Hiking Guide

Within 30 minutes’ drive of The Crossing Resort, we’ve identified 14 of the most accessible and spectacular hikes along the Icefields Parkway. Selected hikes are of varying degree, from easy to moderate to strenuous. Available at check-in, we provide area maps and full color rack cards detailing the selected hikes, including rating, distance, maximum elevation, approximate time length, suggested footwear, best hiking months and location of the trail heads. Our front line staff members are fully conversant with the area and will be pleased to assist you with hike selection and information. Enjoy your hiking adventure at The Crossing Resort.

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Reminder: Before you head out for your hike today, stop in to our General Store to pick up your box lunch and check out our hiking supplies for a water bottle, sunglasses, or any other hiking needs.
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Use the following link for hike descriptions/trailhead locations for trails accessible to The Crossing Resort, and then click on Icefields Parkway area.
www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/ab/banff/activ/randonee-hiking/lakelouise.aspx

Bow Glacier and Falls
​Rating: Moderate
Distance: 6.8 km (4.1 mi) round trip
Max. elevation: 2040 m (6690 ft)
Elevation gain: +91 m (297 ft)
Approx. time: 3 hours
Footwear: Good waking shoes/ light hiking boots
Best hiking months: Mid June – October
Trail head: Num-Ti-Jah Lodge parking lot, 42 km (25.2 mi) south of The Crossing Resort, 30 mins

Peyto Lake
Rating: Easy
Distance: 1.2 km (0.7 mi) Round Trip
Max. elevation:2134 m (6699 ft)
Elevation gain: 45 m (148 ft)
Approx. time: 20 min round trip, for optional loop add 20 min
Footwear: Anything, Best hiking months: Mid-June to October
Trail head: 37 km (23 mi) south of The Crossing Resort, 25 mins

Mistaya Canyon
Rating: Easy
Distance: 1.5 km (0.9 mi) round trip
Max. elevation:1525 m (5002 ft)
Elevation gain: Minimal
Approx. time: 30 min round trip
Footwear: Good walking shoes/light hiking boots, Best hiking months: May – October
Trail head: Parking area on Icefields Parkway 5.5 km (3.5 mi) south of The Crossing Resort

Pony Bridge
Rating: Moderate
Distance: 2.2 km (1.3 mi)
Max. elevation: 1660 m (5450 ft)
Elevation gain: Approx. 100 m (300 ft)
Approx. time: 1-1.5 hours
Footwear: Good walking shoes/light hiking boots
Best hiking months: May – October
Trail head: Gravel parking lot 1.2 km (0.7 mi) north of The Crossing Resort

Parker Ridge
Rating: Strenuous
Distance: 5 km (3 mi) round trip
Max. elevation: 2255 m (7395 ft)
Elevation gain: 216 m (708 ft)
Approx. time: 2.5 – 4 hours
Footwear: Light hiking boots
Best hiking months: Late June – end of September
Trail head: Parking area 41 km (25 mi) north of The Crossing Resort on the Icefields Parkway

Nigel Pass
Rating: Strenuous, Distance: 16 km (9.4 mi)
Max. elevation: 2220 m (7285 ft)
Elevation gain: 365 m (1198 ft)
Approx. time: 6 hours
Footwear: Light hiking boots
Best hiking months: Early July – October
Trail head: 36.5 km (23 mi) north of The crossing Resort on the Icefields Parkway

Sunset Pass
Rating: Strenuous to difficult
Distance: 16.4 km round trip (9.8 mi)
Maximum elevation: 2165 m (7100 ft.)
Elevation loss/gain: +725 m (2380 ft.)
Approx. time: 6-7 hours round trip
Footwear: Good hiking boots
Best months to hike: Late June to late September
Trail Head: Parking area on the north side of the Icefields Parkway 16.7 km (10.3 mi.) north of The Crossing Resort

Sarbach Lookout
Rating: Moderate
Distance: 10.4 km round trip (6.4 mi)
Max Elevation: 2075 m (6800 ft.)
Elevation loss/gain: -40 m (130 ft.) then +590 m gain (1936 ft.)
Approx. time: 4-5 hour round trip
Footwear: Hiking Boots with good support
Best Hiking Months: Mid-June through September
​Trail Head: Mistaya Canyon trail head, 5.1 km (3.2 mi) south of The Crossing Resort on Icefields Parkway

Helen Lake
Rating: Moderate
Distance: 12 km round trip (7.5 mi)
Max Elevation: 2500 m (8200 ft.)
Elevation gain: +550 m (1800 ft.)
Approx. time: 4 hours round trip
Footwear: Light to good hiking boots
Best Hiking Months: Late June to mid-September
Trail Head: Directly across from Crowfoot viewpoint is location of hike staging area, north side of road. 44.7 km (26.8 mi) south of The Crossing Resort on the Icefields Parkway just past Bow Lake.

Glacier Lake
Rating: Moderate to Difficult
Distance: 17.8 km round trip (11 mi)
Max Elevation: 1660 m (5450 ft.)
Elevation loss/gain: +210 m (689 ft.) -225 m (750 ft.)
Approx. time: 6-7 hours
Footwear: Light to good hiking boots
Best Hiking Months: Mid-May to end September
Trail Head: Parking area on left side of Icefields Parkway 1 km (.6 mi) of The Crossing Resort

Cirque Lake
Rating: Moderate
Distance: 8.4 km (5.2 mi)
Max Elevation: 1755 m (5750 ft.)
Elevation loss/gain: 105 m (345 ft.)
Approx. time: 3 hours round trip
Footwear: Light to good hiking boots
Best Hiking Months: Early June to late September
Trail Head: Waterfowl Lakes Campground 19.3 km (11.6 mi) south of The Crossing Resort on the Icefields Parkway.

Chephren Lake
Rating: Moderate
Distance: 7.0 km round trip (4.4 mi)
Max Elevation: 1755 m (5750 ft.)
Elevation loss/gain: +105 m (345 ft.) -42 m (140 ft.)
Approx. Time: 3 hours round trip
Footwear: Light to good hiking boots
Best Hiking Months: Early June to late September
Trail Head: Waterfowl Lakes Campground 19.3 km (11.6 mi) south of The Crossing Resort on the Icefields Parkway

Wilcox Pass
​Rating: Moderate
Distance: 8 km round trip (5 mi)
Max Elevation: 2375 m (7800 ft.)
Elevation loss/gain: +335 m (1100 ft.)
Approx. Time: 3-3.5 hours round trip
Footwear: Light hiking boot
Best Hiking Months: Late June to mid-September
Trail Head: Left side of entrance to Wilcox Creek Campground 47.7 km (28.6 mi)  north of The Crossing Resort on the Icefields Parkway

Warden Lake
​Rating: Easy
Distance: 4.4 km round trip (1.4 mi)
Max Elevation: 1426 m (4678 ft.)
Elevation loss/gain: +30 m (100 ft.)
Approx. Time: 1.5 hours round trip
Footwear: Good walking shoe
Best Hiking Months: June to end September
Trail Head: Saskatchewan River Crossing Warden Station 2 km (1.2 mi) south of The Crossing Resort on the Icefields Parkway