Start your trek to The Lodge with a scenic drive from the City of Calgary. On your way, be sure to stop in the Town of Canmore (just over 100 km from Calgary) for lunch on the patio at the Malcolm Hotel set on Spring Creek.

From Canmore, it’s a quick hop, skip, and a jump (or 25km) to the world-famous Town of Banff where you might make a second stop. After leaving Banff, we definitely recommend taking Highway 1A, the slow road, at Castle Junction for a leisurely drive on the Bow Valley Parkway to the Town of Lake Louise, where you’ll exit to the spectacular Icefield Parkway and spend another 25 minutes on the road to The Lodge at Bow Lake.

After arriving at the Lodge and checking in, stretch your road legs with a stroll to the shores of Bow Lake, but be sure to return back to The Lodge in time to join your fellow guests in Jimmy’s Living Room for tea or a glass of wine.

Dinner is served at 6:30 P.M. in The Lodge’s Elkhorn dining room, where our culinary team will delight your senses with their creative Rocky Mountain-inspired cuisine.

After a day of travel and fresh mountain air, you’ll surely be ready to head to your cozy room and curl up under your cozy duvet for a good night’s sleep.

The sounds of chirping birds greet you as the sun rises. Coffee, Tea and muffins await in the Elkhorn dining room before you sit down for a hearty breakfast at 8:00 A.M.. After breakfast grab a packed lunch for the trail.

There are loads of options right out the backdoor of The Lodge — no driving required. Bow Falls is a quick hike, or if you are up for a longer day, you might try Iceberg or Hot Dog Lake. Our staff can show you on the map where you are heading.

Head back to The Lodge after your day of hiking in time for a little après hike in the living room where you can enjoy a cup of tea, a snack, or a cold beer — or all three. If that’s not your fancy, you might just soak up the sunshine on the patio.

However you decide to spend your post-hike moments, rest assured that cooking dinner is not on your itinerary. While you were hiking, the kitchen crew was busy preparing another wonderful meal for you that will be ready to enjoy at 6:30 P.M.

If the stars are out after dinner, pop out the back door of The Lodge and walk a few steps away — you don’t need to go far — and watch for shooting stars, figure out the constellations, or listen for the Great Horned Owl. Return to your room to enjoy another restful night at The Lodge.

Coffee and tea await the early risers at 7:30 A.M.. Before breakfast you’ll have time for a walk out into the fresh morning air and over to Jimmy Simpson’s original octagonal cabin (located out the back door at just a few paces west of The Lodge). Return for breakfast at 8:00 A.M. and grab another bag lunch for the trail.

Today, the destination is Helen Lake, a short 4-minute drive down the highway to the parking lot. This 12km return hike takes you through forested trails and into high alpine meadows where the surrounding mountain peaks tower overhead.

We will be waiting to greet you with an ice-cold glass of lemonade or beer in the living room when you return. Dinner is once again served in our Elkhorn dining room amongst the spectacular log work handcrafted by Jimmy Simpson over 70 years ago.

Being your last night, you can take on a fellow Lodge guest in a game of Cribbage on one of our unique locally-made Cribbage boards while sipping a whisky from Canmore-based, Wildlife Distillery.

With a mist hanging over the lake, a short walk to the bridge to stretch your legs is in order before coming back to The Lodge for breakfast. This morning you will pack your bags and take a bag lunch for another day of hiking, for your trip back to the city, or any other destinations beyond. If you are heading east or west, a shuttle and hike into Larch Valley is highly worthwhile. If you are heading north to Jasper Wilcox Pass is not to be missed. Whichever way, The Lodge’s awesome staff would be happy to guide you in the right direction.