Vancouver to Banff Fall Road Trip
It is said that the Vancouver to Banff drive is one of the most spectacular road trips in the world. In fact, the main route to Banff via the Trans-Canada Highway is incredibly scenic with iconic mountain views, wildlife, and rivers.
The drive between Vancouver and Banff can be accomplished in less than 10 hours. However, this does not allow you to enjoy the sights of interest along the way. We opted for one of the southern routes and stopped in Kelowna, Glacier and Yoho National Parks, and Lake Louise before reaching the city of Banff. We did this itinerary during the 3rd week of October and I recommend allocating at least a week for this trip so you do not have to rush.
It was the perfect occasion to test-drive the Lincoln Aviator that offers exciting powertrain options combining power and poise for a thrilling trip. Read on to find out spots and activities not to miss out on this fall.
Stop 1 – Kelowna
What to do?
Located in the heart of the Okanagan Valley, Kelowna is the third-largest metropolitan area in the province of British Columbia after the cities of Vancouver and Victoria. From Vancouver, expect to drive approximately 4 hours and around 390 km to reach Kelowna.
It was our second time to visit Kelowna and we were so glad to be back. My two favourite activities in Kelowna are hiking and wine tasting. Fall hiking is the perfect occasion to be surrounded by colourful trees tinted of shades of yellow, orange, and red. Also, experiencing a wine tasting is an opportunity to discuss with the winemaker and to stimulate your taste buds.
We had plenty of time to try several hiking trails for the two days we spent in Kelowna. While there are many hiking trails around Kelowna, certain ones stand out for providing amazing fall foliage amongst the greenery such as Myra Canyon Park and Glen Canyon Regional Park. Starting at 30$, you can rent a bike at Myra Canyon Bike Rentals and cycle part of the Historical Kettle Valley Railway route built in the early 20th century. We did the full circuit of 24 km and admired spectacular views of Myra Canyon and Okanagan Lake.
When looking to reserve a wine tasting, I found out that there are more than 40 wineries around Kelowna. Typically, if you can’t decide which one you want to try then let a guide with local knowledge take you around and be your designated driver. Several operators are listed on Tourism Kelowna for you to choose from.
We decided to book at Mission Hill Winery and we had such a great time! We were welcomed with a glass of sparkling wine then guided to a private cozy living room for a seated tasting of selected Reserve wines showcasing the richness of the Okanagan Valley. Check my Instagram for more pictures of this tasteful experience.
Where to eat vegan food?
It is always exciting to hunt for vegan restaurants when traveling. For the breakfast, we tried out the Naked Cafe that offers satisfying vegan food. We opted for the Benny Bowl and the Scramble Wrap. If you have room for a sweet treat, don’t miss their chocolate chip cookies.
We enjoyed lunch on a patio at the Summerhill Pyramid Winery bistro. We were enthusiastic to try it because they offer an organic menu including several vegan options. You should absolutely taste the plant-based cheese board and the vegan calamari made of tempura oyster mushroom, it is so delicious.
For the dinner, we went to the vegetarian restaurant and bar Frankie We Salute You. Most of the menu is plant-based except one item that contains dairy and they also have an egg option for the Pumpkin Ramen. My favourite picks are the Chorizo Ranchero Bowl and the Molten Chocolate Cake, both are delightful!
Where to stay?
From outdoor camping to classy resorts, there are many places to stay in Kelowna. Use Google Maps to do a quick search and to have an overview of the exact location. Staying downtown was convenient for us and we were able to find interesting deals via Hotels.
Stop 2 – Glacier and Yoho National Park
When leaving Kelowna, we took the 97 North then the 97A North to reach the Trans-Canada Highway until the Glacier National Park. The road traffic was relatively fluid and it took us around 3 hours despite the road maintenance zones. Also, note that somewhere on the road your clock will switch to Mountain Time and you will lose 1 hour of daylight.
Unfortunately, we were caught out in heaving rain when we approached Glacier National Park. We were interested to experience the Bear Creek Falls trail but we decided not to visit. This 1-hour round trip short hike leads to impressive falls. We hope to have the chance to do this trail next time if the weather allows it. We continued on the Trans-Canada Highway until Yoho National Park. You have to pay a daily fee starting at 10$ for adults to visit a National Park. We stopped at the visitor center to purchase our tickets and stuck the receipt on the car windshield as requested.
From there, we enjoyed a 20-minute scenic drive covered by snow on the Yoho Valley Road to reach the base of the Takakkaw Falls known to be one of the highest waterfalls in Canada. We were advised that the road was about to close because of the snow so we did not stay too long there. We drove back and went to enjoy a walk around the Emerald Lake where we admired incredible views of mountain peaks.
Stop 3 – Lake Louise
Where to stay?
When we arrived at Lake Louise village, it was already dark so we decided to go directly to our hotel to have a rest. Whether you choose to book a 5-star hotel such as the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise or a camping place at the Lake Louise Campground, it is highly recommended to reserve in advance since the accommodation choices are limited in this area.
Where to eat vegan food?
In addition to hotel restaurants, there are a few cafes and restaurants in the village. We tried the Mountain Restaurant because they have a vegan burger listed on their menu. The staff is friendly and we had a nice chat with the waitress.
What to do?
The next day, we were on our way to Moraine Lake but the road was already closed due to the snow conditions. The lake lies at a high elevation and for safety, the road closes around the Tuesday after Canadian Thanksgiving until late May.
Consequently, we went directly to Lake Louise and did two easy trails. We started with the Lake Louise Lakeshore which is a 2 km one-way stroll leading to the milky creek that gives the lake its magical turquoise colour. Then, we did the Fairview Lookout, which is a 1 km one-way uphill hike offering a unique look at both the lake, and the historic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.
For those interested in renting a canoe, note that there is only one rental company on the lake generally opened from mid-June to early October depending on the weather conditions. The rates per canoe start at 75$ for 30 minutes and canoes are available on a first come first served basis.
Stop 4 – Banff
Where to stay?
After our short stay in Lake Louise, we finally reached Banff. There are several hotels in Banff with a wide variety of price ranges. Banff is a small town and it is easy to walk so I would recommend booking a hotel located in Banff center. Many of them are ideally situated on Banff Avenue.
What to do?
There are numerous fun activities to do in Banff and around. Some of our highlights include the Cave and Basin National Historic Site, the Tunnel Mountain Trail, the Minnewanka and Johnson Lakes, and the Banff viewpoint via the Mount Norquay Scenic Drive.
Accessible within walking distance from Banff Avenue, the Cave and Basin National Historic Site is the reason why the Banff National Park and the Canadian National Park system exist today. Allow around one hour to see the hot springs, watch the film, walk through the interactive exhibits, and check out the upper decks that offer great views of the mountains.
From October through April, check the weather conditions before starting up the Tunnel Mountain Trail and wear suitable footwear. When we reached the top, we enjoyed panoramic views overlooking Banff, Mount Rundle and Bow Valley.
Lake Minnewanka is the largest body of water in Banff National Park. There is a walking trail along the shoreline and the view is stunning. When driving back, we took the junction to reach Johnson Lake where we enjoyed a short stroll.
Before returning to Banff, we did the Mount Norquay Scenic Drive until the Banff viewpoint. From there, we admired a panoramic view of Banff surrounded by mountains.
Where to eat vegan food?
There is a dynamic food scene in Banff featuring Canadian and international cuisines. We had a delightful culinary experience at Nourish Bistro that serves creative vegetarian dishes in an intimate dining setting. On their menu, do not miss the World Famous Nachos fully loaded with over 27 ingredients from beans to strawberries and topped with vegan cheese.
Overall, we had a fun fall road trip from Vancouver to Banff and driving the Lincoln Aviator elevated my road experience. We encountered several sudden climate changes and road maintenance crews at work during our journey. Fortunately, the Lincoln Aviator features available Active Noise Control that captures, analyzes and reduces unwanted sound within the cabin.
Moreover, we encourage you to drive responsibly. When I started feeling tired, we stopped at the first rest area and took a break. It was the perfect moment to enjoy the massaging of Active Motion available on front seats.
The Lincoln Aviator has a spacious interior that offers plenty of room for legs and for luggage. We were traveling with a large suitcase and several bags, and just by pressing a button the 3rd-row easily folded flat allowing us to place all our travel items.
When you drive from Vancouver to Banff, make sure you have clothing suitable for cooler and rainy weather. As elevation increases, the temperatures decrease and you do not want to miss out on visiting a sight because you were not wearing the appropriate clothes.
Lastly, due to the health measures in effect, planning is strongly recommended by doing the following:
- Find out what activities are available
- Make your reservations in advance
- Do not hesitate to call as information and measurements change
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