Icefields Parkway & Athabasca Glacier & Jasper

The Icefields Parkway is a 232km highway that links Banff National Park to Jasper National Park. It has been called, declared, awarded the Most Scenic Drive in The World many times over, and we wholeheartedly agree. We took every opportunity to stop along the parkway to admire the beauty of the landscapes. The mountains don’t move, but the scene they are in does. The scenes can evolve quickly with the weather, like a moving picture, presenting its beauty in assorted colours.

It is breathtaking.

It is awe-inspiring.

We felt blessed to be able to experience it all in person. The day drive on Icefields Parkway is the highlight of our Canada trip.

Canada has more glacier coverage than any other nation - 20% of Earth’s glacier volume. And we must visit one glacier in the Canadian Rockies - The Athabasca Glacier.

Let us talk about the most obvious thing first - Athabasca Glacier is not what it used to be decades ago. Glaciers around the world are receding at an alarming rate, and the Athabasca Glacier is also melting at an accelerating rate. It is estimated that the glacier has lost almost 2km of ice since 1844. Considering that the ice can between 90 to 300 metres thick, that is ALOT of glacier ice lost.

The Athabasca Glacier is one of the largest glacier (the other larger one is Saskatchewan) out of a total of 30 distinct glaciers that form Columbia Icefield. Columbia Icefield’s unique geographical location means the meltwater provide freshwater to many places in North America, and flows into 3 oceans - Arctic, Pacific, Atlantic.

🍬Fun Fact: Athabasca is a Woods Cree word meaning, “there are plants one after another”.

We began our journey at Banff, making our way to Jasper via Icefields Parkway. We will be including useful resources and tips that can make the most of your limited time visiting the Icefields Parkway. We have created a map of places that are worth stopping, or a hike, for beautiful sights throughout your drive along the parkway. Subscribing is free and we only send stuff that will inspire your next vacation!

We left from Lake Louise to drive up to Jasper via the Icefields Parkway. The weather was cloudy with drizzling at some parts. The parkway was a comfortable drive, with paved roads and wide lanes. There are also many viewpoints where you can get off the parkway to visit. And we listed them all in our Banff & Icefields Parkway Map.

We highlight the sights you shouldn’t miss along the Icefields Parkway and also places you should visit at Jasper.

#1 Peyto Lake

Peyto Lake is beautiful. You are gonna love the view of Peyto Lake, a must see!

We did not expect the spectacular view because the walk from the parking lot to the viewpoint was challenging. We were there on 7 May, the path was still mostly ice, and we only had our hiking shoes on. We weren’t alone, many wore shoes that were not suited for that terrain. Most of us struggled through the icy path, walking slowly as we were focused on not slipping. We saw a couple who had on their ice cleats, something you should consider buying if you are visiting the Icefields Parkway. It will definitely make your walk alot easier. We look 15mins to walk to the viewpoint (it was only ~400m). It would have been much quicker if the trail had thawed, and it would be suitable for kids and elderly then.

The viewpoint is a large platform built over a slope, and it opens up to a full view of Peyto Glacier and Peyto Lake. The lake looks like a comet from that vantage point. We can imagine a turquoise-coloured Peyto Lake in late summer.

Between Lake Louise and Peyto Lake, there are Crowfoot Glacier Viewpoint, Bow Lake Viewpoint, and Bow Lake Lodge. All three are nice and worth a quick stop.

#2 Athabasca Glacier + Skywalk

The highlight of the Icefields Parkway, we are in awe of the beauty and sheer size of the Athabasca Glacier. The only way to visit, and literally stand on the glacier, is to go for the Columbia Icefields Adventure tour. The Columbia Icefield Adventure Ticket also includes the Columbia Icefields Skywalk. The skywalk is a round-trip walking trail showcasing a number of fun facts about the Icefields Parkway, and the trail leads to a “floating” glass-floor platform which overlooks the Athabasca river.

You can also see the Dome Glacier from the discovery centre. It was a pretty cool experience overseeing both glaciers while we sat down for lunch (we brought food). Food options there include Starbucks, a restaurant, and a gift shop.

When we booked our tickets online, we also weren’t sure if the glacier would be open for visits. The centre had to be sure that conditions on the glacier are safe for visiting. It was only Day 2 of opening when we visited Columbia Icefields. When we stepped on the glacier around 4PM, the ice was more slush-like. The guide said that the ice on the glacier changes as the day goes. It can be fine like snow or hard as ice.

Consider buying the non-peak Columbia Icefields Adventure tickets if it suits your timing. There is a slight discount (CAD $97 vs CAD $85), and is valid for visits on and after 330pm (the centre closes at 5pm, ). Secure your tickets online early, there will be crowds during peak season. The queue to your adventure onboard the Ice Explorer starts 10-15mins before your ticket time. Do remember to have your restroom break first, there are no restrooms during the tour. During summer, it can get bright and windy (with temp ~15ºC) on the glacier, so do bring along your beanie, gloves, windbreaker, and sunglasses.

💡Tip: Want to try some refreshing and delicious Glacier Water? Bring along an empty water bottle to collect pristine glacier water. Remember to collect the water from as upstream as possible!

We thought it might not be a bad idea to stay a night at the Glacier View Lodge. Especially if daylight hours are short, you may not want to drive along Icefields Parkway in the dark.

After your tour, be sure to catch the Tangle Creek Falls, it’s near the Skywalk. The sun was still up after our tour, sunset was around 9pm. We had time, and daylight, to visit some Falls on our way up to Jasper.

#3 Athabasca Falls

On our way up to Jasper, we reached Sunwapta Falls first, and made a quick stop to check it out. If you have the time, it is a nice place to spend 30mins. Else head straight up to the Athabasca Falls - one of the most powerful waterfalls in the Canadian Rockies.

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🍬Fun Fact: The Athabasca River is Alberta’s second longest river and longest undammed river. Its water flows northward for over 1,538 km, and ends into the Arctic Ocean.

There is a short interpretive trail along the Athabasca River where you can hike parts of the deep canyon carved by the flowing water. Walk down along the trail where the river used to flow through, and look out for the large potholes “drilled” into the rocks over centuries.

From the Athabasca Falls, it was only a 30mins drive to Jasper Town. By the time we checked-in to Whistler Inn (Jasper), it was almost 9PM and we had to look for places to have our dinner. Turns out, Earls Kitchen + Bar was nearby and their happy hour menu is available from 9PM, shiok(?)! We had a nice view of the mountains as we unwind with steaks, crab cakes, tacos and drinks.

#4 Maligne Canyon / Lookout (Jasper)

Jasper is a quaint town worth exploring. We had a fantastic vegan breakfast, grabbed food-to-go at the grocer before leaving to explore sights around Jasper. Our first stop - Maligne Canyon.

The Maligne Canyon trail consists of 6 bridges. Free parking is available at 1st Bridge, 5th Bridge, and 6th Bridge. We started our hike from the 1st Bridge and walked to the 5th Bridge. The trail is well demarcated with some steep, but manageable, steps down and up that kids and elderly can do.

For a shorter walk, some people may want to turn back after the 4th Bridge, but we recommend continuing the hike to 5th Bridge. You get to see a beautiful mountain range from a higher vantage point as you hike. For the way back, there is an alternate, easier path to circle back to 4th Bridge. Check out our Icefields Parkway Map for the trail we took.

We didn’t drive to the 6th Bridge, but stopped over at Maligned Lookout instead. It is a great place for a picnic as the viewpoint overlooks Majestic Mountain and Pyramid Mountain. Be sure to take many pictures there!

#5 Pyramid Lake (Jasper)

This is probably the most peaceful lake we have visited on our trip. The water was still, the views were majestic, and we felt one with nature. We walked to Pyramid Island, found a nice seat, and just sat there enjoying the moment. It helped that there were not many people around (peak season isn’t here yet). It is also a great place for a picnic, so bring some food and drinks, but bring back your trash too.

Make sure to visit Pyramid Lake, and we hope you feel the peace we felt.

There is so much to see and love about our tradventure on Icefields Parkway. We have compiled as much as we can in our Banff & Icefields Parkway Map.

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