Hidden gems of Canada's Rockies self-drive tour

Collect your hire car from downtown Calgary — your car hire will include an additional driver and all necessary insurance. You then drive south along the Cowboy Trail to Waterton Lakes National Park on the border of Glacier National Park in the USA. This afternoon, we recommend taking the short but steep walk up to Bear’s Hump for one of the best viewpoints of the lake and surrounding mountains.

Spend a day at leisure discovering the beauty of Waterton Lakes National Park. We recommend a leisurely cruise on the lake to the USA border, looking out for moose and bald eagles. We also suggest taking one of the many hiking trails in the area to see the new tree growth and to look for more wildlife. At the visitor’s center there is a wealth of knowledge about the best hikes, so we recommend dropping by before deciding which trail to do.

Drive from Waterton Lakes National Park into British Columbia. The two-and-a-half-hour route to the mountain town of Fernie takes you from rolling prairies to deep valleys and craggy mountains. You also cross the Crowsnest Pass and have views of Turtle Mountain, where a huge landslide occurred in 1903. Once at Fernie, settle into your accommodation and explore this historic town.

Spend the day at leisure in the small alpine town of Fernie. This is a town for outdoor enthusiasts with many hiking and biking trails in the region. We recommend Elk Valley for the opportunity to go canoeing, kayaking or white-water rafting, with wildlife abundant in the area. For exploring on foot, we suggest the trails around Castle Mountain, Mount Fernie and Island Lake Lodge, with the trek to the Three Sisters popular with locals.

Today your route takes you through the southern Kootenays and Purcell Mountains, winding along close to the US border. The journey will take about four hours, so on arrival you have time to settle in and explore. On your way, we recommend stopping in Nelson to pick up supplies for your stay in your cozy cabins tucked away in the mountains, and to get to know the town.

You have a full day at leisure in Nelson. The town has a thriving arts community and throughout the summer local shops are turned into galleries, so it's worth taking time to stroll around the heritage town. For something more adventurous, there is plenty of hiking in unspoilt national park areas — one of the popular hikes is to the Kokanee Glacier. Time permitting, we recommend visiting nearby Ainsworth Hot Springs located on Kootenay Lake, a 45-minute drive north of Nelson. There are public bathing pools here where visitors can soak and relax in the thermal waters.

This three-and-a-half-hour drive heads out of Nelson north toward Revelstoke and the Trans-Canada Highway. You will travel through the magnificent Selkirk Mountains and Nakusp, nestled on the shores of Upper Arrow Lake and known for its natural hot springs. Once you reach Galena Bay, you take the ferry across the lake to Shelter Bay and onward to the town of Revelstoke with its quaint boutiques, casual coffee bars and restaurants. You have the rest of the day to explore.

Spend the day at leisure in the small mountain town of Revelstoke. With its proximity to two national parks, Revelstoke is home to some excellent adventure opportunities, with scenic hiking, mountain biking, fishing, white-water rafting and canoeing all available. If you fancy a challenge, we recommend the steep, 10 km (6 mile) round-trip hike to Mount Begbie. While the hike is relentless, the views at the toe of the glacier make the journey worth it.

Today, continue your Rockies loop, passing along the Trans-Canada Highway toward Canyon Hot Springs, where we recommend a soak in the mineral pools. Continue your journey through the dramatic scenery of Glacier National Park before heading south along the Columbia River. After passing through Radium Hot Springs, you reach Kootenay National Park and your base for the next two nights. Settle into your private cabin and enjoy a hearty dinner.

Spend a full day in Kootenay National Park. In the morning, we have arranged white-water rafting for you in the nearby rapids for a taste of adventure. In the afternoon, the lodge can offer many experiences, including guided hikes and cultural experiences like wild crafts and skills. You may also wish to take a picnic and hike to the beautiful Cobb, Dog or Olive mountain lakes or try fishing, mountain biking or kayaking.

Drive for around two and a half hours from Kootenay National Park through Banff National Park to the small town of Canmore. You may wish to stop and explore the shops of Banff en route or take the gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain. We also recommend a stop at the iconic Lake Louise for the bright turquoise waters.

Spend a full day exploring the iconic scenery of Banff National Park or trying some of the many available activities, including mountain biking, white-water rafting, canoeing and hiking. We suggest the trail that leads along the Johnston Canyon to the Ink Pots — seven cold mineral springs that bubble to the surface of open meadows. Round off the trip with an included scenic helicopter flight over the incredible, snow-topped Mount Assiniboine, Gloria Glacier and the many lakes of the national park.

The morning is free for last-minute sightseeing or shopping before driving the 90 minutes to Calgary Airport to drop off your hire car prior to boarding your onward flight.