Icefield Parkway

/ Banff National Park / By
  • This is scenic drive between Banff and Jasper National Park. 
  • It takes a full day with multiple stop points. Start as early as you can. 
  • Most beautiful attractions are listed below:

Bow Lake

  • Another beautiful lake in Canadian Rockies.
  • Originating from the glaciers, this lake flows as the Bow River all across Banff.
  • Good spot for picnicking, canoeing, and kayaking.
  • No need of any hiking to see the lake.

Peyto Lake

  • This is a must view spot in Icefield Parkway, and you can easily spend 1-2 hours here depending on the activities that you do.
  • You need to walk a little (0.5 miles approximately) from the parking lot to reach the view point. Lake is not visible from either parking lot or the icefield parkway road.
  • There are two parking lots. Upper parking lot is closer towards the the view point.
  • There are also two view points – Nearer view point has hand rails that may not appear good in photos. Second view point has no such obstacles and is also less crowded. 
  • From the first view point, go anti clockwise direction towards Bow Lake Summit. After around 0.3 miles, turn right and then keep going in left direction. The trails are not at all well marked. Once you are here, keep going, and you will eventually reach the 2nd view point.
  • There is also a hike that takes you down to the lake. But is not as good as the view points from the top.

Bow Summit Hike

  • This can be clubbed with Peyto lake.
  • It is another 2 miles from the 1st look out point of Bow Lake.
  • The trail is quite open, and hence recommended to do it early.
  • It gives a bird’s eye view of the bow valley

Mistaya Canyon

  • This is an easy 1.2 mile out and back hike.
  • Takes you to a beautiful small canyon and the accompanying waterfalls

The Crossing

  • Can be used as a lunch stop. 
  • This place and Columbia icefield explorer are the only two options for food/dining in Icefield parkway drive. 

Big Bend

Only a view point to see Icefield parkway drive.

Columbia Icefield Parkway

  • You can see the giant Athabasca glacier at close range from here. 
  • You can do any 2 of the three activities here. If you are on strict budget, just do the free walk and skip the other two. We did Ice Exl
    • Walk on the glacier for free for about 10 feet 
    • Take Ice Explorer tour which takes you right into the glacier where you can walk all over it.
    • Columbia Skywalk tour – takes you to sky bridge.
Columbia Ice Explorer Tour
  • This takes you right into Athabasca Glacier. We really loved doing this because you can just walk all over the glacier and its a surreal experience.
  • Personally, I felt this better than just walking about 10 ft for free at the glacier edge because this is only a tiny portion where you can walk. The explorer tour takes you all the way up the hill to the glacier.
  • Entry fee: ~80 USD.
  • Can do explorer tour and skywalk together for a slightly reduced fee. Recommend this option as the best.
  • If you are doing explorer tour alone, it will take ~1.5 hours.
  • If you are doing both explorer tour and sky walk, prepare to spend 2.5 hours here.
Columbia Skywalk
  • Adventure park’s bus takes you to Skywalk which is a bit further up towards Jasper.
  • You can almost stand on top of the valley, and also see Athabasca Glacier from another vantage point.

Sunwapta Falls

  • Beautiful waterfalls created by Athabasca river. 
  • Walk 100 ft for the upper falls, and a 2 mile easy hike for lower falls. Both falls are worth it.
  • Time to spend:  1 hour

Athabasca Falls

  • Athabasca river flows further down towards Jasper and creates Athabasca Falls.
  • This is another easy hike here around 0.6-1miles to different view points.
  • Time to spend: 1 hour