Alberta: Cowboy trail and Waterton Lakes National Park

Calgary is a dynamic city in Alberta, built at the foot of the Canadian Rockies, famous for its western spirit and the legendary Calgary Stampede, one of the world's largest rodeos and cowboy-culture festivals. Grown as a centre of the oil industry, it boasts a modern skyline of skyscrapers and a lively city life, with districts such as Inglewood and Stephen Avenue, rich in restaurants, bars and shops. The Calgary Tower offers a panoramic view over the prairie and the mountains on the horizon. The city is above all the ideal gateway to the Rockies, less than an hour's drive from Banff and the national parks. Its green spaces along the Bow River invite walks and outdoor activities. Welcoming and growing, Calgary combines urban energy, cowboy tradition and grandiose nature, a perfect base for exploring western Canada.

Waterton Lakes National Park is a natural jewel of southern Alberta, where the prairies abruptly meet the imposing peaks of the Rocky Mountains, creating a unique and spectacular landscape. Together with the adjoining American Glacier park, it forms the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and biosphere reserve. The park is characterised by deep lakes set among the mountains, in particular the Upper Waterton Lake, which can be crossed by boat, dominated by the historic Prince of Wales Hotel perched on a promontory. Scenic trails, waterfalls, wildflower blooms and rich wildlife, from bears to elk, delight hikers. More intimate and quieter than other Rockies parks, Waterton offers grandiose landscapes in an intimate setting. Between prairies, lakes and mountains, it is a nature destination of rare beauty.

Kananaskis Valley is a spectacular mountain region in Alberta, stretched among the peaks of the Rocky Mountains a short distance from Banff and Calgary, less frequented than the great parks but just as grand. A vast land of alpine valleys, turquoise lakes, rivers and forests, it is an authentic paradise for outdoor lovers, with hiking, mountain biking, golf, rafting and, in winter, skiing and snowshoeing. Wildlife abounds, with bears, moose and bighorn sheep populating the slopes. The views range over imposing peaks and crystalline waters, while lodges and refuges set in nature offer excellent hospitality. Between mountains, lakes and wilderness, Kananaskis Valley offers the purest and wildest essence of the Alberta Rockies.

Jasper is a mountain town set in its namesake national park, the largest in the Canadian Rockies and part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wilder and quieter than nearby Banff, it is surrounded by grandiose nature of imposing peaks, glaciers, emerald lakes and endless forests, where wildlife is easily encountered along the roads. From Jasper, excursions set off to natural wonders such as Maligne Lake, with the famous Spirit Island, the Maligne Canyon and the Miette hot springs. The legendary Icefields Parkway, one of the world's most beautiful scenic roads, links Jasper to Banff along the Columbia Icefield. Recognised as a dark-sky preserve, the park offers extraordinary night skies. Between glaciers, lakes and silence, Jasper is a paradise for lovers of pristine nature.

The journey from Jasper to Lake Louise/Banff is one of the highlights and most spectacular parts of the trip; you travel along Icefields Parkway, one of the most scenic roads in North America, amidst majestic mountains, vast forests, and enormous glaciers, in a wild region. Lake Louise is one of Canada's most iconic and photographed places, a glacial lake of turquoise waters set in Banff National Park, at the foot of snow-capped peaks and the Victoria Glacier. The spectacle of the lake, whose colour changes with the seasonal light, reflected in the waters along with the surrounding mountains, is simply unforgettable. On its shores stands the historic and sumptuous Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, from which walks set off along the lake and trails towards mountain tea houses and nearby Moraine Lake. In winter the frozen lake becomes a stage for skating and skiing, while in summer it is ideal for canoeing and hiking. Wildlife populates the region. A symbol of the beauty of the Canadian Rockies, Lake Louise is an unmissable destination, capable of enchanting every visitor with its natural perfection.

Breathtaking scenery through the heart of the Canadian Rockies. The road meanders between towering peaks, crystal clear lakes and lush forests, offering unforgettable views along the way. Banff is Canada's most famous mountain resort, set in the heart of its namesake national park, the country's oldest and part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Surrounded by the snow-capped peaks of the Rocky Mountains, the picturesque town is the ideal starting point for exploring landscapes of extraordinary beauty, among turquoise lakes, glaciers and forests. Nearby are natural jewels such as Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, with crystalline waters framed by mountains. The Banff Upper Hot Springs invite relaxation, while Banff Avenue offers shops, restaurants and the iconic view of Mount Cascade. Wildlife, from elk to bears, populates the region. In every season, between skiing, hiking and canoeing, Banff offers an unforgettable experience in the heart of the Rockies, one of the world's most spectacular nature destinations.

Cross the land of the cowboys, passing through the Rocky Mountains and leaving Banff National Park, towards the plains surrounding the vibrant city of Calgary.