The Grandeur of the Rocky Mountains

Many of the panoramic postcards of Canada have the splendid Rocky Mountains range in the background. Its snowy peaks can be observed on the horizon like a great barrier protecting the wildlife living in its valleys.
The beauty of the scenery is almost unbeatable and for this reason, the Canadians protect it as if it were a natural jewel. Nonetheless, hiking is an activity which is encouraged since it allows you to interact with nature. Along the authorised paths you will not only see snowy mountains for climbing, but also beautiful turquoise lakes, small rivers with clear waters, waterfalls and animals in their natural habitat, such as grizzly bears.
Read more: Find out where the white polar bears capital is.
Where are the Rocky Mountains?
The Rocky Mountains are a mountain range which extend from the United States to Canada. In the United States the mountains are located in the northern part of Idaho and Montana, and in Canada they are located in the provinces of Alberta and British Colombia (the northern point of which is the Liard River).
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How to get to the Rocky Mountains
If you are travelling from the UK, you can reserve a flight to Vancouver or Calgary, taking advantage of the benefits for tourism granted by the ETA Visa Application.
From Vancouver it’s approximately 800 kilometres by car or train, meaning that you can stop and enjoy other tourist attractions along the way. The route brings you to the small city of Jasper in Alberta, which is the epicentre where thousands of tourists start their trip around the Rocky Mountain National Park.
Which National Parks does it include?
Five National Parks are located in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Four of these parks, Banff, Jasper, Yoho and Kootenay, intertwine to make up the Rocky Mountain National Park. The Waterton National Park is located near the border with the United States is separate from the others, more to the south. All of the parks, including the provincial parks and protected areas, have been declared World Heritage Sites by the UNESCO in 1984.
The Banff National Park is the oldest in Canada and certainly the busiest, since it is the best in terms of communication and transport. The park is surrounded by high peaks, beautiful glacial lakes and glorious waterfalls. The starting point to get there is the city of Calgary, which is 130 kilometres from the city of Banff. In this well-known city it is easier to get a car to use as transport for the trip.
If you want to get closer to nature, Jasper National Park is the biggest of the parks and has the largest area of unspoilt land and species endemic to the country. You can cross the park using the paths which go through the forests and prairies.
See also: Top 5 incredible places in Canada.
Which are the places of interest?
Lake Louise
The unique colour of this lake comes from the rock dust from the Lefroy and Victoria glaciers. On the shore is Château Lake Louise, a hotel built at the beginning of the last century owned by the Canadian Pacific Railway company.
Maligne Canyon
This natural spot in Jasper Park is very popular for tourism and exploration. Those who visit can admire its streams, waterfalls, birds and other animals.
Athabasca Falls
The water of the Athabasca glacier fall 23 metres, very strong for swimming, but undoubtedly a must-see natural attraction.
Peyto Lake
Another glacial lake with a unique turquoise colour and a high altitude. You can go to its viewpoint, the Bow Summit Lookout from Icefields Parkway which crosses the Rocky Mountains.
Morant’s Curve
From here you can see the impressive image of the train, with the background of the turquoise river and the snowy peaks. In fact, it is named after Nicholas Morant who took incredible photos of the area in the 20th century.
Lake O’Hara
Situated at over 200 metres altitude in Yoho Park, this Lake can only be reached by bus or walking along a 12 kilometres long trail.