Canada is on virtually everyone’s bucket list for a reason
This incredible country has a bit of everything, and the mountains, glaciers, wildlife and stunning landscapes will have you captivated.
There are few places in the world quite like it. So save up your pennies and finally book that trip you always dreamed of!
Quick Summary
Top Tip: Buy an Annual Pass to the National Parks. You only need to have visited for 6 days to save money (something that’s very easy to do in Banff and Jasper where all the best sights are in the parks).
Currency: Canadian Dollar
Visa: All visitors need to get a visa or visa waiver prior to arrival. We got the ETA online which allows visits for up to 180 days per stay.
Safety: Canada is very safe on the whole, but you should be careful in big cities and take your usual precautions. You should read up on bear safety if visiting the national parks or camping to avoid any encounters (though they are rare).
When to go: Much of Canada has a very very short season if your primary interest is hiking with snow starting in September until the first week of July. You can only hike the upper trails in peak season, but there are still some really unique experiences you can have in the off-season.
Peak Season: July - August (Summer school holidays)
Off Season: Any other time
Walk My World Cost Index: $$$$$ - Canada is as expensive as it gets for a traveller. Due to a very short peak season, most places will “make hay while the sun shines”. Off-season will see prices drop dramatically, but you’ll be restricted with what you can do in many areas.
Alberta
Banff & Lake Louise
12 big mistakes you will want to avoid when planning your trip to Banff in the Canadian Rockies! We’ll tell you the things no one else does. How to avoid the high costs for bad accommodation, how to see some hidden gems and tips to ensure you don’t visit the Banff Hot Springs when it’s a bit gross.
A full rundown of what it’s like to visit Banff in the fall - all the pros and cons of this time of year. We’ll tell you about the crowds, what will be open and all the implications of visiting Banff outside of peak season.
The Canadian Rockies are a dream road trip destination and with 7 days you can pack in many of the best things to do in the area. We spent a month exploring and have cherry picked all the things you shouldn’t miss when you only have a week to spare.
Which is the best base for a trip to the Rockies: Banff or Canmore? Having stayed in both places, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide that compares the pros and cons of each, letting you know about every implication of staying in either place.
The 23 best things to do in Banff - incredible experiences you cannot miss! We’ll tell you all the bucket list items and hiddens gems you must see from sunrise at Morraine Lake to the top place to spot grizzly bears (from a safe area). Here are the 23 activities you can’t leave Banff without ticking off.
14 of the best photography spots in Banff that will blow you away! We’ll show you stunning lakes, incredible mountain views and hidden gems to escape the crowds. Our guide will give you the locations, when to go and all you need to know about the most Instagrammable places in Banff.
9 bucket list worthy things to do in Lake Louise. Our guide to having an unforgettable trip to Lake Louise including some once in a lifetime experiences, some stunning hikes, amazing viewpoints, lunch at a Canadian institution and the best chance to see wild grizzly bears in The Rockies.
A diverse 5 day Banff itinerary that packs in all the best things to do and is guaranteed to blow you away! We’ll tell you about the best lakes, hikes, views, wildlife and pinch yourself experiences, as well as the best times to avoid the crowds and see Banff at its best.
Which is the best time to visit Moraine Lake - sunrise or sunset? We’ll take you through what to expect at both times, which is the best and how to snag a parking spot for the best views of this wonder of the world.
Banff Hikes
The 8 Lake Louise hikes you cannot miss! We’ll give you detailed guides that include what to expect, as well as ranking these world-class walks.
The 17 best Banff hikes with first hand descriptions, photos and guides! We’ll tell you the trails you have to put on your list, where they are, what to expect and everything you need to know to tackle the best trails in the Rockies.
We took on the Via Ferrata Banff that runs up Mount Norquay, and can tell you exactly what to expect (especially if you’re nervous). This article includes photos of the Via Ferrata and information to help you decide whether you think you can take on the challenge.
A complete guide to the Iceline Trail in Yoho National Park - an epic hike among glaciers! We’ll tell you how difficult the hike is, what to expect, how to plan your walk and some of the best things you can see on this beautiful trail.
All you need to know about the Lake Agnes Teahouse Hike - one of the best in the Rockies. We’ll tell the best time to go on the trail, what to expect and all about the magnificent tea house at the top of the track.
If you’re looking for a trail in Banff that escapes the crowds and doesn’t require a hard slog, then head to the Healy Pass hike! We’ll tell you all about what to expect, how difficult the hike is and why we love this picturesque and quiet trail.
All you need to know about the Peyto Lake hikes and viewpoints. We’ll tell you what to expect, the trail to the main viewpoint, the hike onto Bow Summit and how to get to the secret viewpoint no one tells you about.
After a year of maintenance, the Ha Ling Peak trail has reopened! Whilst this hike is still steep, it is a lot safer than before. Here’s how difficult the hike is now, what to expect and a detailed guide about the modified trail.
How to see a glacier, waterfall and stunning alpine scenery without slogging up a mountain on the Stanley Glacier hike! We’ll tell you what to expect and exactly how difficult this short trail is.
What to expect from the Parker Ridge Trail - the best hike on the Icefields Parkway! We’ll tell you how to get there, what the trail is like, the stunning views from the top and why this is well worth making the effort to do.
Everything you need to know to take on the Larch Valley hike and Sentinel Pass! We’ll tell you what to expect, how hard the trail is and why this hike should be at the top of everyone’s list of trails to do in Banff (especially if you’re here in the Fall).
How to avoid the crowds at Johnston Canyon & take in the incredible Ink Pots in Banff. We’ll tell you the best times to go, what to expect and why you should continue on the hike all the way to the stunning views at the Ink Pots.
Jasper
The Canadian Rockies are a dream road trip destination and with 7 days you can pack in many of the best things to do in the area. We spent a month exploring and have cherry picked all the things you shouldn’t miss when you only have a week to spare.
An epic Icefield Parkway itinerary for travelling in either direction between Lake Louise and Jasper. We’ll tell you the best stops including how to walk on a glacier, beautiful waterfalls, hike to stunning views and one of the best lakes in Canada. Here’s what to expect and how to plan your trip.
One of the best hikes in Jasper for stunning views - the Sulphur Skyline Trail! We’ll tell you all you need to know including difficulty, elevation, how long it will take and a little treat you can have at the end.
7 Jasper hikes that showcase the best of the Rockies! We’ll tell you all about the best hikes in Jasper, what to expect, how to escape the crowds and photos of the stunning views they offer.
The Bald Hills trail is one to take on for stunning views of Maligne Lake in Jasper. We give a lot of detail about the trail including what to expect, how difficult it is, the elevation and the ridgeline loop you should add on for an adventurous hike.
12 incredible photography spots in Jasper that have to be seen to be believed. We will tell you the best places to go to get the perfect photo and all the insider info including the best times to avoid the crowds and get the right light.
A comprehensive guide to the Mount Edith Cavell hikes. Our guide has details about this stunning area including the Edith Cavell Meadows trail, the epic lookouts, the views from the moraine you shouldn’t miss and the more sedate Path of the Glacier trail. We’ll tell you what to expect, how hard the trails are and the best way to plan your visit.
British Columbia
The 12 best things to do on Vancouver Island for the trip of a lifetime. We’ll tell you all the bucket list activities including orca watching, grizzly bears, culture, food, hikes and everything you need to plan your trip to this incredible island.
Tofino is packed with so many incredible experiences it can be hard to fit them all into one trip. We’ve here to help with the 12 best things to do in Tofino, including seeing wild black bears, whales, beautiful hikes, delicious food and much more.
10 beautiful Tofino hikes you need to check out on Vancouver Island! We provide details on the best hikes in the area - what to expect, difficulty, and our account of the Wild Pacific Coast Trail.
If you want to see Grizzly Bears or Black Bears in the wild, then look no further! This is the complete guide to bear watching on Vancouver Island - our first hand review of a Black Bear tour, full details on a Grizzly Bear day tour, as well as everything you need to know about various other trip options.
11 Revelstoke hikes for all levels! We’ll take you through the best hikes to do around the whole area, what to expect and how to plan your trip to Revelstoke.
All you need to know about the Chief Hike in Squamish: how hard it is, how long you need, the chains, photos and in-depth detail about this epic challenge for the best views in the area.
What to expect on the High Note Trail - a beautiful hike on the summit of Whistler Mountain. We’ll tell you how to get there, how hard it is and everything you need to know about this incredible walk.
Everything you need to know about the Joffre Lakes hike - a trail to the most Instagrammable lakes near Vancouver. We’ll tell you about the famous photography spot and about the quiet lake further on that no one visits!
The Abbott Ridge trail in Glacier National Park really has the WOW factor! This stunning hike has some of the best views in British Columbia and we’ll tell you all about the difficulty, elevation, what to expect and why we found it to be a BC must do hike.
Manitoba
14 incredible things to do in Winnipeg - Canada’s hidden gem. We'll tell you about world-class museums, a mind-blowing tour, the fantastic dining scene, some beautiful green spaces for outdoor adventures and so much more.
Why we loved the Falcon Trail Resort in Whiteshell Provincial Park, the perfect place to escape distractions from the outside world and immerse yourself in nature. We’ll tell you about the paddle up sauna, the easy hiking trails and everything that makes this an unforgettable getaway.
A comprehensive guide of the best things to do in Riding Mountain National Park. We’ll take you through the top hikes, best places to see iconic Canadian wildlife, our favourite sunset spot and a few more adventurous activities you must do.
The top 12 lakes you have to see in the Canadian Rockies! We’ll tell you which are the most beautiful lakes near Banff, how to get there, the best ways to see them and everything you need to know about the most spectacular lakes in The Rockies.