Icefields Parkway Highlights & Secrets | Award-Winning Adventure

Discover Icefields Parkway’s hidden gems and wildlife with expert guides. Enjoy bespoke itineraries, relaxed hikes, and epic views away from the crowds.

Duration: 8 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Banff - This award-winning Radventures small-group adventure begins with a stunning drive from Banff, spotting wildlife and learning about it’s rich Indigenous & European history.
  • Icefields Parkway - Widely regarded as the most scenic driving road in the entire world, the Icefields Parkway is punctuated by more than 100 ancient glaciers, cascading waterfalls, dramatic rock spires, and emerald lakes set in sweeping valleys of thick pine and larch forests.

The abundance of wildlife along the drive through Banff & Jasper National Park will have you peering around every turn.

As we take our time to explore, we’ll stop for a short hike or two to a breath-taking view point, capture that stunning photo to share with friends and enjoy a picnic lunch amidst the splendour of the Canadian Rockies pristine wilderness.
You can be rest assured that you’re experiencing the Icefields Parkway the right way!

We’ll explore all the locations below, plus a handful of other locals secret spots that are often the highlights of our guests day!

  • Peyto Lake - The incredibly shaped glacier-fed Peyto Lake is one of the most visited and photographed lakes in the Canadian Rockies for good reason.

During the summer, glacial rock flour flows into the lake and these suspended rock particles give the lake its bright, turquoise colour.

We’ll take an easy walk to view the lake from Bow Summit, 2,088 metres (6,800 feet) above sea level.

Bow Summit is the highest point on the Icefields Parkway and is the highest elevation crossed by a public road in Canada.

  • Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre - Just as the name implies these glaciers or “fields of ice” straddle Banff National Park and Jasper National Park and are the largest south of the Arctic Circle!

They are 325km2 in area and 100 to 365 metres (328 to 1,197 ft) in depth and receives up to seven metres (275 in) of snowfall per year.

Here as a group we can walk right up to the foot of the retreating glacier and explore the area, following the receding path of the glaciers through the years.

Please note, this tour does not include the Pursuit Skywalk or Icefields Adventure bus trip.

Instead, we show our guests local secrets and viewpoints of the glaciers via the easygoing trail system, escaping the crowds and giving you a more sustainable and authentic experience.

Guests who wish to opt out of the short hike to the toe of the glacier are welcome to enjoy the onsite facilities and immersive activities at the Columbia Icefields Centre until the remainder of the group finishes the hike.

  • Bow Lake - The neon blue Bow Lake is the headwaters of the Bow River, that big beauty of a river that you’ll see running through Lake Louise, Banff, Calgary and across the country until it hits Hudson Bay all the way out in the east of Canada!

The lake lines the Icefields Parkway and makes a perfect place to go for a walk down to the lake shore to see Crowfoot Glacier, Wapta Icefield, Bow Glacier, Crowfoot Mountain and Mount Thompson.

What's Included
  • Water refills (please BYO water bottle)
  • Exclusive access to areas with an expert & fun local guide with lots of local secrets to share!
  • Upscale, modern & spacious transportation with large panoramic windows
  • Small group guarantee (Max 12 guests)
  • Onboard cooler to keep drinks & lunch cold
What's Not Included
  • Hotel pick-up in Banff or Lake Louise (please contact Radventures BEFORE booking for availability)
  • Lunch & snacks (please BYO or contact Radventures BEFORE booking to add-on a picnic lunch)
  • Guide gratuities (not mandatory but greatly appreciated)
Additional Information

Embark on an unforgettable day exploring the world-renowned Icefields Parkway, often hailed as the most beautiful drive in the world.

Highlights:

Epic Exploration Minus the Crowds: Ditch the big bus tour groups and explore like a local at the highlights of Peyto Lake, Bow Lake, Columbia Icefields & more.

Local Secrets & Wildlife Revealed: While the Icefields Parkway has its known jewels, our guides take pride in unveiling lesser-trodden paths and viewpoints to areas where we often see wildlife.

Active & Insightful Adventures: Guided by local experts, you’ll embark on relaxed hikes to absorb the best views. Our guides’ stories and insights blend the perfect mix of informed touring with free exploration.

Bespoke Itineraries: Daily itineraries are thoughtfully designed around weather conditions, recent wildlife sightings, and ensuring you evade the peak crowd timings. Your wishes matter; if there’s a specific spot on your bucket list, let us know!

Location
Banff Train Station
Railway Avenue
Park in the free parking lot. Please meet our guide at the front of the Banff Train Station building and allow an extra 5 minutes for parking and walking to the meet point. For select hotel pick-ups in Banff & Lake Louise please contact Radventures BEFORE booking.
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.9
(69 Ratings)
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A5483eywendyn
Jul 21, 2024
Excellent trip - The trip was excellent. Emma our driver/guide gave much history and facts about the area. Can thoroughly recommend the trip.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lenagv9502ws
Jul 16, 2024
An incredible tour guide can make the experience! - The Icefields Parkway adventure is an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime experience. Our driver, Connor, provided amazing insight into the history of this vast, ancient landscape. Listening to his commentary made the ride even more worthwhile, as you could tell that he really loves what he's sharing with you! The second half of the experience, out on the Skywalk, added even more substance to the excursion. 10/10 recommend!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Samfawkes83
Jul 12, 2024
Great adventure - An incredible time and our guide Simone (sorry if got name wrong) from Chilie was really informative and made everyone laugh Great views of the known spots but also some stops that we weren’t expecting Thank you for the memories
Review provided by Tripadvisor
B9224lweduardog
Jul 8, 2024
Unforgettable Experience! - Fantastic tour! It was truly an unforgettable experience. We had plenty of time at each spot to take pictures and explore on our own if we wanted to. The views were absolutely incredible, and the glacier was breathtaking. Traveling in a small group allowed for a more unique and tailored experience compared to a larger bus tour. Our tour guide, Tyler, was awesome! Throughout the tour, he shared his knowledge and pointed out key landmarks along the way. He helped us take pictures and made sure everyone was comfortable and safe. I highly recommend Radventures. This is my second tour with them, and I couldn't be happier. I will definitely come back and utilize their services in the future.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gloria_a
Jul 6, 2024
It was fine - I booked this because I wanted to experience the scenic drive as a passenger and not a driver. The scenic drive was beautiful and the guide was knowledgeable and friendly. The “& secrets” part of the description may be a bit misleading—the sights we stopped at along the way were clearly marked and accessible to all. It was annoying to be on someone else’s timeline but that’s the trade off when you’re traveling solo I suppose. The hiking was minimal, some uphill towards the glacier. The tour does not include walking on or touching ice.
Review provided by Viator
Kelly_d
Jul 5, 2024
Great Tour! - We went on the Icefields Parkway tour with Connor and loved it! We made alot of scenic stops and he was so knowledgeable. We had a small intimate group which was really nice. We even saw some wildlife-Elk, and two bears.
Review provided by Viator
N1150kwjenniferw
Jul 4, 2024
Great trip - We had a great time with Connor who taught us lots about the area as we drove. He was awesome at making sure we got the best experience at each destination. Made seeing the Icefields a super easy journey.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Hjhoosier
Jun 16, 2024
Great Tour of Banff Forest / Jasper Forest - Highly recommend this tour for a stress-free visit to the upper Banff Forest area/ Jasper Forest. It's a small group, guided tour. You don't have to drive and can enjoy the scenery. The guide gives you plenty of time to tour the area, snap photos, enjoy the scenery. Relax in a comfortable, spacious ride and watch for wildlife. The big attraction on this tour is the Columbia Icefield.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
567donnag
Jun 15, 2024
Icefield Parkway Tour - Taylor was a wonderful tour guide. Radventures is an exceptional company and we’re so friendly and accommodating! The tour was a must when visiting Banff.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Orangegirlie
Jun 14, 2024
Wonderful day, excellent guide! - This was an amazing day! Emma was our guide and was fun, engaging, and attentive. Nothing felt rushed, and we even slowed down to see some bears! I previously did the wildlife tour of banff, and highly recommend Radventures!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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