Day hikes on the Icefields Parkway

Take a 0.6-km stroll up to the viewing platform to admire the turquoise lake from high up. A barrier-free trail (0.3 km) is available from the upper parking lot. From the viewpoint, continue on the self-guided nature trail (0.6 km loop) to explore the local forest.

From the highest point on the Icefields Parkway (2070 m), hike beyond the Peyto Lake Viewpoint on the upper self-guided nature trail, then follow an old fire road to the lookout. Watch for pikas, marmots and ptarmigan.

A brief, relatively steep descent leads to a footbridge traversing the zig-zag curves of Mistaya Canyon and a powerful river below. For your safety, do not walk out on the rocks along the edge of the canyon.

At the base of Bow Glacier Falls, amid the spray and roar, you can witness the birth of a river. The Bow River, part of western Canada’s largest watershed, begins as meltwater tumbling down from the Wapta Icefield.

Tucked well into the Main Ranges of the Canadian Rockies is a breathtaking lake in a valley abounding with alpine wildlife and grand vistas.

This path is thickly forested, but offers mountain and glacier views at the shore of the lake. Note that the trail is often muddy.

Chephren Lake lies underneath the brooding walls of Howse Peak and Mount Chephren. This trail is often very muddy.

There is no question that old fire tower locations offer up great views. A 1.6 km branch off the Sunset Pass trail allows you to enjoy an almost vertical view down to the confluence of the Alexandra and North Saskatchewan Rivers.

Rise quickly above treeline to the expansive meadows of this glacier-carved landscape. Bighorn sheep are sometimes seen in this area.

A consistent and gentle grade ensures that it doesn’t take long to reach treeline as you head towards the wide-open scenery of the Banff / Jasper boundary.

After a series of switchbacks you’ll be rewarded with dramatic views of the Saskatchewan Glacier – headwaters of the Saskatchewan River. Help maintain this fragile alpine ecosystem by staying on the trail.

Travel into Banff National Park’s wilderness as you rise well above treeline to an expansive alpine meadow.

At the Molar Pass trail junction you have the option of travelling to the alpine meadows of Molar Pass or heading left to this higher pass, a rugged and stark landscape of rocky meadows.

After you’ve made it to Helen Lake, you can extend your hike and get a geology lesson at the same time: at the pass you’ll have great views of Dolomite Peak, a picture perfect layer-cake mountain, as well the wine-coloured folds below the summit of Cirque Peak.

This trail is a good physical workout, but since the fire lookout closed in 1971, forest growth has increasingly blocked the views.

Snow-free early in the season, this rolling wooded trail takes you to a picturesque lake set below the peaks seen by early European explorers.

Climb steadily through a thick forest to reach an expansive meadow atop Sunset Pass. Look west for a panorama of the largest peaks in the parks, or east into the remote White Goat Wilderness Area.