Trip Overview
Departures
Trip Dates + Prices
Duration
7 Days
Activities
Horseback Riding
Physical Rating
Riding Ability: Experienced Novice
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Ride Into the Wild
Experience the bluebird skies and alpine rapture of Canada’s very first national park on our Banff Horseback Riding Tour! With our sure-footed horses, we ride along the historic Erling Strom trail that runs parallel to crystalline glacier-fed rivers and meadows blurred with wildflowers. Expect knock-out backcountry cuisine, deep sleeps and the relief of being far from the grasp of cell phone reception, internet and WiFi.
Experience Renewal in Nature
Get Your Cowgirl On
On this signature seven-day backcountry riding adventure, we recharge with pampered stays at Sundance Lodge and Halfway Lodge. Along the way, we may meet brazen bighorn sheep, nimble mountain goats, grizzly and black bears, bugling elk, whisky jacks and playful marmots. Following a historic pack trail, we ride up Allenby Pass, where the Rocky Mountains embrace those in their daunting midst. For a soft cowgirl experience, this is it. We travel at a leisurely walk to fully enjoy the scenery along the way.
Everyone was top notch—our guides, chefs, and shuttle drivers. The horses were fantastic too! Highly recommend this trip!”
Susan P.
Itinerary
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Day 1
Banff National Park
In the Shadow of Mountains
The town of Banff is nestled in the oldest national park in Canada, Banff National Park, established in 1885. It’s worth arriving early to explore the lively town before we rendezvous in the hotel lobby to meet our energetic guide and fellow travelers. After a quick round of introductions, we head out on the town for our first dinner together.
Included Meals
Dinner
Accommodations
Elk+Avenue Hotel
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Day 2
Journeying to Sundance Lodge
Up, Up We Go
After breakfast, we meet for the five minute shuttle to Warner Stables, where our carefully selected horses are waiting for us. Have your credit card handy to leave a deposit for any extras that you might enjoy on the trip. We offload our personal gear to the waiting mules who carry it to Sundance Lodge, where it will be waiting for us when we arrive in the late afternoon. Taking our time, we follow the Bow River, then Brewster Creek and Healy Creek, along a wide forest trail, stopping for a campfire cooked lunch along the way.
At Sundance, we enjoy a delicious lodge-cooked meal, and maybe a game of cards or a singalong, before retiring under fluffy duvets and crisp cotton sheets for a good night’s rest.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Sundance Lodge
The Ride
10 miles (16 km), which takes about 5–6 hours
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Day 3
Erling Strom Trail
Backcountry Bliss
Our cowgirl adventure continues as we journey southward along the snaking historic Erling Strom Trail toward Halfway Lodge. As we approach, lodgepole pines and spruce begin to thin out with elevation and a cauldron of mountains dominate the backdrop of the treeline. With propane lanterns and candles providing lighting and a wood stove for warmth, the lodge hasn’t changed much in the last 80 years. The only big change occurred in 1967; a second story was added when a bear made a surprise entrance…through the roof!
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Halfway Lodge
The Ride
9 miles (14.5 km), which takes about 5–6 hours
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Day 4
Allenby Pass
Riding High
Today we make the goosebump-inducing climb up Allenby Pass on horseback, an elevation of 8,100 feet (2,469 m). For many, this is the highlight of the trip, as we’re rewarded with an enormous vista of the jagged rock formations and natural amphitheater of the mountains surrounding us. Our trusty horses carry us steadfastly over steep and rocky terrain, and it’s not unusual to see a few patches of snow once we reach the high pass.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Halfway Lodge
The Ride
3–5 miles (5–8 km), which takes about 4–6 hours, including lunch
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Day 5
Halfway Lodge
Enjoy the Backcountry
Today is an official rest day at Halfway Lodge. There’s no pesky internet, WiFi or cell reception so we are off the hook. There’s an optional hike to a shimmery glacial-fed lake at the end of the valley. If you’d rather chill out, doodle, journal or cat nap, there’s no pressure! Halfway Lodge is the perfect place to enjoy the backcountry from the comfort of the porch, with exceptional views of the valley below.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Halfway Lodge
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Day 6
Brewster Creek Trail
Back in the Saddle
Today we follow the winding trail along Brewster Creek back to our old stomping grounds at Sundance Lodge. We stop for lunch along the way, arriving at Sundance in time for showers and swapping stories before we gather for a decadent farewell dinner, lovingly prepared by our chef and lodge host.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Sundance Lodge
The Ride
9 miles (14.5 km), which takes about 5–6 hours
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Day 7
Return to Banff
From Rockies to Home
Our final day on the trail involves a gentle (10 mile/16 km) ride from Sundance back to Warner Stables. We stop along the banks of Healy Creek for a leisurely lunch before returning to the stables late afternoon, brimming with tall tales from the backcountry. Transportation is provided from the stables back to Banff town centre, arriving between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Take a Deeper Dive
Want all the details in one handy package? Download the full itinerary here.
What’s Included
- Experienced and awesome female wrangler guide(s)
- Attentive lodge hosts
- Ground transfers between Banff and Warner Stables as outlined in the itinerary
- One night’s accommodation in Banff plus five nights at Sundance Lodge and Halfway Lodge with a fully catered menu and all-you-can-drink coffee
- All meals from dinner on Day 1 to lunch on Day 7
- Horses, all tack (saddles, bridles etc.) plus pack mules and equipment
- Please do not bring your own saddlebags; they will be provided (Western-style)
- Helmets are provided and must be worn while mounted
Please Note:
All applicable taxes are included in the trip price.
Itineraries may be subject to change without notice due to weather and other environmental conditions. Please review our Booking Terms.
Trip Details
Know Before You Go
Click HERE for all of the logistical details you’ll need to know prior to departure—including the packing list, arrival and departure details and suggested tipping information.
This trip starts in Banff, Alberta and finishes in Banff, Alberta. The closest airport is the Calgary International Airport (airport code: YYC).
The Wild Women Way
If you’re wondering how we roll, it’s together. The Wild Women Way is our modus operandi, our mantra and our rock solid foundation. You can learn more about our Wild Ways HERE.
How We Support You
Ready for a big adventure? We’re in it together. On this trip, we’ll be spending many hours each day in a saddle, riding Western-style, so if you are a novice rider or haven’t ridden recently, we recommend you take 6–10 riding lessons prior to this trip. We’ll match you with a mild-mannered, sure-footed mountain horse based on your skill level.
Still have questions or concerns? Let’s talk about it.
What the Trip Entails
This is an active multi-day tour on horseback. Basic horsemanship skills are required. We would like you to be comfortable with the following:
- Riding experience at walk and trot, but not necessarily confident at cantering
- Riding skills and the fitness to ride for six days, 6–8 hours, covering 5-10 miles per day
- Comfortable mounting and dismounting unassisted on uneven terrain
- Riders must be physically capable of controlling the horse during the ride without assistance
- Leading horses up and down over hilly (and sometimes very steep) uneven terrain
- Skills for basic self care in cold temperatures: sub 0C/32F is possible, even in summer!
- The maximum rider weight for this trip is 230 pounds
- Riding Ability Rating:
- Riding Ability: Experienced Novice (Riding experience at walk and trot but not confident at canter.)