Short Scenic Drives around Banff and the Canadian Rockies

Short Scenic Drives around Banff and the Canadian Rockies

It is hard to go wrong on a vacation to Banff and the Canadian Rockies. Whether you are driving or catching an airport connector from Calgary, within minutes of being outside the city, you will be surrounded by towering snow-capped mountains on all sides. Even getting to your destination is an adventure through stunning scenery. In winter, snow flickers in the fields like stars in the sky. The green fields and forests are full of grazing animals in spring and summer. Regardless of time of year, if you keep your eyes open on your trips, you are likely to see some wildlife. If you don’t want to spend too much time in the car but fancy a nice scenic drive – check out my home made Kananaskis Route.

Kananaskis Country

When I say I found this drive, I mean a million other people have probably driven it before but it doesn’t become an official ‘great drive’ until I give it the go ahead. After a visit to the beautiful Rafter Six Ranch just outside Canmore, I took a wrong turn and missed the highway turnoff. However the signs were still there for Canmore and Banff so I followed and was rewarded for my sheep-like tendency. If you want to make a day trip of it, have a day trip to Kananaskis Golf Course or Inside Out Rafting for example. You will need to drive about 20km past Canmore and turn into Kananaskis Country. Keep on the back roads and you are rewarded with raw beauty.

There are water reservoirs with eagles floating overhead hunting for dinner and possibly local writers. An elk stood alone on the side of the road chewing the grass not fussed about this annoying human interruption. The winding Rocky Mountain roads back to Canmore are just gorgeous. There are very few other cars on this road as it is a longer way to go than the highway. Vacations are made from the little things like driving adventures after a game of golf with buddies or a day horse riding at a ranch with the family. Remember who told you first… or fifteenth anyway!

Visit Rafter Six Ranch –
Exshaw Alberta TOL2CO Canada
1-888-26-RANCH