Travelling west, the main Trans-Canada Highway passes through Regina, Calgary and Banff. It then takes the highly scenic Kicking Horse Pass through the Canadian Rockies and continues through Kamloops to Vancouver.
The Yellowhead Highway diverges from the main Trans-Canada Highway just west of Winnipeg at Portage La Prairie and then passes through Saskatoon, Edmonton and Jasper. It takes the Yellowhead Pass through the Rockies to the town of Tete Jaune Cache. Tete Jaune means "yellow head" in French, and comes from the nickname given to Pierre Bostonais, an Iroquois guide and fur trapper of the early 1800's who had light coloured hair. The highway continues west to Prince George and reaches the Pacific at Prince Rupert.
The section of the Yellowhead Highway through the Canadian Rockies is extremely scenic.
The Icefields Parkway between Jasper and Banff connects the Yellowhead Highway and the main Trans-Canada Highway.
Canadian Rockies National Parks
Places & useful connections
Before you set out
Confirm current access, opening arrangements, reservations and the suitability of your planned roads and walks. Photographs may show earlier conditions.