In the spring, I took the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander on a three-day road trip from Calgary to Jasper with my friends Matt and Andy. We had no set itinerary, just a sense of adventure and a full tank of gas. And it turned out to be one of the most rewarding ways to experience the Rockies. We started in Calgary and drove through Banff (hard not to stop here, but we were headed for the quieter Jasper, so we stayed on track). From there we took the Bow Valley Parkway for this first stretch from Banff to Lake Louise. It’s a secondary highway that’s much quieter, scenic, and there’s lots of wildlife around. Onward to the hamlet of Lake Louise, Canada’s high- est year-round inhabited community (1,660m). Trailhead Café in Lake Louise is highly recommended.
I stop there every time I pass through – usually for a wrap and a hot drink before hitting the next stretch of road. This is also one of the last chances to fill up on gas and snacks before a long stretch of wilderness on the way to Jasper. Obviously, you have to check out the famous lake the hamlet is named after. We passed on Moraine Lake this time around, as the road was still closed for the season, but if it’s on your list, (and it should be) just know that personal vehicles are no longer allowed - you’ll need to book a shuttle in advance.
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