Meals: Breakfast

This hike begins at the Mt. Norquay ski area, crosses a bridge over Forty Mile Creek, then zigzags its way through the dense forest to the Cascade Amphitheatre. As you emerge into the amphitheater, impressively enclosed by limestone cliffs, keep your eyes out for wildflowers. Adventurous hikers can make a full day trip of it and, with adequate preparation, tackle the summit of Cascade Mountain. 

Distance: 13.2 km (8 mi.) return trip
Elevation gain: 640 m (2099 ft)
Time required: 4-6 hours
Difficulty: Moderate

After our hike, we’ll visit the Upper Hot Springs, located near the top of Sulphur Mountain, the geothermally-heated Banff Upper Hot Springs is a completely natural mineral water spring. This is the highest elevation hot spring in all of Canada, and the only spring open to public bathing in the park.

Nice and toasty all year round, the temperature of the hot springs depends on the season, yet generally stays between 27°and 47° C (80° – 116 °F)

Dinner at Boundary Ranch (7 minutes from camp)

Overnight Sundance Lodge

Meals: Breakfast

Morning hike of Helen Lake Area: Icefields Parkway, Banff National Park Round-Trip Distance: 7.5 Miles

Helen Lake is world-famous for its kaleidoscope of alpine wildflowers. Well, that and the grizzly activity that often shuts down the trail to human visitors. After an initial climb through subalpine forest, you'll find yourself in one of the most breathtakingly beautiful meadows on the continent, carpeted in a thick blanket of wildflowers. Generally the palette is at its finest in mid-July.

It’s is a difficult one, but worth it for stunning views of the glistening lakes and emerald valleys tucked beneath snowy, gray mountaintops. This is one of the least technical peaks, making it one of the most accessible – but challenging – summit hikes in Banff National Park.

Towards the top of Cirque Peak, this hike involves some rock scrambling, but doesn’t require any advanced technical skills or knowledge. Breathtaking views from the summit boast panoramic access to the valleys below. And congrats – you’ve just summitted a mountain!

Elevation gain: 725 m (2378 ft)

Time required: 5-6 hours 

Difficulty: Difficult

Dinner at Golf Course restaurant

Overnight Sundance Lodge

Meals: Breakfast

Morning hike of Bourgeau Lake & Harvey Pass Round-Trip Distance: 9 Miles

The trail climbs steeply through a forest of lodgepole and spruce before opening out into meadows that lead to the shores of Bourgeau Lake. From there, continue 2.2 km (310 m up) past several smaller bodies of water to the lake at Harvey Pass for impressive views of Mt. Assiniboine, “The Matterhorn of the Rockies.”

Elevation gain: 725 m (2378 ft)

Time required: 5-6 hours 

Difficulty: Moderate

This afternoon, we’ll visit Cave and Basin National Historic Site Discovery Tour to dive into some local First Nations and natural history, as well as learn more about the origins of the Canada Park system

Dinner at Kananaskis Village (where the 1988 Olympics took place)

Overnight Sundance Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Day at leisure for another hike or a swim, or participate in the optional activies.

Optional:  Morning white water adventure in Kananaskis.

Optional: Later, visit the Nordic Spa to end your week with complete relaxation and an extraordinary spa experience.

Enjoy your last night around the campfire.

Overnight Sundance Lodge

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast we’ll drive 1.5 hours to Calgary International Airport (YYC) for our flights back to the USA.