15 Most Beautiful Places in Western Canada

Western Canada is a treasure of North America. Pastel turquoise lakes surrounded by the towering peaks of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. There’s nowhere else in the world quite like it. We were lucky enough to spend almost a year here. Most of you, if you head to Canada, won’t have the luxury of exploring by trial and error, so I’ve put together a list of the most beautiful places in western Canada that you can visit in this breathtaking landscape. So let’s get to it: These are the 15 most beautiful places in western Canada.

When to visit Canada?

We recommend visiting between June and September. When we lived in Canada, the best weather was typically in September – it was the most stable. In June, there’s a chance there’ll still be snow on the trails.

In summer, the number of tourists is extreme and the weather often changes from hour to hour. It’s no surprise that locals constantly check the forecast (which turns out to be wrong about 90% of the time). October can also be beautiful in the Rocky Mountains, but it can also be bitterly cold. For me, September is the sweet spot.

What about winter? Winter is gorgeous, but for hiking you’ll need snowshoes. However, if you love skiing, western Canada will not disappoint.

15 Most Beautiful Places in Western Canada

1) View of Garibaldi Lake from Panorama Ridge near Vancouver

One of the greatest experiences we saved for last. We’d already planned to come here once before, but it was autumn and it was raining. In the end, we did this hike on our way from Alaska to the States. It’s a hike that most people split over two days with an overnight camp by Garibaldi Lake.

It’s over 30 km with 1,800 m of elevation gain and takes 10–12 hours if you want to do it in a single day. We hiked for 8 hours on the first day including the summit, spent the night by the lake, and walked back to the car park the next day, which took about 2 hours.

2) Stunning views of Lake O’Hara from Alpine Circuit Trail in Yoho National Park

The best way to reach Lake O’Hara is by bus, which you need to reserve 3 months in advance. You can of course hike in, but it would take 3–4 hours (one way) and the lake alone isn’t worth that effort.

If you decide to go, book a campsite for one or two nights as well. The most challenging but most breathtaking hike is the Alpine Circuit Trail, which connects several trails. You’ll pass through Wiwaxy Gap, where you gain nearly 500 metres of elevation in just 1.5 km – you’ll curse yourself for being there, until you reach the first viewpoint that takes your breath away.

The route then continues via Hubert Ledges, and you can either return around Lake Oesa like we did, or carry on to Yukness Ledges. Whichever route you choose, the reward of spectacular views is guaranteed.

Another trail we can recommend from Lake O’Hara is the three-hour trail to Lake McArthur.

3) Moraine Lake

This glacial lake near Lake Louise is one of the most-visited spots in Banff. Just a few steps from the car park and your eyes are filled with an incredible blue, colourful kayaks, and mighty mountains stretching out all around. Visit early in the morning or in the evening to avoid the crowds.

4) Plain of Six Glaciers and Lake Agnes Tea House at Lake Louise

Lake Louise is one of the most famous spots in Banff. Turquoise waters in summer and perfect powder for skiing six months of the year. You can drive right up to the lake, but if you’re up for something even better, head out on one of the trails.

One of our favourites is Plain of Six Glaciers, which is 15 km long with 457 m of elevation gain. Near the top, just before the most demanding section, there’s a tea house where you can grab lunch. Everything there is prepared entirely without electricity.

Another hike we can recommend is Lake Agnes. You’ll reach a lake with another tea house, where most people turn around – but don’t give up here, because the best part requires climbing just a little bit higher. Below you, a breathtaking view of Lake Louise unfolds. The whole thing can be done in 2–3 hours.

5) Bow Lake

If you ask us about our favourite lake, we won’t name any of the most famous ones – we’ll tell you about Bow Lake. This enormous lake sits along the road from Lake Louise to Jasper, and if you arrive before 4 pm, you can grab a bite at the nearby café. From here, you can also set off on a 9 km hike to Bow Lake Falls. Be warned though – if you’re hiking with children, the 400 m of elevation gain comes in the final 1.5 km.

6) Peyto Lake

Famous for its almost unnaturally vivid pastel turquoise colour. Peyto Lake is only a five-minute walk from the car park, so you’d need to arrive very early in the morning to enjoy it without the crowds.

7) View from Cascade Mountain

If you want to stay a bit longer in Banff, head for one of the mountain summits. You’ll hike through forest for a few hours and then scramble over rocks, but once you see all the surrounding peaks stretching out around you, you won’t regret it. Cascade Mountain takes around 6–8 hours.

8) Parker Ridge near Columbia Icefield

Many people consider Parker Ridge one of the best hikes in this area. It’s only about 1 mile long, but be prepared to work up a serious sweat due to its steepness. Don’t look for the end of the trail – there isn’t one. You can keep going for as long as you like. The views are incredible. Set aside at least 2 hours for this trail. You’ll want to linger at the top for a while.

9) Bear’s Hump, Waterton Lakes National Park

If you’re looking for a weekend trip from Calgary, definitely head to Waterton. You don’t have to go far for stunning views. Our favourite is from Bear’s Hump, reached via a short but very steep path. You only need about 1.5 hours for this one.

10) Johnston Canyon in winter

Johnston Canyon in summer is like Oxford Street on a Saturday. And it’s the one place where you wonder why – the waterfall views aren’t quite as spectacular as the number of visitors would suggest. But if you come here in winter, it’s a completely different story.

You’ll meet at most a few ice climbers tackling the frozen rock faces, and the sight will leave you speechless. Winter is a powerful enchantress. Plus, in winter you’ll appreciate that the whole thing takes no more than an hour.

11) Emerald Lake, Yoho National Park

The greenest lake I’ve ever seen. This spot isn’t as crowded as Moraine Lake, but that certainly doesn’t mean it’s any less beautiful.

12) Iceline Trail, Yoho National Park

If I had to choose one place in the Rockies to revisit, it would be this hike. You can do the full 17 km loop, but if you don’t have that much time, no worries. Once you climb above the treeline (after about an hour), the views are already incredible.

13)  Chester Lake, Kananaskis, Canmore

People often ask: When should I visit Banff? And I answer without hesitation: September. It might snow, but the larches turn golden, and that’s one of the most beautiful sights you’ll see here. On top of that, Banff starts to empty out. Chester Lake is perfect for larches, and if you liked the film The Revenant, this is the landscape where it was filmed. The hike takes around 4 hours and is only 10 km long.

14) Barrier Lake Lookout in Kananaskis

If you’re looking for something in Kananaskis, this hike – mostly frequented by locals – is 14 km long and takes about 5 hours. It’s manageable for families with children too.

15) View of Columbia Icefield from Wilcox Pass

Columbia Icefield is a very touristy spot, where you’ll pay over a hundred dollars if you want to see the glacier via a giant snow coach. If you’d prefer a slightly different experience, I recommend Wilcox Pass. This easy trail on the opposite side is 12 km long and you can finish it in about 3 hours.

Planning a trip to western Canada?

If you’re planning to explore these beautiful places in western Canada, don’t forget to sort out your accommodation in advance – especially during peak season. You can find great deals on Booking.com. And to stay connected on the go, we recommend getting an eSIM from Holafly – it works perfectly across Canada.