The Icefields Parkway is a stunning stretch of highway that connects Jasper National Park to Banff. Also called highway 93, this road connects to the Trans Canada highway near Lake Louise, the David Thompson Highway (highway 11) near Saskatchewan Crossing, and the Yellowhead Highway (highway 16) near Jasper.
It runs through breathtaking mountains with massive glaciers visible from the road. There are also dozens of great hikes, campsites, and viewpoints worth exploring in the area.
If you are planning to drive the Icefields Parkway, whether for the route itself or as a means of transportation between Calgary and Jasper, for example, I urge you to budget extra time to your journey to get out and appreciate the beauty on your way. I’ve included a list and of moderate hikes, worthwhile viewpoints, and accessible excursions along the way.
What’s in this guide?
The moderate hikes are dirt trails with some elevation, taking between 2–4 hours to complete. The scenic stops are areas where a short walk is required between the parking area and the main attraction. Viewpoints, on the other hand, are usually roadside pull-offs or small parking lots where you can take in the views that are visible from the highway.
I’d recommend choosing 1 hike and a mix of scenic spots and viewpoints to break up your drive without adding too many additional hours.
Moderate Hikes
While there are dozens of beautiful hikes located along the Icefields Parkway, I’ve selected a few options that should all take 4 hours or less. This way, if you are travelling from Calgary or Banff out to Jasper or Mount Robson (or vice versa), it is easy to add a hike to the drive without making your day too long. I’ve organized these hikes from south to north.
Bow Glacier Falls
Bow Glacier Falls is a moderate, out-and-back trail that begins at Bow Lake. This hike is beautiful, with stunning views of the lake, rocky creek canyons, and of course the falls from the glacier. It is 8.8 km with 190 metres of elevation, and you can expect the hike to take around 3–4 hours.
If you choose to hike Bow Glacier Falls, keep in mind that there is a risk of rockfall in this area. Pay attention to the Parks Canada signage and stay behind the end of trail signs. Do not continue on to the base of the falls for your safety.
Parker Ridge
Parker Ridge is a short hike with a bit of early elevation at the north end of Banff before you enter Jasper National Park. The trail brings you up and over the ridge to gain views of the Saskatchewan Glacier. It is also an excellent trail if you wish to see wildflowers.
The hike is only 5.4 km with 305 metres of elevation gain. You can complete the trail in about 2–3 hours. I hiked this trail on my most recent trip along the Icefields Parkway and it took us exactly 2 hours.
Wilcox Pass
Only about 5 minutes down the road from Parker Ridge, on the Jasper National Park side, is Wilcox Pass. This might be the most stunning moderate hike in the area. You gain unmatched views of the Columbia Icefields from the top of the pass.
Wilcox Pass is a 9.3 km out-and-back trail with 552 metres of elevation gain. It took my group around 3 hours, at around a moderate/average pace.
Scenic Stops on the Icefields Parkway
These scenic stops include a short walk through or to stunning, iconic views in the Canadian Rockies.
Peyto Lake
The most popular spot may be Peyto Lake, located in Banff National Park about 35 minutes from Lake Louise Village. It is a gorgeous, bright turquoise lake with a unique shape. Many people, myself included, agree that from the viewpoint, Peyto Lake looks like a wolf.
To visit Peyto Lake, you will take the marked exit off the Icefields Parkway and follow signs to the parking area (the first right-hand turn from the access road). The parking lot can get very busy, so be patient or try to arrive early to avoid the crowds. Once you park, you will follow the approximately 500 metres of paved pathway to the viewpoint.
If you have a handicap permit, you can continue to the second parking lot, which is closer to the lake. This parking lot is reserved for vehicles with a permit and bus tours only.
Mistaya Canyon
The next stop, still in Banff National Park, is Mistaya Canyon. Another popular destination, the parking area for Mistaya Canyon can also fill up on weekends and during the summer. The trail is about 550 metres from the parking area to the canyon waterfall, along a gravel path. The path loses about 60 metres in elevation as you head toward the viewpoint, which you will need to walk back up on the return trip.
The rocks of Mistaya Canyon are beautiful, and sure to captivate anyone with an interest in geology. This stop is about 25 minutes north of Peyto Lake.
Panther Falls
There is a short hike from the Bridal Veil Falls viewpoint to Panther Falls. Located just after the Big Bend, about 30 minutes north of Mistaya Canyon, this trail is not paved or easily accessed compared to the other stops. The narrow trail is 1.3 km (out-and-back), with about 70 metres of elevation lost on your way to the falls. Wear good footwear and watch your step as you approach the falls, as the path can get slippery from the mist.
Athabasca Falls
My final recommended stop is Athabasca Falls, on the Jasper side of the Icefields Parkway. This stop is about 25 minutes south of the town of Jasper. The first viewpoint is very close to the parking lot (which gets very busy). You can continue beyond the first viewpoint to see views of the falls from different angles and cross bridges over the canyon.
Athabasca Falls is one of the most powerful waterfalls in Alberta and has a height of 24 metres. You can feel the mist from the falls just by standing on the viewing platform, which is nice on a hot day!
We followed a trail that brought us around and to the base of the canyon, where it settles into a wide, calmer section of the Athabasca River. The river flows north and eventually east to Lake Athabasca in northern Alberta and Saskatchewan, which is the 20th largest lake in the world.
Viewpoints along the Icefields Parkway
There are dozens of beautiful stopping points along the Icefields Parkway. Here are a few that I would recommend are worth your time.
Viewpoints in Banff
Bow Lake has a gorgeous colour, especially on a bright, sunny day. It is a nice stop for the views and to stretch your legs, or you can extend your stay and hike to Bow Glacier Falls from here as well. Bow Glacier is visible behind the lake from the parking area!
Waterfowl Lake is another blue-green lake worth taking in, especially if Bow Lake is very busy and you decide not to stop. I’ve seen many people enjoying the lake on their paddleboards as well, so it might be a good option if you are camping or staying along the Icefields Parkway and have more time in the area.
Just a few kilometres from the boundary between Banff and Jasper, immediately after the Big Bend if you are driving north, are two waterfalls worth stopping for. Panther Falls requires a bit of a hike, but Bridal Veil Falls is visible from the roadside turn out. This white waterfall slips gracefully down the mountain slopes like a bride’s cascading veil, hence the name. Watch for this roadside stop at the top of the Big Bend switchback.
Viewpoints in Jasper
The most iconic viewpoint worth seeing in Jasper is the Columbia Icefields. If you opt not to hike Wilcox Pass, I urge you to stop at the Columbia Icefields lookout to take in the expansive glaciers for yourself.
You also have the option here to try the Columbia Icefields Skywalk or the Icefield Adventure, which cost around $50 and $150 dollars per person, respectively. Parking for both is at the Jasper National Park Icefield Information Centre and Glacier Gallery. You can visit the visitor centre for free from mid-May to late September to learn more about the glaciers.
Personally, I have not done either excursion, as I prefer to hike, but both are popular were very busy when we drove by this summer. The Skywalk was quite crowded, in fact, so consider going early if you can.
Services and Amenities
Limited amenities exist along the parkway and there is no cell service for the majority of the highway. I recommend starting the drive with a full tank of gas.
There are cafes at Saskatchewan Crossing and Sunwapta Falls, and a gas station at Saskatchewan Crossing. However, I’d recommend bringing food and not relying on these services. You can always decide to opt for food or grab an extra snack, but it is good to be prepared in advance just in case either spot is closed or doesn’t service food you (or your kids) like.
Map of the Icefields Parkway
Save this map to your Google Account (and download it for offline use). It can help you plan out your stops and space out your drive to get the most of your trip along the Icefields Parkway.