Mon. 11.7.: Dream road Icefields Pkwy

According to National Geographic, the Icefields Pkwy is one of the 10 most beautiful roads in the world. After our drive today in the best weather, we can only agree with that. The entire route from Jasper to Lake Louise is 232 km long and leads through the heart of the Rocky Mountains. Today we will drive about 150 km of it.

Our first stop is Athabasca Falls. Here, the meltwater from the Columbia Icefields plunges 23 m into the depths with a mighty noise at a narrow point.

Naturally, our picnic spot today, the “Goats & Glacier Lookout”, also has a dreamy location with a view of the river, mountains, and glaciers.

We reach Sunwapta Falls after a short hike. Here, you can observe the impressive 18 m high waterfalls on several levels.

The Stutfield Glacier Viewpoint is simply a place to marvel and enjoy.

Immediately afterwards, the beautiful Tangle Creek Fall, with its masses of water, almost falls onto the Pkwy.

After that, we reach the Columbia Icefields, one of the largest icefields south of the Arctic Circle. However, the glaciers retreat by 5 m annually, which is alarmingly evident from the corresponding signs. Despite the sun, icy cold wind whistles around our ears as we climb to the edge of the ice.

After the viewpoint “The Big Bend”, it goes steeply downhill and 30 minutes later we turn onto the David Thompson Hwy to reach our accommodation in Nordegg. A young black bear welcomes us on a blooming meadow.

The journey continues along the artificially dammed Abraham Lakes with its spectacular blue color.

Arriving at the rented traditional log cabin, Philipp discovers the large grill and steaks are decided on in the only store at the gas station. The beer for it is available in an extraordinary liquor store. The kids once again use the existing fire pit for their beloved marshmallows.