South Loop via
Calgary
International
Airport
The South Loop:
A Journey Through Alberta’s Wild West
Route. Hwy 22 → Hwy 11 → Hwy 93 → Hwy 1
Recommended Duration. 5–7 days
Ideal for Outdoor enthusiasts, families, and couples seeking a slower-paced, picturesque adventure through Alberta’s wild front-country and mountain grandeur.
Day 1 ~ Calgary to Sundre ~ Cowboy Trail / Hwy 22
Distance. 125 km | Drive Time. 1.5 hrs
Step into Alberta’s ranching heritage along the Cowboy Trail. Explore the foothills, rolling grasslands, authentic western towns, and scenic views of the Eastern Slopes of the Canadian Rockies.
Highlights.
Overnight x1
Local small town Inn or Country Resort near Sundre.
Day 2 ~ Sundre to Nordegg ~ via Hwy 22 to Hwy 11
Distance. 175 km | Drive Time. 2 hrs
Travel northwest from Sundre toward Nordegg, where prairie meets the forest’s edge and the road begins its quiet climb toward the Rockies. Pass through Caroline, a small community rooted in ranching & rodeo, then continue on to Rocky Mountain House, where the North Saskatchewan River and Fur Trade history converge. From there, the journey west along Hwy 11 winds through Alberta’s foothills, drawing you into the Bighorn’s wild frontier.
Highlights.
Days 3 & 4 ~ Nordegg & Abraham Lake Region
Linger longer in the Bighorn, make us your basecamp for the Trip of a Lifetime through the Canadian Rockies.
Suggested Activities.
Day 5 ~ Icefields Parkway/Hwy 93 and Banff National Park/Hwy 1
Distance. 230 km | Drive Time. 2.5 hrs
Enter Banff National Park, fuel up and grab a bite at The Crossing before following the Icefields Parkway south—a corridor carved by glaciers & time. Towering peaks, hanging ice, and turquoise lakes unfold around every curve. Pass iconic stops like Peyto Lake and Bow Summit, then descend into the Bow Valley past Castle Mountain, arriving at the town of Banff, Alberta.
Highlights.
Ski Bow Summit ~ winter
Peyto Lake Viewpoint ~ summer
Bow Lake & Bow Glacier Falls Trail
Bow Valley Parkway ~ Hwy 1A
Overnight x2
Stay along the iconic Banff Avenue or in a remote Backcountry Lodge
Day 6 ~ Banff Townsite
Highlights.
Day 7 ~ Banff to Calgary ~ The Trans-Canada Hwy 1
Distance. 130 km | Drive Time. 1.5 hrs
Depart Banff and follow the Trans-Canada Highway east toward Calgary, with the dramatic silhouettes of the Rockies gradually giving way to rolling foothills. Stop in Canmore for artisanal cafés and galleries—or detour south into Kananaskis Country, where quiet trails, wildlife sightings, and reflective mountain lakes offer one final moment of wilderness before re-entering the rhythm of city life.
Optional Stops.
Calgary Stampede ~ July 4-13, 2025
Take in a Hockey Game at the Saddledome!
( October – April, June if they make the finals! )
End of Journey.
Return to Calgary with memories of wild beauty, rich stories, and untamed places.