Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Icefields Parkway

What's included

What you'll see and do

1. Icefields Parkway

   As the audio guides play commentary based on your gps location, you can create your own itinerary along the tour route(s) to match your interests and schedule. You can drive the Icefields Parkway in either direction. Or you can use our trip planners for our suggestions on half, full or multi day itineraries. Some of the many highlights are listed below;

   480 minutes here

2. Crowfoot Glacier

   Located alongside Bow Lake, Crowfoot Glacier is a fine example of a hanging glacier and looks like it is stuck onto the face of the mountain. The name comes from how the glacier was shaped like the foot of a crow. The Crowfoot originally had 3 toes, but as the glacier has shrunk, it now has just 2 toes.

   20 minutes here

3. Bow Lake

   Bow Lake is fed by the Bow Glacier which sits above it. And all of that water running out of the lake becomes the Bow River which runs through Banff National Park and into Calgary and beyond. A historic lodge sits beside the lake, Num Ti Jah, which was built by Jimmy Simpson, one of Banff's legendary early guides. Because only relatively small trees were available, the hand-built log building was constructed in an unusual hexagonal shape to begin with. In its time it was the largest log building in the world. Bow Lake is an excellent photo stop.

   30 minutes here

4. Weeping Wall

   An impressive cliff that we drive under as valley narrows, the Weeping Wall oozes snow melt from above and trickles though the rock. This process continues through the winter too, making for excellent frozen falls for ice climbers to scale.

   Pass by without stopping

5. Located at Bow Summit is the simply amazing Peyto Lake. Despite being a full hour drive away from the Columbia Icefield, Bow Summit is the highest point on the Icefields Parkway. The elevated viewing location, the surrounding mountains, and being glacier fed, makes Peyto Lake perhaps the most superbly coloured, mountain lakes you will ever see. Fingers crossed for a sunny day, as the more sunshine, the brighter the colour.

   30 minutes here

6. Located close to the Icefield Centre, Parker Ridge is a popular short but steep hike. The reward for walking to the edge of the ridge is the superb views of the Saskatchewan Glacier which fills the valley behind. Because of the elevation of 6,000 feet, the hike may be more tiring than you would expect. Just take your time, and take frequent rests if feeling short of breath. The view is worth it and most people will spend about 1 1/2 - 2 hours enjoying the experience. It is common to find snow on the trail year-round.

   90 minutes here

7. Athabasca Glacier

   Located around halfway between Jasper and Banff on the Icefields Parkway, the Athabasca Glacier is one of the route highlights and one of the most accessible glaciers in the world. Located around halfway between Jasper and Banff on the Icefields Parkway, the Athabasca Glacier is one of the route highlights and one of the most accessible glaciers in the world. You can take in the views from the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre or book a Columbia Icefield Adventure Tour which will take you up onto the glacier on an Ice Explorer, a giant all-terrain vehicle.

   30 minutes here

8. Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre

   The Athabasca Glacier is one of the outflows from the larger Columbia Icefield, and it's one of the most accessible glaciers in the world. You can drive right to the toe of the glacier, watching the markers that show how far it has retreated over more than a century. The Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre is where you can book the Columbia Icefield Adventure Tour which will take you up onto the glacier on an Ice Explorer, a giant all-terrain vehicle. This ticket also includes a separate bus taking you to a glass bottomed SkyWalk out over a canyon, and you'll need to allow at least 3 hours for the combined experience. If you're short on time, you can book the SkyWalk by itself.

   180 minutes here

9. Sunwapta Falls and Canyon

   Sunwapta has one of the prettiest settings of the many impressive waterfalls of the Canadian Rockies. Outstanding viewpoints are accessed within just a minute of the car park. Those with a little more energy will enjoy exploring the 3km loop trail that explores to peaceful pools lower into the canyon and can be completed easily in an hour.

   30 minutes here

10. Athabasca Falls

    Located at the Jasper end of the Icefields Parkway, the Athabasca Falls cut through very hard quartz-rich rock, cascading their way through a narrow canyon. A spectacle at any time, during the spring thaw, snow melt delivers an incredible amount of water over the falls for an impressive show.

    30 minutes here

Where it starts and ends

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

Every day

Group size

Up to 15 travelers per booking

Operated by

GuideAlong (GyPSy Guide)

Know before you go

• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• How to Access: After booking you’ll receive an email and text with instructions (search “Download Audio Tour”). Click the link in the email/text to sign in with your preferred Apple or Google account and redeem your voucher code ahead of time.
• Download The GuideAlong App: Download the free app over WiFi or cellular data and sign in with the same Apple or Google account.
• Download The Tour: Download the tour in the GuideAlong app under 'My Tours' over WiFi or cellular data.
• Start The Tour: Open the tour in the GuideAlong app to preview the start locations, tour route and trip planner, or start the tour.
• Location-Based Stories: Audio commentary plays automatically as you drive using your phone’s GPS chip. Wherever you are and whichever direction you’re going, you’ll hear the best stories and tips.
• Flexible Travel Date: Tours are a one-time purchase with no expiry or date/time limit. If your plans change to a different day, there’s no need to change your travel date.
• Tour at Your Leisure: With GuideAlong, you control the pace. Start, stop, and resume the tour any day, anytime, adapting it to your schedule.
• Driving Tours: Group Savings: One purchase covers everyone in the vehicle, making it a cost-effective way to explore.
• Works Offline: No internet or cell service is required once the audio tour is downloaded to your phone, so you can relax and tour offline.
• Bring A Charger: Pack a USB/C car charger for charging and easy sound connectivity, and make sure your device is fully charged.
• Technical Support: The GuideAlong support team is available daily by toll-free phone, online chat, and email.
• The app’s audio will play through your car’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto display, while the app’s map will display on your phone. You can connect your phone to the car via Bluetooth to listen to the commentary through the car stereo.

Photos