Best Hikes Around the Columbia Icefields
Day Hikes Guide 2026
As someone who has spent three summers living and working at the Columbia Icefields (and winters in the area too when it’s closed), I have spent a good deal of time exploring the local area. While working as an Ice Explorer Driver and Glacier Guide, I am regularly asked what the best day hikes and things to see in the area are. I recommend some well-known adventures in the area and some which are not signposted and are known only to locals.
So without further ado, here are my favourite activities you can do in a day around the Columbia Icefields and the Discovery Centre. I have given my opinion on their difficulty and my estimates for how long each takes.
Whether you’ve got an hour before your Ice Explorer tour or a full day off, here’s exactly where to go. From quick roadside stops to full-on summit hikes, this guide covers the best day hikes around the Columbia Icefields for every level.
Note: As per my whole website, all the photos you see here are either taken by me or of me! I have also done everything I recommend on this list (often many times)!
The ‘Discovery Centre’ is the large building with a green roof located opposite the Athabasca Glacier i.e located on the right (east) side of the Icefields Parkway (AKA Highway 93 North) as you are heading from Banff north towards Jasper. The car park for visitors is on the north (Jasper) side of the centre so if you are driving up from Banff/Lake Louise towards Jasper drive past the Discovery Centre and then turn right into the car park, do not go into the car park on the south side of the centre as this is for buses, staff parking and hotel guests.
Summary of Hikes
Full descriptions and photos are below this summary list; keep scrolling!
| Hike | Difficulty | Time | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tangle Falls | Roadside stop | Minimal | Roadside |
| Goats & Glaciers | Roadside stop | 10 minutes | Minimal |
| Sunwapta Falls | Easy | 10 minutes+ | Minimal |
| Toe of Glacier Trail | Easy | 1–2 hours | 1.5km (1 mile) |
| Boundary Lake | Easy | 1–2 hours | 2km (1.2 miles) |
| Parker Ridge | Moderate | 2–3 hours | 7km (4.5 miles) |
| Panther Falls | Moderate | 30 minutes | >1km (>0.5 miles) |
| Wilcox Red Chairs | Moderate | 1–1.5 hours | 3.2km (2 miles) |
| Wilcox Pass | Hard | 4–6 hours | 12km (7.5 miles) |
| Helen Lake | Hard | 4 hours+ | 12km (7.5 miles) |
| Wilcox Peak | Very hard | 5 hours+ | 13km (8 miles) |
| Cirque Peak | Very hard | 6 hours | 17km (10.5 miles) |
| Horseshoe Lake | Bonus | 30 minutes+ | >1km (>0.5 miles) |
| Via Ferrata | Climbing | 4 hours+ | Vertical! |
Parks Canada are located in the basement of the Discovery Centre. As of 2026 they are open from 10:30am-5pm every day so if you want any extra advice, clarification, weather and trail reports, campsite information etc. these are the people to ask! My advice is based on my experience and estimates; check with them and proceed at your own risk! Also come prepared for every weather; conditions can change very quickly in the area, even in the summer! Also, bears and other potentially dangerous animals are present in the area so follow local advice: take bear spray and be ‘bear aware’. Again, check with Parks Canada for more advice and up-to-date information.
Day Hikes - Descriptions
Tangle Falls
Difficulty
Roadside stop / Easy
You can see it from the Icefields Parkway with a pull-in on the opposite side of the highway to the waterfall.
Time
5 minutes+
You can see it from the roadside; pull in and take a look or walk over to it.
Directions
Distance to Discovery Centre: 7km (4.5 miles)
Direction from Discovery Centre: North (en route to Jasper)
Drive time: 5 mins
Description: Pass Skywalk on your left at the top of the hill, then take it slow as you head down the hill. The pull-in will appear shortly on your left, with Tangle Falls visible from the roadside on the right side.
Description
A beautiful waterfall which can be seen from the roadside, although I would recommend getting out for a look! There are sometimes mountain goats and bighorn sheep around this area and I’ve seen bighorn sheep at the falls a few times (although don’t get your hopes up just in case).
A great place for a quick stop. If you are feeling more adventurous, there is a scramble up a gap in the cliff to the left which you can use to get on top of the falls. Do so at your own risk, though and if it feels super hard and scary, then you are either in the wrong place or it’s not for you!
I’ve spent many a happy time here climbing up the bolted routes around the falls or lying in my hammock atop the falls and taking in the view of the world. Enjoy!
Goats and Glaciers Lookout
Difficulty
Roadside stop / Easy
A pull-in off the highway with only a few short meters to walk from the parking area.
Time
10 minutes
I reckon about 10 minutes here is around perfect but you can easily soak up the view for longer.
Directions
Distance to Discovery Centre: 66km (41 miles)
Direction from Discovery Centre: North (en route to Jasper)
Drive time: 45 mins
Description: A large pull-in on the left of the highway when heading north towards Jasper with the viewpoint next to the parking area with no need to cross the highway.
Description
A beautiful viewpoint overlooking the Athabasca River. Given its easy access for the great view on offer, its definatly worth a stop here if you are passing, even if it is just for a few moments.
Sunwapta Falls
Difficulty
Easy
A ramp descends just a few meters from the car park towards the upper falls, which are powerful and epic to see. If you like, you can also carry on down further to the lower falls.
Time
15 minutes+
If you are just seeing the upper falls you don’t need loads of time here.
Directions
Distance to Discovery Centre: 49km (30.5 miles)
Direction from Discovery Centre: North (en route to Jasper)
Drive time: 35 mins
Description: Turn left off the main parkway just before the Sunwapta Falls Rocky Mountain House. A short drive down there will take you to the car park where you can descend down a ramp to the falls.
Description
These powerful falls are easily accessible and pretty epic to see. A bridge crosses over the gorge below with trails towards the lower falls and along the Athabasca River towards Big Bend Campsite.
Big Bend Campsite is located just over an hour down the trail from Sunwapta Falls. It only has four pitches to camp, so you may find booking difficult. You can go for the day and back or camp if you want. The hike down is not great but not terrible, just a tree walk which is often infested with mosquitoes; however, hwoever the view at Big Bend is phenomenal!
Toe of the Glacier Trail
Difficulty
Easy
A short hike with some uneven surfaces and small inclines and declines.
Distance: 1.5km (1 mile)
Elevation: Minimal
Time
1-2 hours
The hike is a loop but you can always do part of it and then turn back if you are pushed for time.
Directions
Distance to Discovery Centre: 1.3km (>1 miles)
Direction from Discovery Centre: Located opposite the Discovery Centre at the base (or ‘toe’) of the Athabasca Glacier.
Drive time: 5 mins
Description: I would recommend driving to the car park for this hike, which is located opposite the Discovery Centre (i.e. turn left out of the main Discovery Centre Car Park, then immediately right). This car park can be busy at times, but the walk from the centre to the car park isn’t worthwhile and it means you will be dodging traffic to get there.
Description
A great short hike with beautiful views of the Athabasca Glacier and surrounding landscapes. My favourite part about this hike is that there are signposts on the trail (and on the drive down to the car park for it) stating the year in which the toe (end) of the glacier was in that location.
Be aware that the winds coming down the valley from the Columbia Icefield (which is located at the top of the Athabasca Glacier) can be strong and cold at any time of year, especially when combined with the rain! Even togh it’s a short hike it can still be cold!
Boundary Lake
Difficulty
Easy
This trail isn’t used by many, so the trail isn’t the widest and there is a small stream to jump at one point with a slight incline towards the lake. As it’s not a maintained trail, some may find this route more difficult.
Distance: xkm (x miles)
Elevation: Minimal
Time
1-2 hours
Directions
Distance to Discovery Centre: 5km (3 miles)
Direction from Discovery Centre: South (en route to Banff)
Drive time: 5 mins
Description: Driving south (towards Banff) you will pass a large white and green sign on your right side which informs you that you are entering Banff National Park. Immediately behind it is a large paved pull-in.
Boundary Lake is not a common tourist spot and it doesn’t have a maintained trail leading to it. You will find a small trailhead around halfway down this paved pull-in area which leads down towards the lake.
Description
Boundary Lake is a true hidden gem. It is often frequented only by locals and mainly by those working at the Columbia Icefields. The water is glacial meltwater and has a similar vivid blue colour to that of Moraine Lake and Lake Louise. Although Boundary Lake is much smaller than these more famous lakes, it is still stunning and crucially, it comes without the massive crowds of tourists.
Parker Ridge
Difficulty
Moderate
A well-maintained trail which isn’t too long however, it is reasonably steep.
Distance: 9km (5.5 miles)
Elevation: 345 meters (1,130 feet)
Time
2-3 hours
This could be completed within the two-hour mark easily if you are fit, fast and don’t want much time to enjoy the view; however, given how spectacular the view of the Saskatchewan Glacier is, I can’t imagine anyone going there for the first time not wanting to have some time to soak it in!
Directions
Distance to Discovery Centre: 9km (5.5 miles)
Direction from Discovery Centre: South (en route to Banff)
Drive time: 7 mins
Description: A large, well-marked pull-in on the right as you head south towards Banff.
Description
This hike is incredible! The trail is somewhat steep but before you know it, you are on top of the ridge and enjoying a breathtaking view of the Saskatchewan Glacier! Like the Athabasca Glacier located opposite the Discovery Centre, the Saskatchewan Glacier is also another of the six outlet glaciers which overflows fromt he Columbia Icefields, the largest Icefield in the Canadian Rockies.
I have also found that this is a great place to see wildlife. I often see hoary marmots and pikas here and I even saw my first-ever porcupine up here one evening! I had no idea that they would be up so high.
When you gain the ridge, I wouldn’t recommend heading any further to the right, as the view, if anything, gets worse from that angle. Going left gives a similar view so also isn’t essential, although you may find the odd better viewpoint to enjoy and you may increase your odds of seeing animals. If you have a lot to see though, then I don’t think that venturing further along the ridge is worth the time unless you are on a hunt to see some pikas and marmots (again not guaranteed).
Panther Falls
Difficulty
Moderate
There is a short walk down to the view of the waterfall (where my photo is taken from); however, there is no maintained trail, some obstructions and some steep and difficult slopes to navigate at times. You walk a short distance past where my photo was taken to get behind the waterfall however, there is a steep drop and no secure barrier so if you choose to do that be careful and proceed at your own risk!
Distance:> 1 km (>1 mile)
Elevation: Minimal
Time
30 minutes
Can be done much less but I reckon you’ll want some time to enjoy the view.
Directions
Distance to Discovery Centre: 13.5m (8.5 miles)
Direction from Discovery Centre: South (en route to Banff)
Drive time: 12 mins
Description: A large but unmarked pull-in is located on the left as you drive south towards Banff just before you hit the ‘big bend’. There are no signposts and no maintained
Description
Like Boundary Lake, this is another of my hidden gems! Not frequented by most tourists, this waterfall is epic. Dropping down a trail from the car park, you can come out on a trail near the top of Panther Falls. Another smaller waterfall is more visible on the opposite side of the valley, with some thinking this is Panther Falls. Continue down to the falls to get a view. Beware, though; it is an unmaintained trail with steep drops, so proceed at your own risk. At one point, there is a rocky downclimb, but you can continue on and go around it without downclimbing.
I’ve spent many a happy time here rock climbing the bolted routes here alongside the waterfall after a day’s work. Also, early in the season (April-time) its frozen over and pretty awesome to see.
Wilcox Red Chairs
Difficulty
Moderate
Well-maintained and obvious trail however, with some elevation gain.
Distance: 3.2km (2 miles)
Elevation: 170m (560 feet)
Time
1-1.5 hours
Although not an overly long hike the views and wildlife may well mean that you send some time here taking it in.
Directions
Distance to Discovery Centre: 3km (1.8 miles)
Direction from Discovery Centre: South (en route to Banff)
Drive time: 3 mins
Description: The car park is located on your left as you head south towards Jasper and is easy to find. On warm, busy days, this car park can be busy.
Description
A great short hike with some elevation gain up to the ‘red chairs’ (deck chairs placed in notable viewpoints in Canadian National Parks). You get epic views of Athabasca and Dome Glaciers, which overflow from the Columbia Icefields, as well as a host of smaller glaciers. You can also look towards Mount Athabasca, which also has a large glacier on its north face. From here you can also see Tenacity Peak (see my blog below).
This is also a great place to see bighorn sheep, and I often see impressive males here with large horns, which are incredible. Be aware that as of 2026, a grizzly bear frequents the area, so make sure you pack your bear spray!
Wilcox Pass
Difficulty
Hard
Continue past ‘Wilcox Red Chairs’ (listed above) and continue through the pass. This ultimately brings you out by Tangle Falls (also mentioned above).
One for warmer weather when the snows have gone; the snows do linger here well into the spring, usually and trying to wade through deep powdery snow towards Tangle Falls is exhausting and the area is prone to avalanches (take my word on this one!).
Distance: xkm (x miles)
Elevation: Minimal
Time
4-6 hours
Directions
Distance to Discovery Centre: 3km (1.8 miles)
Direction from Discovery Centre: South (en route to Banff)
Drive time: 3 mins
Description: The car park is located on your left as you head south towards Jasper and is easy to find. On warm, busy days, this car park can be busy.
Description
After you have gone as far as red chairs (listed above) the worst of the elevation gain is out of the way. You will go up a little more before it levels out into the pass, which changes beautifully throughout the seasons. If you time it right, you may get lucky and see the flowers come out as the area turns into a beautiful alpine meadow. As with my comments on Wilcox Red Chairs, look out for Bighorn Sheep and take your bear spray.
Moving through the pass, you will see Wilcox Peak on your left and Nigel Peak to your right. You will then drop down into a beautiful valley and you can enjoy the trees and creek walk to Tangle Falls. You will then have to get a ride from here back to your car, which can be the hard part, so this is more easily done if you have two cars and you can leave one in advance at Tangle Falls.
It’s a shame they don’t sell tickets for a bus ride back from the Skywalk (which is a short walk from Tangle Falls) and which takes people regularly from there back to the Discovery Centre, which would then mean you can walk back to your car at Wilcox Pass. Maybe you could ask at the Discovery Centre if you could pay for this in case they can help, but last I heard this isn’t an option.
Helen Lake
Difficulty
Hard
Well-maintained trail but some elevation gain and not much shade for much of it.
Distance: 12km (7.5 miles)
Elevation: 550m (1,800 feet)
Time
4 hours+
Directions
Distance to Discovery Centre: 93km (58 miles)
Direction from Discovery Centre: South (en route to Banff)
Drive time: 1 hour, 10 minutes
Description: When travelling south, Crowfoot Glacier Viewpoint is located on the right with a pull-in opposite (on the left) to park for Helen Lake and Cirque Peak.
Description
A nice hike with some elevation to a lake. There is also a stunning view down the valley on your return journey. Shade is lacking, so take plenty of water. If you are feeling good, you can go onwards to Cirque Peak, although this is more challenging; see my notes for Cirque Peak below.
Wilcox Peak
Difficulty
Very Hard
Complete the Wilcox Red Chairs hike (details above), then continue on to the ridge and complete Wilcox Peak. Scree slope to the ridge with lose rock and some scrambling to reach the summit. Weather can also be more extreme given the elevation, with steep exposed drops and lose rock resukting in significant risk at times.
Distance: 13km (8 miles)
Elevation: 420m (1,380 feet)
Time
5 hours+
Possible for quicker if setting a good pace; however, with the views on offer, you will likely want some time to take them in. You can also combine this with Wilcox Pass (details above) if you are up early and want a really big day!
Directions
Distance to Discovery Centre: 3km (1.8 miles)
Direction from Discovery Centre: South (en route to Banff)
Drive time: 3 mins
Description: The car park is located on your left as you head south towards Jasper and is easy to find. On warm, busy days, this car park can be busy.
Description
Wilcox Peak is a really fun outing. Like with Wilcox Red Chairs (above), you may see animals like bighorn sheep and you also get spectacular views of the surrounding glaciers and towards the Columbia Icefield. You will have to tackle some scree slopes to gain the ridge and then the ridge does have some exposure and loose rocks towards the summit for a bit of intrigue, especially just before the summit. It’s a great, fun mountain with amazing views; however only to be attempted by those with the time, balance and skills to handle the short scramble.
Cirque Peak
Difficulty
Very Hard
Complete the Helen Lake hike (details above), then continue onto Cique Peak. Some scree and scrambling required in places. Winds can also be non-existent in the valley but severe as you gain elevation.
Distance: 17km (10.5 miles)
Elevation: 1,150m (3,775 feet)
Time
6 hours
Directions
Distance to Discovery Centre: 93km (58 miles)
Direction from Discovery Centre: South (en route to Banff)
Drive time: 1 hour, 10 minutes
Description: When travelling south, Crowfoot Glacier Viewpoint is located on the right with a pull-in opposite (on the left) to park for Helen Lake and Cirque Peak.
Description
Head up to Helen Lake (notes above) and then continue on to Cirque Peak. Some scree slopes to tackle to the summit and a very short scramble to the summit. I had good fun scrambling around the rocks at the summit to gain a better vantage point and view of the surrounding landscape, which is incredible! The wind was strong as I proceeded up from Helen Lake. I think this is a good mountain for those wanting to work their way up into harder adventures. Even on a beautiful warm day when I went, there weren’t loads of people up there, so keep safety in mind, take extra layers etc.
Horseshoe Lake
Difficulty
Bonus!
Swimming and small cliff jumps (at your own risk)
Distance: Minimal
Elevation: Minimal
Time
20 minutes+
Directions
Distance to Discovery Centre: 76km (47 miles)
Direction from Discovery Centre: North (en route to Jasper)
Drive time: 55 mins
Description: When heading north to Jasper, you will see a pull-in on your right side. My Google Maps link below has marked this accurately.
Description
Another local’s recommendation for you! Not a hike exactly, but if it is a baking hot day, then often my chums and I would head down here to cool off after work. Many of the lakes and rivers in the area around the Columbia Icefields are fed by glacial water, meaning they are freezing all year round!
Luckily, Horseshoe, despite not being warm, is not glacial and therefore warmer. I have done a few of the small cliff jumps here, although if you are just passing through I would advise against it since you don’t know the best places to do it. Still, not a bad place to cool off if you are a confident swimmer and in a group; bear in mind there are no lifeguards on duty here, enter at your own risk! It’s a short walk in and the 2024 Jasper wildfires affected the area, so the trees around it are burned out.
Abraham Lake Via Ferrata
Difficulty
Climbing
Climbing experience and a head for heights are required.
Distance: Short hike in, lots of vertical and then a steep hike out.
Time
3-5 hours
Directions
Distance to Discovery Centre: 83km (51.5 miles)
Direction from Discovery Centre: South (en route to Banff) and then turn left (east) at the Saskatchewan Crossing towards Abraham Lake and Red Deer.
Drive time: 1 hour
Description: While heading east, you can find a small, not-so-great place to park off the road to the right with a small trail and small cairn beside it on the left (north side) of the highway.
Description
For the more outlandish travellers, Canada’s hardest (and I’m guessing most scary) via ferratta is not too far from the Columbia Icefields.
The route is called ‘From Nordegg with Love’. It is a very steep, very exposed, and difficult via ferratta. Only experience and well-equipped with proper via ferratta gear should do this route without a guide although registration is still required. For those who have some climbing experience but need some more assitance then I recommend taking a guide. If you have no climbing experience or limited experience, then this is still likely too much for you. There is another easier via ferratta in the same place, so you may be able to speak to a guide about having a go at that one.
I am a climber and mountaineer and even I find elements challenging and the exposure severe, so do your homework, consult a guide and register before you climb.
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Title image: View of the Athabasca Glacier, Columbia Icefields taken from the Wilcox Pass red chairs.