Discover Icefields Parkway’s hidden gems and wildlife with expert guides. Enjoy bespoke itineraries, relaxed hikes, and epic views away from the crowds.
- 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.
- 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
- 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)
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!
- Children 6 and under are unable to join our small group adventures
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.