Get ready for one of the most breathtaking drives of your life between Banff and Jasper on the Icefields Parkway, a road that carves its way through the very heart of the Canadian Rockies. You'll wind past ancient glaciers, impossibly turquoise lakes, and towering mountain peaks, with countless opportunities to pull over for that perfect photo. To truly experience it, plan for a full day; the drive itself is about three hours, but the real magic is in the stops. Many of the best viewpoints, like the stunning Peyto Lake, are just a short 10-15 minute walk from the car park, making it easy to stretch your legs and soak in the epic scenery.

I recommend taking one day to go North and another day to go South.

Recommended stops:

Bow Lake

Peyto Lake

Waterfowl Lakes

Saskatchewan Crossing

Columbia Icefield

Goats & Glaciers

Recommended hikes:

Chepren Lakes (easy)

Glacier Lake (moderate, long)

Parker Ridge (moderate)

Cirque Lakes (difficult)

The Onion (difficult)