The Rocky Mountaineer train routes: The scenery and highlights

Launched over 35 years ago with the aim of creating one of the most unforgettable travel experiences in the world, showcasing the ever-changing landscapes of Western Canada through panoramic domed windows and from open-air viewing platforms, there are now new routes within the collection, including a US route. 

Whether you choose to travel from the mountain resorts of Jasper or Banff to the cosmopolitan coastal city of Vancouver, or team your Rocky Mountaineer journey with a visit to Toronto and Niagara Falls or a cruise to Alaska, this iconic rail route weaves through the wild majesty of the Canadian Rockies on a truly awe-inspiring adventure. 

To help you choose your perfect Rocky Mountaineer train route, we’ve answered all the key questions, whether you’re wondering how long is the Rocky Mountaineer train ride or what you can discover on your journey. 

What route does the Rocky Mountaineer take? 

The Rocky Mountaineer has three Canadian Rockies routes to choose from, travelling between the mountain resorts of Jasper or Banff and the cosmopolitan coastal city of Vancouver, as well as a fourth route in the USA, crossing the rugged Colorado landscape between Moab and Denver.  

The Rocky Mountaineer train routes run both ways, giving passengers the choice to start in the east and head towards Vancouver or vice versa. It’s popular to combine a rail journey with a Cruise & Tour by adding a cruise through Alaska’s inside passage from Vancouver with a Rocky Mountaineer holiday.  

You can also enjoy the best of both of Canada’s coasts, starting in Toronto and Niagara Falls before heading west to Calgary and the Rocky Mountaineer Banff to Vancouver route. 

First Passage to the West 

Vancouver to Banff, via Kamloops, Spiral Tunnels and Kicking Horse Pass 

Journey time: Two days 

Scenery along the way: Mountains and canyons of Shuswap region, Castle Mountain, Lake Louise 

Route highlight: Lake Louise

Lake Louise is a standout highlight on many of our Canadian itineraries, including Trans Canadian Rail Odyssey, where a visit to the lake is included just before you set off on your Rocky Mountaineer journey. World famous for its soaring mountain backdrops, turquoise lakes and hiking trails, this area offers some truly magical views. It was originally named Emerald Lake for its shimmering summer hue, but just two years later it was renamed after Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, Queen Victoria’s fourth daughter. While she never got to see it in person, you’ll have the opportunity to take a gondola to the mountaintop for superb views and visit the Chateau Lake Louise to explore the gardens, which lead right down to the lakeshore. 

Journey Through the Clouds 

Vancouver to Jasper, via Kamloops and Mount Robson  

Journey time: Two days 

Scenery along the way: Fraser Valley farmlands, coastal mountains, Pyramid Falls, Mount Robson, Jasper National Park 

Route highlight: Mount Robson 

The highest peak in the Canadian Rockies and one of British Columbia’s major mountain attractions, snow-capped Mount Robson soars 12,972 feet above sea level. With Rocky Mountaineer’s famous domed windows and open-air viewing areas, you’ll drink in the view as you glide past on your way to Vancouver. It might not be Canada’s tallest mountain, but Mount Robson’s lone stature and 10,000-foot vertical ascent give it an irresistible prominence over its wild surroundings. 

Rainforest to Gold Rush 

Vancouver to Jasper, via Whistler and Quesnel 

Journey time: Two days 

Scenery along the way: Fjords, Coast Mountains, Fraser River 

Route highlight: Whistler 

Nestled in the spectacular Coast Mountains, Whistler is one of Canada’s favourite year-round destinations. In the winter, a blanket of snow transforms the vibrant hub into a picture postcard perfect mountain village scene, complete with ski chalets and twinkling lights. But in the summer, when Rocky Mountaineer runs, the mountainous landscape is perfect for bear spotting, biking, hiking and picnics with a view. Rocky Mountaineer Rainforest to Gold Rush spends a night in Whistler, while Canadian Rockies Grand Circle includes two nights there (although doesn’t travel through it on Rocky Mountaineer). 

Rockies to the Red Rocks 

Moab to Denver via Glenwood Springs 

Journey time: Two days 

Scenery along the way: Moab desert, Mount Garfield, Ruby Canyon 

Route highlight: Ruby Canyon 

The red sandstone cliffs which line the 25-mile-long canyon walls give this spot its name. Sitting on the border of Colorado and Utah on the Colorado River, one of the few ways to see it is by rail – unless you want to go rafting along the river itself. Looking at this timeless landscape, it’s easy to believe you’ve cruised back through time to the days of the Old West (or stepped onto the set of a Western). 

More highlights along the train’s route: 

Wildlife watching from the Rocky Mountaineer 

It’s no secret that Canada’s national parks are home to an array of wildlife spotting opportunities – it’s one of the country’s main draws (among many). Wolves, beavers, bald eagles, elk, caribou and – of course – grizzly bears all live along the Rocky Mountaineer route. As you whizz through the scenery, your tour manager and Rocky Mountaineer hosts will be able to let you know what you’re likely to see – just keep your eyes peeled and your camera firmly at the ready. 

Spirit Island and Maligne Lake 

On a route that’s chock-full of spectacular views, Spirit Island on Maligne Lake really stands out as a highlight of the Rocky Mountaineer journey from Jasper. It’s one of the most photographed places in Canada and has starred in adverts for big names like Apple and Kodak over the years. But put your preconceived images to one side; seeing it in the flesh is like nothing you’ve ever seen before. The icy blues, emerald greens and vertical mountain walls are so vivid, it almost feels like a canvas painting backdrop has been wheeled in front of you. 

Depending on the time of year you visit, the view will differ slightly. Surprisingly, Spirit Island isn’t an island at all – it’s actually connected to the shore by a narrow sliver of land. In the spring time, with melting mountain snow and heavier rains, the water levels of the lake rise high enough to cut the island off. 

Undoubtedly our favourite part of Jasper National Park, the view of Maligne Lake and Spirit Island as the train trundles past is one that never gets old. 

Ending your journey in Vancouver  

This cosmopolitan city right on the edge of nature will mark the end of your railroad adventure – and it promises to be a highlight. One of Canada’s most ethnically and culturally diverse cities, Vancouver is widely acknowledged as having one of the highest standards of living in the world – so don’t blame us if you don’t want to go home. 

Take a walk in any direction and you’ll discover coffee shops and art galleries galore. For some serious sightseeing, there’s the Vancouver Lookout in the downtown Harbour Centre; a cable car ride to The Peak of Vancouver; or a wander around the lush Stanley Park. You could even opt for a spot of whale watching or stroll along some of the 28km Seawall, the world's longest uninterrupted waterfront path, with views out to seaplanes cruising in past the islands and public art dotted along the path. 

Rocky Mountaineer map 

You’ll be able to follow your journey with the help of Rocky Mountaineer’s helpful on-board guide, with notes of the mile marker for various highlights picked out for each Rocky Mountaineer train route. There’s also a Rocky Mountaineer route map, so you can track your progress, and look out for dramatically named sites like Hell’s Gate, an astonishing 33-metre-wide gorge. 

Scenery is a huge part of the Rocky Mountaineer experience. An average speed of 30mph allows every moment of the scenery to be savoured, and daylight-only travelling means you won’t miss a second of your surroundings - after all, when you’re travelling through some of the world’s most spectacular landscapes, you don’t want a ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ type of experience. 

If you don’t want to take your eyes off the panoramic domed windows, your onboard hosts regale you with stories of adventure and intrigue in the towns, quirky facts and tales of the railway’s early days – in between catering to your every whim, with the genuine warmth of a Canadian welcome. It’s no surprise that the Rocky Mountaineer reviews from previous travellers pick out the service as much as the scenery. 

The tracks snake through Alberta and British Columbia, with dramatic mountains, ancient glaciers, turquoise lakes and pine forests almost in touching distance. Then there’s the wildlife. If you notice the train slowing right down, it might be because a mother bear and her cub have been spotted ambling nearby, or a majestic eagle is swooping gracefully over a nearby river. 

Feeling inspired? Find out more about our Canadian holidays with Rocky Mountaineer.