Canada is a great place to visit for its natural scenery, cosmopolitan cities and friendly people. In addition to its beautiful landscapes, Canada is also home to several world-renowned museums and art galleries, as well as numerous festivals and events that occur throughout the year. If you’re looking for a luxurious way to see the Canadian Rockies, look no further than the Rocky Mountaineer train trips.
One of the best things about Rocky Mountaineer is that it takes you through some of the most scenic parts of the Canadian Rockies. You’ll get to see towering mountains, pristine forests, and rushing rivers from the comfort of your seat. And, since the train moves slowly, you’ll have plenty of time to take in all the sights. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the different scenic routes that you can expect on the journey with the Rocky Mountaineer train ride.
Let’s take a look at these routes to beautiful scenes.
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First Passage to the West Route: Vancouver to Banff
The First Passage to the West is the company’s signature route. It moves from Vancouver and Banff or Lake Louise (or the reverse direction). It’s a memorable train trip, and it is the only route you can ride along these rails. In contrast to earlier times when railways were Canada’s primary mode of transportation, the Rocky Mountaineer is the only passenger line currently traveling this picturesque train route.
The train trip during spring and summer is especially popular because of the beautiful scenery. The snow-capped mountains, pristine glaciers, wildflower meadows, and turquoise-blue lakes make for a breathtaking journey. Top attractions along the Rocky Mountaineer route from Vancouver to Banff include:
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- Rogers Pass: The Spiral Tunnels; a high-altitude mountain route in the Selkirk Mountains
- Hell’s Gate: where, at the Fraser Canyon’s narrowest point, a furious volume of water forces its way through
- The Last Spike: where the final Canadian Pacific Railway spike was driven in 1885
- Kicking Horse Pass
- The Continental Divide
The beautiful Rocky Mountaineer train routes from Vancouver to Banff is all about the breathtaking vistas of the Rockies, especially when you put in the hills, pine & Douglas fir trees, glaciers, and raging rivers.
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Journey through the Clouds Route: Vancouver to Jasper
The Journey through the Clouds route connects Vancouver with Jasper and includes a stopover in Kamloops. Jasper is quieter, a little farther away, and less touristy than Banff. The Canadian Rocky Mountaineer train ride itself will make your Canadian train vacation more amazing. It is a well-known beautiful route that showcases some of the Rocky’s greatest vistas.
As you depart Vancouver on the Clouds route, prepare for sights like Mount Baker, Fraser River Swing Bridge and the famed Fort Langley.
From Kamloops to Jasper, a section of tracks passes through several unusual landscapes, including Mount Robson, the tallest peak in the Canadian Rockies, and Pyramid Falls.
As you get closer to Jasper, the Athabasca River’s twisting course appears below, and the mountain scenery grows more dramatic. And at the final arrival in Jasper, a genuine mountain town, you won’t lose touch with the truly untamed energy of the Rockies.
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Rainforest to Gold Rush Route: Vancouver to Jasper via the Fraser Canyon
Between Whistler to Jasper, the Rocky Mountaineer travels through the Caribou and Chilcotin regions at a maximum speed of 40 km/h. It passes via Quesnel, a town that was instrumental in the Cariboo Gold Rush, and is off the usual path of most transcontinental railways.
This route offers a unique perspective of British Columbia, including everything from the lush rainforest to the dry landscapes of the interior. Passengers will see glaciers, waterfalls, mountains, and canyons along the way. The Rocky Mountaineer also makes stops in historic towns and communities for visitors to explore.
An Easy Way to Seek the Hills
Canadian Rocky Mountaineer train tours whisk you away to the majestic Rocky Mountains, where you can explore world-renowned national parks and discover incredible wildlife. These all-day journeys offer an easy and enjoyable way to see some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world.
The best part about the rocky mountaineer train is that they are comfortable and provide an excellent way to travel between different parts of the Rockies. Moreover, you’ll have a chance to learn about the area’s culture and history while enjoying the beautiful scenery.
