Pt 20. Icefields Parkway, Lake Louise, Banff, Alberta

The National Geographic magazine once described the Icefields Parkway as the most awe-inspiring, beautiful road in the world.

That’s some statement. But you know what? We think they were probably on to something.

An incredible feat of engineering it carves its way through 140 miles of the Canadian Rockies connecting Jasper and Banff National Parks. The route has everything; frozen lakes, fast-flowing rivers, waterfalls and of course mountains. Lots and lots of mountains.

Most of the highest peaks in the Canada are here, and thankfully, after 3 days of low cloud we’re blessed with a relatively clear day on which to enjoy them.

Highlights? 

The Falls just south of Jasper where the thundering waters make us feel the tiniest bit vulnerable.

There’s Wend on the left, give her a wave. 

Then 50 miles further south, the Athabasca Glacier.

Glaciers are always cool (groan) but this one’s a corker. Cascading down from the Alberta plains for tens of thousands of years it has sculpted the surrounding landscape into something very special indeed.

We hike up to the lip, which is quite a challenge but just as we’re congratulating ourselves on being so brave we spot three blokes skiing down the central section.

Look closely and you can see two of them finishing their descent. Extreme! 

First stop at the end of the Parkway is Lake Louise, which is probably second only to Niagara Falls on the list of Canada’s most iconic attractions.

Rightly so too. It’s impossibly beautiful. We have the whole ‘4 seasons in one day’ scenario while here; bright sunshine, murky rainfall then a full on blizzard to top things off.

This is a good thing. Changing light means changing perspectives so in a way we get to see a different lake every few minutes. 

We also get to meet Paul, a smashing chap who is having one last walk around the lake before returning home to Edmonton. 

No photo of Paul I’m afraid but here’s the badge he kindly gives us. A First Nation salmon design, pretty cool eh?

Paul personifies the many Canadians we’ve met on the trip – not just here but throughout Central and South America. Smart, extremely friendly and always interested in our story.  They’re rightly very proud of their country but not in a vulgar nationalistic Trumpy/Brexity way. 

They are genuinely intrigued by the whole Brexit shitshow, with views ranging from bemusement to disbelief to downright pity. Much as we appreciate their pity it does little to cheer us up. What a mess.

Anyway, rant over, onwards to Banff.

Just before we reach town I take this photo. Quite pleased with it. Someone then tells us this exact image used to feature on the Canadian $10 bill.

Fancy that!

In a nutshell Banff is like Jasper but a bit bigger. Bigger town, with bigger mountains, and much to our delight bigger and better pizzas.

We like it here a lot.