A road trip through the Rocky and Purcell mountains in the Birthplace of Adventure

Your adventure begins in Cranbrook, home of the Canadian Rockies International Airport. Whether you drive to the city or fly in and rent a car from the airport (approximately 10 hours by car or 90 minutes by air from Vancouver), you’ll want some time to explore.

Cranbrook sits is at the southern end of Columbia Valley, with easy access to excellent outdoor recreation. Hike or bike in the surrounding mountains, cast a line in local rivers, and tee off at St. Eugene Golf Resort, a former residential school now proudly operated by the Ktunaxa Nation. Learn about their history and living culture at the onsite Ktunaxa Interpretive Centre.

To experience more recent settler history, visit the Cranbrook History Centre for a guided tour of historic railcars, then drive 15 minutes to Fort Steele Heritage Town to step back in time to the year 1898. Tour restored and recreated heritage buildings, interact with costumed performers, catch a short film at the Wildhorse Theatre, shop at the General Store, and take a wagon ride. 

Head east along Highways 93 and 3 to Fernie, a quintessential mountain town with heritage buildings, friendly locals, mountain vistas, and plenty of options for outdoor adventure. The gorgeous hike to Fairy Creek Falls is a must.

In summer, Fernie Alpine Resort offers about 25 km (15 mi) of hiking trails, and some of the best lift-accessed mountain biking in BC. In winter, it morphs into one of the hippest ski destinations in the country.

Local waterways also have much to offer. Consider a whitewater rafting trip on the Elk or Bull river, and visit these same rivers for legendary fly fishing.

Drive another 25 minutes east to Sparwood to see one of Canada’s largest open pit mines. In July and August, visit the Sparwood Visitor Centre to sign up for a guided tour. You can’t miss it. Look for the Terex Titan, a truck that’s nearly 7 m (23 ft) tall. With the box raised, that increases to a staggering 17 m (56 ft).

(Note that instead of driving from Cranbrook, you can fly into Calgary International Airport and drive approximately three hours to Sparwood and Fernie.)

Retrace your route along Highways 3 and 93, pass Cranbrook, and take Highway 95A to Kimberley. This alpine resort community is home to Kimberley Nature Park, the biggest municipal park in BC. Options range from short, easy loops to more strenuous trails with a significant elevation gain. You can also explore along the paved, wheelchair-accessible Northstar Rails-to-Trails.

Head to the St. Mary River for whitewater rafting and some of North America’s top fly-fishing for rainbow, cutthroat, and bull trout. And in winter, grab your skis and head to Kimberley Alpine Resort.

As you continue north with the Purcell Mountains on your left and the Canadian Rockies on your right, you’ll notice the rich ecosystem of the Columbia Valley Wetlands, one of the planet’s premier birdwatching locations with an estimated 15,000 migrating waterfowl passing through each spring. 

Arrive at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort and feel the lure of the mineral-rich pools that have attracted visitors for over a century. Resort guests have unlimited access to all the pools, plus access to an exclusive hot springs pool. In addition to the springs, you can hike the Hoodoos Trail, play a round at one of three golf courses, book a whitewater rafting excursion, bike along alpine trails, and even go ziplining. In winter, check out the resort’s ski hill and cross-country trails.

Fairmont Hot Springs leave you wanting more? Drive 30 minutes north on Highway 93/95 to Radium Hot Springs, the yin to Fairmont’s yang.

Stop at the charming town of Invermere at the north end of Lake Windermere, where you can relax on the beach, pop in to a cafe or restaurant, and visit the Pynelogs Cultural Centre & Art Gallery. Nearby Panorama Mountain Resort is a four-season resort with a wide range of activities. In summer, enjoy hiking, lift-accessed mountain biking, a scenic round of golf (the signature hole here is a stunner), and zooming down the mountains on the Wild Rider Mountain Coaster. In winter it’s all about the skiing, including cat-skiing, heli-skiing, cross-country, and night skiing.

For another way into the mountains, Toby Creek Adventures takes guests into the Purcells on an ATV tour. Explore the abandoned Paradise Mine, hidden waterfalls, and more, all surrounded by spectacular mountain and valley views. You can also access their epic mountain biking terrain.

From Invermere, it’s a short drive to Radium Hot Springs, located in a ruggedly beautiful spot on the cusp of Kootenay National Park in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. Surrounded by the towering rock faces of Sinclair Canyon, Radium Hot Springs is best known for its red cliffs, outdoor mineral hot springs pools, and bighorn sheep. 

Add some ancient historical context  to your visit to Kootenay National Park with a hike to the Stanley Glacier and its fossils dating back 500 million years. Other popular points of interest in the park include the ochre-coloured, iron-rich Paint Pots, and the vibrant turquoise waters of Marble Canyon.

Another hour north and you’re in Golden, an outdoor adventure hub that sits within close proximity of six national parks (Yoho, Glacier, Banff, Jasper, Kootenay, and Mount Revelstoke), two mountain ranges (Rockies and Purcells), and two major rivers (Columbia and Kicking Horse). If spending active hours outside is your idea of a perfect vacation, you’re in the right place.

To get your bearings, start with a stroll along the Rotary Trail, a trail system that leads to rivers, parks, and through the city’s downtown. And be sure to visit the Golden Skybridge, home to the highest suspension bridge in Canada with its breathtaking views of the Rocky and Purcell mountains. 

The local rivers offer opportunities for paddling, fishing, and for thrilling whitewater rafting trips down the Kicking Horse. Nearby Kicking Horse Mountain Resort boasts alpine hiking, a bike park with more than 35 km (22 mi) of trails, a Via Ferrata experience, and a grizzly bear refuge. Hungry? How about lunch at Eagle’s Eye Restaurant, the country’s highest-elevation dining experience at 2,347 m (7,700 ft). Reservations are required.

The last stop on your journey is among the most unforgettable. Yoho National Park is home to wonders ranging from 500 million-year-old fossil beds to powerful waterfalls, including the often-photographed Takakkaw Falls. Other attractions you’ll want to experience include the natural bridge carved over time by the Kicking Horse River, and the incredible natural beauty that’s everywhere you look at stunning Emerald Lake.