Day 06 TCH Lake Louise to Calgary
This route was brought to you by:
RouteXpert René Plücken (MRA Master)
Last edit: 12-02-2021
Route Summary This is part 6 that runs from Lake Louise to Calgary.
The Trans Canada Highway passes through all the southern provinces of the country. The route can be driven in different ways. There are namely in various alternative routes that also belong to the TCH. The total distance is around 8,000 km. We not only drive the TCH, but will take the rural roads as much as possible, because only highway driving is too boring and Canada has many beautiful roads through its beautiful landscape.
You drive through all provinces and through very varied and scenic landscapes, from the Rockies in the West, the Central Prairies to the Eastern Maritimes and the Northern Forest.
The riding season is generally April through October with longer seasons on the west coast and southern Ontario.
Provide good all season clothing or bring rain gear, depending on the province and the season the weather can change and you may be surprised by a rain or even a snow or hail shower, so be prepared.
In Canada the metric system is used, so speeds are indicated in Km / h. A helmet requirement (DOT approved) applies throughout Canada.
You will see many wildlife throughout Canada. your similar animals from province to province, such as deer, buffalos, moose, caribou, wolves, pumas, bears, mountain goats, sheep, lynx, coyotes, foxes, raccoons, badgers, various rodents and all kinds of birds.
Even if it is very tempting to stop for a photo, don't do it, it can be very dangerous.
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Animation
Verdict
Duration
4h 16m
Mode of travel
Car or motorcycle
Distance
236.96 km
Countries
RouteXpert Review Before we leave Lake Louise you can visit the visitors center (RP2) at RP2 for some extra info and maybe a souvenir. And refuel.
The original Trans Canada Highway starts at RP4, but as mentioned we take the AB-1A Bow Valley Parkway (start RP5), you MUST have driven this road between Banff and Lake Louise. This is a full day trip and will give you time to take nice pictures and visit beautiful sights, this ride will be engraved in your memory afterwards. If you have enough time and also want to hike one of the many Hike Trails, you can choose to ride this route in 2 days with an overnight stay in Banff.
Bow Valley Parkway meanders through the Canadian nature along the course of the Bow River. The vistas are truly breathtaking and there are several points along the way to stop and enjoy all the beauty. A number of points are included as RP and or POI, such as;
RP6 At Morant's Curve here you have a beautiful view of the mountains, Bow river and the Canadian Pacific railway where the heavy and long trains run long.
RP8 Johnston Canyon and Lower Falls. Here you can hike to the Johnston Canyon Trail and Lower Falls, it's a 1.5 mile hike through a canyon with a waterfall.
At RP9 we briefly turn onto the Trans Canada Highway to drive to Banff (RP10) where we stop for a delicious lunch in one of the many restaurants. Banff itself has a lot to offer, so a longer stop and overnight stay are definitely an option. You have several museums and a beautiful park along the river.
Leaving Banff we stop at RP11 and 12 for a photo stop at Hoodoos Viewpoint, you have a beautiful view of the mountains and river here, you can take a longer walk if you want to admire more of the scenery.
Before we turn onto the TCH we drive the Lake Minnewanka Scenic ride, this is a short tour with really beautiful panoramas. RP13 has a small harbor where you can take a boat trip. Along this scenic ride are a number of vantage points to safely stop for a photo. We also drive to Johnson Lake (RP14), again a beautiful mountain lake with a small park and a walking path around the lake.
We turn the TCH back to RP16 where we take the exit and drive up the Bow Valley Trail, this road is again enjoyable with curves and beautiful panoramas.
For dog lovers, the Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary (RP20) is a must visit. This is a non-profit organization promoting responsible wolfhound ownership by offering various educational programs. They discuss the challenges of wolf dog ownership and outline what a suitable home looks like. They also discuss the importance of wolf conservation in the wild! In addition to the educational programs, the sanctuary also oversees the rescue and safe sanctuary for wolf dogs that have been neglected, abandoned, or otherwise moved.
After this stop we drive back to the route to drive to the terminus Calgary.
This route with its beautiful roads, nature, panoramas and beautiful sights is worth 5 ***** Stars.
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Use of this GPS route is at your own expense and risk. The route has been carefully composed and checked by a MyRoute-app accredited RouteXpert for use on TomTom, Garmin and MyRoute-app Navigation.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
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Alberta
About this region
Alberta () is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada. It is part of Western Canada and is one of the three prairie provinces. Alberta is bordered by British Columbia to the west, Saskatchewan to the east, the Northwest Territories (NWT) to the north, and the U.S. state of Montana to the south. It is one of the only two landlocked provinces in Canada. The eastern part of the province is occupied by the Great Plains, while the western part borders the Rocky Mountains. The province has a predominantly continental climate but experiences quick temperature changes due to air aridity. Seasonal temperature swings are less pronounced in western Alberta due to occasional chinook winds.Alberta is the 6th largest province by area at 661,848 square kilometres, and the 4th most populous, being home to 4,067,175 people. Alberta's capital is Edmonton, while Calgary is its largest city. The two are Alberta's largest census metropolitan areas (CMAs) and both exceed 1 million people. More than half of Albertans live in either Edmonton or Calgary, which contributes to continuing the rivalry between the two cities. English is the official language of the province. In 2016, 76.0% of Albertans were anglophone, 1.8% were francophone and 22.2% were allophone.The oil and gas industry is also a part of the province's identity. Alberta's economy is based on hydrocarbons, petrochemical industries, livestock, agriculture and frontier technologies. The oil industry has been a pillar of Alberta's economy since 1947, when substantial oil deposits were discovered at Leduc No. 1 well. Since Alberta is the province most rich in hydrocarbons, it provides 70% of the oil and natural gas exploited on Canadian soil. In 2018, Alberta's output was CDN$338.2 billion, 15.27% of Canada's GDP.In the past, Alberta's political landscape hosted parties like the left-wing Liberals and the agrarian United Farmers of Alberta, as well as the right-wing Social Credit Party and the Progressive Conservatives. Today, Alberta is generally perceived as a conservative province. The Progressive Conservatives held office continually from 1971 to 2015, the longest unbroken run in government at the provincial or federal level in Canadian history.
Before becoming part of Canada, Alberta was home to several First Nations and was a territory used by fur traders of the Hudson's Bay Company. The lands that would become Alberta were acquired by Canada as part of the NWT on July 15, 1870. On September 1, 1905, Alberta was separated from the NWT as a result of the Alberta Act and designated the 8th province of Canada. From the late 1800s to early 1900s, many immigrants arrived, the biggest wave of which was pushed by Wilfrid Laurier, to prevent the prairies from being annexed by Americans. Massive oil resources were discovered in Alberta in 1947.Alberta is renowned for its natural beauty, richness in fossils and for housing important nature reserves. Alberta is home to six UNESCO World Heritage Sites: The Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks, Dinosaur Provincial Park, the Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, Waterton–Glacier International Peace Park, Wood Buffalo National Park and Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park. Other popular sites include: Banff, Canmore, Drumheller, Jasper, Sylvan Lake and Lake Louise.
Read more on Wikipedia
Before becoming part of Canada, Alberta was home to several First Nations and was a territory used by fur traders of the Hudson's Bay Company. The lands that would become Alberta were acquired by Canada as part of the NWT on July 15, 1870. On September 1, 1905, Alberta was separated from the NWT as a result of the Alberta Act and designated the 8th province of Canada. From the late 1800s to early 1900s, many immigrants arrived, the biggest wave of which was pushed by Wilfrid Laurier, to prevent the prairies from being annexed by Americans. Massive oil resources were discovered in Alberta in 1947.Alberta is renowned for its natural beauty, richness in fossils and for housing important nature reserves. Alberta is home to six UNESCO World Heritage Sites: The Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks, Dinosaur Provincial Park, the Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, Waterton–Glacier International Peace Park, Wood Buffalo National Park and Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park. Other popular sites include: Banff, Canmore, Drumheller, Jasper, Sylvan Lake and Lake Louise.
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Statistics 
8Amount of RX reviews (Alberta)
9055Amount of visitors (Alberta)
361Amount of downloads (Alberta)
Route Collections in this region Top car and motorcycle tour through Canada USA and the Rockies
Traveling by car or motorcycle through Canada, USA and the Rockies is a journey that you don't just make, so don't drive for 15 days and then return home. No, book a stay of several days in Vancouver, Jasper, Banff, Seattle and Port Alberni and again Vancouver to also visit several places of interest in these cities, so that this tour becomes an unforgettable tour that you can remember with pleasure.
Do not forget to arrange and pack the following items:
*This is only a summary and completely personal and may differ per person.
Take out travel insurance, +31 for numbers in GSM, (partially) take out gas, Health insurance coverage at destination?, Switch off electrical appliances, Lighting (time clock), Check passport validity, Antenna from radio/TV due to lightning, Residence address for those left behind, Remote control house alarm, Book Smart Parking.
Hand luggage:
Liquids in packaging of max. 100 ml, Liquids in hand luggage in transparent plastic bag.
For on the road:
Candy, Book, Earplugs, Country and road map(s), Directions, Maps in your navigation system
Money & Securities:
Bank card / giro card, Credit card (think pin code), Cash, Calculator for Internet banking, Medical insurance card, Travel insurance card.
Travel documents:
Passport, (International) Driver's License, Ticket(s), Reservation Tickets, Hotel Vouchers, Arrival/Departure Time, Check-in & Check-out Times, Valid Visa (ESTA), Travel Guide.
Clothing:
Underwear, Belt, Shirts/ T-shirts, Shorts, Long pants, Shoes, Socks, Swim trunks, Towel, Slippers.
Personal stuff:
Watch, House Keys, Wallet, Sunglasses.
Toiletries:
Deodorant, Shower gel / Soap, Comb / brush, Shaving equipment, Shampoo, Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Sanitary pads
Health & Medicine:
Own medicines, Insect repellent, Cold sore ointment, Ointment for insect bites, Sunscreen, Norit, Paracetamol, Suction cup for insect bites, First aid bag.
Miscellaneous:
Travel bag / waist bag, Leatherman (= checked luggage), Pen or pencil, Headlamp, Lighter, Tools & Electronics, Mobile phone & charger, Photo/video camera & charger, Memory card(s), World plug / adapter, Ipod & charger, Adapter cable Ipod, Headphones, iPad & charger, Navigation & charger/plug, Plug socket, Fuelpack battery.
Engine (accessories):
Helmet, Motorcycle clothing, Motorcycle boots, Chain lock / disc brake lock, Gloves, Bandana, Inner bags (plastic shopping bag), Insulation bag, Tension straps, Tie wraps, Rain suit, Rainaway.
Addresses:
Address list, Embassy telephone number, Telephone number to block (bank) card(s), Telephone number (airline tickets).
Do not forget to arrange and pack the following items:
*This is only a summary and completely personal and may differ per person.
Take out travel insurance, +31 for numbers in GSM, (partially) take out gas, Health insurance coverage at destination?, Switch off electrical appliances, Lighting (time clock), Check passport validity, Antenna from radio/TV due to lightning, Residence address for those left behind, Remote control house alarm, Book Smart Parking.
Hand luggage:
Liquids in packaging of max. 100 ml, Liquids in hand luggage in transparent plastic bag.
For on the road:
Candy, Book, Earplugs, Country and road map(s), Directions, Maps in your navigation system
Money & Securities:
Bank card / giro card, Credit card (think pin code), Cash, Calculator for Internet banking, Medical insurance card, Travel insurance card.
Travel documents:
Passport, (International) Driver's License, Ticket(s), Reservation Tickets, Hotel Vouchers, Arrival/Departure Time, Check-in & Check-out Times, Valid Visa (ESTA), Travel Guide.
Clothing:
Underwear, Belt, Shirts/ T-shirts, Shorts, Long pants, Shoes, Socks, Swim trunks, Towel, Slippers.
Personal stuff:
Watch, House Keys, Wallet, Sunglasses.
Toiletries:
Deodorant, Shower gel / Soap, Comb / brush, Shaving equipment, Shampoo, Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Sanitary pads
Health & Medicine:
Own medicines, Insect repellent, Cold sore ointment, Ointment for insect bites, Sunscreen, Norit, Paracetamol, Suction cup for insect bites, First aid bag.
Miscellaneous:
Travel bag / waist bag, Leatherman (= checked luggage), Pen or pencil, Headlamp, Lighter, Tools & Electronics, Mobile phone & charger, Photo/video camera & charger, Memory card(s), World plug / adapter, Ipod & charger, Adapter cable Ipod, Headphones, iPad & charger, Navigation & charger/plug, Plug socket, Fuelpack battery.
Engine (accessories):
Helmet, Motorcycle clothing, Motorcycle boots, Chain lock / disc brake lock, Gloves, Bandana, Inner bags (plastic shopping bag), Insulation bag, Tension straps, Tie wraps, Rain suit, Rainaway.
Addresses:
Address list, Embassy telephone number, Telephone number to block (bank) card(s), Telephone number (airline tickets).
View Route Collection
Trans Canada Highway
The Trans-Canada Highway (TCH) or Trans-Canadian Highway is a system of highways that cover all 10 provinces of Canada.
The Federal and Provincial Highways System that now forms the TCH were authorized by the Trans-Canada Highway Act of 1948 and opened in 1962. It was completed in 1971. The total length of the TCH is 7821 km.
Contrary to the American Interstate Highway System, the TCH does not consist of an unambiguous network of motorways, but forms a network of restricted access highways and other main routes that are more akin to the Dutch provincial roads. The route is indicated by a green shield with a white maple leaf.
The numbering of the roads that are part of the TCH is the domain of the provinces. Only the western provinces have aligned their numbering and the TCH has the designation Highway 1 there.
The main route of the TCH starts in Victoria in British Columbia and runs via Calgary and Regina to Winnipeg. From Winnipeg the route leads to Kenora in Ontario, after which several branches pass through Ontario to Ottawa.
Further east, the route passes through the province of Quebec via Montreal and Quebec, among others, to Moncton, New Brunswick. Then the TCH continues east through Nova Scotia, where a branch (via the Confederation Bridge) leads to Prince Edward Island. Another section runs down to the sea in the port city of Sydney, where a ferry service leaves for Channel-Port aux Basques on the island of Newfoundland. From there the route continues for more than 900 km to the provincial capital of St. John's, in the extreme southeast of the island.
We not only drive the TCH, but will take the rural roads as much as possible, because only Highway driving is too boring and Canada has many beautiful roads through its beautiful landscape. You drive through all provinces and through very varied and scenic landscapes, from the Rockies in the West, the Central Prairies to the Eastern Maritimes and the Northern Forest.
The riding season is generally April through October with longer seasons on the west coast and southern Ontario. Provide good all season clothing or bring rain gear, depending on the province and the season the weather can change and you may be surprised by a rain or even a snow or hail shower, so be prepared.
In Canada the metric system is used, so speeds are indicated in Km / h. A helmet requirement (DOT approved) applies throughout Canada.
You will see many wildlife throughout Canada. This varies from province to province, such as deer, buffalos, moose, caribou, wolves, pumas, bears, mountain goats, sheep, lynx, coyotes, foxes, raccoons, badgers, various rodents and all kinds of birds. Even if it is very tempting to stop for a photo, don't do it, it can be very dangerous.
The routes described in this review sometimes deviate from the Trans Canada Highway, bringing the total length to 9,300 kilometers. The routes are made so that you drive through the beautiful parts of Canada with truly beautiful panoramas and beautiful sights to visit, this differs from museums, parks to historical points. The routes are not too long so there is time to stop for photos and sights along the way. You can also choose to arrange and combine the stages differently or to add other routes to shorten or extend your journey. The routes are marked with a rating in stars, some routes are less challenging or interesting but are necessary to drive to the next point, which is why they often have a lower rating.
In the route description you will find more details about the routes and the points of interest along the way. These points and also hotels, restaurants, petrol stations etc. are indicated with a POI and sometimes also with a Route point. In the description you will also find links to interesting sites and to the routes that connect to that day.
The described routes are;
Day 01 TCH Victory to Nanaimo
Day 02 TCH Nanaimo to Hope
Day 03 TCH Hope to Kamloops
Day 04 TCH Kamloops to Revelstoke
Day 05 TCH Revelstoke to Lake Louise
Day 06 TCH Lake Louise to Calgary
Day 07 TCH Calgary to Medicine Hat
Day 08 TCH Medicine Hat to Moose Jaw
Day 09 TCH Moose Jaw to Regina
Day 10 TCH Regina to Brandon
Day 11 TCH Brandon to Winnipeg
Day 12 TCH Winnipeg to Kenora
Day 13 TCH Kenora to Ignace
Day 14 TCH Ignace to Thunder Bay
Day 15 TCH Thunder Bay to Marathon
Day 16 Thunder Bay to Wawa
Day 17 TCH Wawa to Sault Ste Marie
Day 18 TCH Sault Ste Marie to Espanola
Day 19 TCH Espanola to Mattawa
Day 20 TCH Mattawa to Ottawa
Day 21 TCH Ottawa to Montreal
Day 22 TCH Montreal to Quebec
Day 23 TCH Quebec to Riviere du Loup
Day 24 TCH Riviere du Loup to Grand Falls
Day 25 TCH Grand Falls to Fredericton
Day 26 TCH Fredericton to Moncton
Day 27 TCH Moncton to Charlottetown
Day 28 TCH Charlottetown to Truro
Day 29 TCH Truro to North Sydney
Day 30 TCH North Sydney to Corner Brook
Day 31 TCH Corner Brook to Grand Falls
Day 32 TCH Grand Falls to Clarenville
Day 33 TCH Clarenville to St John.
Have fun reading the reviews and planning your next road trip.
If you have driven this trip, I am very curious about your feedback!
The Federal and Provincial Highways System that now forms the TCH were authorized by the Trans-Canada Highway Act of 1948 and opened in 1962. It was completed in 1971. The total length of the TCH is 7821 km.
Contrary to the American Interstate Highway System, the TCH does not consist of an unambiguous network of motorways, but forms a network of restricted access highways and other main routes that are more akin to the Dutch provincial roads. The route is indicated by a green shield with a white maple leaf.
The numbering of the roads that are part of the TCH is the domain of the provinces. Only the western provinces have aligned their numbering and the TCH has the designation Highway 1 there.
The main route of the TCH starts in Victoria in British Columbia and runs via Calgary and Regina to Winnipeg. From Winnipeg the route leads to Kenora in Ontario, after which several branches pass through Ontario to Ottawa.
Further east, the route passes through the province of Quebec via Montreal and Quebec, among others, to Moncton, New Brunswick. Then the TCH continues east through Nova Scotia, where a branch (via the Confederation Bridge) leads to Prince Edward Island. Another section runs down to the sea in the port city of Sydney, where a ferry service leaves for Channel-Port aux Basques on the island of Newfoundland. From there the route continues for more than 900 km to the provincial capital of St. John's, in the extreme southeast of the island.
We not only drive the TCH, but will take the rural roads as much as possible, because only Highway driving is too boring and Canada has many beautiful roads through its beautiful landscape. You drive through all provinces and through very varied and scenic landscapes, from the Rockies in the West, the Central Prairies to the Eastern Maritimes and the Northern Forest.
The riding season is generally April through October with longer seasons on the west coast and southern Ontario. Provide good all season clothing or bring rain gear, depending on the province and the season the weather can change and you may be surprised by a rain or even a snow or hail shower, so be prepared.
In Canada the metric system is used, so speeds are indicated in Km / h. A helmet requirement (DOT approved) applies throughout Canada.
You will see many wildlife throughout Canada. This varies from province to province, such as deer, buffalos, moose, caribou, wolves, pumas, bears, mountain goats, sheep, lynx, coyotes, foxes, raccoons, badgers, various rodents and all kinds of birds. Even if it is very tempting to stop for a photo, don't do it, it can be very dangerous.
The routes described in this review sometimes deviate from the Trans Canada Highway, bringing the total length to 9,300 kilometers. The routes are made so that you drive through the beautiful parts of Canada with truly beautiful panoramas and beautiful sights to visit, this differs from museums, parks to historical points. The routes are not too long so there is time to stop for photos and sights along the way. You can also choose to arrange and combine the stages differently or to add other routes to shorten or extend your journey. The routes are marked with a rating in stars, some routes are less challenging or interesting but are necessary to drive to the next point, which is why they often have a lower rating.
In the route description you will find more details about the routes and the points of interest along the way. These points and also hotels, restaurants, petrol stations etc. are indicated with a POI and sometimes also with a Route point. In the description you will also find links to interesting sites and to the routes that connect to that day.
The described routes are;
Day 01 TCH Victory to Nanaimo
Day 02 TCH Nanaimo to Hope
Day 03 TCH Hope to Kamloops
Day 04 TCH Kamloops to Revelstoke
Day 05 TCH Revelstoke to Lake Louise
Day 06 TCH Lake Louise to Calgary
Day 07 TCH Calgary to Medicine Hat
Day 08 TCH Medicine Hat to Moose Jaw
Day 09 TCH Moose Jaw to Regina
Day 10 TCH Regina to Brandon
Day 11 TCH Brandon to Winnipeg
Day 12 TCH Winnipeg to Kenora
Day 13 TCH Kenora to Ignace
Day 14 TCH Ignace to Thunder Bay
Day 15 TCH Thunder Bay to Marathon
Day 16 Thunder Bay to Wawa
Day 17 TCH Wawa to Sault Ste Marie
Day 18 TCH Sault Ste Marie to Espanola
Day 19 TCH Espanola to Mattawa
Day 20 TCH Mattawa to Ottawa
Day 21 TCH Ottawa to Montreal
Day 22 TCH Montreal to Quebec
Day 23 TCH Quebec to Riviere du Loup
Day 24 TCH Riviere du Loup to Grand Falls
Day 25 TCH Grand Falls to Fredericton
Day 26 TCH Fredericton to Moncton
Day 27 TCH Moncton to Charlottetown
Day 28 TCH Charlottetown to Truro
Day 29 TCH Truro to North Sydney
Day 30 TCH North Sydney to Corner Brook
Day 31 TCH Corner Brook to Grand Falls
Day 32 TCH Grand Falls to Clarenville
Day 33 TCH Clarenville to St John.
Have fun reading the reviews and planning your next road trip.
If you have driven this trip, I am very curious about your feedback!
View Route Collection