Icefields parkway canada

The Icefields Parkway in Alberta, Canada, is one of the world's most spectacular highways, slicing through the heart of the Canadian Rockies.

About this subject

The Icefields Parkway, officially Highway 93 North, connects Lake Louise to the town of Jasper, stretching 232 kilometers through Banff National Park and Jasper National Park. Opened in 1940, the highway was built manually during the Great Depression, providing remote access to glacial landscapes. Along the route, travelers encounter over 100 glaciers remaining from the last ice age, including the famous Athabasca Glacier, which recedes about five meters per year. The maximum elevation reaches 2,069 meters at Sunwapta Pass, where the air is thin and views extend for kilometers. Turquoise lakes such as Peyto and Bow owe their color to rock flour, fine suspended particles reflecting light. Wildlife is abundant: black and grizzly bears, moose, caribou, and mountain goats. The parkway is closed in winter for vehicles without proper traction but remains a natural showcase recognized under the UNESCO Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage site.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the Icefields Parkway?

The Icefields Parkway is 232 kilometers long, connecting Lake Louise to Jasper in Canada.

When was the Icefields Parkway built?

Construction began in 1931 and the highway opened in 1940, during the Great Depression.

What wildlife can be seen along the parkway?

Visitors can spot black and grizzly bears, moose, caribou, mountain goats, and wolves.