Our route to Banff was wonderful, driving past majestic snow capped mountains and glacier fed streams and rivers.

So we were excited to get to Banff and see the wonderful sights nearby.

Be prepared, this post is quite long, but I have managed to reduce over 200 photos to those below!

Banff is a very popular mountain town at just under 1,400 mtrs above sea level set within the Banff National Park.

Above is a view down Banff Avenue, the town’s main street.

It’s a busy town, expensive too, but a fabulous place to stay with so many places to visit nearby.

On our first afternoon there, we saw this young Elk snacking on the lawn grass at a road side property, as we walked back to our hotel!

The mountains around Banff stand proudly above the town.

Our first trip out was to Emerald lake, which we had briefly visited on our way into Banff.

Set in Yoho National Park, Emerald Lake is stunning and there is a great walk all the way around it.

As you walk around, each opening between the trees at the lake side reveals another vista.

Hiring a canoe on the lake seems a popular thing to do, but it’s quite expensive.

As you leave the lake there is another stop off nearby by this beautiful river location.

Our next stop was to Lake Moraine.

Another stunning lake, hugged by the mountains surrounding it. There is a walk that takes you half way around the lake and other treks nearby.

The reflections of the mountains in the lake are beautiful and the whole place makes your senses come alive.

Our next stop was Lake Louise, another jaw-droppingly beautiful location.

For those with large wallets there is a Fairmont hotel next to the lake 😉

A lone canoeist paddles in the lake with the mountains towering above.

An essential drive in this region is the route through the Jasper National Park to the Icefields Parkway, known to be one of the most outstanding routes in the world.

One of the major destinations enroute is the Columbia Icefield, where you get to walk on one of six glaciers.

During the tour you get driven onto the glacier in one of these huge, purpose built vehicles.

Next stop is the skywalk viewing deck.

I do hope this fashion of using glass flooring on these viewing platform disappears, I just don’t like it!

Driving back to Banff we stopped along the way to check out some of the other wonderful places in the National Park.

We also stopped to check out Lake Peyto, its sumptuously blue coloured water fed from a glacier.

Bow lake, below, was another opportunity to walk around and see more outstanding views of the mountains.

We visited so many beautiful lakes that I cannot even remember the name of this one!

But yet another lake with views to bring a smile to your face and a sense of well being.

Another Elk sighting in the woods near the lake.

Banff has been absolutely amazing, it was way more impressive than I had anticipated.

Being in the mountains and seeing so many beautiful places and such awe inspiring views has been a truly magical experience.

If you get a chance, drop everything and go see Banff!

Next we head to Calgary before flying to the other side of the country.

Well done for making it to the end of this long post!