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Home > Alberta's TCH > Lake Louise to Calgary

Alberta: Highway #1 between Lake Louise and Calgary

Here is the itinerary for the 180 km along Highway #1 between Lake Louise and Calgary:

Moving east from Lake Louise (and more dramatically, when driving west from Banff), the most stunning feature is Castle Mountain, which rises on the east side of the valley like a tall reddish layer cake. Those wishing to get a real sense of the splendour of the Rockies, without pricing at faster highway speeds, should drive the Bow Valley Parkway (Highway 1A) from Banff to Lake Louise.

Banff is Canada's first national park, it has expanded from 10 square miles around the hot springs to now cover 6640 square kilomtres (2564 sq miles). The town of Banff is "action central" of the mountain parks. While other communities are quite leisurely and relaxed, Banff has lots of restaurants, nightlife and world-class shopping. For a scenic overview of the area, take a ride up the Sulfur Mountain Gondola, or for free you can drive up the Mountain Norquay Rd across the TCH from Banff, or hike up Tunnel Mountain. At several locations around the park, visitors will notice sandstone "hoodoos", tall conical towers left behind by erosion.

East of Banff is Canmore, lying just east of the park gates. Canmore began as a coal mine for the railroad in the 1800s, but the last mine was shut down in 1980. Long the cheapest gas for highway travellers, Canmore also has more hotels and condos than Banff, and tons of recreational opportunities. Canmore was home to the cross-country and biathlon events during the 1988 Winter Olympics, and is the backdoor gateway to the rugged Kananaskis Provincial Park.

East of Canmore, you pass Lac Des Arc where the highway bends around the lake which has a large cement factory on the northern shore. Along the eastern edge of the Rockies you can observe the height of glacial scour from the last Ice Age. The highway passes through a flat area (a Stoney Indian Reserve) where you can see tear-drop shaped drumlins on both sides of the highway, which are gravel deposits left behind by receding glaciers. East of the Rockies are the foothills, with high rolling hills, typically covered with white spruce and trembling aspen.

After a steep climb up and down Scott Lake Hill, the highway enters the grasslands of the side open prairie. This area lies 1000 metres (3400ft) above sea level, and is characterized by high winds and low rainfall. This area is characterized today by the raising of cattle and growing of cereal crops. While the bison that dominated the grasslands are gone (they are now protected in Wood Buffalo National Park in northern Alberta), many indigenous species can still be seen: Richardson's ground squirrel (gopher), and magpies.

This area is best known for Alberta's Chinook wind, a warm and dry wind from the west which can raise winter temperatures by 30 degrees C (60 degrees F) is a few hours. It is evidenced by a "Chinook arch" as the clouds are lifted in the west and the arch follows the earth's curvature. The Chinook winds quickly clear winter snows enabling year-round grazing for game and livestock.

Calgary is now a city of over 1 million people, and has tripled in size since the 1970s. Visitors will see vast recently-built suburbs on the western and eastern approaches, and lots of home construction continuing in all directions. Very quickly you become aware of the office towers that comprise the city's downtown core. The buildings are tightly clustered between the Bow River and the railway tracks, and house the headquarters of most of Canada's oil & gas companies. The city has Canada's largest network of recreational trails, with great (and relatively level) running/ biking/blading trails running for miles alongside the Bow River.

Contruction Notes:

The Trans-Canada is undergoing signifcant construction west of Banff (which continues off & on well into BC), which will impact access to viewpoints along the Bow River around Lake Louise. In Calgary the route along 16th Avenue, which has lots of stores, services and restaurants along its north/westbound side, is being widened to speed traffic, once its finished. Expect periodic construction delays in both areas.

Use mouse to drag/move map. Click on "+" or "-" to zoom in or out. "Satellite" shows photo, "Hybrid" combines map & photo.

Next West: Revelstoke to Lake Louise

Next East: Calgary to Medicine Hat

Alberta Motor Association road condition reports for this segment.

Customize Your Trans-Canada Highway Itineraries Form Direction: East to West West to East Distance Scale: km  \ miles Elevation Scale: metres  feet Select Specific Features: (none selected= ALL selected) Highway Street Boundary (mun'l/prov'l) Ferry Highway Feature Government Tourist Info Web Cams Bridge Tunnel Railway crossing U-turn Viewpoint Highway plaque Passing lane Divided highway Speed test section Speed trap location Rest stop Body Of Water Fauna Flora Structure First Nations Attraction Family Amusement Recreation-Sports Gas Lodging Retail Transportation Food Emergency Neighbourhood Park Industrial Geology

KM From Start EAST  |  WEST		HighWay Point & Feature Description	Municipality	Elevation (metres)	Map	Add Info
0	180	Deerfoot Trail (Hwy #2) double diamond interchange	Calgary	1040.6
		Highway 2, The Deerfoot Trail in Calgary, goes north to Red Deer & Edmonton, south to Lethbridge and the US border.. Edmonton, 300 km to N.. Calgary International Airport, 12 km N of highway, via Airport Trail... east access to Calgary Zoo, via Memorial Drive, 2.5 km S of highway... Access to Calgary's downtown, via Memorial Drive, with over 20 hotels..
0.2	179.8	Railway and Nose Creek underpass	Calgary	1046.4
1	179	Moncton Rd NE (athletic fields, accommodation)	Calgary	1076.6
2	178	Edmonton Trail NE (access to downtown, and N to accommodation)	Calgary	1079
		East access to over 20 downtown hotels.. Fort Calgary, historical site.. Calgary Zoo & Prehistoric Park, via Memorial Drive.. access to Calgary Stampede Park, via MacLeod Trail S.. Access to Bridgeland "Little Italy" shopping & restaurant district, 1 km S and down the hill.. Peter's Drive-In is an iconic Calgary diner, to the SW of this intersection. Best from the eastbound lanes of 16th Avenue... Calgary Stampede photos (lots & lots!)..
2.4	177.6	Centre Street (access to downtown & Chinatown)	Calgary	1077.5
		Calgary Tower Panorama during Stampede Week, 360 degree panorama image Bow River View across from Princes Island, view of downtown in 360 degree panorama image more downtown Calgary 360 panorama images access to over 20 downtown hotels,.. Calgary Tower on Centre Street, 2.5 km S of highway. Great views of city, skyline, and mountains... Calgary downtown photos.. Calgary's Chinatown, is at teh bottom of the Centre Street Bridge in downtown Calgary, 1.8 km S of highway... Glenbow Museum, across from Calgary Tower. Exhibits of prairie life, railway history, and oil & gas industry... Calgary Tower photos (of tower, and from tower)..
3	177	4th Street NW intersection (secondary street)	Calgary	1082.3
3.9	176.1	10th St NW intersection (S) to Kensington shopping district & downtown	Calgary	1087.8
		Starbucks & Earl's restaurants on NW corner of Intersection.. Access to Kensington shopping district, with lots of restaurants & Safeway grocery store, 1 km S of highway.. 10th Street NW provides access to the west end of downtown via the Louise Bridge.. over 20 hotels in the downtown area.. access to Telus Calgary Science Centre, just west of dowtown core on S bank of Bow River.. Kensington Riverside Inn, 1.5 km S of highway, on Memorial Drive.. Kensington Shopping district photos..
4.3	175.7	12 St NW (N) and SAIT Polytechnic (S) intersection	Calgary	1090
		SAIT Polytechnic, post-secondary trades educational institution
4.6	175.4	14th Street NW interchange and underpass (N to downtown)	Calgary	1087.5
		Nosehill Park, large hill on north side of city, this wild prairie grassland has excellent city views. 4 km N of highway... Access to Jubilee Auditorium Southern Alberta, just S of highway..
4.8	175.2	North Hill Mall (Sears) intersection	Calgary	1090.6
		North Hill Centre, mid-sized mall with food court, to S of highway..
4.9	175.1	Pedestrian overpass	Calgary	1090.6
5.1	174.9	17th Street NW (N) North Hill Mall (S) intersection	Calgary	1090.6
5.4	174.6	19th Street NW intersection (shopping, restaurants), and Light Rail Transit (LRT) underpass	Calgary	1090.3
5.8	174.2	Banff Trail NW intersection, with pedestrian overpass	Calgary	1096.4
		Access to Banff Trail station on the Northwest LRT line..
6	174	Motel Village (N) intersection	Calgary	1097.3
		Many hotels & motels directly to N of highway...
6.2	173.8	Crowchild Trail NW overpass	Calgary	1091.8
6.4	173.6	University Drive NW interchange	Calgary	1082.6
		Access to University of Calgary, 1 km to N of highway.. access to McMahon Stadium, home to Calgary Stampeders football club.. Access Southbound to Crowchild Trail, via University Drive... Marda Loop Shopping District (along 33 Ave SW), across Bow River via Crowchild Trail, 5.2 km S of highway... Glenmore Park North, alongside Glenmore Reservoir, views of mountains,downtown. 9.5 km S of highway, via Crowchild Trail... Heritage Park Historical Village, showing Alberta prior to 1914, with a new Gasoline Alley exhibit. 12 km S of highway.. Heritage Park photos.. Glenmore Reservoir photos..
6.7	173.3	access to Calgary Children's Hospital	Calgary	1087.8
		Alberta Children's Hospital, 1.3 km to N of highway..
6.8	173.2	Intersection 29th Street NW (S) and Uxbridge Rd NW (N) access to shopping & Foothills hospital	Calgary	1093.3
		Foothills Hospital, to south of highway, Calgarys largest hospital
7.2	172.8	Shaganappi Trail NW intersection (WB exit)	Calgary	1060.4
		westbound access to Market Mall in NW Calgary, up the Shaganappi Trail hill...
8.4	171.6	Bowness Rd Exit to Memorial Drive to downtown	Calgary	1060.1
		Fastest way into downtown Calgary for eastbound traffic, along Bowness Rd & Memorial Drive NW (cross Bow River at 10th Street bridge).. eastbound access to large Market Mall in NW Calgary, via Shaganappi Trail... left at first lights, then up the hill. About 2.6 km N of highway...
9	171	43rd Street NW intersection	Calgary	1056.7
		Holiday Motel on N side of street.. Red Carpet Motor Hotel on S side of street.. Traveller's Inn on S side of street.. BudgetLodge Inn on N side of street..
9.9	170.1	Home Rd intersection, shopping, gas, accommodation, parks	Calgary	1061
		Shouldice Park, outdoor sports fields, indoor swimming pool, Bow Rver recreational pathways, just to S of highway.. Olympia Motel, N side of intersection.. Westbound gas stations: Esso, etro-Canada. Eastbound gas station: Shell, Husky..
10.9	169.1	Bow River bridge	Calgary	1060.4
		Photos of Bow River..
11.2	168.8	Railway overpass	Calgary	1069.5
11.7	168.3	Sarcee Trail Interchange to SW Calgary and downtown	Calgary	1078.4
		Photos along Sarcee Trail (vlimbing hill toward the south)..
13.3	166.7	Bowfort Rd (N) to accommodation, gas and Bowness, (S) to Canada Olympic Park	Calgary	1120.1
		Canada Olympic Park - "COP" ski hill, ski jumps, bosled, luge track.. Canada Olympic Park - Olympic Hall of Fame & Museum, just to south of highway.. Four Points by Sheraton, just to N of highway.. Gas stations N of highway include Shell, Petro-Canada, Esso, SuperStop.. Restaurants to N of highway include Denny's, McDonalds, Tim Hortons.. Sandman Hotel.. Photos of Canada Olympic Park..
15	165	Stoney Trail Interchange(N) to airport, and Highway 2 to Edmonton	Calgary	1122.9
		Stoney Tril, access to Calgary NW, Calgary International Airport, and to Highway 3 N to Edmonton...
17	163	Valley Ridge Blvd (N) West Valley Rd SW (S)	Calgary	1147.6
		Valley Ridge Neighbourhood to N of highway.. Valley Ridge Golf Course, 1.5 km to N of highway.. Gas Store to N of highway.. small shopping plaza to N of highway.. KOA - Calgary West campground, to south of highway..
19	161	Range Rd 31, access to Old Banff Coach Rd(S)		1171.7
		Springbank Links Golf Course, 3 km to N of highway.. Old Banff Coach Road, S of highway, access to Calgary's western acreage suburbs...
21	159	Range Rd 33 (N) access to Springbank Airport to N, access to Calaway Park, RV dealerships, restaurants, and Springbank Community Centre Rd (S)		1192.7
		Springbank Airport, to north of highway (can see small planes taking off & landing) Rockyview and area photos Calaway Park amusement park, just to south of highway.. Calaway Park RV Park, just to south of highway.. Wild Wild West Event Centre..
30	150	Highway 22 (also Range Rd 42) Junction, Cattle herds to east		1227.7
		web cam with 3 angles on overpass Town of Cochrane, 13 km to N of highway.. Hamlet of Bragg Creek, 18 km to SW of highway.. Cochrane town photos.. Bragg Creek photos around town & area..
31	149	Gas station WB: Weigh Station EB & WB		1224.4
		Petro-Canada station on N side (westbound-only access).. weigh scales on both sides of highway..
35	145	Jumping Pound Rd (gas plant visible in valley to north)		1239.9
36	144	Crossing Jumping Pound Creek		1224.4
		Jumping Pound and area photos
37	143	Ridge Rd Access		1249.1
42	138	Hermitage Rd access		1282.9
47	133	Sibbald Creek exit Hwy 68 (also called Old Morley Trail)		1328.9
50	130	Top of Scott Lake Hill/ East boundary of Stoney Indian Reserve		1407.9
		Stoney Indian Reserve, member of Stoney First Nation. Watch for pedestrians on highway! stunning views at top of hill: mountains westbound, prairies eastbound (see photos)
55	125	Bear Hill Rd exit & underpass (stunning view of Rockies EB)		1297.2
59	121	Morley Rd Exit and underpass	Morley	1251.8
66	114	Overpass & exit for Stoney Reserve access	Seebe	1259.4
		Seebe and area photos
73	107	Kananaskis Trail (Hwy #40)	Seebe	1293.6
		Canoe Meadows Group Camp Porcupine Group Camp, 16 km S on Hwy 40 Kananaskis Country: Peter Lougheed Provincial Park Stoney Nakoda Resort, south of highway Stoney Nakoda Casino Stoney Nakoda Resort, just south of highway Helicopter tours of foothills, at Stoney Nakoda Reort
74	106	West boundary of Stoney Indian Reserve		1286.3
		Stoney Indian Reserve, member of Stoney First Nation. Watch for pedestrians on highway! Morely and area photos
74	106	bridge across Kananaskis River		1289.3
76	104	Highway 1X to Bow Valley Provincial Park, South Ranch Rd to Rafter Six Ranch		1307
		Bow Valley Provincial Park Bow Valley Park Campgrounds, to norht of highway Rafter Six Ranch, to south of highway..
85	95	Lac des Arcs exit		1307
		Lac Des Arc Campground, north of highway
88	92	Lac des Arcs, west end, view of Lafarge cement pant on north shore		1302.1
		Lac Des Arc Morning Panorama, 360 degree panorama Lac Des Arc photos
93	87	Deadman's Flats Exit/Pigeon Mountain: gas & accommodation	Deadman's Flts	1315.8
		webcam (3 angles) on Overpass Three Sisters Provincial Recreation Area, camping several gas stations, including Husky on N (westbound) side of highway.. several motels at this location.. Photos of Lake Chestermere..
97	83	Three Sisters Village	Canmore	1314
		Stewart Creek Golf Club, just to south of highway
101	79	Exit: Canmore East: Bow Valley Rd east to Exshaw, Ghost Lake, and Cochrane	Canmore	1317
		Bow Valley Park Campground, in Bow Valley Rd, Bow Valley Provincial Park Pine Grove Camping, 16 km S on Hwy 68 Willow Rock campsites, 1 km N of highway
102	78	Exit: Benchlands Trail: Canmore town center (S), SilverTip (N)	Canmore	1314.9
		Canmore Three Sisters Mountain - from SilverTip Ridge (about 1.6 km N of highway) 360 degree panorama Town of Canmore, to southwest of highway Main Street of Canmore, shopping area, south of hihgway Silvertip Golf Course, 2.5 km to northwest of highway Canmore General Hospital, to northeast of highway Over 50 hotels & motels along Canmore's Bow Valley Trail ("Motel Alley"), 0.3 km SW of highway..
104	76	Exit: Canmore West: gasoline alley	Canmore	1315.8
		All major gasoline companies here (cheaper gas than in the national parks!) Over 40 hotels & motels along Canmores Bow Valley Trail ("Motel Alley"), 0.3 km SW of highway
107	73	Harvie Heights Rd Exits	Canmore	1326.2
108	72	Banff National Park East Gates		1329.8
		Banff National Park about National Park Fees about the Mountains..
115	65	Exit for U Turns		1349
118	62	Minnewanka Electrical Generating Station	Banff	1375.6
118	62	Morant's Curve (for train photos)		1370.4
121	59	Banff Ave, East town entrance & Lake Minnewanka	Banff	1393.9
		Banff - Lake Minnewanka Panorama (about 8 km from highway) 360 degree panorama Banff National Park - Two Jack Lake Main Campground, 7 km NE of highway Over 60 hotels, motels, and B&Bs many along Banff Avenues Hotel Strip, about 3 km SW of highway Banff National Park - Tunnel Mountain Campground, about 4 km SW of highway via Banff Avenue & Tunnel Mountain Rd Banff National Park - Tunnel Mountain Village Campground, about 4 km SW of highway via Banff Avenue & Tunnel Mountain Rd NOTE: RVs may not park in the town centre! There is a designated parking spot on Banff Avenue, east of the hotel strip, with a shuttle bus service NOTE: RVs may not park in the town centre! There is a designated parking spot on Banff Avenue, east of the hotel strip, with a shuttle bus service Lkae Minewanka photos
122	58	Whiskey Creek crossing	Banff	1400.6
122	58	Compound Rd (for Park Maintenance)	Banff	1402.1
125	55	Banff Town off-ramp	Banff	1382.3
		Over 60 hotels, motels, and B&Bs
125	55	Overpass: Mount Norquay Rd	Banff	1386.8
		Banff - Mount Norquay Lookout Panorama (about 5 N of highway) Banff - Banff Avenue Panorama (about 1.5 km S of highway) 360 degree panorama image Banff - Bow Falls, off Spray Avenue (about 3.5 km south of highway) 360 degree panorama image Access to Banff Mount Norquay Ski hill Photos of Banff and area Banff Avenue shopping district, 1.5 km S/W of highway (turn left at Shell station) Banff Springs Hotel, about 4.5 km S of highway, via Banff Avenue, and across Bow River Bridge Banff Mount Norquay Ski hill, 5 km N of highway up hill (cyclists note: 1000 ft/300 m climb Timberline Lodge, overlooking highway on N side (can ski-out from Mount Norquay resort to hotel) Sulphur Mountain Gondola, to top of Sulphur Mountain, via Banff Ave and Mountain Ave, about 7 km from highway Upper Hot Springs, via Banff Ave and Mountain Ave, about 7 km from highway Cave & Basin (Lower) Hot Springs, via Banff Ave and Cave Ave, about 3.5 km from highway NOTE: RVs may not park in the town centre! There is a designated parking spot on Banff Avenue, east of the hotel strip, with a shuttle bus service Banff - Mineral Springs Hospital
125	55	Banff town off-ramp WB	Banff	1389.6
128	52	Bow Valley Parkway (1A) Exit WB		1399.3
128	52	Creek Crossing		1402.1
128	52	Car Pull-out, WB only		1407.9
128	52	Vermillion Lake view to West		1388.4
128	52	Vermillion Lakes Viewpoint EB		1385.3
		Banff - Vermillion Lakes Springtime Panorama, 360 degree panorama Photos of & from Vermillion Lakes
129	51	bridge across Bow River		1381.7
129	51	Cross CPR (underpass		1382.9
129	51	Viewpoint overlooking Bow River WB only		1385.9
130	50	Sunshine Village turnoff, overhead bridge		1408.2
		Banff - Sunshine Village Ski Resort Panorama, wintertime 360 panorama on skihill Banff - Sunshine Village - Great Divide Panorama, wintertime 360 panorama on ski hill Banff - Sunshine Village - Wawa Panorama , wintertime 360 panorama on ski hill Sunshine Village ski resort, with summer hiking Sunshine Village photos Banff & Area photos
130	50	Sunshine Village WB off-ramp		1401.2
135	45	Overhead Animal Bridge		1727.9
137	43	Exit to Bourgeau Lake, Hiking Trails		1414.9
144	36	Overhead Animal Bridge		1428
		Animal Bridge (see photos, including one under construction)
154	26	View north to Castle Mountain		1432.9
155	25	Highway 93 Castle Junction (W) to Radium Hot Springs, Exit E to Bow Valley Parkway (#1A)	Castle Junction	1441.1
		Radium Hot Springs, about 100 km to SW of highway Access to Kootenay National Park (in BC), about 10 km Access to Banff National Park - Johnston Canyon Campground, about 9 km east via 1A Banff National Park - Castle Mountain Campground, about 5 km east of highway via 1A Johnston Canyon Resort, 1 km E of highway on 1A "Castle Junction," used to be called "Eisenhower Junction", for the the former US president and commanding general of D-Day...
174	6	Turnout on WB side		1515.2
174	6	Turnout on WB side		1464.9
176	4	Scenic Viewpoint (WB only) overlooking Bow River		1512.4
		Scenic Viewpoint along Bow River (Bow River Photos)
177	3	Bridge across Bow River	Lake Louise	1524.6
177	3	Cross CPR Railway tracks	Lake Louise	1524.6
178	2	Louise Overflow Campground	Lake Louise	1534.1
		Banff National Park - Lake Louise Campground & Trailer Park, 1 km S of town
179.9	0.1	WB Exit ramp for Lake Louise	Lake Louise	1536.8
180	0	Bow Valley pkwy (E) to Skiing Louise and 1A Bow Valley Pkwy, and Lake Louise Rd (W) to the town and lake	Lake Louise	1546.9
		Access to Village of Lake Louise, about 0.3 km to W of highway Lake Louise, the lake, with hiking trail, canoeing, and tea house. About 4 km W of highway (for cyclists, a climb of 660 ft) Lake Louise Ski Resort Lake Louise Gondola (in summertime) Chateau Lake Louise, 4 km from highway Deer Lodge, 4 km from highway Lake Louise Inn, 0.3 km from highway Moraine Lake Lodge, 15 km SE of highway Post Hotel, .3 km from highway Baker Creek Chalets, .5 km from highway Icefields Parkway Visitors Centre, 0.3 km W of highway, in town. Serving Jasper National Park, Banff National Park and Yoho National Park vistors Rockies Ski Reports (weekly in winter, from November to May) Banff National Park - Lake Louise Campground & Trailer Park, 1 km S of town
KM From Start EAST  |  WEST		HighWay Point & Feature Description	Municipality	Elevation (metres)	Map	Add Info

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