Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour of the Icefields Parkway

Overview

Explore the Icefields Parkway in Alberta using the GuideAlong self-guided audio tour. This experience allows you to discover the region's mountains, lakes, and glaciers while driving, with stories that trigger automatically based on your GPS location. The route takes you to iconic sites such as the vibrant blue waters of Peyto Lake, the powerful Athabasca Falls, and the ancient Athabasca Glacier. You will learn about local geology, historical figures, and the best wildlife viewing spots on one of the world's most beautiful mountain roads. The experience is flexible and works entirely offline, requiring no WiFi or cellular service once the content is downloaded. You can follow suggested itineraries or create your own, stopping whenever you wish. A single purchase covers all passengers in the vehicle, and access is unlimited with no expiration date, including free updates.

Itinerary

1. Icefields Parkway

   As the audio guides play commentary based on your gps location, you can create your own itinerary along the tour route(s) to match your interests and schedule. You can drive the Icefields Parkway in either direction. Or you can use our trip planners for our suggestions on half, full or multi day itineraries. Some of the many highlights are listed below;

   · 8 h

2. Crowfoot Glacier

   Located alongside Bow Lake, Crowfoot Glacier is a fine example of a hanging glacier and looks like it is stuck onto the face of the mountain. The name comes from how the glacier was shaped like the foot of a crow. The Crowfoot originally had 3 toes, but as the glacier has shrunk, it now has just 2 toes.

   · 20 min

3. Bow Lake

   Bow Lake is fed by the Bow Glacier which sits above it. And all of that water running out of the lake becomes the Bow River which runs through Banff National Park and into Calgary and beyond. A historic lodge sits beside the lake, Num Ti Jah, which was built by Jimmy Simpson, one of Banff's legendary early guides. Because only relatively small trees were available, the hand-built log building was constructed in an unusual hexagonal shape to begin with. In its time it was the largest log building in the world. Bow Lake is an excellent photo stop.

   · 30 min

4. Weeping Wall

   An impressive cliff that we drive under as valley narrows, the Weeping Wall oozes snow melt from above and trickles though the rock. This process continues through the winter too, making for excellent frozen falls for ice climbers to scale.

   · Non-stop passage

5. Located at Bow Summit is the simply amazing Peyto Lake. Despite being a full hour drive away from the Columbia Icefield, Bow Summit is the highest point on the Icefields Parkway. The elevated viewing location, the surrounding mountains, and being glacier fed, makes Peyto Lake perhaps the most superbly coloured, mountain lakes you will ever see. Fingers crossed for a sunny day, as the more sunshine, the brighter the colour.

   · 30 min

6. Located close to the Icefield Centre, Parker Ridge is a popular short but steep hike. The reward for walking to the edge of the ridge is the superb views of the Saskatchewan Glacier which fills the valley behind. Because of the elevation of 6,000 feet, the hike may be more tiring than you would expect. Just take your time, and take frequent rests if feeling short of breath. The view is worth it and most people will spend about 1 1/2 - 2 hours enjoying the experience. It is common to find snow on the trail year-round.

   · 1 h 30 min

7. Athabasca Glacier

   Located around halfway between Jasper and Banff on the Icefields Parkway, the Athabasca Glacier is one of the route highlights and one of the most accessible glaciers in the world. Located around halfway between Jasper and Banff on the Icefields Parkway, the Athabasca Glacier is one of the route highlights and one of the most accessible glaciers in the world. You can take in the views from the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre or book a Columbia Icefield Adventure Tour which will take you up onto the glacier on an Ice Explorer, a giant all-terrain vehicle.

   · 30 min

8. Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre

   The Athabasca Glacier is one of the outflows from the larger Columbia Icefield, and it's one of the most accessible glaciers in the world. You can drive right to the toe of the glacier, watching the markers that show how far it has retreated over more than a century. The Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre is where you can book the Columbia Icefield Adventure Tour which will take you up onto the glacier on an Ice Explorer, a giant all-terrain vehicle. This ticket also includes a separate bus taking you to a glass bottomed SkyWalk out over a canyon, and you'll need to allow at least 3 hours for the combined experience. If you're short on time, you can book the SkyWalk by itself.

   · 3 h

9. Sunwapta Falls and Canyon

   Sunwapta has one of the prettiest settings of the many impressive waterfalls of the Canadian Rockies. Outstanding viewpoints are accessed within just a minute of the car park. Those with a little more energy will enjoy exploring the 3km loop trail that explores to peaceful pools lower into the canyon and can be completed easily in an hour.

   · 30 min

10. Athabasca Falls

    Located at the Jasper end of the Icefields Parkway, the Athabasca Falls cut through very hard quartz-rich rock, cascading their way through a narrow canyon. A spectacle at any time, during the spring thaw, snow melt delivers an incredible amount of water over the falls for an impressive show.

    · 30 min

How to use your ticket

Ticket handed over by the operator on site

Includes an app based self-guided experience, so you do not need any in-person guide. STEPS TO GET YOUR GUIDEALONG AUDIO TOUR: 1. SIGN IN + REDEEM your VOUCHER CODE: https://store.guidealong.com/voucher 2. DOWNLOAD the GuideAlong App 3. SIGN IN to the GuideAlong app with the same Apple or Google account as Step 1 4. DOWNLOAD the Audio Tour NOW FIND YOUR VOUCHER CODE AND INSTRUCTIONS - Email: Search for “GuideAlong”. Check All Mail and junk/spam. - Text: Search for “GuideAlong”. - This Ticket: Find the VOUCHER CODE at the top under the QR code and redeem at Step - Viator App: Open your booking and Contact Support > Contact Tour Operator. - TripAdvisor App: Account > Messages. - Support: Call GuideAlong toll-free on 1866-477-1791. DOWNLOAD THE GUIDEALONG APP & TOUR NOW You must download the GuideAlong app and tour to your phone over WiFi or cellular data beforehand. If you can OPEN your tour and see START TOURING, it is downloaded. No service is required while touring. FLEXIBLE TRAVEL DATE There’s no expiry date or time limit for your tour. If your plans change, there’s no need to change your travel date. CHARGING & SOUND Use a USB/C car charger adapter in the auxiliary power outlet (cigarette lighter) to keep your phone charged, not the vehicle's USB port. Audio will play through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the app’s map will display on your phone. Connect your phone via Bluetooth to listen through the car stereo: guidealong.com/travel-tips-bluetooth/. HELP & SUPPORT - FAQs: See the GuideAlong app’s Help menu or online FAQs at guidealong.com/faq. - Contact GuideAlong Support: Call toll-free 1866-477-1791, chat online at guidealong.com, or email info@guidealong.com.

Meeting point

What to know before you go

• Suitable for all fitness levels.
• After booking, follow the instructions sent via email and SMS to log in with an Apple or Google account and use your voucher code.
• Download the free GuideAlong app via WiFi or cellular data.
• Download the tour in the 'My Tours' section of the app before departure.
• Use the app to review the itinerary and trip planner before starting.
• Audio commentary triggers automatically using the phone's GPS chip.
• Travel dates are flexible: the purchase is a one-time fee with no expiration or date limit.
• The pace is entirely up to you: you can pause and resume the tour at any time.
• A single purchase covers all passengers in the vehicle.
• Once downloaded, the tour works without an internet or cellular connection.
• Bring a USB/C car charger to keep your device powered.
• Technical support is available daily via toll-free phone, online chat, and email.
• Audio is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, or via Bluetooth through the car stereo.
• Booking confirmation is immediate.

Travelers

Pricing per package (up to 8 people).

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation for a full refund at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure date.

• No refund is available less than 24 hours before departure.

Who is it for?

• Travellers with a private vehicle
• Those who prefer exploring at their own pace
• Groups or families travelling together in one car
• Visitors seeking an experience without a physical guide

What makes it different

• Lifetime access with no expiration date
• One purchase covers all passengers in the vehicle
• Full offline functionality via GPS

Frequently asked questions

Reviews

Product code: 309754P15

Activity offered by GuideAlong (GyPSy Guide) via Viator.