{"id":187815,"date":"2026-05-28T14:48:45","date_gmt":"2026-05-28T12:48:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/?p=187815"},"modified":"2026-06-06T14:41:47","modified_gmt":"2026-06-06T12:41:47","slug":"icefields-parkway-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/icefields-parkway-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Icefields Parkway: 232 km of the World&#8217;s Most Scenic Road (Complete Guide)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Everyone will tell you that this road, also known as Highway 93, is simply something you have to see with your own eyes. When I first drove the Icefields Parkway with my mum, I knew instantly I had to come back \u2014 it&#8217;s hands down the most beautiful road I&#8217;ve ever driven. It&#8217;s also one of the reasons we kept making the trip from Banff to Jasper just to go to the cinema (even though Banff has its own). Sweeping curves beneath massive snow-capped peaks, wild turquoise lakes that force you to pull over because your brain simply can&#8217;t process that intense colour, and enormous glaciers creeping down from the mountains. The entire landscape is so epic that you sometimes feel like you&#8217;ve stepped right into a nature documentary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I know, I know \u2014 the internet is absolutely brimming with Icefields Parkway guides. But none of them will walk you through this road as thoroughly as ours. \ud83d\ude01 Every stop from the iconic must-sees to the hidden gems where Luk\u00e1\u0161 and I had the place completely to ourselves. Accommodation, fuel, crowds, hikes, what to watch out for, and why the Snocoach left us a little disappointed. You&#8217;ll find that those 232 kilometres can easily fill an entire day \u2014 and you still won&#8217;t have had enough. \u263a\ufe0f<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" src=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-podzim-lukas-zlute-listi.jpg\" alt=\"Luk\u00e1\u0161 on the road with golden autumn aspens and mountains in the background\" class=\"wp-image-168929\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-podzim-lukas-zlute-listi.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-podzim-lukas-zlute-listi-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-podzim-lukas-zlute-listi-700x467.jpg 700w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-podzim-lukas-zlute-listi-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-podzim-lukas-zlute-listi-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-podzim-lukas-zlute-listi-696x464.jpg 696w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-podzim-lukas-zlute-listi-1392x928.jpg 1392w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-podzim-lukas-zlute-listi-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Luk\u00e1\u0161 on the road with golden autumn aspens and mountains in the background<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_83 ez-toc-wrap-left counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/icefields-parkway-guide\/#TLDR\" >TL;DR<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/icefields-parkway-guide\/#When_to_Drive_the_Icefields_Parkway_and_Essential_Info\" >When to Drive the Icefields Parkway and Essential Info<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/icefields-parkway-guide\/#Where_to_Stay_and_How_Much_It_Costs\" >Where to Stay and How Much It Costs<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/icefields-parkway-guide\/#Icefields_Parkway_14_Stops_You_Cant_Miss\" >Icefields Parkway: 14 Stops You Can&#8217;t Miss<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/icefields-parkway-guide\/#1_Crowfoot_Glacier_km_33\" >1. Crowfoot Glacier (km 33)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/icefields-parkway-guide\/#2_Bow_Lake_and_Num-Ti-Jah_Lodge_km_39\" >2. Bow Lake and Num-Ti-Jah Lodge (km 39)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/icefields-parkway-guide\/#3_Peyto_Lake_from_Bow_Summit_Viewpoint_km_40\" >3. Peyto Lake from Bow Summit Viewpoint (km 40)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/icefields-parkway-guide\/#4_Mistaya_Canyon_km_71\" >4. Mistaya Canyon (km 71)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/icefields-parkway-guide\/#5_Saskatchewan_Crossing_km_77_A_Practical_Pitstop\" >5. Saskatchewan Crossing (km 77): A Practical Pitstop<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/icefields-parkway-guide\/#6_Weeping_Wall_km_106\" >6. Weeping Wall (km 106)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/icefields-parkway-guide\/#7_Big_Bend_and_the_Summit_Viewpoint_km_115\" >7. Big Bend and the Summit Viewpoint (km 115)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/icefields-parkway-guide\/#8_Parker_Ridge_Hike_km_120\" >8. Parker Ridge Hike (km 120)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/icefields-parkway-guide\/#9_Columbia_Icefield_and_Athabasca_Glacier_km_127\" >9. Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Glacier (km 127)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/icefields-parkway-guide\/#10_Wilcox_Pass_Hike_Better_Than_the_Skywalk_km_127\" >10. Wilcox Pass Hike: Better Than the Skywalk (km 127)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/icefields-parkway-guide\/#11_Glacier_Skywalk_km_135\" >11. Glacier Skywalk (km 135)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/icefields-parkway-guide\/#12_Sunwapta_Falls_km_175\" >12. Sunwapta Falls (km 175)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/icefields-parkway-guide\/#13_Goats_and_Glaciers_Viewpoint_km_188\" >13. Goats and Glaciers Viewpoint (km 188)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/icefields-parkway-guide\/#14_Athabasca_Falls_km_199\" >14. Athabasca Falls (km 199)<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/icefields-parkway-guide\/#Food_and_Drink_on_the_Road\" >Food and Drink on the Road<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/icefields-parkway-guide\/#Where_to_Go_Next\" >Where to Go Next<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/icefields-parkway-guide\/#FAQ_%E2%80%94_Frequently_Asked_Questions_About_the_Icefields_Parkway\" >FAQ \u2014 Frequently Asked Questions About the Icefields Parkway<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/icefields-parkway-guide\/#How_long_is_the_Icefields_Parkway_and_how_long_does_it_take_to_drive\" >How long is the Icefields Parkway and how long does it take to drive?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/icefields-parkway-guide\/#Do_I_need_a_national_park_pass\" >Do I need a national park pass?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/icefields-parkway-guide\/#When_is_the_best_time_to_drive_the_Icefields_Parkway\" >When is the best time to drive the Icefields Parkway?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-25\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/icefields-parkway-guide\/#Can_you_drive_the_Icefields_Parkway_without_your_own_car\" >Can you drive the Icefields Parkway without your own car?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-26\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/icefields-parkway-guide\/#Is_there_cell_phone_signal_on_the_Icefields_Parkway\" >Is there cell phone signal on the Icefields Parkway?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-27\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/icefields-parkway-guide\/#Where_should_I_fill_up_with_gas\" >Where should I fill up with gas?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-28\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/icefields-parkway-guide\/#Can_I_encounter_bears_on_the_Icefields_Parkway\" >Can I encounter bears on the Icefields Parkway?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"TLDR\"><\/span>TL;DR<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Where is it:<\/strong> Highway 93 (Icefields Parkway) connects the Canadian national parks of Banff and Jasper in the province of Alberta.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Length and time:<\/strong> It&#8217;s 232 kilometres long. The drive alone takes roughly 3 hours, but with viewpoints and hikes, set aside a full day (ideally 8 to 10 hours).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Key rule:<\/strong> There&#8217;s zero mobile signal along the route and only one single petrol station with a hefty mountain surcharge. Fill up in Banff or Jasper before you set off.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Wildlife:<\/strong> You&#8217;re in bear country. Bear spray is an absolute must, even if you&#8217;re only stepping out for a short viewpoint.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Route highlights:<\/strong> The turquoise Peyto Lake, the thundering Athabasca Falls, the mighty Athabasca Glacier, and our favourite hike Wilcox Pass, where you&#8217;re virtually guaranteed to spot bighorn sheep.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" src=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-waterfowl-lakes-mt-chephren-odraz.jpg\" alt=\"The pyramidal Mount Chephren and the calm surface of Waterfowl Lakes\" class=\"wp-image-168926\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-waterfowl-lakes-mt-chephren-odraz.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-waterfowl-lakes-mt-chephren-odraz-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-waterfowl-lakes-mt-chephren-odraz-700x467.jpg 700w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-waterfowl-lakes-mt-chephren-odraz-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-waterfowl-lakes-mt-chephren-odraz-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-waterfowl-lakes-mt-chephren-odraz-696x464.jpg 696w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-waterfowl-lakes-mt-chephren-odraz-1392x928.jpg 1392w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-waterfowl-lakes-mt-chephren-odraz-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The pyramidal Mount Chephren and the calm surface of Waterfowl Lakes<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_to_Drive_the_Icefields_Parkway_and_Essential_Info\"><\/span>When to Drive the Icefields Parkway and Essential Info<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Highway 93 Icefields Parkway is open year-round, but if you want to enjoy all the hikes and see the lakes in their most dazzling turquoise, plan your trip squarely for the summer months. Even so, be prepared for the fact that the Canadian Rockies play by their own rules \u2014 the weather here can flip on a dime. Sunshine can give way to a heavy downpour within ten minutes, and Luk\u00e1\u0161 and I quickly learned that keeping a rain jacket within arm&#8217;s reach is the absolute foundation of a successful day out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The best time to visit is from late June to early September. But I do need to warn you about something we experienced first-hand. Even in the middle of July you can get hit by a sudden snowstorm. During our summer road trip, we had mornings where we were scraping ice off the windows of our beloved van Chiquita with chattering teeth, only to be sweating in a t-shirt by the lake that afternoon, desperately seeking shade. Luk\u00e1\u0161 and I quickly became disciples of the layering system \u2014 you simply can&#8217;t function here without it. Winter tyres are mandatory from November to April, but in winter the road is often closed due to avalanche risk and conditions are only suitable for very experienced drivers accustomed to unpredictable mountain blizzards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One more thing you absolutely cannot forget: the entire highway lies within national park territory, so without a valid park pass they won&#8217;t let you through. You&#8217;ll be checked at the toll gate just past Lake Louise or past Jasper, and you can buy your pass in advance online through the <a href=\"https:\/\/parks.canada.ca\/pn-np\/ab\/jasper\/visit\/passer-passes\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">official Parks Canada website<\/a>. There is absolutely no mobile signal along the entire length of the road, so I strongly recommend downloading offline maps to your phone (many people search for &#8220;icefields parkway google maps&#8221; for offline use) or grabbing the official &#8220;icefields parkway map pdf&#8221; directly from the Parks Canada website so you know exactly which kilometre to stop at. If you want to stay connected, consider picking up an eSIM with a Canadian data plan from <a class=\"thirstylink\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Holafly\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/doporucujeme\/holafly\/\" data-shortcode=\"true\">Holafly<\/a> or <a class=\"thirstylink\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Yesim\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/doporucujeme\/yesim\/\" data-shortcode=\"true\">Yesim<\/a> before your trip \u2014 though keep in mind that coverage along the parkway itself is essentially nonexistent regardless of provider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Where_to_Stay_and_How_Much_It_Costs\"><\/span>Where to Stay and How Much It Costs<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Finding accommodation directly on the Icefields Parkway is quite a challenge, because you&#8217;re in the middle of protected wilderness with an absolute minimum of commercial buildings. Most people solve it by setting off early in the morning from Lake Louise (or Banff) and driving through to Jasper, where they spend the night. From our own experience, this is the most sensible option \u2014 unless you&#8217;re sleeping in your car or a tent like we did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re travelling with a rental car and looking for hotels, brace yourself for seriously high prices. The Canadian Rockies are an expensive destination, and during peak summer season prices routinely climb to 200\u2013320 \u20ac per night for two people. It&#8217;s the price you pay for the staggering beauty all around you, so it&#8217;s worth factoring this in when you&#8217;re building your budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Accommodation tips along the route and nearby:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>On the route itself:<\/strong> There are essentially just a handful of options. One is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.stay22.com\/allez\/roam?aid=lukaskonecny&amp;campaign=loudavymkrokemcz&amp;campaign=icefields-parkway&amp;hotelname=The%20Crossing%20Resort&amp;address=Saskatchewan%20River%20Crossing,%20Canada\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow sponsored\">The Crossing Resort<\/a>, roughly halfway along the route near the petrol station \u2014 very handy when you&#8217;re tired from driving. A more luxurious option is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.stay22.com\/allez\/roam?aid=lukaskonecny&amp;campaign=loudavymkrokemcz&amp;campaign=icefields-parkway&amp;hotelname=Glacier%20View%20Lodge&amp;address=Jasper%20National%20Park,%20Canada\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow sponsored\">Glacier View Lodge<\/a> right at the Columbia Icefield, where you&#8217;ll pay a premium but wake up to spectacular views of the ice from your room.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>In Lake Louise (start):<\/strong> We can recommend the stunning and historic <a href=\"https:\/\/www.stay22.com\/allez\/roam?aid=lukaskonecny&amp;campaign=loudavymkrokemcz&amp;campaign=icefields-parkway&amp;hotelname=Fairmont%20Chateau%20Lake%20Louise&amp;address=Lake%20Louise,%20Canada\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow sponsored\">Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise<\/a> if you fancy treating yourself to pure luxury, or the more budget-friendly <a href=\"https:\/\/www.stay22.com\/allez\/roam?aid=lukaskonecny&amp;campaign=loudavymkrokemcz&amp;campaign=icefields-parkway&amp;hotelname=Mountaineer%20Lodge&amp;address=Lake%20Louise,%20Canada\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow sponsored\">Mountaineer Lodge<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>In Jasper (finish):<\/strong> At the end of the road, the choice is much wider. A lovely option with a cosy log-cabin feel is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.stay22.com\/allez\/roam?aid=lukaskonecny&amp;campaign=loudavymkrokemcz&amp;campaign=icefields-parkway&amp;hotelname=Becker&#039;s%20Chalets&amp;address=Jasper,%20Canada\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow sponsored\">Becker&#8217;s Chalets<\/a> right by the river, where you can fall asleep to the sound of rushing water.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re camping like we did, you&#8217;ll find several &#8220;first come, first served&#8221; campgrounds along the route (popular ones include Waterfowl Lakes Campground and the picturesque Wilcox Creek). This means whoever arrives first gets a spot \u2014 no reservations, even though the Parks Canada system normally loves bookings. In peak season, this means getting there ideally before 2 PM, otherwise you&#8217;ll very likely be out of luck and have to drive on to the next one, which in the wilderness with no signal can be pretty stressful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A pitch at one of these beautiful backcountry campgrounds without services (you&#8217;ll find a pit toilet, a fire ring, and a stack of firewood) costs around 16\u201320 CAD (roughly 11\u201314 \u20ac) per night. I still remember how we held our breath at one of those campsites when a massive elk strolled past right next to our van. It&#8217;s pure, unadulterated romance with nature \u2014 just make sure you meticulously store absolutely all food and scented toiletries in your car or in the special bear-proof lockers overnight, because bears have an incredible sense of smell and you definitely don&#8217;t want to share your breakfast with one. I recommend reading up on the camping rules on the <a href=\"https:\/\/parks.canada.ca\/pn-np\/ab\/banff\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">official Banff National Park website<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Icefields_Parkway_14_Stops_You_Cant_Miss\"><\/span>Icefields Parkway: 14 Stops You Can&#8217;t Miss<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Let&#8217;s walk through the full itinerary of stops, running south to north \u2014 from Lake Louise towards Jasper. This is exactly how the vast majority of travellers do it, and it makes the most sense from a photography perspective too: with the morning sun behind you, your photos will be far more striking. Get your cameras ready, brew some coffee for your thermos, and make sure you&#8217;ve got a full tank \u2014 we&#8217;re heading out. For each stop, I&#8217;ve included the approximate kilometre from the toll gate at Lake Louise so you can easily find your way even without the internet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Crowfoot_Glacier_km_33\"><\/span>1. Crowfoot Glacier (km 33)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Just past the 33-kilometre mark, we pulled over for the first time to gaze at Crowfoot Glacier \u2014 a glacier shaped like a crow&#8217;s foot. You can park right by the road, so you don&#8217;t technically even need to get out of the car, though of course you&#8217;ll want to. The glacier got its name because it once had three enormous ice tongues that faithfully resembled a giant crow&#8217;s talon dug into the rock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" src=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-crowfoot-glacier-nanospace-polstarek.jpg\" alt=\"Crowfoot Glacier above Bow Lake\" class=\"wp-image-168922\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-crowfoot-glacier-nanospace-polstarek.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-crowfoot-glacier-nanospace-polstarek-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-crowfoot-glacier-nanospace-polstarek-700x467.jpg 700w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-crowfoot-glacier-nanospace-polstarek-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-crowfoot-glacier-nanospace-polstarek-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-crowfoot-glacier-nanospace-polstarek-696x464.jpg 696w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-crowfoot-glacier-nanospace-polstarek-1392x928.jpg 1392w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-crowfoot-glacier-nanospace-polstarek-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Crowfoot Glacier above Bow Lake<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Sadly, global warming has taken a harsh toll \u2014 the lowest &#8220;toe&#8221; has already melted away and disappeared for good. There&#8217;s something genuinely poignant about looking at that exposed rock, because you&#8217;re witnessing climate change in real time. Even so, it&#8217;s a fantastic first taste of what awaits you on this glacier road trip. It tends to be quite windy here thanks to Hector Lake sitting right below in the valley, so grab your windbreaker for this very first stop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Bow_Lake_and_Num-Ti-Jah_Lodge_km_39\"><\/span>2. Bow Lake and Num-Ti-Jah Lodge (km 39)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Just a short distance further, you&#8217;ll come across Bow Lake \u2014 one of the largest and, in my opinion, most gorgeous lakes along the entire route. The water is so incredibly blue and freezing that even if you just dip your fingers in during summer, they go numb instantly. Behind it, the massive Bow Glacier rises majestically, feeding the lake with the rock flour that gives it that surreal turquoise colour \u2014 creating a scene that looks like it&#8217;s been ripped straight from a postcard you&#8217;d secretly envy on Instagram.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" src=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-bow-lake-lukas-lucie-zezadu.jpg\" alt=\"Luk\u00e1\u0161 and Lucie sitting by Bow Lake on the Icefields Parkway\" class=\"wp-image-168924\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-bow-lake-lukas-lucie-zezadu.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-bow-lake-lukas-lucie-zezadu-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-bow-lake-lukas-lucie-zezadu-700x467.jpg 700w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-bow-lake-lukas-lucie-zezadu-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-bow-lake-lukas-lucie-zezadu-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-bow-lake-lukas-lucie-zezadu-696x464.jpg 696w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-bow-lake-lukas-lucie-zezadu-1392x928.jpg 1392w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-bow-lake-lukas-lucie-zezadu-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Luk\u00e1\u0161 and Lucie sitting by Bow Lake on the Icefields Parkway<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>On the lakeshore, you&#8217;ll spot the iconic wooden Num-Ti-Jah Lodge with its distinctive red roof, beautifully contrasting against the blue water. It was built by legendary mountain guide Jimmy Simpson in the early 20th century and radiates a wonderfully old-world wilderness atmosphere. It&#8217;s a perfect spot for a short stroll along the shore and some stunning reflection photos with the mountains mirrored on the surface. If you have more time and fancy a proper hike, a roughly 9-kilometre trail leads from here to the waterfalls right beneath the glacier itself \u2014 but most people spend about half an hour here before pressing on to the next adventure. (We wrote more about the lakes in this area in our <a href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/lake-louise-canada-things-to-do\/\">Lake Louise guide<\/a>.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Peyto_Lake_from_Bow_Summit_Viewpoint_km_40\"><\/span>3. Peyto Lake from Bow Summit Viewpoint (km 40)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This is an absolute classic that you simply cannot skip, even though it does feel a bit like organised chaos at first glance. \u263a\ufe0f Peyto Lake is probably the most photographed lake along the entire route, and the moment you look down from the viewpoint, you&#8217;ll instantly understand why. It has a perfect wolf-head shape (or a dog, as Luk\u00e1\u0161 insists) and a blazing turquoise colour so vivid it looks almost unreal. Luk\u00e1\u0161 and I stood up there holding hands, just silently staring, because the view completely disarms you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Peyto-Lake.jpg\" alt=\"Peyto Lake\" class=\"wp-image-79865\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Peyto-Lake.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Peyto-Lake-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Peyto-Lake-700x467.jpg 700w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Peyto-Lake-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Peyto-Lake-696x464.jpg 696w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Peyto Lake in Banff National Park<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>From the large car park at Bow Summit (which, by the way, is the highest point on the entire highway at 2,067 m above sea level), you&#8217;ll face a short but fairly steep climb to a wooden viewing platform \u2014 about ten minutes of brisk walking. Because it&#8217;s a massive tourist magnet from around the world, the platform gets besieged by tour buses in summer and you&#8217;ll hear dozens of different languages. Luk\u00e1\u0161 and I got crafty about it \u2014 we wandered along an unassuming beaten path a little further into the forest, where the crowds magically vanished and we finally had the wolf-shaped lake all to ourselves, free to photograph it without stray elbows in every shot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Mistaya_Canyon_km_71\"><\/span>4. Mistaya Canyon (km 71)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>After roughly another half hour of relaxed driving, I&#8217;d definitely recommend stopping at Mistaya Canyon. From an unassuming gravel car park, a short trail winds downhill through the forest to the river \u2014 barely fifteen minutes of easy walking. Then suddenly a narrow, deep rock gorge opens up before you, where a glacial river surges through with incredible force, carving the pale limestone into amazingly smooth, sculpted shapes that look like works of art.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" src=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-mistaya-canyon-uzky-kanon.jpg\" alt=\"The narrow Mistaya Canyon with a foaming turquoise river\" class=\"wp-image-168928\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-mistaya-canyon-uzky-kanon.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-mistaya-canyon-uzky-kanon-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-mistaya-canyon-uzky-kanon-700x467.jpg 700w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-mistaya-canyon-uzky-kanon-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-mistaya-canyon-uzky-kanon-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-mistaya-canyon-uzky-kanon-696x464.jpg 696w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-mistaya-canyon-uzky-kanon-1392x928.jpg 1392w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-mistaya-canyon-uzky-kanon-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The narrow Mistaya Canyon with a foaming turquoise river<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The roar of the wild water is so deafening that you can barely hear each other even when shouting. But please be extremely careful and don&#8217;t approach the slippery, wet edges of the rocks \u2014 and absolutely don&#8217;t try to step over the safety railings for a better photo. The water here is so mercilessly fast and cold that a fall would give you no chance whatsoever. That said, it&#8217;s a mesmerising display of raw Canadian nature at its most untamed, and we sat on a safe boulder for a very long time just taking it all in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Saskatchewan_Crossing_km_77_A_Practical_Pitstop\"><\/span>5. Saskatchewan Crossing (km 77): A Practical Pitstop<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This isn&#8217;t so much a natural landmark as an absolutely crucial waypoint where Highway 93 intersects with Highway 11. Saskatchewan Crossing is the only place along the entire 232 kilometres where you can buy fuel, use a proper flushing toilet in a restaurant, or grab something hot to eat. It&#8217;s a little island of civilisation in the middle of endless coniferous forests, where everyone pauses to catch their breath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" src=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-podzim-lukas-zlute-listi.jpg\" alt=\"Luk\u00e1\u0161 on the road with golden autumn aspens and mountains in the background\" class=\"wp-image-168929\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-podzim-lukas-zlute-listi.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-podzim-lukas-zlute-listi-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-podzim-lukas-zlute-listi-700x467.jpg 700w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-podzim-lukas-zlute-listi-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-podzim-lukas-zlute-listi-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-podzim-lukas-zlute-listi-696x464.jpg 696w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-podzim-lukas-zlute-listi-1392x928.jpg 1392w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-podzim-lukas-zlute-listi-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Luk\u00e1\u0161 on the road with golden autumn aspens and mountains in the background<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I do need to give you an honest heads-up about one thing that&#8217;ll probably catch you off guard. Prices for absolutely everything \u2014 especially fuel \u2014 are eye-wateringly high here. The owners know perfectly well that a desperate tourist with an empty tank will pay whatever it takes to avoid being stranded in bear-filled wilderness, so a litre of fuel here routinely costs up to 50% more than in the towns. That&#8217;s exactly why we told you at the start to fill up in Banff. When we stopped here back in 2017, we just grabbed an overpriced coffee for the thermos, soaked in a bit of the petrol station ambience, and bolted back towards the mountains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"6_Weeping_Wall_km_106\"><\/span>6. Weeping Wall (km 106)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Weeping Wall is a massive limestone face on Cirrus Mountain that, during spring and early summer when the snow melts, releases so many cascading streams that the mountain genuinely looks like it&#8217;s weeping from dozens of eyes \u2014 and you can see the whole show right from your car window. Those tears of water slowly trickle down the grey rock, forming a beautiful web of tiny streams that catch little rainbows in the sunlight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1357\" src=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-weeping-wall.jpg\" alt=\"Weeping Wall on the Icefields Parkway\" class=\"wp-image-169032\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-weeping-wall.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-weeping-wall-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-weeping-wall-700x464.jpg 700w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-weeping-wall-768x509.jpg 768w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-weeping-wall-1536x1018.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-weeping-wall-696x461.jpg 696w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-weeping-wall-1392x922.jpg 1392w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-weeping-wall-1920x1272.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Weeping Wall on the Icefields Parkway (Photo: Ethan Sahagun \/ Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In summer it makes for a lovely, quick stop, but the real magic \u2014 and a touch of madness \u2014 happens in winter. When all those delicate streams freeze solid and form enormous ice organ pipes, the cliff becomes a world-famous ice-climbing wall, drawing daring climbers with ice axes from across the globe to test their limits. In summer, you&#8217;ll at least enjoy a pleasant chill radiating off the rock that gives you a brief respite from the heat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"7_Big_Bend_and_the_Summit_Viewpoint_km_115\"><\/span>7. Big Bend and the Summit Viewpoint (km 115)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Just past the Weeping Wall, the road starts climbing sharply and relentlessly, twisting into an enormous U-shaped hairpin aptly called Big Bend. I still remember our beloved old van Chiquita wheezing up this brutal hill in second gear while Luk\u00e1\u0161 and I sat in tense silence, eyes glued to the temperature gauge, wondering if the poor thing would actually make it to the top without steam pouring from under the bonnet. \ud83d\ude05<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1119\" src=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-big-bend.jpg\" alt=\"Big Bend viewpoint on the Icefields Parkway\" class=\"wp-image-169033\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-big-bend.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-big-bend-300x164.jpg 300w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-big-bend-700x382.jpg 700w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-big-bend-768x420.jpg 768w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-big-bend-1536x839.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-big-bend-696x380.jpg 696w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-big-bend-1392x760.jpg 1392w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-big-bend-1920x1049.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Big Bend viewpoint on the Icefields Parkway (Photo: HandsLive \/ Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you finally crest that seemingly endless hairpin and the engine gets a breather, a small pull-off to a viewpoint car park appears on the right. Definitely stop there. The sweeping view back down the broad Saskatchewan River valley, with its deep, endless forests framed by sheer rock walls, is precisely the kind of jaw-dropping vista that makes people google whether this drive is actually worth it. It absolutely is \u2014 and this is where you&#8217;ll snap some of the best panoramic photos of the entire trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"8_Parker_Ridge_Hike_km_120\"><\/span>8. Parker Ridge Hike (km 120)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Parker Ridge is exactly the kind of hike that makes you wish you&#8217;d planned a whole week here. If you have the time and fancy a proper leg-stretch after hours in the car, this is an outstanding choice. It&#8217;s roughly a 5-kilometre return trail with about 250 metres of elevation gain. The narrow path climbs fairly steeply via switchbacks, quickly rising above the treeline to open up brilliant views \u2014 and at the very end, an absolute showstopper awaits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Parker-Ridge-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"View from Parker Ridge of the Saskatchewan Glacier\" class=\"wp-image-61467\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Parker-Ridge-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Parker-Ridge-1024x683-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Parker-Ridge-1024x683-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">View from Parker Ridge of the Saskatchewan Glacier<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>When you finally crest the barren ridge, a fierce cold wind hits you in the face and suddenly a vast panoramic view of the longest glacier tongue in the Rockies \u2014 the Saskatchewan Glacier \u2014 unfolds before you. You&#8217;ll definitely want sturdy footwear for this one; even in mid-July there are treacherous snow patches and it can get quite slippery. Luckily, we never go anywhere without proper <a href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/how-choose-hiking-boots\/\">hiking boots<\/a>, which have kept us steady on many a Canadian trail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"9_Columbia_Icefield_and_Athabasca_Glacier_km_127\"><\/span>9. Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Glacier (km 127)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This is the beating heart of the entire Icefields Parkway. Columbia Icefield is a colossal ice field that&#8217;s said to be roughly the size of Vancouver, feeding rivers that flow into three different oceans. I couldn&#8217;t fathom that statistic at the time, but once you&#8217;re standing there scanning the horizon in every direction, you begin to grasp the sheer scale. What you see from the road is actually &#8220;just&#8221; one of its tongues \u2014 the famous Athabasca Glacier. This is also where you&#8217;ll find the main visitor centre, where you can warm up with a hot soup after a breezy afternoon, buy a pair of warm socks, and use the only Wi-Fi for miles around. More official information about activities can be found on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.banffjaspercollection.com\/attractions\/columbia-icefield\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Columbia Icefield website<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" src=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-columbia-icefield-athabasca-glacier-plysak.jpg\" alt=\"Athabasca Glacier and Columbia Icefield with a plush toy in the foreground\" class=\"wp-image-168930\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-columbia-icefield-athabasca-glacier-plysak.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-columbia-icefield-athabasca-glacier-plysak-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-columbia-icefield-athabasca-glacier-plysak-700x467.jpg 700w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-columbia-icefield-athabasca-glacier-plysak-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-columbia-icefield-athabasca-glacier-plysak-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-columbia-icefield-athabasca-glacier-plysak-696x464.jpg 696w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-columbia-icefield-athabasca-glacier-plysak-1392x928.jpg 1392w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-columbia-icefield-athabasca-glacier-plysak-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Athabasca Glacier and Columbia Icefield with a plush toy in the foreground<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>This is also where they sell tickets for the popular &#8220;Snocoach&#8221; or Ice Explorer \u2014 massive buses on monstrous wheels that drive you right up onto the glacier itself, where you then get about 20 minutes to walk around on the ice alongside dozens of other visitors. It costs a fair bit \u2014 around 119 CAD (about 80 \u20ac) per person. I&#8217;ll be honest with you though: for us, it felt a bit like a tourist trap, and the crowds with clicking cameras are truly enormous. Luk\u00e1\u0161 and I both agreed that a far better and more authentic experience of the raw landscape is to simply walk up to the glacier&#8217;s toe on foot, completely free of charge (just park in the lower car park and hike about a kilometre uphill on a steep trail) \u2014 though of course you must not step onto the blue ice itself without a mountain guide due to extremely dangerous crevasses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"lk-stays-module\">\n<style>\n\/* \u2500\u2500\u2500 RESET PRO GUTENBERG \u2500\u2500\u2500 *\/\n.lk-stays-module * { box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0; padding: 0; }\n\n\/* \u2500\u2500\u2500 WRAPPER \u2500\u2500\u2500 *\/\n.lk-stays-module {\n  font-family: 'DM Sans', Georgia, sans-serif;\n  max-width: 100%;\n  margin: 2.5rem auto;\n  background: linear-gradient(135deg, #fdfaf5 0%, #fcf8f0 100%);\n  border: 1px solid #e8dfd4;\n  border-radius: 16px;\n  overflow: hidden;\n  box-shadow: 0 16px 48px rgba(195, 159, 118, 0.25), 0 4px 12px rgba(0,0,0,0.08);\n}\n\n\/* \u2500\u2500\u2500 HEADER \u2500\u2500\u2500 *\/\n.lk-stays-header {\n  position: relative;\n  padding: 24px 36px 24px;\n  background: linear-gradient(135deg, #c39f76 0%, #d4b188 60%, #c39f76 100%);\n  border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,.15);\n  display: flex;\n  align-items: center;\n  gap: 18px;\n}\n.lk-stays-header::before {\n  content: '';\n  position: absolute;\n  inset: 0;\n  background: url(\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg width='60' height='60' viewBox='0 0 60 60' xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%3E%3Cg fill='none' fill-rule='evenodd'%3E%3Cg fill='%23ffffff' fill-opacity='0.05'%3E%3Cpath d='M36 34v-4h-2v4h-4v2h4v4h2v-4h4v-2h-4zm0-30V0h-2v4h-4v2h4v4h2V6h4V4h-4zM6 34v-4H4v4H0v2h4v4h2v-4h4v-2H6zM6 4V0H4v4H0v2h4v4h2V6h4V4H6z'\/%3E%3C\/g%3E%3C\/g%3E%3C\/svg%3E\") repeat;\n  pointer-events: none;\n}\n.lk-stays-icon {\n  flex-shrink: 0;\n  width: 68px;\n  height: 68px;\n  border-radius: 14px;\n  background: linear-gradient(135deg, #fff 0%, #f9f6f0 100%);\n  display: flex;\n  align-items: center;\n  justify-content: center;\n  font-size: 26px;\n  box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(0,0,0,0.15);\n}\n.lk-stays-eyebrow {\n  font-size: 10px;\n  font-weight: 500;\n  letter-spacing: 2.5px;\n  text-transform: uppercase;\n  color: rgba(255,255,255,.85);\n  margin: 0 0 5px 0;\n}\n.lk-stays-title {\n  font-family: 'Playfair Display', Georgia, serif;\n  font-size: 24px;\n  font-weight: 700;\n  color: #fff;\n  line-height: 1.2;\n  text-shadow: 0 1px 2px rgba(0,0,0,0.1);\n  margin: 0;\n}\n.lk-stays-subtitle {\n  font-size: 13px;\n  color: rgba(255,255,255,.75);\n  margin: 4px 0 0 0;\n  font-weight: 300;\n}\n\n\/* \u2500\u2500\u2500 CARDS GRID \u2500\u2500\u2500 *\/\n.lk-stays-grid {\n  display: grid;\n  grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;\n  gap: 1px;\n  background: rgba(195, 159, 118, 0.12);\n}\n\n\/* \u2500\u2500\u2500 SINGLE CARD \u2500\u2500\u2500 *\/\n.lk-stay-card {\n  background: #ffffff;\n  padding: 26px;\n  display: flex;\n  flex-direction: column;\n  gap: 11px;\n  transition: all 0.3s ease;\n  text-decoration: none;\n  color: inherit;\n  position: relative;\n}\n.lk-stay-card:hover {\n  background: #fffbf5;\n  transform: translateY(-2px);\n  box-shadow: 0 8px 24px rgba(195, 159, 118, 0.18);\n  z-index: 1;\n}\n.lk-stay-card.featured {\n  background: linear-gradient(135deg, #fffdf9 0%, #fff9f0 100%);\n  box-shadow: 0 4px 16px rgba(195, 159, 118, 0.15), inset 0 1px 0 rgba(195, 159, 118, 0.1);\n}\n.lk-stay-card.featured:hover {\n  background: linear-gradient(135deg, #fffbf5 0%, #fff8ed 100%);\n  box-shadow: 0 8px 24px rgba(195, 159, 118, 0.25), inset 0 1px 0 rgba(195, 159, 118, 0.15);\n}\n\n.lk-stay-badge {\n  display: inline-flex;\n  align-items: center;\n  gap: 5px;\n  font-size: 10px;\n  font-weight: 500;\n  letter-spacing: 1.5px;\n  text-transform: uppercase;\n  padding: 5px 11px;\n  border-radius: 20px;\n  width: fit-content;\n}\n.badge-top     { background: linear-gradient(135deg, #c39f76 0%, #d4b188 100%); color: #fff; border: 1px solid #c39f76; font-weight: 600; box-shadow: 0 2px 8px rgba(195,159,118,0.3); }\n.badge-luxury  { background: rgba(195,159,118,.12); color: #c39f76; border: 1px solid rgba(195,159,118,.25); }\n.badge-boutique{ background: rgba(54,133,252,.08); color: #3685fc; border: 1px solid rgba(54,133,252,.2); }\n.badge-nature  { background: rgba(130,190,100,.1); color: #6b9c4a; border: 1px solid rgba(130,190,100,.2); }\n.badge-remote  { background: rgba(195,159,118,.12); color: #a67e50; border: 1px solid rgba(195,159,118,.25); }\n\n.lk-stay-name {\n  font-family: 'Playfair Display', Georgia, serif;\n  font-size: 18px;\n  font-weight: 700;\n  color: #111827;\n  line-height: 1.3;\n}\n.lk-stay-desc {\n  font-size: 13.5px;\n  color: #525252;\n  line-height: 1.65;\n  font-weight: 300;\n  flex: 1;\n}\n\n.lk-stay-meta {\n  display: flex;\n  align-items: center;\n  gap: 12px;\n  flex-wrap: wrap;\n  margin-top: 4px;\n}\n.lk-stay-price {\n  font-size: 13px;\n  color: #6b7280;\n}\n.lk-stay-price strong {\n  color: #c39f76;\n  font-weight: 500;\n}\n.lk-stay-stars {\n  color: #c39f76;\n  font-size: 11px;\n  letter-spacing: 1px;\n}\n\n\/* \u2500\u2500\u2500 CTA BUTTON \u2500\u2500\u2500 *\/\n.lk-stay-cta {\n  display: inline-flex;\n  align-items: center;\n  justify-content: center;\n  gap: 7px;\n  margin-top: 8px;\n  padding: 11px 20px;\n  border-radius: 8px;\n  background: linear-gradient(135deg, #3685fc 0%, #2a6fd9 100%);\n  color: #fff;\n  font-size: 13px;\n  font-weight: 500;\n  text-decoration: none;\n  letter-spacing: .3px;\n  transition: all .2s ease;\n  cursor: pointer;\n  border: none;\n  text-align: center;\n  box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(54, 133, 252, 0.25);\n}\n.lk-stay-cta:hover {\n  background: linear-gradient(135deg, #2a6fd9 0%, #1e5bc4 100%);\n  transform: translateY(-1px);\n  box-shadow: 0 6px 16px rgba(54, 133, 252, 0.35);\n}\n.lk-stay-cta svg { flex-shrink: 0; }\n\n\/* \u2500\u2500\u2500 FOOTER \u2500\u2500\u2500 *\/\n.lk-stays-footer {\n  padding: 18px 36px;\n  background: linear-gradient(to bottom, #fdfaf5 0%, #f9f4ed 100%);\n  border-top: 1px solid rgba(195, 159, 118, 0.15);\n  display: flex;\n  align-items: center;\n  justify-content: space-between;\n  flex-wrap: wrap;\n  gap: 12px;\n}\n.lk-stays-footer-note {\n  font-size: 11.5px;\n  color: #6b7280;\n  font-weight: 300;\n  line-height: 1.5;\n}\n.lk-stays-footer-note a {\n  color: #c39f76;\n  text-decoration: none;\n  font-weight: 400;\n}\n.lk-stays-footer-note a:hover {\n  text-decoration: underline;\n}\n.lk-stays-all-btn {\n  display: inline-flex;\n  align-items: center;\n  gap: 6px;\n  font-size: 12.5px;\n  font-weight: 500;\n  color: #c39f76;\n  text-decoration: none;\n  border: 1px solid rgba(195, 159, 118, 0.35);\n  padding: 8px 18px;\n  border-radius: 8px;\n  transition: all .2s ease;\n}\n.lk-stays-all-btn:hover {\n  background: rgba(195, 159, 118, 0.08);\n  border-color: rgba(195, 159, 118, 0.5);\n}\n\n\/* \u2500\u2500\u2500 RESPONSIVE \u2500\u2500\u2500 *\/\n@media (max-width: 600px) {\n  .lk-stays-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }\n  .lk-stays-header { padding: 24px 20px; }\n  .lk-stays-footer { padding: 16px 20px; }\n  .lk-stay-card { padding: 22px; }\n  .lk-stays-title { font-size: 20px; }\n}\n<\/style>\n\n  <!-- HEADER -->\n  <div class=\"lk-stays-header\">\n    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/lukas-a-lucka.jpg\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 75px; height: 75px; border-radius: 8px; flex-shrink: 0; object-fit: cover; display: block; margin: 4px 0;\" title=\"\">\n    <div class=\"lk-stays-header-text\">\n      <div class=\"lk-stays-eyebrow\">Luk\u00e1\u0161 and Lucie recommend<\/div>\n      <div class=\"lk-stays-title\">Where to Stay on Icefields Parkway<\/div>\n      <div class=\"lk-stays-subtitle\">6 accommodations \u2014 wellness hotels, campgrounds and other lodging options<\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <!-- CARDS -->\n  <div class=\"lk-stays-grid\">\n\n    <a class=\"lk-stay-card featured\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stay22.com\/allez\/roam?aid=lukaskonecny&#038;campaign=loudavymkrokemcz&#038;campaign=icefields-parkway&#038;hotelname=The%20Crossing%20Resort&#038;address=Saskatchewan%20River%20Crossing,%20Canada\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">\n      <span class=\"lk-stay-badge badge-top\">\u2b50 TOP CHOICE<\/span>\n      <span class=\"lk-stay-badge badge-nature\">\ud83c\udfe8 Hotel<\/span>\n      <div class=\"lk-stay-name\">The Crossing Resort<\/div>\n      <div class=\"lk-stay-desc\">Practical accommodation roughly halfway along the route at the Saskatchewan River Crossing gas station, ideal when you&#8217;re tired from driving.<\/div>\n      <div class=\"lk-stay-meta\">\n        <span class=\"lk-stay-stars\">\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/span>\n        <span class=\"lk-stay-price\">Check prices<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n      <span class=\"lk-stay-cta\">\n        <svg width=\"14\" height=\"14\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\"><path d=\"M18 13v6a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H5a2 2 0 0 1-2-2V8a2 2 0 0 1 2-2h6\"\/><polyline points=\"15 3 21 3 21 9\"\/><line x1=\"10\" y1=\"14\" x2=\"21\" y2=\"3\"\/><\/svg>\n        Check availability\n      <\/span>\n    <\/a>\n\n    <a class=\"lk-stay-card\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stay22.com\/allez\/roam?aid=lukaskonecny&#038;campaign=loudavymkrokemcz&#038;campaign=icefields-parkway&#038;hotelname=Glacier%20View%20Lodge&#038;address=Jasper%20National%20Park,%20Canada\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">\n      <span class=\"lk-stay-badge badge-nature\">\u2b50 Luxury<\/span>\n      <div class=\"lk-stay-name\">Glacier View Lodge<\/div>\n      <div class=\"lk-stay-desc\">More luxurious accommodation right at the Columbia Icefield glacier, where you&#8217;ll pay a premium but experience spectacular views of ice masses directly from your room.<\/div>\n      <div class=\"lk-stay-meta\">\n        <span class=\"lk-stay-stars\">\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/span>\n        <span class=\"lk-stay-price\">Check prices<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n      <span class=\"lk-stay-cta\">\n        <svg width=\"14\" height=\"14\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\"><path d=\"M18 13v6a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H5a2 2 0 0 1-2-2V8a2 2 0 0 1 2-2h6\"\/><polyline points=\"15 3 21 3 21 9\"\/><line x1=\"10\" y1=\"14\" x2=\"21\" y2=\"3\"\/><\/svg>\n        Check availability\n      <\/span>\n    <\/a>\n\n    <a class=\"lk-stay-card\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stay22.com\/allez\/roam?aid=lukaskonecny&#038;campaign=loudavymkrokemcz&#038;campaign=icefields-parkway&#038;hotelname=Fairmont%20Chateau%20Lake%20Louise&#038;address=Lake%20Louise,%20Canada\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">\n      <span class=\"lk-stay-badge badge-nature\">\u2b50 Luxury<\/span>\n      <div class=\"lk-stay-name\">Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise<\/div>\n      <div class=\"lk-stay-desc\">Beautiful and historic hotel if you want to splurge and enjoy perfect luxury. Ideal starting point for Icefields Parkway.<\/div>\n      <div class=\"lk-stay-meta\">\n        <span class=\"lk-stay-stars\">\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/span>\n        <span class=\"lk-stay-price\">Check prices<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n      <span class=\"lk-stay-cta\">\n        <svg width=\"14\" height=\"14\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\"><path d=\"M18 13v6a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H5a2 2 0 0 1-2-2V8a2 2 0 0 1 2-2h6\"\/><polyline points=\"15 3 21 3 21 9\"\/><line x1=\"10\" y1=\"14\" x2=\"21\" y2=\"3\"\/><\/svg>\n        Check availability\n      <\/span>\n    <\/a>\n\n    <a class=\"lk-stay-card\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stay22.com\/allez\/roam?aid=lukaskonecny&#038;campaign=loudavymkrokemcz&#038;campaign=icefields-parkway&#038;hotelname=Mountaineer%20Lodge&#038;address=Lake%20Louise,%20Canada\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">\n      <span class=\"lk-stay-badge badge-nature\">\ud83c\udfe8 Hotel<\/span>\n      <div class=\"lk-stay-name\">Mountaineer Lodge<\/div>\n      <div class=\"lk-stay-desc\">More affordable accommodation in Lake Louise, suitable as a starting point for the Icefields Parkway journey.<\/div>\n      <div class=\"lk-stay-meta\">\n        <span class=\"lk-stay-stars\">\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/span>\n        <span class=\"lk-stay-price\">Check prices<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n      <span class=\"lk-stay-cta\">\n        <svg width=\"14\" height=\"14\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\"><path d=\"M18 13v6a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H5a2 2 0 0 1-2-2V8a2 2 0 0 1 2-2h6\"\/><polyline points=\"15 3 21 3 21 9\"\/><line x1=\"10\" y1=\"14\" x2=\"21\" y2=\"3\"\/><\/svg>\n        Check availability\n      <\/span>\n    <\/a>\n\n    <a class=\"lk-stay-card\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stay22.com\/allez\/roam?aid=lukaskonecny&#038;campaign=loudavymkrokemcz&#038;campaign=icefields-parkway&#038;hotelname=Becker&#039;s%20Chalets&#038;address=Jasper,%20Canada\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">\n      <span class=\"lk-stay-badge badge-nature\">\ud83c\udfe1 Chalets<\/span>\n      <div class=\"lk-stay-name\">Becker&#8217;s Chalets<\/div>\n      <div class=\"lk-stay-desc\">Very pleasant accommodation with cozy cabin atmosphere right by the river in Jasper, where you can hear the water rushing beautifully in the evening. Ideal destination after the Icefields Parkway journey.<\/div>\n      <div class=\"lk-stay-meta\">\n        <span class=\"lk-stay-stars\">\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/span>\n        <span class=\"lk-stay-price\">Check prices<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n      <span class=\"lk-stay-cta\">\n        <svg width=\"14\" height=\"14\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\"><path d=\"M18 13v6a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H5a2 2 0 0 1-2-2V8a2 2 0 0 1 2-2h6\"\/><polyline points=\"15 3 21 3 21 9\"\/><line x1=\"10\" y1=\"14\" x2=\"21\" y2=\"3\"\/><\/svg>\n        Check availability\n      <\/span>\n    <\/a>\n\n    <a class=\"lk-stay-card\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stay22.com\/allez\/roam?aid=lukaskonecny&#038;campaign=loudavymkrokemcz&#038;campaign=icefieldsparkwaykanada&#038;address=Icefields+Parkway&#038;hotelname=Waterfowl+Lakes+Campground&#038;search=Waterfowl+Lakes+Campground&#038;category=accommodation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">\n      <span class=\"lk-stay-badge badge-nature\">\u26fa Camping<\/span>\n      <div class=\"lk-stay-name\">Waterfowl Lakes Campground<\/div>\n      <div class=\"lk-stay-desc\">Popular campground along Icefields Parkway with a first-come first-served system. Beautiful natural site with no services, just a dry toilet, fire pit and pile of firewood.<\/div>\n      <div class=\"lk-stay-meta\">\n        <span class=\"lk-stay-stars\">\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/span>\n        <span class=\"lk-stay-price\">from \u20ac11\/night<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n      <span class=\"lk-stay-cta\">\n        <svg width=\"14\" height=\"14\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\"><path d=\"M18 13v6a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H5a2 2 0 0 1-2-2V8a2 2 0 0 1 2-2h6\"\/><polyline points=\"15 3 21 3 21 9\"\/><line x1=\"10\" y1=\"14\" x2=\"21\" y2=\"3\"\/><\/svg>\n        Check availability\n      <\/span>\n    <\/a>\n\n  <\/div>\n\n  \n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"10_Wilcox_Pass_Hike_Better_Than_the_Skywalk_km_127\"><\/span>10. Wilcox Pass Hike: Better Than the Skywalk (km 127)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re craving the absolute best view of Athabasca Glacier and the sprawling Columbia Icefield, skip the pricey commercial attractions for once and join us on the Wilcox Pass hike. You&#8217;ll find a small car park tucked right by the road just before the visitor centre. It&#8217;s roughly an 8-kilometre return trail that takes about 3 to 4 hours at a comfortable pace, with around 400 metres of elevation gain \u2014 enough to work up a good sweat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" src=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-wilcox-pass-plysak-glaciers.jpg\" alt=\"View from Wilcox Pass with a plush toy in the alpine tundra\" class=\"wp-image-168931\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-wilcox-pass-plysak-glaciers.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-wilcox-pass-plysak-glaciers-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-wilcox-pass-plysak-glaciers-700x467.jpg 700w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-wilcox-pass-plysak-glaciers-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-wilcox-pass-plysak-glaciers-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-wilcox-pass-plysak-glaciers-696x464.jpg 696w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-wilcox-pass-plysak-glaciers-1392x928.jpg 1392w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-wilcox-pass-plysak-glaciers-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">View from Wilcox Pass with a plush toy in the alpine tundra<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>This is probably our single favourite hike in the entire area, and we still think about it to this day. A beautiful forest trail gradually leads you up to vast green alpine meadows. Here you can sit down in the famous red Adirondack chairs, pull out your snacks, and take in the entire white glacial expanse from a stunning bird&#8217;s-eye perspective. And what&#8217;s the very best part? You&#8217;ll almost always spot herds of wild bighorn sheep, peacefully grazing and occasionally fixing you with a curious stare. It&#8217;s a quintessentially Canadian experience that won&#8217;t cost you a single extra dollar \u2014 and it puts every overpriced commercial viewpoint to shame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"11_Glacier_Skywalk_km_135\"><\/span>11. Glacier Skywalk (km 135)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A few kilometres further on, you&#8217;ll find the Glacier Skywalk \u2014 a horseshoe-shaped glass walkway cantilevered out over the Sunwapta River valley. Tickets cost around 39 CAD (roughly 27 \u20ac), and you can only reach the platform by shuttle bus from the visitor centre \u2014 private cars aren&#8217;t allowed. For anyone who loves modern architecture, a touch of adrenaline, and the thrill of peering through a transparent glass floor straight down to a 280-metre drop below, it&#8217;s certainly a memorable experience that&#8217;ll make more than a few heads spin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1367\" src=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-glacier-skywalk.jpg\" alt=\"Glacier Skywalk near the Columbia Icefield\" class=\"wp-image-169036\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-glacier-skywalk.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-glacier-skywalk-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-glacier-skywalk-700x467.jpg 700w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-glacier-skywalk-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-glacier-skywalk-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-glacier-skywalk-696x465.jpg 696w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-glacier-skywalk-1392x929.jpg 1392w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-glacier-skywalk-1920x1282.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Glacier Skywalk near the Columbia Icefield (Photo: Jack Borno \/ Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>However, if you&#8217;ve just come down from Wilcox Pass all sweaty and happy, I&#8217;d honestly give the Skywalk a miss with a clear conscience. The views from our hike felt far more dramatic, more expansive, and above all more natural than this somewhat artificial scrum on a glass walkway where you&#8217;re constantly waiting for your turn at the railing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"12_Sunwapta_Falls_km_175\"><\/span>12. Sunwapta Falls (km 175)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>As the road gradually draws closer to Jasper, the landscape outside the window begins to subtly transform \u2014 the trees grow noticeably taller, the air feels warmer, and the wide valleys open up even more. Take a short break here and stop at Sunwapta Falls, a gorgeous set of thundering waterfalls on the river of the same name. The main upper falls with its iconic little island of green conifers right in the middle of the raging channel is less than a five-minute walk from the car park, so absolutely everyone can manage it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1405\" height=\"2048\" src=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-sunwapta-falls.jpg\" alt=\"Sunwapta Falls near the Icefields Parkway\" class=\"wp-image-169037\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-sunwapta-falls.jpg 1405w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-sunwapta-falls-206x300.jpg 206w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-sunwapta-falls-700x1021.jpg 700w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-sunwapta-falls-768x1120.jpg 768w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-sunwapta-falls-1053x1536.jpg 1053w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-sunwapta-falls-696x1015.jpg 696w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-sunwapta-falls-1392x2030.jpg 1392w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1405px) 100vw, 1405px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Sunwapta Falls near the Icefields Parkway (Photo: Ron Cogswell from Arlington, Virginia, USA \/ Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\udca1 <strong>My little tip:<\/strong> Most tourists hop out of the car, snap a photo of the upper falls by the railing, and immediately drive off again. Do yourself a huge favour and follow the lovely, gentle forest trail about two more kilometres downhill to the Lower Sunwapta Falls. You&#8217;ll have the place 99% to yourselves and can soak up the muted power of the cascading water and the enchanting beauty of the wild, mossy old-growth forest all around, fragrant with resin and damp pine needles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"13_Goats_and_Glaciers_Viewpoint_km_188\"><\/span>13. Goats and Glaciers Viewpoint (km 188)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This is just a subtle, quick roadside stop about 40 kilometres before Jasper itself, one that plenty of cars simply blow past without noticing. The road here runs alongside the turquoise Athabasca River, and a short pull-off to a small gravel car park leads you in a few steps to a viewpoint on a steep bank with a gorgeous panorama.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1300\" src=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-goats-and-glaciers.jpg\" alt=\"Stutfield Glacier from the Goats and Glaciers viewpoint\" class=\"wp-image-169039\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-goats-and-glaciers.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-goats-and-glaciers-300x190.jpg 300w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-goats-and-glaciers-700x444.jpg 700w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-goats-and-glaciers-768x487.jpg 768w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-goats-and-glaciers-1536x975.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-goats-and-glaciers-696x442.jpg 696w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-goats-and-glaciers-1392x883.jpg 1392w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-goats-and-glaciers-1920x1219.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Stutfield Glacier from the Goats and Glaciers viewpoint (Photo: BrettA343 \/ Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The sand and soil on these cliffs are packed with minerals, making them act like a giant natural salt lick \u2014 mountain goats regularly flock here in whole herds, though sometimes you&#8217;re out of luck and won&#8217;t spot a single one. But when you do catch them clambering around in their signature white coats with little black horns, it&#8217;s a wonderful spectacle. Even if the goats don&#8217;t show, the calming view of the broad river with majestic Mt. Kerkeslin in the background is always worth the quick leg-stretch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"14_Athabasca_Falls_km_199\"><\/span>14. Athabasca Falls (km 199)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Our very last major stop before you finally roll into the destination town of Jasper is the mighty Athabasca Falls. They&#8217;re not particularly tall \u2014 just over 20 metres \u2014 but the sheer volume and raw power of the water forcing itself through a narrow gorge carved from incredibly hard quartzite is absolutely staggering. You can feel the vibrations through the soles of your feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1423\" height=\"2048\" src=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-athabasca-falls.jpg\" alt=\"Athabasca Falls in Jasper\" class=\"wp-image-169040\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-athabasca-falls.jpg 1423w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-athabasca-falls-209x300.jpg 209w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-athabasca-falls-700x1007.jpg 700w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-athabasca-falls-768x1105.jpg 768w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-athabasca-falls-1068x1536.jpg 1068w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-athabasca-falls-696x1001.jpg 696w, https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-athabasca-falls-1392x2003.jpg 1392w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1423px) 100vw, 1423px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Athabasca Falls in Jasper (Photo: Ron Cogswell from Arlington, Virginia, USA \/ Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>A fairly extensive network of safe walkways and bridges has been built around the falls, so you can photograph them from loads of great <a class=\"thirstylink\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Angles Fashion\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/doporucujeme\/angles-fashion\/\" data-shortcode=\"true\">angles<\/a>. But the same rule applies here as at Mistaya Canyon: never, ever climb over the stone barriers chasing a better selfie. The rocks are slippery all around, and falling into this churning cauldron would mean a swift and certain end. That aside, the atmosphere here is simply fantastic \u2014 fine mist swirls everywhere, refreshing your face on a hot day, and on sunny afternoons rainbows of all sizes form constantly above the canyon. (More tips from the destination itself can be found in our article about <a href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/things-to-do-jasper-canada\/\">Jasper, Canada<\/a>, or check out the <a href=\"https:\/\/parks.canada.ca\/pn-np\/ab\/jasper\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">official Jasper National Park website<\/a>.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Food_and_Drink_on_the_Road\"><\/span>Food and Drink on the Road<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Food along the route? Well, how do I put this nicely. Options are minimal, and what is available will leave your wallet stinging long after you get home. At the visitor centre near Columbia Icefield, you can grab a mediocre and fairly pricey burger with chips in a pinch, and the same goes for the restaurant at The Crossing Resort, where prices are even steeper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The smartest and most enjoyable approach is to stock up on a big supply of food the day before at a supermarket. \u263a\ufe0f You&#8217;ll have a much better time eating your own packed lunch at a scenic pull-off, and you&#8217;ll save a decent chunk of cash for an evening pint in Jasper. If you&#8217;re a coffee lover, a portable coffee maker like <a class=\"thirstylink\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Outin\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/doporucujeme\/outin\/\" data-shortcode=\"true\">Outin<\/a> is a game-changer for brewing a proper cup at any viewpoint along the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Where_to_Go_Next\"><\/span>Where to Go Next<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Icefields Parkway is just one stunning leg of a wider road trip through Alberta and British Columbia. Check out our other articles:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Plan the start of your trip with our guide to <a href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/banff-narodni-park\/\">Banff National Park<\/a> or our article on <a href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/lake-louise-2\/\">what to see around Lake Louise<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>At the other end of the route, read our guide to <a href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/things-to-do-jasper-canada\/\">Jasper National Park<\/a> after the 2024 fire.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If you&#8217;re looking for a quieter base than Banff, check out our comparison of <a href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/canmore-banff-where-to-stay\/\">Canmore vs. Banff<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<!-- LKM_GYG_CARD start q=\"kanada\" lang=\"en\" rendered=\"2026-06-02T06:34:38+00:00\" v=\"1\" -->\n<style id=\"lk-gyg-styles\">\n@import url(\"https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\/css2?family=Playfair+Display:wght@700&family=DM+Sans:wght@300;400;500;600&display=swap\");\n\/* === LK GYG karty \u2014 CRO redesign 2026-05 (namespace .lkx-) ===\n   C\u00edl: vy\u0161\u0161\u00ed CTR (hero + v\u00fdrazn\u00fd social proof + ak\u010dn\u00ed CTA, m\u00e9n\u011b \"reklamn\u00ed\").\n   Injektuje se inline do prvn\u00edho markeru postu (refresh_cards.py --inline-css). *\/\n.lkx-module, .lkx-module *{box-sizing:border-box;margin:0;padding:0}\n.lkx-module{\n  font-family:'DM Sans',-apple-system,Segoe UI,Roboto,Georgia,sans-serif;\n  max-width:860px;margin:2.5rem auto;color:#1f2328;\n}\n\n\/* HEADER \u2014 lehk\u00fd editorsk\u00fd, \u017e\u00e1dn\u00fd bannerov\u00fd blok; 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tickets: Kanada<\/span>\n    <\/div>\n    <span class=\"lkx-head-meta\">traveler-rated \u00b7 <a class=\"thirstylink\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"GetYourGuide\" href=\"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/doporucujeme\/getyourguide\/\" data-shortcode=\"true\">GetYourGuide<\/a><\/span>\n  <\/div><a class=\"lkx-hero\" href=\"https:\/\/www.getyourguide.com\/en-us\/banff-l284\/banff-lake-louise-emerald-peyto-lake-tour-t1129457\/?partner_id=MKZ64IS&amp;utm_medium=online_publisher&amp;cmp=icefields-parkway-guide\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"sponsored noopener nofollow\">\n    <div class=\"lkx-hero-img\" style=\"background-image:url('https:\/\/cdn.getyourguide.com\/img\/tour\/76b184c9b0e6690a3bc49d1543b115936bcb11f5443e727085882483c28cf5a3.jpg\/132.jpg')\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Canmore\/ Banff: Lake Louise &amp; Moraine Shuttle 2.5 hrs each\">\n      <span class=\"lkx-pick\">\u2605 Our pick<\/span><\/div>\n    <div class=\"lkx-hero-body\">\n      <div class=\"lkx-title\">Canmore\/ Banff: Lake Louise &amp; Moraine Shuttle 2.5 hrs each<\/div>\n      <div class=\"lkx-proof\">\n      <span class=\"lkx-stars\">\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/span>\n      <b>5.0<\/b> \u00b7 9 reviews\n    <\/div>\n      <div class=\"lkx-hero-bottom\"><div class=\"lkx-price\">from <b>\u20ac55<\/b><\/div><span class=\"lkx-cta lkx-cta-hero\">I want this experience \u2192<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/a><div class=\"lkx-grid\"><a class=\"lkx-card\" href=\"https:\/\/www.getyourguide.com\/en-us\/banff-l284\/banff-national-park-1-hour-spray-river-horseback-ride-t393713\/?partner_id=MKZ64IS&amp;utm_medium=online_publisher&amp;cmp=icefields-parkway-guide\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"sponsored noopener nofollow\">\n      <div class=\"lkx-card-img\" style=\"background-image:url('https:\/\/cdn.getyourguide.com\/img\/tour\/5f949f1527c34.jpeg\/132.jpg')\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Banff National Park: 1-Hour Spray River Horseback Ride\"><\/div>\n      <div class=\"lkx-card-body\">\n        <div class=\"lkx-title lkx-title-sm\">Banff National Park: 1-Hour Spray River Horseback Ride<\/div>\n        <div class=\"lkx-proof lkx-proof-sm\">\n      <span class=\"lkx-stars\">\u2605<\/span>\n      <b>4.7<\/b> \u00b7 323\n    <\/div>\n        <div class=\"lkx-card-bottom\"><span class=\"lkx-price lkx-price-sm\">from <b>\u20ac71<\/b><\/span><span class=\"lkx-cta lkx-cta-sm\">See dates \u2192<\/span>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/a><a class=\"lkx-card\" href=\"https:\/\/www.getyourguide.com\/en-us\/banff-l284\/calgary-lake-louise-emerald-lake-and-golden-skybridge-tour-t1217857\/?partner_id=MKZ64IS&amp;utm_medium=online_publisher&amp;cmp=icefields-parkway-guide\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"sponsored noopener nofollow\">\n      <div class=\"lkx-card-img\" style=\"background-image:url('https:\/\/cdn.getyourguide.com\/img\/tour\/3988aa09b64d907fbf6cf06ad11d9e23aceee6cf7dda2f0bb0eac3791ab217d7.jpeg\/132.jpg')\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Banff:Shuttle Lake Louise, Moraine Lake Sunrise 2.5 hrs each\"><\/div>\n      <div class=\"lkx-card-body\">\n        <div class=\"lkx-title lkx-title-sm\">Banff:Shuttle Lake Louise, Moraine Lake Sunrise 2.5 hrs each<\/div>\n        <div class=\"lkx-proof lkx-proof-sm\">\n      <span class=\"lkx-stars\">\u2605<\/span>\n      <b>0.0<\/b> \u00b7 0\n    <\/div>\n        <div class=\"lkx-card-bottom\"><span class=\"lkx-price lkx-price-sm\">from <b>\u20ac55<\/b><\/span><span class=\"lkx-cta lkx-cta-sm\">See dates \u2192<\/span>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/a><\/div><div class=\"lkx-disclosure\">\ud83d\udd17 These are affiliate links \u2014 they don&#39;t change your price and help us create content. \u00b7 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.getyourguide.com\/en-us\/s\/?q=kanada&amp;partner_id=MKZ64IS&amp;utm_medium=online_publisher\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"sponsored noopener nofollow\">All experiences \u2192<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- LKM_GYG_CARD end -->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQ_%E2%80%94_Frequently_Asked_Questions_About_the_Icefields_Parkway\"><\/span>FAQ \u2014 Frequently Asked Questions About the Icefields Parkway<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I&#8217;ve gathered the most common questions from readers planning a trip along the Icefields Parkway. If there&#8217;s anything I haven&#8217;t covered, feel free to drop me a message.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"rank-math-faq\" class=\"rank-math-block\">\n<div class=\"rank-math-list \">\n<div id=\"faq-question-1748340900001\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_long_is_the_Icefields_Parkway_and_how_long_does_it_take_to_drive\"><\/span>How long is the Icefields Parkway and how long does it take to drive?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>The Icefields Parkway (Highway 93N) stretches 232 kilometers between Lake Louise and Jasper. Without stops, you could technically drive it in about 3 hours, but honestly \u2014 you&#8217;d be missing out on everything you came here for. Plan for at least a full day from dawn to dusk, or ideally split the route over two days with an overnight in Jasper or somewhere along the way.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1748340900002\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_I_need_a_national_park_pass\"><\/span>Do I need a national park pass?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Yes. The Icefields Parkway runs through Banff and Jasper National Parks, so you&#8217;ll need a valid Parks Canada day pass (around 11 CAD per person per day). If you&#8217;re traveling around Canada for longer, the annual Discovery Pass at roughly 75 CAD is worth it. You can buy the pass at the toll gate near Lake Louise, at visitor centers, or online.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1748340900003\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_is_the_best_time_to_drive_the_Icefields_Parkway\"><\/span>When is the best time to drive the Icefields Parkway?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Peak season runs from June through the end of September. In July and August, the lakes are at their most brilliant turquoise and all stops are open, but it&#8217;s also the busiest. Mid-September to early October is gorgeous with golden larches and fewer crowds. In winter, much of the route is closed or extremely challenging for safety reasons \u2014 I wouldn&#8217;t recommend it for regular tourists.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1748340900004\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_you_drive_the_Icefields_Parkway_without_your_own_car\"><\/span>Can you drive the Icefields Parkway without your own car?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Technically yes \u2014 there are organized tours from Banff and Jasper (like Brewster Express or SunDog Tours), but they have fixed itineraries and short stops. If you want to really experience the route properly, a rental car is unbeatable. Public transportation is virtually non-existent here.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1748340900005\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_there_cell_phone_signal_on_the_Icefields_Parkway\"><\/span>Is there cell phone signal on the Icefields Parkway?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Almost none. Outside of Lake Louise, The Crossing Resort midway along the route, and Jasper, expect zero signal for the entire 200 kilometers. Download offline maps (both Google Maps and Maps.me), contacts, and everything you need beforehand \u2014 and if your car breaks down, be prepared to wait for a passing driver.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1748340900006\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Where_should_I_fill_up_with_gas\"><\/span>Where should I fill up with gas?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Fill up your tank completely in Lake Louise or Banff. The second (and last) gas station on the route is at The Crossing Resort roughly halfway through. Prices there are extremely high, so treat it as an emergency backup only. In Jasper at the end of the route, there are more gas stations and prices return to normal.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1748340900007\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_I_encounter_bears_on_the_Icefields_Parkway\"><\/span>Can I encounter bears on the Icefields Parkway?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Yes, and fairly often! The park is home to both black bears and grizzlies. You&#8217;ll frequently see them grazing right by the roadside \u2014 if that happens, never get out of your car, take photos through the window, and slowly drive past. If you&#8217;re hiking on trails, always carry bear spray and make noise.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Icefields Parkway is a 232 km legendary road between Banff and Jasper \u2014 arguably the most beautiful stretch of tarmac on the planet. We drove it multiple times while working in Canada, and here&#8217;s our complete guide with 14 stops, accommodation tips, fuel advice, and how to deal with bears.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":168921,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","rank_math_title":"Icefields Parkway: Complete Guide with 14 Must-See Stops","rank_math_description":"Plan your Icefields Parkway drive with our detailed guide \u2014 14 best stops, hikes, accommodation tips &amp; practical advice. Start planning your road trip today!","rank_math_focus_keyword":"icefields parkway","rank_math_seo_score":""},"categories":[391,374,320],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-187815","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-canada","8":"category-north-america","9":"category-travel"},"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/icefields-parkway-bow-lake-lucie-skok-helen-lake.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"Lucie Kone\u010dn\u00e1","author_link":"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/author\/lucie-konecna\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/187815","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=187815"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/187815\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":221870,"href":"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/187815\/revisions\/221870"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/168921"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=187815"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=187815"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudavymkrokem.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=187815"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}