How far is the drive from Lake Louise to Jasper? The most direct route is about three hours and takes you through some of the most gorgeous scenery in Canada. This drive takes a 140-mile stretch of Alberta Highway 93 called the Icefields Parkway, which offers views of stunning lakes, enormous waterfalls, and even a glacier. Here are a few of the best stops along the way:
Weeping Wall: About halfway through the drive from Lake Louise to Jasper is the Weeping Wall, an enormous cliff with streams of water running down it, making it seem like the rock is crying. These streams are at their fullest during the summer, but the wall takes on a whole new beauty in the winter when the water freezes in place.
Athabasca Glacier: As long as you don’t mind the cold, the Athabasca Glacier is the perfect place to stop and stretch your legs for a while. This 2.3-square-mile glacier is part of the greater Columbia Icefield that gives the highway its name. If you have time, check out the guided tour so you can walk around on top of the glacier itself. Unfortunately, climate change is steadily shrinking the Athabasca Glacier, so make sure you visit while it’s still here.
Skywalk: Just down the road from the glacier is the Skywalk, a massive bridge that juts out from the cliff. The glass floors and dizzying heights might be too much for some people, but more adventurous visitors should definitely head out onto the bridge and experience the gorgeous views of the valley below. Don’t worry; the Skywalk was built to be strong enough to hold the weight of a 747 airplane, so it certainly won’t break under the weight of your family.
To make the most of your trip to Alberta, check out our Lake Louise and Moraine Lake Self-Guided Driving Tour, or you can sign up for Action+ and gain access to over 160+ tours for a single yearly price.
