Banff and Jasper: the Icefields Parkway

Day by day

The plan

Times are suggestions. Opening hours and seasons change, so check before you go. Once it’s in your trip, move anything you like.

1. Day 1

   Calgary to Banff

   1. 10:00

      Pick up a car in Calgary and drive west

      Getting around

      About an hour and a half on the Trans-Canada Highway into the mountains.

   2. 12:30

      Lunch on Banff Avenue

      Food & drink

      The town’s main street, with Cascade Mountain standing at the end of it.

   3. 14:00

      Stay in Banff

      Stay

      Your base for the first two nights.

   4. 15:00

      Banff Gondola up Sulphur Mountain

      Activity

      A cable car to a summit boardwalk with views over six mountain ranges.

   5. 18:30

      Bow Falls and Surprise Corner

      Activity

      An easy evening walk along the river to the falls, then the classic view of the town’s castle-like hotel.

2. Day 2

   Moraine Lake and Lake Louise

   1. 07:00

      Moraine Lake

      Activity

      The road is closed to private cars, so take the early Parks Canada shuttle and walk up the rock pile for the classic view.

   2. 10:00

      Lake Louise and the Lake Agnes trail

      Activity

      Walk the shoreline, then climb about 3.5 km to a small lake above it.

   3. 13:30

      Lunch in Lake Louise village

      Food & drink

      A small cluster of shops and cafés down by the highway.

   4. 15:30

      Johnston Canyon

      Activity

      Catwalks bolted to the canyon walls lead to the Lower and Upper Falls; on the Bow Valley Parkway back to Banff.

   5. 19:00

      Dinner in Banff

      Food & drink

      Try Alberta beef or bison after a long day outside.

3. Day 3

   Up the Icefields Parkway

   1. 08:00

      Bow Lake and Peyto Lake

      Activity

      Two of the first lakes on the parkway; Peyto’s wolf-head shape is best seen from the viewpoint above.

   2. 12:00

      Picnic at Saskatchewan Crossing

      Food & drink

      The only services on the parkway; fill the tank here.

   3. 14:00

      Athabasca Glacier

      Activity

      A short trail climbs toward the toe of the glacier, part of the Columbia Icefield; markers show how far it has retreated.

   4. 16:30

      Sunwapta and Athabasca Falls

      Activity

      Two powerful falls cutting through rock gorges right off the road.

   5. 18:30

      Stay in Jasper

      Stay

      A quieter mountain town at the north end of the parkway, base for two nights.

4. Day 4

   Around Jasper

   1. 08:30

      Medicine Lake

      Activity

      A lake that drains away underground every fall; watch for wildlife along the road.

   2. 10:00

      Maligne Lake and Spirit Island

      Activity

      A boat cruise goes down the lake to the small island framed by peaks; book ahead in summer.

   3. 14:00

      Lunch in Jasper

      Food & drink

      A relaxed afternoon in town after the drive back.

   4. 16:00

      Pyramid Lake

      Activity

      A short drive from town, with a footbridge to a small island and Pyramid Mountain behind.

   5. 21:30

      Stargazing

      Activity

      Jasper is a dark sky preserve; on clear late-summer nights the Milky Way is easy to see.

5. Day 5

   Edith Cavell and back south

   1. 08:00

      Mount Edith Cavell

      Activity

      A winding road to the Path of the Glacier trail, with a hanging glacier above a small meltwater lake.

   2. 11:30

      Drive back down the parkway

      Getting around

      The views look completely different heading south; allow most of the afternoon.

   3. 15:00

      Mistaya Canyon

      Activity

      A short walk down to a narrow, twisting slot carved by the river.

   4. 18:30

      Stay in Banff

      Stay

      Back in town for the last night.

6. Day 6

   Lake Minnewanka and home

   1. 08:00

      Lake Minnewanka and Two Jack Lake

      Activity

      A short loop drive from Banff; bighorn sheep are often on the road.

   2. 10:00

      Banff Upper Hot Springs

      Activity

      A warm outdoor pool on the side of Sulphur Mountain, good for tired legs.

   3. 12:30

      Lunch in Canmore

      Food & drink

      A mountain town just outside the park, below the Three Sisters peaks.

   4. 14:00

      Drive to Calgary airport

      Getting around

      About an hour and a quarter east as the mountains drop away behind you.