Calgary to Lake Louise: Johnston Canyon, Peyto Lake & Icefields Parkway Day Trip
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
8–10 hours
Fitness Level
Moderate fitness; comfortable with multiple short walks on icy or uneven surfaces and occasional uphill sections.
Overview
This full-day drive from Calgary threads the Icefields Parkway’s most arresting stops: an icy walk through Johnston Canyon, the frozen expanse of Lake Louise, reflective Bow Lake, and the vivid viewpoint at Peyto. Expect dramatic waterfalls, glacial vistas, and a full day of photogenic pullouts and short walks.
Calgary to Lake Louise: Johnston Canyon, Peyto Lake & Icefields Parkway Day Trip
Select participants and date
The coach eases out of Calgary with a sky that still holds night’s cold. Windows fog as the city thins and the mountains loom—gray peaks like old fortresses against a pale winter sky. By midmorning you’re fastening crampons at the Johnston Canyon trailhead, the metal teeth eager against compacted snow. The canyon clamps down around you: black limestone cliffs, ice curtains hanging like chandeliers, and a creek that keeps running even when the surface is sealed. The walkways hug the rock, and each catwalk reveal—Lower Falls, then the higher cascades—arrives as a small, breath-stealing surprise.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Use the provided crampons
Crampons are supplied in winter—wear them with sturdy, waterproof boots and follow your guide’s fitting instructions; icy metal catwalks are deceptively slippery.
Carry warm layers and wind protection
Temperatures drop quickly at viewpoints and along exposed sections of the Icefields Parkway—an insulated jacket and windproof shell are essential.
Bring snacks and water
Lunch is at your own expense and services can be limited; bring at least 1–2 liters of water and calorie-dense snacks to stay fueled through an 8–10 hour day.
Respect safety barriers and frozen surfaces
Do not venture onto frozen lakes or behind barriers—the ice can be unstable and canyon edges are hazardous in winter conditions.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- White-tailed deer or elk along quieter pullouts
- Pine grosbeak or gray jay in roadside stands and spruce
History
The Icefields Parkway was completed in the 1930s to connect Banff and Jasper and to open access to glacial landscapes; many lake names reflect early guides and mountaineers such as Bill Peyto.
Conservation
Banff is managed by Parks Canada with strict rules on wildlife interaction and waste; stay on trails and pack out all trash to protect fragile alpine ecosystems.
Select participants and date
Adventure Hotspots in Banff
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Waterproof hiking boots
Provide grip and warmth; crampons fit best over sturdy boots.
winter specific
Microspikes/crampons (if you own them)
Useful for extra traction if you prefer your own fit—operator provides them in winter.
winter specific
Insulated, windproof jacket
Blocks wind at exposed viewpoints and keeps core temperature stable.
winter specific
Sunglasses & sunscreen
Snow and ice amplify UV—protect skin and eyes even on cloudy days.
all specific