Self-Launched Canadian Rockies Hiking & Camping Adventure
8 days · Canadian Rockies, Alberta & British Columbia
G Adventures charges £1,700
No-markup version: ~£620 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched, solo-friendly version of G Adventures' 8-day Active Canadian Rockies loop — same big hikes (Bertha Lake, Crypt Lake, Ptarmigan Cirque, Burstall Pass, Iceline Trail, Fairview Mountain), same parks (Waterton Lakes, Kananaskis, Banff, Yoho), but done independently with a rental car or intercity buses, Parks Canada campgrounds, hostel nights in Banff, and self-catered camp meals. The group tour costs about $2,204 USD (£1,700) per person with a private van, a guide and shared cooking; doing it yourself cuts costs substantially if you split a rental car and camp. All figures are rough backpacker estimates in GBP.
Day-by-day
Calgary to Waterton Lakes – Bertha Lake & Red Rock Canyon
Waterton Lakes National Park, AB
Pick up a rental car at Calgary airport (~£35-45/day for a compact, cheaper if booked early and split between 2-4 travellers). Stock up on groceries at a Calgary supermarket (Superstore/Save-On) — this is your cheapest food option all week. Drive south ~2h45 to Waterton Lakes National Park, stopping for coffee in Fort Macleod. Pay the Parks Canada Discovery Pass (~£45 for a year, covers all national parks on this trip — buy it at the first gate). Hike Bertha Lake trail (10km return, ~600m gain, tough switchbacks, gorgeous blue-green lake). Afterwards stroll Red Rock Canyon's short loop. Camp at Townsite Campground (book on the Parks Canada reservation system months ahead — Waterton fills early).
🚌Rental car from Calgary (~175km, 2h45)
🛏Townsite Campground, Waterton (tent pitch, ~£18-22/night incl. showers)
- →Bertha Lake hike
- →Red Rock Canyon walk
- →Groceries + camp setup
Crypt Lake Trail (or Carthew Summit)
Waterton Lakes National Park, AB
The big one: Crypt Lake Trail, one of the world's great day hikes. Book the Waterton Shoreline Cruise across the lake in advance (direct on watertoncruise.com, ~£22 return) — the trail starts from the far shore. 17.2km return, ~700m gain, includes a ladder, a steel cable traverse and a 20m tunnel blasted through rock, finishing at a glacial tarn. Allow 6-7 hours. Alternative if weather is poor: Carthew Summit from Cameron Lake (~18km, no boat needed). Pack a picnic lunch. Back to camp for a campfire dinner.
🚌Short drive to marina + shoreline cruise boat (~£22 return)
🛏Townsite Campground, Waterton (tent pitch)
- →Crypt Lake Trail
- →Waterton Shoreline Cruise
- →Campfire dinner
Waterton to Kananaskis via Longview – Ptarmigan Cirque
Kananaskis Country, AB
Break camp and drive north via Longview — stop at the famous Longview Jerky Shop for road snacks. Continue to Highwood Pass (Canada's highest paved pass at 2,206m) and hike Ptarmigan Cirque (4.4km loop, ~250m gain, short but steep, alpine meadow wildflowers and big mountain views). Note wildlife closures can apply in early summer — check Alberta Parks signage. Drive on to a Kananaskis campground (Interlakes, Boulton Creek or Mount Kidd are good bases; book ahead on alberta.ca/parks).
🚌Rental car (~250km, 3.5-4h with stops)
🛏Kananaskis Provincial Park campground (~£16-20/night)
- →Longview jerky stop
- →Ptarmigan Cirque hike
- →Highwood Pass viewpoint
Burstall Pass Full-Day Hike
Kananaskis Country, AB
Drive to the Burstall Pass trailhead (gravel road off the Smith-Dorrien/Spray Trail). 15km return, ~600m gain, 5-6 hours — starts in forest, opens into a huge alpine bowl with optional rock scrambling up to the pass itself. Pack a proper lunch and 2-3L water. Bear country: carry bear spray (rent or buy in Canmore, ~£25 to buy, some hostels rent) and make noise. Evening back at camp with a group-style cook-up if you've teamed up with other travellers.
🚌Rental car to trailhead (~30-40min)
🛏Kananaskis Provincial Park campground
- →Burstall Pass hike
- →Bear safety prep
- →Camp cooking
Kananaskis to Lake Louise via Banff – bike Banff townsite
Lake Louise, AB
Break camp, drive to Banff (~1h15). Rent a bike in town (Snowtips-Bactrax or similar, ~£20-25 for a half day) and ride the Bow River and Spray River trails. Optional add-ons: Banff Gondola to Sulphur Mountain (~£45 — pricey, the Tunnel Mountain hike is free and nearly as good) or a canoe on the Bow (~£33/hr). Drive the Icefields Parkway section to Lake Louise (~45min) and camp at Lake Louise Tent Campground (book early — this is the busiest campground in Canada).
🚌Rental car (~90km total)
🛏Lake Louise Tent Campground (~£20-24/night)
- →Banff bike rental
- →Bow River trail
- →Optional Banff Gondola
- →Optional canoeing
Yoho National Park – Iceline Trail
Yoho National Park, BC
Drive 30min west into Yoho National Park (bring your Discovery Pass). Hike the Iceline Trail from Takakkaw Falls (the road is seasonal, usually open late June to early October — check before you go; if closed, do the Yoho Lake or Emerald Lake loop instead). 18-20km return depending on route, with views of the Wapta Icefield, Emerald Glacier and Takakkaw Falls (one of Canada's tallest). Pack a lunch to eat above the treeline. Drive back to Lake Louise for the evening; optional stop at Emerald Lake or the Natural Bridge.
🚌Rental car to Takakkaw Falls trailhead (~40min)
🛏Lake Louise Tent Campground
- →Iceline Trail hike
- →Takakkaw Falls
- →Emerald Lake stop
Mount Fairview + free afternoon in Banff
Lake Louise / Banff, AB
Early start for Mount Fairview from the Lake Louise lakeshore — 10.6km return, ~1,000m gain, 4-5 hours, one of the best summit views in the Rockies (steep and exposed near the top). Afternoon: drive to Banff for free time — optional scenic float on the Bow River (~£40), Banff Upper Hot Springs (~£10), or wander the townsite. Return to Lake Louise camp for a final night.
🚌Rental car (~120km round trip)
🛏Lake Louise Tent Campground
- →Mount Fairview summit hike
- →Optional Bow River float
- →Banff Upper Hot Springs
Lake Louise to Calgary – trip ends
Calgary, AB
Break camp, pack up, refuel and drive back to Calgary (~2h via Highway 1). Return the rental car at the airport. If your flight is later, the Calgary Central Library and Inglewood neighbourhood are worth a couple of hours. Build in extra time — summer traffic on the Trans-Canada Highway can be slow.
🚌Rental car return (~190km, 2h)
🛏None (departure day)
- →Scenic drive back
- →Optional Calgary city wander
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£620 | £1,700 |
| Duration | 8 days | 8 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,080 per person (64%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£620
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched Canadian Rockies Hiking & Camping Adventure cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £620 per person for 8 days in Canadian Rockies, Alberta & British Columbia. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with G Adventures?+
Yes — G Adventures charges around £1,700 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £620 — a saving of roughly £1,080 (64%) per person.
How long is the Canadian Rockies, Alberta & British Columbia trip?+
This itinerary runs 8 days, covering 8 day-by-day stops through Canadian Rockies, Alberta & British Columbia.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, hiking, budget trip through Canadian Rockies, Alberta & British Columbia, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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