pillars at the top of Tunnel Mountain, the smallest peak in the park. At Vermillion Lakes, you can enjoy a picnic and have great views of Mount Rundle and Sulphur Mountain.

Sun Peaks

At the beautiful winter resort of Sun Peaks you will find a great mix of natural beauty and activities. In the summer it is possible to take several hikes through the mountains and in the winter it is a true skiing paradise. The town of Sun Peaks is also fun to visit. You can find many authentic houses, boutiques and good restaurants where you can relax after a long hike or an active day on the slopes.

Vancouver

Vancouver is considered one of the most fun and cultural city in Canada. It is a city of thousands and there is an immense amount to see and do. Visit Stanley Park with its totem poles or go to the Granville Island peninsula, which is in the middle of Vancouver. Here you will find restaurants in beautiful waterfront locations and a large indoor market with many delicacies. Vancouver is known for its many cultures that have evolved over time. There are several neighborhoods such as Chinatown and Granville street that feature live jazz music. In summer, there are plenty of festivals in the city and give you a perfect impression of this vibrant city.

Whistler

Whistler lies at the foot of the most famous and largest ski area in North America; Whistler-Blackcomb. The many gondolas take you to different heights and mountain peaks. From there, you can do great hiking in the summer and plenty of skiing and snowboarding in the winter. The Peak-to-Peak gondola carries thousands of people a day between Blackcomb and Whistler Mountain. In the summer, the Alta Lake, where you can swim and play golf nearby, is a great place to hang out. The nature preserve offers several opportunities for outdoor activities. For example, rent kayaks to Wayside Park or take a hike around one of the lakes and take pictures from the vantage points.

Calgary

Another vibrant city in Western Canada is Calgary. The Rocky Mountains are right behind the city and offer great hiking trails for in the area. When you visit the Calgary Tower you get a great view of the city and the mountains. In downtown, you can visit several museums such as Glenbow Museum with 20 art galleries. For historical sights be sure to visit Heritage Park Historical Village, this village gives a good impression of life around 1900 in the area. The various parks invite you to have a picnic next to waterfalls and fountains. Restaurants are plentiful in Calgary, so it is advisable to spend a day or two here so you can enjoy them.

Revelstoke

Mount Revelstoke National Park is a true natural paradise. The Giant Cedars and Skunk Cabbage Trail are two hiking trails that take you through 500-year-old cedar forests, and helpful are the information boards along the trail. There are swamps with muskrats and beavers and, of course, skunk cabbage. This plant provides an unpleasant smell when in bloom but it is worth the effort. During the snow season it is possible to travel up Mount Revelstoke on the Sky Parkway. From the top you look out over the beautiful valleys and rainforests. When the snow is almost gone, shuttle buses are operated from Balsam Lake to reach the summit.

Penticton

Penticton is the wine region of that is enclosed by the great Okanagan Lake which is a whopping 135 km long. Legend has it that a monster called Ogopogo lives in the lake. The area is unique with its many vineyards located near the lake. Furthermore, Pentiction is surrounded by high mountain peaks which is perfect for great hiking. The land around Pentiction belongs to the Penticton Indian Band and the reservation is home to a cultural, educational center where it is possible to see how the indigenous people lived.