On day 4 of our Banff trip, we did a return trip on the Icefields Parkway, driving to and from Jasper, making several stops along the way.
This is the fourth installment of my Banff diaries, you can read the other entries below:
- Banff Diary – Day 1: Norquay Lookout and Vermilion Lakes
- Banff Diary – Day 2: Moraine Lake, Lake Louise and Morant’s Curve
- Banff Diary – Day 3: Johnston Canyon, Mistaya Canyon and Bow Lake
The Icefields Parkway is a scenic drive in Alberta, Canada that runs for about 232 kilometres (144 miles) between the towns of Banff and Jasper. It is one of the most beautiful drives in the world, offering breathtaking views of the Canadian Rockies, glaciers, waterfalls, and lakes.
Some of the must-see attractions along the Icefields Parkway include Peyto Lake, Bow Lake, and Athabasca Glacier. The drive can be done in a single day (which is what we did), but it is recommended to take your time and spend a few days exploring the area if you can.
There are many outdoor activities to enjoy, such as hiking, skiing, and ice-walking on the glaciers. There are also several lodges and campgrounds along the parkway for those who wish to spend the night. The Icefields Parkway is open year-round, but it is best to visit in the summer months when the weather is more favourable.
Peyto Lake
Peyto Lake is a stunning turquoise-coloured lake located in Banff National Park and is easily accessible by car from the nearby town of Banff. The view from Peyto Lake’s viewpoint is considered one of the most beautiful in the Canadian Rockies.
We visited Peyto Lake for sunrise and it is a truly magical experience. To get to the lake for sunrise, it is best to leave Banff early in the morning, around 5:00 am (depending on the time of year, of course – we went in July). The drive to the lake takes about 45 minutes and there is a car park close to the viewpoint. There was one other car there when we arrived and by the time we left, I think there was probably about six people in total, so it was relatively quiet.
When you arrive at the lake, you will be greeted by a breathtaking panoramic view of the surrounding mountains and the bright turquoise-coloured water of the lake. As the sun rises, the colours of the sky and the lake change, creating a truly unforgettable experience. We got there for blue hour and seeing the low light change and the light come up on the mountain was just amazing.
You cannot miss seeing Peyto Lake. It was probably my favourite lake after Moraine.
Athabasca Glacier
After Peyto Lake, we drove to Athabasca Glacier, which is located in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. The glacier has been retreating for over 125 years and is a prime example of the effects of climate change on glaciers. You can take a guided tour on the glacier, which includes a ride on an all-terrain vehicle to the glacier’s edge. Once there, you can walk on the glacier, take in the stunning views of the surrounding mountains, and learn about the glacier’s history and the effects of climate change.
As we arrived early morning (7:30/8am), we were the only people there! We walked up the the trail toward the glacier – which is a lot steeper than it looks – but we didn’t go onto the glacier itself. We were happy to read about it’s history and view it from a safe distance!
Sunwapta Falls
We then drove to Sunwapta Falls. It’s only a short walk from the carpark to the viewpoint. The falls are formed by the Sunwapta River and are comprised of two sections, the upper and lower falls. The upper falls drop over a 30-meter cliff, while the lower falls are a series of rapids and cascading pools. The power of Sunwapta Falls is incredible!
The car park is close by and has a well-maintained trail to the falls, which offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
Athabasca Falls
Next we checked it out Athabasca Falls, which officially brought us into Jasper National Park. The falls are formed by the Athabasca River and are a must-see for any nature lover or adventure seeker. We hiked along some well-maintained trails and got to see the falls up close and personal. Similar to Sunwapta, the water is super powerful and has carved out some really cool rock formations.
Angel Glacier
After Sunwapta Falls, we drove to Angel Glacier. It’s about 45 minutes drive up toward Mount Edith but it is worth it!
Once parked, it’s a 2km uphill hike to the glacier, followed by about 100metres downhill on a rocky terrain toward the glacier lake.
Angel Glacier is said to resemble an angel, hence its name. The glacier itself is a magnificent sight, with its brilliant white ice contrasting against the surrounding mountain landscape. The glacier lake has chunks of ice in it that you get get really close to. It was very cool (no pun intended) to be able touch the glacier ice and water. It’s such a contrasting sight to see on a hot summer day!
Patricia Lake and Pyramid Lake
We then drove to Jasper and towards Pyramid Lake, but first we did a quick stop at Patricia Lake because there were some elk in the water grazing! The lake is surrounded by lush forests and wildlife, so no wonder they were there. This was the only time during the trip that we had an opportunity to get close to wildlife (no bear encounters, thankfully!). Obviously, we didn’t get too close because we have to respect wildlife. It’s that we’re their home, we’re the ones in it. But we took some photos of them.
We then went to Pyramid Lake which was just around the corner. Parking at both lakes is a bit tricky, there are only a few on street spots available, so it’s luck of the draw whether you get one. Once parked, we walked across pyramid bridge, which is really nice.
The bridge is very cute and provides panoramic views of the surrounding lake and mountains.
We then went back into Jasper town for lunch, before hitting the road back to Banff.
Wrapping Up on Day 4
On the drive back to Banff, we mostly did a lot of roadside lookouts, as we were conscious about not wanting to get back too late, but also allow time to take pitstops and change drivers (it’s a lot of driving for one person).
The first lookout we stopped at on the way back was Goats and Glaciers. There was lots of glacier water, but there were no goats, unfortunately!
We then drove to Tangle Creek, which is a roadside waterfall. And then we made our to a lookout on the Big Bend, which has stunning views of the horizon.
And then we eventually got back back to the hotel, tired but happy! The drive back took about two to three hours and we ended up getting takeout for dinner and going to bed early because we were so tired! But it was really good day! I definitely recommend doing the Icefield Parkway even just for the drive alone, it’s a wonderful drive!
Shannon Purcell Media 