The journey by Banff Nationwide Park and Jasper Nationwide Park, linking Lake Louise and Jasper, is likely one of the most stunning on the planet. The Icefields Parkway, as it’s identified, is 233 kilometres of hovering mountain peaks, expansive icefields and countless valleys.
To drive it continuous would take slightly below three hours. Nevertheless, this isn’t a highway to be consumed however an journey to expertise. Go historical glaciers, spectacular waterfalls, turquoise lakes and breathtaking forests as you progress deeper into the distant wilderness. It would really feel such as you’ve left the whole lot behind with no cellphone reception and solely a lonely gasoline station alongside the best way.
Pure magnificence will encapsulate you want by no means earlier than, so take it gradual, cease on the viewpoints, dangle onto your digicam and take in the splendour of the Canadian Rockies.
Lake Louise
We’d recommend beginning this journey after a couple of days of exploring the pure mountain panorama that’s Lake Louise. Well-known for its turquoise lakes, towering mountain peaks, grand chateau and spectacular mountaineering and snowboarding, it’s a spot that can take your breath away. The sights and adventures are jaw-dropping and you must expertise them to imagine it.
It will be clever to start out the journey with a stuffed tank, loads of snacks or a picnic basket, and a map of the realm. With just one gasoline station alongside the best way and few services, it’s finest to be ready.
Bow Lake
The primary cease after Lake Louise is well noticeable because it strains the Icefields Parkway. You possibly can both cease alongside the highway or take the turn-off to the parking space. Benefit from the gorgeous views and delightful color of the water.
Peyto Lake and Bow Summit
Peyto Lake is likely one of the hottest and photographed spots alongside the Icefields Parkway. The dazzling blue color of the water is from the Peyto Glacier above the lake and a part of the Wapta Icefield. One of the best viewpoint for the lake is from Bow Summit at 2088 metres above sea stage. It’s the highest level on the Icefields Parkway. The view is so spectacular you’ll really feel as if you’re stepping right into a postcard.
Saskatchewan River Crossing
The Saskatchewan River Crossing is three rivers that meet; the North Saskatchewan, the Howse and the Mistaya. It was named “The Crossing” when fur merchants and travellers used this level to cross the North Saskatchewan river on their option to British Columbia. The significance of The Crossing is that it’s the place to begin for excursions within the Columbia Icefields space and additionally it is the one place to make use of restrooms, the gasoline station and eating places alongside the route.
Weeping Wall
Because the identify suggests, the mountain appears to be like like it’s crying as a result of many tiny waterfalls cascade off the cliffs creating this phantasm. The principle waterfall is even referred to as the Teardrop. It is a shortstop and may be considered from the aspect of the highway. One of the best time to see the Weeping Wall is when it’s frozen throughout the winter months. All the cliff face step by step freezes into a gorgeous blue wall of ice.
Large Hill and Large Bend
It will likely be clear to you while you arrive at Large Hill and Large Bend. At Large Hill, the descending highway clings to the wall of a mountain and affords an expansive view of the valley, the river, and all of the options that make the Icefields Parkway essentially the most scenic drive on the planet. The Large Bend is the well-known hairpin flip that wraps in a circle under towering peaks. Hold driving and benefit from the gorgeous view.
Parker Ridge
That is the longest cease by the Icefields Parkway. In complete, it’s a five-kilometre hike. When you’re not up for a hike, you possibly can at all times skip it and proceed in your manner. The Parker Ridge is a must-do although for many who need a little bit of elevation to absorb a large number of mountain ranges and the Saskatchewan Glacier. A giant bonus is that yow will discover a pleasant spot alongside the best way for a picnic lunch.
Columbia Icefield
These fields of ice that lie between Banff Nationwide Park and Jasper Nationwide park are the most important south of the Arctic Circle. They’re 325 sq. kilometres in space, as much as 365 metres in depth and obtain as much as seven metres of snowfall per yr. Throughout summer time you possibly can journey on the glacier in “snow-coaches” or you possibly can view them from the roadside parking zone.
Glacier Sky Stroll
Think about standing on a glass-floored remark platform 280 meters above the Sunwapta Valley. This distinctive expertise opened in Might 2014 and offers you panoramic views of the valley. If heights will not be your factor then you possibly can nonetheless view the Sunwapta Valley from a lookout level close by.
Athabasca Falls
You do not need to overlook the Athabasca Glacier. One of many six principal ‘toes’ of the Columbia Icefield, it’s essentially the most visited glacier in North America – and it’s big. You possibly can see it from the highway, but it surely’s value it to leap on the Athabasca Glacier path to get virtually proper to its edge. If you wish to hike onto the glacier you’ll must e book a tour with a correct information for security.
Jasper
Ranging over 11 000 sq. kilometres, Jasper is the most important nationwide park within the Canadian Rockies. Identified for its huge wilderness, majestic peaks, plentiful wildlife and excellent pure magnificence, guests from throughout Canada and all over the world journey right here to expertise this very particular place.
One of the best occasions to go to Jasper Nationwide Park are March by Might and September by November. The temperatures might be chillier but it surely’s a small worth to pay for a quieter and fewer crowded park.
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Winter wonderland
No drive is ever the identical on the Icefields and that’s very true when essentially the most stunning journey on the planet turns right into a winter wonderland. Throughout November and March, overwhelming tranquillity settles in on the Icefields Parkway because it transforms into a spot of solitude and awe. Roadside stops reveal historical glaciers and cascading waterfalls. Snow-covered trails tempt you to drag over and placed on snowshoes or skis for a winter journey.
Finest pictures
Each second spent on the Icefields Parkway affords gorgeous alternatives to seize the right picture. Beneath are some extremely advisable pictures spots.
Lake Moraine
Peyto Lake
Waterfowl Lakes
Bridal Veil Falls
Parkers Ridge
The Columbia Icefield
Sunwapta Falls
The Icefields Parkway is greater than a drive, it’s essentially the most stunning journey on the planet and it deserves discovery. Take your time, take in the sheer expanse of nature and immerse your self within the expertise.
Andrew Morten is the Founding father of Little America. Little America creates bespoke, tailor-made journeys to the USA and Canada.
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