One of the best “it has everything” Icefields hikes🧅

I’ve done this one 3 times, and it’s still one of my favourite big days in the Icefields area. You start at Bow Lake by the lodge, hike around the beautiful lakeshore, then to a set of stairs taking you above a canyon of rushing glacial waters. This is where some people turn back, as there is a LARGE boulder wedged into (and over) the canyon itself - which you need to cross. It is very important here that if you are uncomfortable or feel unsafe - do NOT attempt to cross. Safety should always come first,

Once passing the boulder, you make your way along some forest sections above the canyon, then break out into a HUGE open bowl of sheer vertical cliff walls and glaciers - it's amazing! You then make your way across some stream crossings, up past a waterfall and finally, hit the ACC Bow Hut where lots of people sleep and make this a multi-day hike.

After the hut, you then go past the toe of the glacier with some tarns, and onto the final stretch! The upper section here basically turns into a 'choose your own way' scramble, directly alongside the glaciers of the Wapta Icefield and crazy rock formations. There is only really one way to go, just don't go on the glacier whatever you do. Before you know it, you are on the huge flat summit of The Onion. Lakes, waterfalls, river crossings, big peaks, icefield views... This hike has it all!

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🏔️ TRAIL STATS & DETAILS

• Best Seasons: Summer

• Distance: 18.8 km

• Trail Type: Out & Back

• Elevation Gain: 938 m

• Max Elevation (altitude): 2680 m

• Bike Friendly?: No

• Dog Friendly?: Yes (on leash)

• Trailhead Toilets?: Yes

• Parking: Free

• Technical Notes: This route includes scrambling sections and multiple small stream crossings (plus navigation gets less obvious near the end).

🚗Directions to trailhead: Google Maps

🗺️AllTrails route: The Onion (suggestion only)

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✨ TRAIL HIGHLIGHTS - Why you should go

• ACC Bow Hut

• Bow Glacier Falls

• The Lodge at Bow Lake

• Bow Lake and Iceberg Lake

• Wapta Icefield & Bow Glacier right in your face

• St. Nicholas Peak (the one that looks like a shark fin)

• The finale scramble and summit plateau views are unreal

• River and stream crossings, boulder fields, and wild terrain variety

• 360° Mountain Galore (Crowfoot, Vulture, Olive, St. Nicholas, Collie, Thompson, Jimmy Simpson & more)

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🏕️ CAMPING OPTIONS

• Campsite On Trail?: No

• Close Camp Recommendation: Waterfowl Lakes Campground

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🏠🛶 THE LODGE AT BOW LAKE

A rustic lakeside lodge with glacier views, a restaurant, small seasonal events, and a cozy café. For more details on the lodge, check out it's pin on my map.

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✅ TIPS FROM DEV, LINKS & SAFETY

• The parking lot fills fast in summer. I advise you to get here early!

• Expect multiple stream crossings. Waterproof shoes help, or a spare pair of socks in case. Also, the crossings can change a lot with time of day and runoff, especially on hot summer days.

• This route includes scrambling sections, plus navigation gets less obvious near the end. Download an offline map and do not wing it. If you are not confident with navigating skills, do not attempt.

• You’ll likely see glacier features like beautiful blue pools, and sometimes ice caves. Do NOT enter ice caves or go near undercut ice. Admire from far back and keep it sensible - these can collapse at any time without notice and are extremely dangerous.

• See Parks Canada for the latest National Park trail conditions.