Experience the Icefields Parkway

Turquoise lakes, forested valleys, ancient glaciers, tumbling waterfalls and mountain peaks as far as the eye can see come together harmoniously to create one of the world’s most scenic drives; the Icefields Parkway. This stretch of road takes you into the heart of Banff and Jasper National Parks where nature rules and one can’t help but feel overcome with wonder.

It is possible to travel this route in 3 hours from Lake Louise to Jasper but it would be a crime to do so. So much more than 232 km of road, this journey through history and captivating landscapes present some of the best hiking, biking and photo opportunities in the Rockies. There are several unforgettable stops along the way – some off the beaten path.

The Icefields Parkway is dotted with historic markers but there are some locations tucked away, unsigned, where you may find your “mountain moment”. The most popular, and most photographed locations, are often the ones that are easily accessed such as; Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, Mistaya Canyon, Athabasca Glacier and Columbia Icefields Centre, and Athabasca Falls and Sunwapta Falls. Others that deserve a visit, and are well worth the hike to see, include: Herbert Lake, Panther Falls, Parker Ridge, Tangle Falls and the two-for-one stop at Waterfowl Lakes Campground to take in Cephren Lake and Cirque Lake. These are just a few of the many stunning stops along the Icefields Parkway. Whether you just get out and look around, or you go for a half day hike, go early morning start as the lakes are still and wildlife viewing opportunities improve.

One of the best resources for an Icefields Parkway road trip is icefieldsparkway.com. This site offers points of interest, best photo opportunities, stops for short hikes and favourite picnic locations. It is also an excellent resource for experiencing the Icefields Parkway in the winter season. Since there is no cell service on the Parkway, the site offers a downloadable “Parkway Planner” which includes maps, highlights and a trivia section. For example, did you know that the Columbia Icefield is the largest mass of ice south of the Arctic Circle? That’s huge!

Icefieldsparkway.com was designed as a valuable resource tool for travellers to make the most of a Canadian Rockies vacation. In fact, the site offers a great hotel deal; 15%-20% off hotel bookings at Mount Robson Inn in Jasper and Mountaineer Lodge in Lake Louise. Let the Mountaineer Lodge and Mount Robson Inn connect you on your journey on one of the world’s most scenic drives.

It has been referred to as “The Back Bone of the Canadian Rockies”. National Geographic calls it “One of the World’s Ten Greatest Drives”. For many, it is the road trip of a lifetime.

Stretching 230 km between Lake Louise and Jasper, this world-class journey amidst the peaks of the Canadian Rockies offers easy access to a vast wilderness of ancient glaciers. It’s complete with guided adventures onto the ice fields, majestic viewpoints and interpretive displays designed to enrich your understanding of glaciers and climate change. While plotting the border between Alberta and BC in the early 1900s, this roadway was the brainchild of Arthur O. Wheeler, who described this route as a “wonder trail”. Work began in 1931 as part of a depression-era public works program to put men to work, but the rugged terrain and short season meant the project took 9 years to complete.

Isolated for centuries, 1940 ushered in an era of tourism to the region when this road opened to the public. Today, more than a million travellers experience the parkway annually.