SEA TO THE GLACIERS : ALONG THE TRANS CANADA HIGHWAY & ALASKAN HIGHWAY
7 TO 10 DAYS 1000KMS
FROM VANCOUVER TO BANFF CIRCLE TRIP
This winding journey from Vancouver to Fernie via Crowsnest Highway reveals spectacular BC scenery and memorable detours for culture buffs and foodies.
Vancouver
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3.7 km
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10 mins
Aerial photo of downtown Vancouver | Destination Vancouver/Albert Normandin
Journey through BC’s natural wonders starting in Vancouver, on Canada’s west coast. Find yourself in a picture-perfect and active city recognized by TIME Magazine as one of the “World’s Greatest Places.”
Located on the shared territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation), the city is a vibrant collection of people and cultures who have lived on these lands for thousands of years, and those who have settled here more recently.
At the foot of the Coast Mountains, surrounded by ocean and peaks, Vancouver is a city you’ll want to spend some time in. Explore unique neighbourhoods and fast-growing Metro Vancouver cities like Burnaby, Surrey, and Langley for shopping, galleries, and museums. Discover sandy beaches, paths, and parks close to town, or venture to the nearby North Shore Mountains to bike, hike, ski, and snowboard, or simply take in the views.
Adjacent to the downtown core is Stanley Park, a sprawling rainforest refuge larger than New York’s Central Park with old-growth trees, accessible trails, and wildlife. Surrounding the park is a 10-km section of “The Seawall,” the world’s longest uninterrupted waterfront path at 28 km. This biking and walking promenade boasts stellar views at every turn, and a chance to spot curious harbour seals and other marine wildlife.
Vancouver also delivers for foodies. From farmers markets to food trucks, and casual restaurants to MICHELIN-starred contemporary dining experiences, the hyper-local food scene here will satisfy any palate.
CLICK THE IMAGES TO FIND MUST-EXPERIENCE GEMS IN VANCOUVER
Header image: Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park | Dave Heath
Vancouver to Hope
153 km
1 hour 47 mins
Krause Berry Farms & Winery | Hubert Kang
Set off from Metro Vancouver via the Trans-Canada Highway 1, one of the world’s longest national highways. Spend some time getting to know culturally rich communities in the Fraser Valley, where the pace relaxes, fields flourish, and skylines expand.
This is BC’s agricultural heartland. If you’re a foodie, save some belly space for the freshest fare from abundant, family-run farms, dairies, and U-pick berry and vegetable patches.
Travel east and alongside the mighty Fraser River, one of North America’s major rivers and BC’s biggest at 1,375 km. The Fraser has served as a vital waterway for thousands of years, connecting Indigenous communities along its path.
Trade the roads for exceptional river adventures. Take a guided fishing tour and cast out for the big ones like salmon, trout or prehistoric sturgeon, or make a huge splash on a whitewater rafting escapade. To relax and unwind after a reel big day, detour to the town of Harrison Hot Springs on scenic Harrison Lake for family-friendly resort fun and to unwind in mineral hot springs.
Arriving in Hope, a canyon town nestled at the foot of the Cascade Mountains, it may feel familiar. Hope has hosted many film and TV productions including Rambo: First Blood and thrillers Antlers, The Pledge, and Sweet Virginia. To explore the area, hike or bike along scenic riverside trails and watch for the community’s signature chainsaw carvings.