Canadian Rockies Family Multisport
Bike, Hike and Raft in Banff and Jasper National Parks
If you and your family can't decide between biking or hiking in the Rockies, now you don't have to. We've taken our two favorite activities to one of our most popular destinations and created a terrific trip that's bound to delight the whole family. Come bike and hike in Banff and Jasper with our Trip Leaders - certified Mountain Parks Heritage Interpreters who know these national parks intimately. Pedal past glaciers inching their way down the faces of mighty peaks, hike to lakes in crayon-box hues of deepest blue and vibrant green, take to the water on an easygoing raft trip, and explore miles and miles of Canada's breathtaking Rockies.
Trip Planning Links
- Family-friendly bike routes through an alpine landscape of unimaginable beauty
- Putting on crampons and trekking across Athabasca Glacier
- Learning the sport of rock climbing with the help of expert guides
- Floating down Class II rapids of the Athabasca River
- Spotting signs of marmots, deer, beaver and coyote
The Day-to-Day Itinerary
Days 1-2 Banff National Park and Lake Louise
Meet in Banff 
Ride through town, then follow the blue-green Bow River past towering peaks and virgin forests Enjoy a bountiful picnic in Johnston Canyon before heading out on a scenic hike that leads to a series of gorgeous waterfalls Shuttle to the Lake Louise, a World Heritage site Families stroll alongside the Lake Louise's shimmering shore and follow the path of the Victoria Glacier up to the Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse After lunch at the teahouse, adults continue hiking on their own while kids enjoy an afternoon of fun activities designed just for them.
Day 3 Bow lake and the Icefields Parkway
A family-friendly ride from the hotel along scenic 93A ("the old highway"), leads past Athabasca Falls and to our picnic spot Take in views of stunning Peyto Lake from the highest point on the Icefields Parkway Keep an eye out for resident wildlife.
Days 4-6 Jasper National Park
Be adventurous: Strap on crampons and take a guided walk with accredited mountain guides on the massive Athabasca Glacier Revel in views of the surrounding glaciers that form the enormous Columbia Icefield Get a new perspective on the landscape on a guided raft trip down the Athabasca River Kids are introduced to the exciting sport of rock climbing by accredited climbing guides Meanwhile adults shuttle to Maligne Lake to see its magnificent color before continuing on a rolling downhill ride, stopping along the way for an optional hike through spectacular Maligne Canyon Stride through pristine mountain wilderness in the Valley of Five Lakes, winding past its jade-green namesakes and through the habitats of mule deer, beavers and coyotes Explore the town of Jasper and enjoy dinner on your own.
- Premiere Inns: These lodgings possess both elegance and authentic regional flair.
- Casual Inns: These lodgings are comfortable and appropriate to the area with such characteristics as authenticity, scenic settings and proximity to our activities.
- Deluxe Family Camping: We set up the tents (and take them down), handle every camp chore and perform culinary magic.
Other Trips You Might Like:
Family Premiere Inns Family Deluxe Camping
Alaska Multisport Yellowstone Multisport Bryce/Zion/Grand Canyon MultisportOther National Park Trips
Look at what other guests are saying about this trip!
We had perhaps the best family trip ever on our Canadian Rockies Family adventure and carry with us memories that will last a lifetime. We cannot wait to go on our next Backroads trip. What an outstanding experience! Thank you.- San Francisco, CA More about this Trip All Guest Reviews
For 30 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the tour experts. For multisport tours in , trust our in-depth connections. To see all our multisport tours click here. For our selection of award-winning biking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning walking and hiking tours click here.
Canadian Rockies Family Multisport
MOUNTAIN RETREATS: Casual Inns
Baker Creek Chalets
Lake Louise (2 nights) This hidden gem, nestled in a wooded setting beneath the Canadian Rockies, features a great location and spacious homey cabins.
Columbia Icefields
Athabasca Glacier (1 night) Modest accommodations located at the top of Sunwapta Pass, overlooking the Athabasca Glacier.
Tekarra Lodge
Jasper (2 nights) A cluster of simple cabins with fireplaces and porches, nestled in pines above the confluence of the Athabasca and Miette Rivers.
Canadian Rockies Family Multisport
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Activity Level | Average Time | Biking Average | Walking Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insider Trips | Explore at a leisurely pace—on village walks, market strolls, art history excursions, hands-on cooking classes and more. | ||
| 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 miles | 2-5 miles |
| 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
Day 1
- Levels 1 to 2 4 Route Options Available
- Biking 7, 17, 29 miles
- 200 - 1000 feet elevation gain
- Hiking 1 - 2 miles
- 200 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 2 to 3 2 Route Options Available
- Hiking 6.2, 8 miles
- 1200 - 1800 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 1 to 3 3 Route Options Available
- Biking 11, 26, 35 miles
- 900 - 1800 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- Glacier Ice Walk 2 hours
- Rafting 2 hours
Day 5
- Levels 2 to 3 3 Route Options Available
- Biking 23, 31 miles
- 300 feet elevation gain
- Hiking 1.6 miles
- 100 feet elevation gain
- Kid's Rock Climbing
Day 6
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- Hiking 3.2 miles
- 120 feet elevation gain
On this Family Trip, our routes follow gentle terrain with little significant gain or loss in elevation. Liberal van shuttling is incorporated into the itinerary to facilitate our activities and mileage is kept moderate to enable you to spend more time exploring on your own.