Photo: Lord Hultonus, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
📍 Banff Moderate
TODAY'S STATUS (OFFICIAL SOURCE)
Caution
⚠️ Caution · 2026-10-16: Caution: Rockfall hazard. Rockfall risk is highest near the falls and rockwall, with possible rockfall runout below. Avoid hiking in this area to reduce your exposure.; Adhere to all posted warnings and closures along trails; Wet and muddy sections Parks Canada ↗
7.6 km
Distance
+95 m
Elevation gain
3 h
Time
Moderate
Difficulty
✓
Dogs on leash
The trail follows the shore of Bow Lake, then climbs into the Bow Glacier Falls basin where, as Parks Canada puts it, you witness the birth of a river: the Bow, part of western Canada's largest watershed, begins as meltwater tumbling down from the Wapta Icefield.
It's 3.8 km each way with 95 m of elevation gain, about 3 hours round trip. Important: in October 2026 Parks Canada has a rockfall warning in place. The risk is highest near the falls and the rock wall, and it recommends avoiding that area.
Bow Lake parking lot, 36 km north of the Lake Louise junction on the Icefields Parkway, 400 m down the access road to The Lodge at Bow Lake.
📍 Bow Lake parking lot, 400 m down the Lodge at Bow Lake access road, Icefields Parkway (Hwy 93N) km 36
July to September. Check the trail status before you go because of the rockfall warning.
The whole Icefields Parkway is wildlife habitat. Keep at least 30 m from mountain goats, sheep and deer, and 100 m from bears, wolves and cougars.
User experiences, not official information. Always check the official status before you go.
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