Today's bike ride is a little shorter, giving you the opportunity to explore Lake Louise, hike to the Teahouse or the Glacier, or kayak the lake's turquoise glacier waters. Guide to scenic drives in Banff National Park . If you see other cars stopping, especially tour buses, that usually means there is something out there. The Bow Valley Parkway, a 48-kilometer, scenic, secondary highway paralleling the Trans-Canada Highway between the town of Banff and the village of Lake Louise, is a naturally and historically rich area of Banff National Park, and a year-round scenic heritage experience. Bow Valley Parkway. Be aware that this route will require a park pass whether you are carrying on through the National Park or not. Locals looking to spend some time looking for wildlife head to the Bow Valley Parkway. Winding its way through sun-speckled forest, the Bow Valley Parkway provides visitors with a . After Banff, there’s only one link between the … However one pass is good for several motorcycles (5? Map: Gem Trek Bow Lake & Saskatchewan Crossing Trail Description Starting from along the Icefields Parkway opposite the Crowfoot Glacier Viewpoint, the Helen Lake trail climbs steadily through forest along the west-facing slopes of the Bow Valley for the first three kilometres and then emerges onto steep mountainside meadows. The Bow Valley Parkway is a scenic and beautiful drive through Banff connecting with Lake Louise that runs parallel to the much busier Trans-Canada Highway. It travels through forests with scenic pull-offs and is popular to spot wildlife in Banff National Park. The faster option is the four lane Trans Canada Highway. Highway 1A Bow Valley Parkway. Early in the morning you might have a bigger chance to see wildlife. 30 miles. There are two routes that run through the Bow Valley connecting Banff and Lake Louise. Here are 8 must-visit stops along this classic drive: ” You could make it a loop by returning on the Trans Canada to Banff area. The Bow Valley Parkway is a major bear spotting area! Driving Bow Valley Parkway between Banff and Lake Louise is MUST do and see. The location is not far from Lake Louise. It's slower, curvier, and a reminder that I should occasionally take my time and soak it all in. “ For us, almost everything is walkable and the things that were not the hotel is very close the the bus routes and easy to get to the highways to go to Lake Louise, Bow Valley Parkway and the Icefields. The Bow Valley Parkway (Hwy-1A) offers something for every visitor to Banff National Park. Excellent road cycling, world-class hiking or even just a quiet spot to have a picnic lunch. The Lake Louise to Banff section of the Banff National Park 1A route is also known as the Bow Valley Parkway. Tunnel Mountain Drive. Winding its way through sun-speckled forest, the Bow Valley Parkway provides visitors with a scenic, convenient and leisurely route between Banff and Lake Louise, and a quieter alternative to the Trans-Canada Highway. to the Bow Valley Parkway – one of Banff National Park’s most naturally and historically rich areas. Two roads run parallel through the Bow Valley from Banff to Lake Louise (58km): the faster Highway 1 (the Trans-Canada); and the quieter Bow Valley Parkway (Hwy-1A), opened north of the river as a special scenic route. The alternative route is the slower traveled, narrow and winding Bow Valley Parkway. You join Highway 1A (aka Bow Valley Parkway at this point) just after Mt Norquay heading west from Banff. 30 miles. You could make it a loop by returning on the Trans Canada to Banff area. This 50 km scenic route runs parallel to the Trans-Canada highway, offering a great alternative drive to connect Banff and Lake Louise. Route Map - Banff to Jasper. to the Bow Valley Parkway – one of Banff National Park’s most naturally and historically rich areas. It can be viewed from the Bow Valley Parkway, a scenic alternative route that runs between Banff and Lake Louise. The parkway is an alternate way to get to Lake Louise, but is also a beautiful scenic drive. Enable JavaScript to see Google Maps. It begins at Highway 1 at Lake Louise, generally paralleling it until it meets Highway 1 again approximately 6 km (3.7 mi) west of Banff. scenic, convenient and leisurely route between Banff and Lake Louise, and a quieter alternative to the Trans-Canada Highway. Two roads run parallel through the Bow Valley from Banff to Lake Louise (58km): the faster Highway 1 (the Trans-Canada); and the quieter Bow Valley Parkway (Hwy-1A), opened north of the river as a special scenic route. It ends at the Lake Louise Ski Resort Road.. it is about 50km- approx.