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| Featuring the Cowboy Trail, Waterton Lakes Park and the Kootenay Rockies | |
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This
tour features the Cowboy Trail and Waterton Lakes National Park in southern
Alberta, and the Kootenay Rockies in British Columbia. Calgary
AB is the international gateway for this circle tour; however, you may also
begin west or south of Calgary. The tour visit three
national parks and various historical attractions. |
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 The Cowboy Trail |
From Calgary head south on Highway #22, travelling through various communities such as Black Diamond and Turner Valley. Along this route is one of the province's
National Historic site, the Turner Valley Oilfield. It all started on
May 14, 1914 when the Dingman Discovery Well blew, changing Alberta's economic
future. For 30 years, the Turner Valley Oilfield was a major supplier of oil
and gas for the province. |
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From Turner Valley head south, then east on Road #543 to Highway #2 and the community of Nanton. Nanton is known for its antiques, an "antique walk" of the various shops in the city's downtown centre is recommended. From Nanton, head south on Highway #2 towards Fort MacLeod. Along the route is a fascinating native heritage site, Head-Smashed-in-Buffalo-Jump. This World Heritage Site is one of the
oldest, largest and best-preserved buffalo jumps across the Western Plains.
The Interpretive Centre documents the buffalo hunting culture of the Plains Indians from
ancient times to the arrival of the Europeans. |
From
Fort MacLeod head south on Highway #2 to Cardston, then southeast on Highway #5 to
Waterton Lakes
National Park. |
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Located in Cardston is the Remington-Alberta Carriage Centre. Visit North America's largest museum of horse-drawn transportation, with over 250 carriages, wagons and sleighs. The display is acknowledged to be one of the finest in the world. From Cardston it is only is a short 45-minute drive to Waterton Lakes. The National Park is a nature enthusiasts and photographers paradise. Waterton Lakes is located in the heart of the Park, putting wilderness at your doorstep. This National Park offers a variety of activities including the Waterton Shoreline Cruises (a 2 1/2 hour cruise on Waterton Lake); a scenic drive to Red Rock Canyon (oxidized rock from millions of years ago); Cameron Falls & Lake and Maskinonge (the largest riparian habitat in western Canada). |
Red Rock Canyon - Waterton Lakes |
Day 2: |
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Continue heading west on Highway #3 to Sparwood. The town of Sparwood is decorated with larger than life murals and it is also the home to the Terex Titan, the world's largest dump truck. It originally hauled coal into the local Coal Mines. It now resides along Highway #3 in Sparwood for visitors to view. Tours of the Open Pit Mines are also available from June to August (sign up at the Sparwood Visitor Info Centre for your guided tour). |
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The City
of Fernie grew in prosperity as a railroad town. The original
buildings built during the early 1900's are still here and available to view with a Self-Guided
Walking Tour. The tour features the spectacular Courthouse and City Hall.
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| Day 3: From Fernie, it is a short drive (1 hour
west on Highway #3) to Cranbrook
and the Canadian Museum of Rail
Travel. This museum succeeds in capturing the romance of a bygone
era. The award-winning collection of restored railcars and locomotives is a "must
see", when visiting the area. |
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From Cranbrook, take Highway #95 to Fort Steele Heritage Town. This heritage town is a fascinating living museum that has re-created the experience of life in the late 1800's. The town has over 60 restored buildings, a steam railway, working Blacksmith's & Harness shop and the Wild Horse Theatre (live musical performances). Or take Highway #95A to Kimberley, the Bavarian City of the Rockies. Explore the Bavarian Platzl, Marysville Falls or ride the Bavarian City Mining Railway (an authentic mining railway ride). |
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Day 4: Fairmont, BC to Banff, AB (200 kms, 3 Hour Drive) Overnight - Banff Head north on Highway #95/93 to Lake Windermere, Invermere-on-the-Lake and Panorama Mountain Village. Invermere, situated on the northern end of Lake Windermere is filled with quaint shops, outdoor cafes and fine restaurants. |
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From Invermere, it is a quick
15-minute drive to Radium
Hot Springs and the second largest hot mineral pools in the area. The hot pools are
located just inside the gates of Kootenay National Park via Sinclair Canyon. |
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Once in the Park, be sure to watch out for wildlife (mountain sheep, deer, elk, fox and bears). Follow Highway #93 north through the Kootenay National Park. Along this route there are several points of interest and short hikes from Highway #93. A few include, Kootenay Valley (viewpoint of the Kootenay River Valley); Vermilion Crossing (day-use picnic area) and Paint Pots (iron-rich pools, staining the earth); and the Continental Divide (dividing the lines between the Pacific and Atlantic watersheds). |
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There is a lot to see and do in Banff; the downtown area is full of shops, pubs and restaurants for you to discover. Some of the major attractions in Banff include: Cave & Basin Historical Site (birthplace of Canada's first national park); the Whyte Museum (archives of the Canadian Rockies); Sulphur Mountain Gondola; Banff's Upper natural Hot Springs; Lake Minnewanka (Boat Tours to Devil's Gap); Bow Falls; Cascade Gardens and more. |
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Optional Route - Day 4 |
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Day 4: From Radium head north on Highway #95 to Golden. This route offers a unique opportunity to view or photograph various wetland inhabitants. Wetland Tours are also available in Golden or Radium (or you can paddle from Radium to Golden). |
The community of Golden
offers a variety of year round activities including, hiking, mountain biking,
para-sailing, hand-gliding, rock climbing, world-renowned whitewater rafting and
skiing, snowmobiling, backcountry touring and more. |
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From Golden head east on Highway #1 to Lake Louise and Banff, AB through Yoho National Park. With astonishing landscapes of 28 peaks over 3,000 m high, glacial lakes and Canada’s highest waterfall, Takakkaw, Yoho is one of the most beautiful national parks. Take the circle trail around spectacular glacier-fed Emerald Lake, visit the Natural Bridge or take a short drive to view the Spiral Tunnel. The train tunnel was carved in 1909 to avoid steep descents on the treacherous ‘Big Hill’. Stop for a few minutes and you may see the front end of a locomotive emerging from the upper portal, while the back end of the train enters the same tunnel below. |
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Lake O'Hara is accessed by special transportation or you may hike in (13 km/8 mile trail). The high peaks, rock basin lakes and alpine plants attract many visitors who wish to experience this area's unique beauty. Burgess Shale is the most unique
attraction to the Park. This preserved area has 515 million year-old remains of more
than 120 species of marine animals. Guided hikes to the area are available during
the summer months only. |
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Additional Information |
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| Accommodation | |
Additional Contact Information |
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Kootenay
Rockies Tourism Ph: 250 427 4838 |
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| ROCKIES AND RANCHLANDS CIRCLE TOUR | |
