|
Travellers wanting to spend their holiday doing some of the most exciting adventure sports they can think of are likely to enjoy a trip to the Canadian Rockies. The huge expanse of mountains in the south-west of Canada has some of the most spectacular landscapes in the world, with jagged peaks reaching high into the sky, vast glaciers and strikingly blue lakes. But it's not just its breathtaking beauty that attracts so many visitors each year as the Canadian Rockies is one of the best places to take part in a variety of adventurous sports and activities. Bordering with the US, the region shares many of its attributes with mountain peaks in America and visitors can expect to see horizons of ice-capped summits and Alpine forests. A good place to begin an adventure into Canada's vast wilderness is to head to the town of Banff, near Calgary. Located in the Banff National Park, this is a good base for tourists looking to explore the area further while having amenities close at hand. From here, you can go hiking around the protected land stretching over 2,564 square miles, climb mountain peaks, walk through valleys covered in wild forest and come across powder blue mountain lakes. You might even have a chance to spot some of the area's wildlife, such as beavers, mountain sheep and elks. Those feeling brave enough can venture into the peaks on their own but guided tours are recommended as tourists may come across dangers they are unfamiliar with, from sharp cliff edges to gushing waterfalls. They may even come face to face with a grizzly bear, which a trained tour guide will know how to deal with to ensure the group's safety. People looking to enjoy a variety of physical sports while on holiday in Canada are not likely to be disappointed as there is a great selection to choose from in the town of Banff. Families might try quad biking up the mountain slopes for an activity with a difference, or fishing in its freshwater rivers. Visitors often opt for taking the Banff Gondola during their stay in the area - a cable car that takes them to the top of the mountains where they can get a spectacular sight of the six mountain ranges. The aerial view gives tourists a good perspective of their surroundings and allows them to see the many different glacial lakes, summits and changing geography for miles on end. Holidaymakers looking to vary their itinerary may decide to head to the Yoho National Park, as this offers tourists the chance to add some history and archaeology elements to their trip. As well as having similar views to Banff National Park, Yoho also has the famous Burgess Shale fossils, where people can see remains of marine animals from more than 505 million years ago. They were first discovered in 1909 by palaeontologist Charles Walcott and this is one of the biggest reasons why travellers head to the area for a chance to see the fossils on the western slope of Mt Field, where they were spotted more than 100 years ago. Here, visitors can see the preserved remains of soft-bodied marine animals in the shale mountain slope, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981 for its archaeological significance. In order to see Burgess Shale, you should expect to walk either a six-kilometre or 20-kilometre round trip. The first site is Mount Stephen Fossil Beds, while the more challenging climb is to Walcott's Quarry, which lies on a ridge on Mt Wapta and takes ten hours to walk there and back on a tour. Guides are trained and as well as leading groups to the destinations, they teach visitors about the history, geology and archaeology of the area. If you're not tired after the long trek, you could journey to the Columbia Icefield, where you'll see one of the world's biggest plains of ice measuring 325 square kilometres and up to 360 metres deep. Tourists are likely to be in awe of the striking sight and those who feel like exploring the area further can take part in glacier walks, where they can traverse the solid ice mass that feeds into the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic oceans. Columbia Icefield borders on the edge of Jasper National Park, which is well worth a visit for holidaymakers who have ventured this far into the Rocky Mountains. This is a good location to do some more wildlife spotting, as its residents include herds of moose and caribou. But it is also renowned for its many sporting opportunities, allowing adrenaline junkies to get another dose of adventure before they head home. There are bike trails along the mountain sides to explore or travellers could see the sights by horseback. And tourists who can't help but dip their toes into the water are bound to enjoy some of the more challenging white water activities such as rafting and kayaking along its rushing rivers. Canada's Rocky Mountains have something for everyone to enjoy, whether you're into thrill seeking, love nature or want to learn more about the destination's archaeological history - which could mean a trip to the region might be one of your best holidays yet. If you're thinking about travelling to Canada to see its mountainous landscape and unique wildlife then Canadian Rockies tours could be for you. Travellers can scale mountain peaks, go white water rafting and walk along glaciers, making it one of the most exciting adventure holidays available.
Related Articles -
Adventure holidays, travelling to Canada, Canadian Rockies tours,
| 
