The Icefields Parkway in Alberta, Canada is one of the world’s most beautiful drives. Connecting Lake Louise with Jasper, there are breathtaking vistas at every turn. It’s almost impossible to cram the real must-dos into a day, so you should set aside at least two days to explore the Icefields Parkway fully. It’s also the type of road trip you can take time and time again, as the scenery changes drastically with the seasons. There really is so much to see here, but below are 7 of the best sights you should see with their what.3.words reference for easy navigation!
Bow Lake
What.3.Words: glanced.allowance.smiled
In the upper elevations where winter clings on into June, Bow Lake sits beneath the imposing mountain peaks. The lake is only a short walk from the car park and there is an on site cafe serving simple warm drinks and baked good, with the friendliest service I encountered in Alberta. Visit in the summer months to catch the “Bow Band” performing for the visitors.
Sunwapta Falls
What.3.Words: cultivated.elderly.juicing
Meaning ‘Turbulent Water’, Sunwapta Falls are a pair of waterfalls that are a popular stop along the Icefields Parkway. There is parking near the viewpoint and easy access to the upper falls, with a short hike to the lower falls. There is also an attached resort and accommodation, so Sunwapta Falls is a good base to explore the rest of the Icefields Parkway from.
Athabasca Pass Lookout
What.3.Words: signposts.insiders.perspire
My favoured lunch spot, Athasbasca Pass Lookout has a wide open view of the Athabasca River framed by several mountains including Mushroom Peak, Mount Edith Cavell and Mount Hardisty. When the water level is low, you can walk down to the riverside to get a closer look. This is a simple pull in, so no facilities here, but it makes a great photo stop.
Mistaya Canyon
What.3.Words: friendlier.ladybug.images
Just south of the Saskatchewan River Crossing, Mistaya Canyon offers beautiful views of the meandering Mistaya River before it drops into the unusual, swirling rock formations of the canyon below. The canyon is tucked away from the main road and a short, steep walk downhill from the car park.
Weeping Wall
What.3.Words: localities.chewed.silhouette
A quick stop along the route, the Weeping Wall is a great photo opportunity. The Icefields Parkway passes right along the bottom of the cliff face where this cluster of waterfalls run. The volume of water in the falls varies throughout the seasons, dependent on snowmelt, so keep your eyes peeled as the Weeping Wall can easily be missed.
Columbia Icefields
What.3.Words: drab.strands.flattering
A developed tourist attraction, Columbia Icefields is otherworldly in its beauty. There are a few short hikes that begin here, including a hike to the toe of the Athabasca Glacier. There is also a visitor centre across the road where you can join tours across the glacier on board an Ice Explorer vehicle.
Athabasca Falls
What.3.Words: rudeness.cliff.generic
Another popular spot, Athabasca Falls is a star of the Icefields Parkway. It is neither the highest nor the widest waterfall in the Canadian Rockies, but it is the most powerful. You’ll certainly feel the spray as the falls thunders into the canyon below.
