Points of Interest - Hydra River Guides

The drive from Banff to the Hydra River Base is stunning and filled with some great scenic stops.

You might want to plan your trip around some of these tourist hot spots, so you get the most out of your visit to Banff & the Canadian Rockies. See below for a list of things to do and see on the way to the Hydra River Base.

LAKE LOUISE

Lake Louise is a hamlet in Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies, known for its turquoise, glacier-fed lake ringed by high peaks and overlooked by a stately chateau. Hiking trails wind up to the Lake Agnes Tea House for bird's-eye views. If you have time, the iconic Lake Louise is a place not to be missed. 

MORAINE LAKE

Its waters are the most amazing colour, a vivid shade of turquoise that changes in intensity through the summer as the glaciers melt. Set in the rugged Valley of the Ten Peaks, Moraine Lake is surrounded by mountains, waterfalls, and rock piles, creating a scene so stunning it almost seems unreal. Sit lakeside and absorb the sights and pure mountain air, or explore further by canoeing and hiking. It’s an iconically jaw-dropping place that is sure to leave a lasting impression. 

Moraine Lake is 14 kilometres (8.7 miles) southeast of the hamlet of Lake Louise. Glacier-fed, its brilliant blue-green colour is a result of light refracting off the rock flour (fine particles of rock) in the glacier run-off which flows into the lake. At an elevation of 1,885 metres (6,183 feet), the lake does not begin to melt until June. Water levels, and its vibrant colour, peak in late June. (Banff Lake Louise Tourism)

FIELD 

This charming village of fewer than 200 people is an authentic mountain retreat with accommodation year-round, artisan crafts, and culinary delights. Established in the 1880s as a siding for the Canadian Pacific Railway, it is now home to almost all human residents of Yoho National Park and the Yoho Visitor Centre. 

EMERALD LAKE 

Emerald Lake is located in Yoho National Park, British Columbia, Canada. It is the largest of Yoho's 61 lakes and ponds, as well as one of the park's premier tourist attractions. Emerald Lake Lodge, a high-end lodge perched on the edge of the lake, provides local accommodation. Take a stroll around the jewel like waters.

NATURAL BRIDGE 

Located on the way to Emerald Lake, Stop at the Natural Bridge along the way and admire the Kicking Horse River as it carves a path through ancient rock. These are beautiful places year-round. 

TAKAKKAW FALLS

Takakkaw Falls is Canada’s 2nd highest waterfall and is a native word meaning wonderful. Tumbling 254m (830 feet) in one stretch and 384m (1,260 feet) in total, these falls are the gateway to some of Yoho’s most beautiful hiking. Feel the spray at the base of the falls or enjoy views from afar. It is accessible mid-June until mid-October to small vehicles and bicycles only, due to steep, tight switchbacks. 

SPIRAL TUNNELS 

This is a quick stop off the HWY. The Spiral Tunnels is an engineering marvel. It reduced the railway grade in the treacherous Kicking Horse Pass. The famous Spiral Tunnels on the CP Rail Line were opened on September 1st, 1909. The route called for two tunnels driven in three-quarter circles into the valley walls. The construction and extra track effectively doubled the length of the climb and reduced the gradient to 2.2%. The labor force to build these tunnels through sheer rock amounted to about a thousand, and the cost was about 1.5 million Canadian dollars. This is one of the steepest, most scenic railway lines in North America, crossing the kicking horse river, and running under Mount Ogden and Cathedral Mountain, towards the town of Field, BC.

GOLDEN

Sitting in the Canadian Rockies, Golden B.C. is surrounded by six of Canada’s most stunning national parks; Yoho, Glacier, Banff, Jasper, Kootenay and Mount Revelstoke.

Use Golden as your base from which to experience the spectacular scenery, iconic hiking trails, waterfalls, lakes and heritage sites of the national parks. Golden is only a short 20 minute drive West of the Hydra River Base.

There are lots of adventure tours in Golden like ATVing and the famous Grizzly Bear refuge. Check out our packages to combine one of these fun tours with your raft trip.

 

Banff Activities

If you are looking to make the most of your Rocky Mountain adventure, in addition to your Kicking Horse Raft trip, we can help book all your other tours and activities in Banff, Lake Louise, Canmore or Golden. Simply visit Banff Adventures for all of your activity needs.

Banff Adventures