4WD Tour from Calgary to Bow Lake Banff

What's included

What you'll see and do

1. Johnston Canyon

   Johnston Creek originates north of Castle Mountain in a glacial valley southwest of Badger Pass The creek flows through a gorge known as Johnston Canyon. As Johnston Creek approaches the Bow River, it flows through a large canyon formed by erosion over thousands of years. The creek has cut through the limestone rock to form sheer canyon walls, as well as waterfalls, tunnels, and pools.

   90 minutes here

2. Castle Mountain is a mountain located within Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies, approximately halfway between Banff and Lake Louise. The mountain was named in 1858 by James Hector for its castle-like appearance

3. Lake Louise

   Lake Louise is a glacial lake within Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. It is named after the Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, the fourth daughter of Queen Victoria and the wife of the Marquess of Lorne, who was the Governor General of Canada from 1878 to 1883. The turquoise colour of the water comes from rock flour carried into the lake by melt-water from the glaciers that overlook the lake. The lake has a surface of 0.8 km² and is drained through the 3 km long Louise Creek into the Bow River.

   60 minutes here

4. Moraine Lake

   Moraine Lake is a stunning glacially-fed lake located in the Valley of the Ten Peaks, within Banff National Park, Known for its striking turquoise-blue waters

   60 minutes here · Admission included

5. Lake Louise Visitor Information Centre

   The village of Lake Louise is the highest mini town with an elevation of 1,661 m. Take some free time here to have your lunch, browse the stores and the visitor center surrounding the mini square. Regain some energy for the next two lakes of the tour.

   60 minutes here

6. Crowfoot Glacier

   Early explorers named the glacier Crowfoot because its three sections of ice looked like a crow’s foot on the mountain. While one of the three “toes” has now receded and disappeared, the glacier is no less spectacular. The Crowfoot Glacier sits above Bow Lake, providing stunning photo opportunities for those traveling the Icefields Parkway. The spectacular Crowfoot Glacier can be viewed from a lookout point on the world-famous Icefields Parkway about 34 km (21 mi) north of Lake Louise. Attached to the northeastern side of Crowfoot Mountain, overlooking Bow Lake, the glacier's runoff feeds into the Bow River, which flows from Banff National Park through the City of Calgary to the Alberta prairies.

   10 minutes here

7. Peyto Lake

   Peyto Lake is a glacier-fed lake in Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies. The lake itself is near the Icefields Parkway. It was named for Bill Peyto, an early trail guide and trapper in the Banff area. The lake is formed in a valley of the Waputik Range, between Caldron Peak, Peyto Peak and Mount Jimmy Simpson, at an elevation of 1,860 m (6,100 ft). During the summer, significant amounts of glacial rock flour flow into the lake from a nearby glacier, and these suspended rock particles are what give the lake a unique bright, turquoise colour. Because of its bright colour, photos of the lake often appear in illustrated books,and the area around the lake is a popular sightseeing spot. The lake is best seen from Bow Summit, the highest point on the Icefields Parkway. The lake is fed by Peyto Creek, which drains water from Caldron Lake and Peyto Glacier (part of the Wapta Icefield). Peyto Lake is the origin of the Mistaya River, which heads northwest from the lake's outflow.

   45 minutes here

8. Herbert Lake

   The Herbert Lake has the lake and snow-capped mountain views are stunning. There is an awesome and far less-traveled trail with great mountain views. This trail starts off in the parking area of Herbert Lake. The exact trailhead can be hard to find, in fact, so it is recommended to download the offline maps to make sure you stay on the route. The trail is extremely well-defined and easy to follow once past the trailhead. There are a few ups and downs but nothing crazy. The trail offers multiple viewpoints of the lake, and even passes right alongside the lake for the majority of the trail.

   15 minutes here

9. Bow Lake

   Bow Lake is one of the many lakes that line the Icefields Parkway and a popular stop for visitors to Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. It’s no secret that the Canadian Rockies are not short of spectacular vistas and lakes. Bow Lake is one of our top recommendations for a stop to stretch the legs on the Icefields Parkway. A short walk along the lakeshore trail is a family-friendly hike, or you can enjoy longer hikes around Bow Lake for a more complete day. Whatever you decide to do, make sure you don’t miss Bow Lake.

   30 minutes here

Where it starts and ends

Options you can book

• 7:45am departure from Canmore

  depart from canmore

• 6:45am departure from Calgary

• 8:30am departure from Banff

  depart from Banff

Before you book

Cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Languages

en

Ticket

Mobile Only

Runs on

Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun

Group size

Up to 15 travelers per booking

Operated by

Banff2Go

Know before you go

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• No pets allowed.
• Traveler must prepare their own infants car seats
• Travel time included in Tour Duration

Photos