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Driving through the spectacular national parks of Alberta, Canada, is a fantastic way to introduce your family to some of North America’s most picturesque scenery, from lakes and glaciers to mountains and forests. Turn your fly-drive experience into one of the best ever activity holidays for families by stopping off at key points along the way and taking part in some of the awesome outdoor pursuits on offer along the route. With a carefully planned itinerary you really will be able to connect with the beautiful landscape you drive through by stopping off for hikes, biking trails, swimming, canoeing and rafting through this great wilderness. Me and my kids have enjoyed several Alberta activity holidays; for families who like outdoors adventure there really is nowhere better. Here’s my recommendation for an outward bound adventure into the mountains from Calgary. Step into the Past at the Dinosaur Park Whether your children are into natural history or not, stepping in actual dinosaur footsteps in Alberta’s Dinosaur Park, to the east of Calgary, is sure to give you all a thrill. While once home to these prehistoric creatures, there is still plenty to explore here today with a network of mountain bike and hiking trails, as well as geocache adventures and opportunities to learn about the local wildlife. Marvel at the Dramatic Landscape of Maligne Canyon Stop off at the town of Jasper and take a trip to the Maligne Canyon just outside town. Water from Maligne Lake disappears from view and reappears at this fascinating geological spot. Hike along its edges, traverse its narrow bridges and marvel at its stunning waterfalls. Banff National Park and Lake Louise Nothing can quite prepare you for the turquoise shimmer of the glacial Lake Louise in Banff National Park. A popular ice-skating spot in winter, in summer you and the family can explore it by canoe or paddleboard. It’s well worth stopping off here for the night so that you can also enjoy the breathtaking 3.4km trek from Lake Louise to Lake Agnes and a visit to the famous Lake Agnes Teahouse, a popular local activity. Holidays for families here can include a range of fun-filled local sports, such as indoor ice-skating, horse riding, mountain biking or a visit to the stunning Columbia Icefields Glacier. Biking Along the Shores of Bow Lake Still in Banff National Park, Bow Lake offers great views and flat, easy cycling paths along its shore that will see you clocking up the kilometres through some of Alberta’s most stunning countryside. White Water Rafting through Johnston Canyon As you travel out of Banff National Park towards Johnston National Park down the Icefields Parkway you’ll pass Johnston Canyon. My advice is stop off here for some action-packed white water rafting through the Canyon. It’s a great way to see the dramatic geology while have a whole heap of fun. Alberta is such a beautiful wilderness, so full of child-friendly outdoor activity. Holidays for families here can feel a little challenging to plan – after all you don’t want to miss anything. So why not give me and my team a call and let us put together an itinerary based on your interests and the ages of your children. Call us at Summit & Blue on 01243 929121 and we’ll advise you on everything from where to rent a car to booking the very best outdoor experiences. Richard Edwards is the Managing Director of Summit & Blue, an adventure holiday company offering independently crafted activity holidays for families to exciting destinations around the world, including France, Italy, Portugal, the USA and Canada. With unique itineraries and exciting activities like biking, hiking, white water rafting and canoeing, we create holidays for those looking for an experience a little more off the beaten track.
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