#6 of 79 · mountain
Icefields Parkway
Lake Louise, Alberta → Jasper
232 km · Jun – Sep · Easy
The most generous mountain road in North America. Glaciers at the windscreen, a wide two-lane, and two hundred kilometres of not being in a hurry.
Viewpoints
Bow Lake
The first long stop. Crowfoot Glacier across the water.
40 km
1,940 m
Columbia Icefield
The Athabasca Glacier from the road. Walk closer if you must.
125 km
1,980 m
Parker Ridge
A short hike. Saskatchewan Glacier from above.
118 km
2,100 m
- Road
- Excellent, high, and busy in July. Wildlife on the verge. Winter is a different road; some rental contracts forbid it.
- Permits
- Parks Canada pass required for Banff and Jasper National Parks.
Tips
- 01
Start at dawn
The lakes are still. The coaches are not, after nine.
- 02
One night in Saskatchewan Crossing or Jasper
232 km of this should not be a transit.
From the road
2 notes
Field reports from people who have driven this route.
Driven this road? Join as a driver to leave a note from the road.
Tom W.
Jul 2025
Left Louise at 5:50. Bow Lake was glass. Black bear on the verge at the Icefield. Two nights in Jasper. Do not treat 232 km of this as a transit.
Claire B.
Aug 2024
Parks pass at the gate. Crowfoot still hanging. The Athabasca Glacier is a short walk and a long argument about how fast ice leaves.
