We are planning a trip into Canada, from Washington State, this August.
None of us have been there on bikes before so any help on what we
should see and what we should stay away from would be helpful. We are
planning on a 7 day trip. Thanks in advance!

 

I would make sure you do the run between Banff and Jasper on highway 93 north from Banff. Also might be good to ride through the Okanagan in BC, and the southern part of BC (Kimberley and and area on highway 93 (south). Waterton Park in southern Alberta is also nice to see. There is an event in Sicamous, BC in July they are calling Sturgis North (they have a website) that might be good to see depending on your timing (I believe it is in July). Good luck and enjoy our country.

 

We've made a run from Cranbrook to Banff a couple of times. The Canadian Rockies are amazing. The town of Kimberley is a mini version of Leavenworth, with the Austrian/German theme buildings etc. Well worth checking out. One thing to be careful of is your speedometer. Those Canadians use something called metric and kilometers and stuff. Their numbers are all messed up. Learn how to convert and you won't get a ticket. Enjoy your trip.

 

I live in WA and l lived in Canada for few years back in the mid 70's. Like others have said the Canadain Rockies are amazing, I tell people they are like Yosemite on steriods.
My last trip we went over the North Cascade HWY 20 into eastern WA then north on HWY 97 into Canada at Osoyoos BC HWY 97 North until HWY 1 east to Lake Louise AB from there you can head north to Jasper NP or south to Banff I recomend both. We came home thru Kootney NP and south to Radium Hot Springs and Castlegar then south back into WA.
Have fun ride safe and watch out for wildlife and speed traps .

 

Highway 40 ( The Highwood Pass ) between Longview, Alberta and The Trans Canada Highway 1 is eye candy supreme.
The 93 North from Cranbrook B.C. to Golden B.C. is a good one also.
The road between Nakusp B.C. and Revelstoke B.C., the 23 is a beauty.
The Crowsnest Highway 3 from Osoyoos to Crowsnest Pass Alberta is a treat and has a surprise in the town of Frank which is at the edge of the Rockies, you can't help but stop there.

 

Thanks for all the great information. It is greatly appreciated!!

 

Did a trip a few years back, this was our route:

Sedro-Woolley, WA to Osoyoos via the 20 / 97. The Northern Cascades were great and the town of Winthrop was pretty cool

Osoyoos to Revelstoke via the 97. A lot of wine country and lakefront freeways. Not a bad ride. Completely different from anything you'll see the rest of the trip.

Revelstoke to Banff via the 1, back up to Jasper via the 93. Tons of scenic stops along this route. The miles aren't that high but it will take you all day if you take in the sights. Lake Louise, Icefields, Athabasca Falls

Jasper to Kamloops via the 16 / 5. Probably the least scenic of the trip, The 16 out of Jasper was scenic, Mt. Robson.

Kamloops to Vancouver via the 97 / 99. If I remember correctly the roads weren't in the best condition between Lillooet and Whistler but still awesome scenery. Some very steep grades and bridges that can be slippery if wet. The Sea to Sky Hwy from Whistler to Vancouver was great, nice views of the ocean.

From Vancouver we took a ferry to Nainamo and drove down to Victoria, ferry back to Seattle.

From what I hear the roads around Kootenay Lake are some of the best Canada has to offer. The 3A from Creston to Kootenay Bay to the 31 via ferry. The 31 north to the 23 up into Revelstoke. That will be my next trip.

Have a great trip!

 

I'm headed to Canada this summer also, and trying to make sure I don't miss any of the great roads. Based on the above statement, it sounds like Highway 40 to Longview from Canmore is preferable to taking the Transcanada 1 to the 22 and heading south on 22.

Here's my situation: leaving Canmore with a destination for the evening of Columbia Falls, MT. I would like to manage a stop in Cardston and in Waterton, although the Cardston stop is not absolutely necessary. What are your route suggestions?

Thanks,

 

I'm not sure where Columbia Falls Mt. is but from Canmore and then taking the 40 on to the Highwood pass to Longview and then the 22 south to the US border can be done in less than a day.
If you wish to avoid the city traffic of Calgary then the above route is best.
On a side note the town of Longview is where Clint Eastwood filmed the movie Unforgiven.

 

Be forewarned there is a bicycle marathon on July 9 and a runners marathon on June 25 on the highwood pass. Traffic is at a snails pace on a better part of the road during those 2 events.
Also gas up in Longview as there are no stations till you reach the Crowsnest highway 3.