Kootenay Express

Day 1 - UK to Calgary

Arrive in Calgary making your own way from the airport to your chosen hotel. It is recommended to have one night pre picking up your motorhome to ensure you are full rested before driving. 

(Transfer not included)

Day 2 - Calgary to Banff (127km/79 miles))

This morning check out of your Calgary hotel and making your own way to the motorhome depot collecting your RV. After collecting your motorhome begin your journey to Banff. On route there is some great places to stop including Kananaskis and Canmore.

Canmore is a picturesque town a perfect place to stop for lunch with plenty of summer activities including cycling, hiking, and rock climbing. Kananaskis is home to the rolling meadows, rivers and streams a great place to spot some wildlife. 

Staying in Banff your in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, the main campsite in Banff is at Tunnel Mountain where free shuttles are available to take you into the main town. Downtown Banff is very walkable with great restaurants and cafes.

Day 3 - Full Day in Banff

Explore the many lakes which surround Banff including Lake Minnewanka, Moraine Lake and Lake Louise, some of these lakes don’t allow access to private vehicles during peak season but there is many shuttle buses available. Make sure to visit Banff Gondola and Banff Hot Springs.

Day 4 - Second Full Day in Banff

Another full day to explore Banff and the surrounding area there is plenty to see and do in Banff you may want to extend by an extra night.

Day 5 - Banff to Radium Hot Springs (136km/89 miles)

Today make your way from Banff to Radium Hot Springs, if you are interested in hiking, you should make time to stop as you travel south along Highway 93 to take in some of the 200km of trails sprouting off from the highway.

Stop at Marble Canyon where a short self-guided nature trail crosses a narrow gorge eroded by the waters of Tokumm Creek. A connector trail from Marble Canyon leads 3.2 km to a cold mineral spring known as the Paint Pots. At the Paint Pots, the iron in the water has seeped into the region’s clay, giving it a vivid orange colour. Continue to Radium Hot Springs (more informally known as Radium) and named for the hot springs in nearby Kootenay National Park. Take time to dip in the hot springs today or just spend time exploring the area. Radium boasts a number of campgrounds welcoming RVers including the Parks Canada Redstreak Campground. Advance reservations are strongly advised, especially during peak camping season.

Day 6 - Full Day Radium Hot Springs

Radium Hot Springs is a short drive away from Invermere, here you can join plenty of activities including white water rafting or rent a bike and explore Windermere Lake Provincial Park.

Day 7 - Second Full Day in Radium Hot Springs

Another day to explore Radium Hot Springs and join in some fun activities. Why not spend some time relaxing at Fairmont Hot Springs a perfect way to relax before hitting the road the next day.

Day 8 - Radium Hot Springs to Fort Steele (127km/107 miles)

Another short drive today before you set off for Fort Steele spend some more time exploring Windermere and Invermere.

From Invermere a road leads to Panorama Mountain Resort, a popular winter ski resort, also alive in summer with activities such as ATV tours, scenic flights, trail riding, white water rafting and excellent mountain biking opportunities.  Relax on one of Windermere Lake’s many beaches. 

Continue to the mountain town of Kimberley where rich history combines with endless opportunities for adventure. Head underground to discover Kimberley’s humble mining history. Spring through summer offer hiking, rafting, golfing and awesome mountain biking. Stroll through the Platzl, home to the Canada’s largest free-standing cuckoo clock. Continue on to Fort Steele for your overnight stay.

Day 9 - Full Day in Fort Steele

Fort Steele is a heritage park located in the Canadian Rookies along the Kootenay River with plenty of water activities. A lot of the surrounding area is untouched and is full of open fields and lush forests a perfect place to spend some time in nature going for some walks and hikes.

Fort Steele was developed during the 1864 Kootenay Gold Rush, featuring 60 building restored from this era where you can take a step back in time and explore the beginnings of the Gold Rush.

Day 10 - Fort Steele to Fernie (94/7km/62 Miles)

Take time to visit Fort Steele Heritage town today before heading to your next stop in Fernie, BC. This town of fewer than 10,000 people really come alive in the winter when skiers and snowboarders alike flock to Fernie Alpine Resort. Spring through Summer are still busy as mountain biking, boating, fishing, golfing, hiking, rafting and more draw tourists to the city.

Stroll the sidewalks in downtown Fernie and admire the early 1900s rose and gold brick buildings.  Pop into some unique shops or stop for coffee in a local cafe.  Scenic summer chairlift rides are available on the mountain at Fernie Alphine resort and those who fancy a bit of hiking might enjoy the Ancient Cottonwood Trail or a more sedate walking tour.  There's definitely something for everyone in Fernie so plan to spend a couple of nights here to give you enough time to explore.

Day 11 - Full Day in Fernie

Today explore the town of Fernie, there is plenty of outdoor activities to take park in. With a great location in the Rocky Mountains there is plenty of hiking trails with a favourite being Mt Fernie providing amazing views across the town or rent a bike and either do some cycling or mountain biking.

Day 12 - Fernie to Fort Macleod (160km/108 Miles)

Today’s drive takes you over the Crowsnest Pass, the richest archaeological zone in the Canadian Rockies. Sites and relics in this area date back to 1000BC, the oldest relics being stone tools found outside Frank, Alberta. The Pass takes its name from a nearby mountain, possibly referring to the nesting of crows or ravens at the base of the mountain’s peak. Stop in Sparwood – that town with the big green truck. This 1974 Terex Titan is so big that two greyhound buses and 2 pickups can fit into the box. The area has a long history in mining and mine tours are available here in July and August. Take a stroll around the town to admire several murals depicting the town’s railway and mining history before continuing through Bellevue (another opportunity for a mine tour) to Head Smashed in Buffalo Jump. This UNESCO World Heritage Site preserves and interprets over 6,000 years of Plains Buffalo culture. Plan to spend time here to view the exhibits and learn about the cultural significance of the Buffalo Jump.

End your day in Fort Macleod, founded in 1874 by the establishment of a North-West Mounted Police in the town. A re-creation of the Fort now sits approx. three kilometres from its original site and visitors are welcome to experience the NWMP Musical Ride or to participate in their programs. The town itself is often used as a small-town set in many box-office movies.

Day 13 - Fort Macleod to Calgary (174km/108 Miles)

From Fort Macleod, Highway 2 travels through small prairie towns back to Calgary.  Stop in Nanton where you’ll be surprised at the number of things to do and see in a town of fewer than 3000 people. Standing proud on the landscape are two preserved grain elevators, a nod to the farming history of the area.  Nanton is home to many antique stores and to the Bomber Command Museum of Canada celebrating the rich aviation history of Alberta and Canada.  Check out the Nanton Candy Store where your sweet tooth will have you making decisions about what to buy.  Continue back to Calgary for your final overnight stay before dropping off your RV on Day 14.

Day 14 - Calgary to UK

Today return your motorhome and make your own way to the airport or alternatively spend some more days exploring Calgary.