• Valley of the Five Lakes Trailhead - Ahead lies the Valley of the Five Lakes Trailhead. This 3-mile hike, moderately challenging, takes about an hour and a half to complete and offers hikers breathtaking views. The trail meanders past five untouched lakes. The lakes and ponds in Jasper and Banff are unique, boasting incredible turquoise and blue shades that seem straight out of a heavily edited postcard. But they are real, thanks to the glaciers.

• Jasper SkyTram - Approaching soon is the Jasper SkyTram, the highest and longest aerial tramway in Canada. The views from the summit are unparalleled. In the 1940s, Whistler Mountain was already a major attraction for skiers. Enthusiasts gathered annually to race down the ideal slopes. However, once at the bottom, they only had a simple tow rope to pull them back up the mountain. Due to the challenging ascent, they never reached the mountain’s peak!

• Jasper Information Centre - Welcome to the Icefields Parkway! Prepare to explore Canada’s magnificent road stretching between two of its most renowned National Parks: Jasper and Banff. The parkway can be accessed from various locations, so ensure the correct starting point is chosen. This tour version begins in Jasper. To start from Lake Louise, near Banff, return to Home and switch to the Lake Louise version.

Note: The tour spans over 140 miles, with more than 76 audio stories, and takes approximately 3-4 hours to complete.

Buy once, use for a year! Perfect for extended visits and return trips over the next 12 months.

• Athabasca Pass Lookout - Just around the corner is the Athabasca Pass Lookout, one of the finest viewpoints along this part of the Parkway. From here, enjoy a stunning view of the South Jasper Mountain Range. The most prominent peak, directly ahead from the lookout, is Mount Edith Cavell, towering at 11,033 feet.

• Horseshoe Lake - Shortly, we’ll pass by Horseshoe Lake. This U-shaped lake is popular among thrill-seekers due to the sheer rock faces surrounding it. On any given day, you might find a group of people standing at the edge, bodies buzzing with adrenaline. They gaze down…and down and down to the bottom —75 feet in total! Then, they take the leap of faith. The wind rushes as they drop, then they hit the icy water that jolts their system. Then they resurface, eager to do it all over again!

• Athabasca Falls - Up ahead is Athabasca Falls, a 75-foot waterfall cascading into a canyon. During the last Ice Age over 100,000 years ago, a glacier in this area receded enough to allow the Athabasca River to flow freely through the pass. The pass eventually deepened and widened, forming the canyon seen today.

• Mount Kerkeslin - That towering peak to our left is Mount Kerkeslin, standing at 9,790 feet. This is the highest peak in the Maligne Range and posed a significant challenge for early explorers of this region.

• Goats & Glacier Lookout - This viewpoint overlooks the Athabasca River and Fryatt Mountain Range. Glaciers can be seen high up on those mountains, but where do the goats come in? Well, the cliff on which this overlook is perched is rich in various minerals, including salt. And mountain goats simply can’t resist it! Visitors often spot them wandering here, licking the rocks!

• Mount Christie - The peak directly to our right, just before that mountain pass, is Mount Christie. It stands just over 10,180 feet tall. The peak is named after James Hector, the explorer who also named Mount Kerkeslin. Hector named the mountain after a man who hosted him during his expedition across the Rockies: William Joseph Christie.

• Honeymoon Lake - This romantically-named lake offers a beautiful view of reflected mountains in the Maligne Range. You might even see some people paddling canoes on the water.

• Sunwapta Falls - The trail for Sunwapta Falls is approaching soon. This easy 2-mile trail takes just over an hour and offers a fantastic view of a wilderness waterfall. Fed by the Athabasca Glacier, Sunwapta Falls plunges 60 feet over the cliff edge. Sunwapta is the Stoney-Nakoda word for “turbulent water,” which is fitting when you see the falls!

• Endless Chain Ridge - That ridge ahead and slightly to our left is the Endless Chain Ridge. Spanning more than 9,000 feet, this ridge is a collection of rugged peaks formed in the Jurassic period, about 200 million years ago. Volcanic pressure beneath the earth’s crust pushed this rock upward about 75 million years ago, creating the ridge seen today.

• Poboktan Creek Trail Parking - In a moment, we’ll see parking for the Poboktan Creek Trail, though hiking it might not be on the agenda. Why, you ask? Because it’s 24 miles long and takes an average of four days to complete!

• Alberta 93 - In just a minute, we’re going to pass an attraction that… doesn’t look much like an attraction. In fact, it just looks like a pile of rocks! But this pile of rocks tells a fascinating story about the history of this landscape.

• Beauty Creek - We’re driving alongside Beauty Creek, a pure and clear glacial lake fed by meltwater. If one were to follow this creek a couple of miles into the wilderness, they’d arrive at Stanley Falls!, which plunges 40 feet into a blue pool below. Seven other cascades lead to Stanley Falls, and feature something very peculiar that doesn’t happen in many places. In colder months, these waterfalls don’t just dry up. Instead, they become sheer sheets of ice!

• Stutfield Glacier Viewpoint - Coming up is the Stutfield Glacier Viewpoint, where we can see a huge glacier directly from the parkway! The icy giant stretches 3,000 feet over the cliff face, where you can glimpse a set of double icefalls. These are places where the glacial bed steepens and the ice flows faster than in other areas. In turn, they create deep crevasses that pose a major hazard for climbers.

• Tangle Creek Falls, AB - Just ahead is Tangle Creek Falls, a magnificent 90-foot cascade alongside the parkway. With its spray dampening the road, the waterfall is impossible to miss! Mary Schäffer Warren, the same woman who named Endless Chain Ridge, also gave Tangle Creek its name! But the eager mountaineer-turned-surveyor rarely traveled alone. Many of her journeys were guided by Samson Beaver, a Stoney-Nakoda man.

• Columbia Icefield Skywalk - Have you ever wanted to walk on air? The Columbia Icefield Skywalk offers that sensation. It’s a walking trail with a glass floor that snakes along the cliffside. The clear structure juts out 100 feet across the Sunwapta Valley. If you don’t mind heights, you can look down past your shoes at the snowy expanse more than 900 feet below.

• Mount Kitchener - See the tallest peak off to our right? That’s Mount Kitchener, standing at 11,499 feet. It gets its name from Horatio Kitchener, a British Earl who served as an officer during the first World War. Kitchener died in 1916 when his ship struck a mine and sank en route to Russia. As soon as word of his death reached Canada, officials renamed this mountain in his honor.

• Toe of the Athabasca Glacier Trailhead - If you want an up-close-and-personal look at the glaciers I’ve been talking about, this is a must-do. At just over one mile, this moderate hike offers some of the best views of the Athabasca Glacier, one of the most noteworthy in the Columbia Icefield.

• Wilcox Pass Trailhead - Just ahead is the Wilcox Pass Trail. This challenging 7-mile hike isn’t for the faint of heart. But don’t worry if you’re not up for the whole thing! Most visitors opt to hike a little over a mile to reach a fantastic viewpoint before turning back. That viewpoint overlooks a unique geographical feature at the crossroads of Jasper and Banff: Mount Snow Dome.

• Parker Ridge Trail - The Parker Ridge Trail is coming up momentarily. It leads to a 4-mile hike for those seeking a challenging route. You’ll need to set aside a little over two hours to experience the alpine meadows and panoramic views. It also features glimpses of the Columbia Icefield and fresh perspective on the famous turquoise lakes in the area.

• Panther Falls - Coming up next is Panther Falls. An easy 1.5-mile hike through the forest leads to this 210-foot cascade. It only takes about 30 minutes and is well worth the trek! If you want to keep going, you can hike another mile to Bridal Veil, which is five times the size of Panther Falls! It’s a two-for-one waterfall extravaganza!

• Weeping Wall Viewpoint - Just ahead is the Weeping Wall Viewpoint, a set of 900-foot high cliffs. The Weeping Wall is almost like a part-time waterfall. Under just the right conditions the cliffside begins to weep—or leak water. The will-it-or-won’t-it fall dynamic comes from the natural springs at the top, which may either swell or trickle depending on the time of year.

• Mount Coleman - The peak off to our left is Mount Coleman, standing at an impressive 10,285 feet. But if you asked early explorers, this wasn’t even close to the tallest peak in the region.

• HI Rampart Creek Wilderness Hostel - We’re about to pass the HI Rampart Creek Wilderness Hostel. This humble lodging dates back to a big change in tourism that started unfolding almost 100 years ago.

• Saskatchewan River Crossing - Long before the Icefields Parkway existed, crossing the river looked a little different. Imagine a long plank of wood drifting across the river. A horse and carriage rest on the surface, waiting to be directed to the other side. The year is 1882 and the man behind the operation is the well-liked John Walter.

• Howse River - Turn into the parking area just ahead for Howse Pass Viewpoint, featuring incredible views of the river and the mountains beyond. This is a must-see!

• Mistaya Canyon Trail Head - Coming up ahead is the Mistaya Canyon Trailhead. This moderate, 1.5-mile hike takes about 40 minutes and leads to the bottom of the deep gorge flowing with water.

• Mount Chephren - Its 10,715-foot peak brushes the sky and provides pro-climbers with an extreme challenge. Due its angular slopes, Chepren originally bore the name Pyramid Mountain. But another summit in the area already had the same title, so the park settled for christening it after an ancient Egyptian Pharaoh. Specifically, a ruler responsible for the second largest pyramid in Giza! Certainly a fitting name for the mountain.

• Waterfowl Lake Viewpoint - It’s impossible to miss the gorgeous Waterfowl Lake coming up ahead, as well as the viewpoint overlooking it. Hip to hip with the parkway, you won’t even need to leave your car to glimpse this emerald body of water. Lakes like this one became hotspots for a countercultural movement sweeping across the country in the 1960s. They were the hippies!

• Mt Patterson Glacier - Off to our right stands Mount Patterson, home to one of the park’s many glaciers. This is the Snowbird Glacier. It gets its name from the way it flows down Mount Patterson. Doesn’t it look a little like the glacier has outstretched wings?

• Peyto Lake - Off to our right is Peyto Lake. The glacier-fed body of water promises a bright turquoise color in the foothills of the Waputik Range. If you’d like to visit the lake, keep an eye out for the side road coming up in just a minute. It leads to an overlook above the lake and a 2-mile trail around the lake’s circumference.

• Bow Lake - We’re now approaching Bow Lake. Its stunning blue waters reflect the craggy rocks of Mount Jimmy Simpson, looming directly to our right. The mountain gets its name from an English immigrant of the same name.

• Crowfoot Glacier Viewpoint - Coming up in a moment is the Crowfoot Glacier Viewpoint. The massive block of ice is still inspiring, despite all it’s been through… The glacier has been receding since the Ice Age and has lost one of three lobes. Those lobes, or protruding thumbs of ice, once made the ice chunk look like a crow’s foot.

• Wapta Icefield - The Wapta Ice Field gets its name from the Stoney-Nakoda word for “running water.” And it has been home to some miraculous marine discoveries.

• Hector Lake Viewpoint - If you can’t get enough of Banff’s dazzling waters, the upcoming Hector Lake Viewpoint is worth the stop. This pristine glacial lake sits directly beneath Lilliput Mountain and Mount Balfour, and is a hugely popular spot for photographers.

• Lake Louise - This brings us to the end of our tour. To reach Lake Louise, just keep driving straight for another 5-10 minutes. I hope you’ve enjoyed your journey across the Icefields Parkway, hearing about everything from Jasper’s geological wonders to Banff’s wild mountaineers!

• Easy-to-use app: download Action’s Tour Guide App onto your phone
• Great value: purchase per car, not per person. More affordable than bus or guided tours!
• Engaging storytelling: Uncover unique tales and thrilling history for a memorable journey!
• Perfect narrator: nothing can beat listening to a great voice. Proven with tons of rave reviews!
• Offline maps: no signal, no problem! Works perfectly without cellular or wifi.
• Comprehensive route and stops: See it all, miss nothing, leave no stone unturned!
• Go at your own pace: Start anytime, pause anywhere, enjoy breaks for snacks and photos freely!
• Hands-free: audio stories play on their own based on your location. Easy to use!

• Attraction passes, entry tickets, or reservations

Experience one of the world’s most picturesque drives with this self-guided Icefield Parkway tour linking Canada’s Jasper and Banff National Parks. Marvel at towering mountain peaks, ancient glaciers, stunning turquoise lakes, and more as you travel through the Canadian Rockies. Explore Indigenous history, observe diverse wildlife such as moose and elk, and learn about the formation and transformation of this awe-inspiring landscape over time. A rich tapestry of beauty and history awaits!

Purchase one tour per vehicle, not per individual. Gather your group and embark on this journey together!

After booking, check your email or text messages to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action while connected to WiFi or mobile data. Enter the password, download the tour, and enjoy it offline. Follow the audio instructions and route from the specified starting point.

Buy once, use for a year! Perfect for extended visits and return trips over the next 12 months.

Please note, this is not an entrance ticket. Verify opening hours before your visit.

• How To Access: After booking, you’ll get an email and text with setup instructions and password (search “audio tour” in emails and texts). • Download the separate tour app by Action • Enter the password sent by email and text. • MUST download the tour while in strong wifi/cellular. • Works offline after download.
• How to start touring: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once onsite. • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If multiple tour versions exist, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction.
• Go to the starting point No one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided Enter the first story’s point and the audio will begin automatically Follow the audio cues to the next story, which will also play automatically. Enjoy hands-free exploring. If you face audio issues, contact support. Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
• Travel worry-free: Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace. Skip anything you don’t care about or explore bonus content for everything that interests you
• Savings tips: Driving tours: purchase just one tour for everyone in the car
• Buy once, use for one year! Ideal for extended visits and return trips over the next 12 months.
• Audio Setup: Connect your phone to your car’s stereo system using Bluetooth, USB, or AUX. For the best experience, consider using headphones for walking tours. Audio playback is compatible with Apple CarPlay, with navigation features coming soon. Support for Android Auto is also on the way.
• For the best experience, please use an iPhone running iOS 15 or later, an Android device running version 9 or later, or an iPad/tablet with GPS and cellular connectivity, as these are recommended for navigation.

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