The Glacier Trail, Alberta
Distance: 222.7 Km / 138.8 Mi Duration: 02:18:22
The Glacier Trail from Lake Louise to Jasper is a quintessential Canadian motorcycle ride. Start from the crystal clear, glacier-fed waters of Moraine Lake 14 kilometres (8.7 miles) southeast of the hamlet of Lake Louise.
Alberta's exceptional variety of options for experience-hungry motorcycle riders, regardless of bike type, is legendary. And that's why any proud Albertan will tell you, a must-do is the Icefields Parkway along Hwy 93, between Jasper and Banff. The mountains, rivers and long views are among the world's finest.
If you feel like living dangerously, do a side trip and tackle the Forestry Trunk Road. It's unpaved, with big logging and energy-sector trucks coming full bore around blind one-lane curves. Actually, it’s slightly less crazy than that, and both the scenery and feeling of remoteness are over the top. Photo credit https://expertvagabond.com
Where to stop
This is a “world class” destination with world class crowds and all the associated touristy paraphernalia. Stop at the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre to look at ice sheets off the side of the road, do that. You'll not lack for lung-stretching views.
On the southern point of the route, reach Moraine Lake from Lake Louise Village. Take the Trans Canada Highway (Hwy 1) drive uphill on Lake Louise Drive until you see the access road for Moraine Lake on your left. Follow the winding road for 11 kilometres of elevation to the parking area. The road to Moraine Lake and the parking lot can be very busy during the summer and in late September.
Further south of Lake Louis along Hwy 93 is the mineral Radium Hot Springs located in BC, only a short hour and a half drive from Banff, Alberta at the south entrance of Kootenay National Park. Radium Hot Springs on Hwy 93 just across the BC border.
On the northern tip of the route, once you reach Jasper, take Hwy 16 north to Miette Hot Springs for rocky setting, mineral, well deserved soak.
Icefields Parkway scenery can make a grown man cry; The Glacier Trail - Alberta
Stop n' gawk; The Glacier Trail - Alberta
You must be logged in to comment
Login now
81 months ago
my wife and I just rode that. Beautiful!! Gas at Sask crossing was 1.72 per ltr. Very nice ride
84 months ago
Rode this early last year. I agree a nice easy ride, not too much traffic when I was up there but I'd imagine the summer gets kinda busy.
Make sure you check out the falls just south of Jasper. Real neat during the early season with melt water surging through. Can't remember tha. And if the place but well worth a stop and wander down the paths.
I came in from Golden so can't comment of the Banff section.
It poured with rain on the run home but there's some great roads on the Easterly route back to Vancouver via 100 Mile House, Lillooet and Pemberton.
85 months ago
it's good. nice easy, comfortable ride. Saskatchewan river crossing has a 24 hrs gas bar come summer months so gas is not a issue.
85 months ago
Hey @crozz how do you feel about the revision to this route?
85 months ago
We're revised this route to be more reasonable netting 3 hours of glorious riding rather than 5. For those who want to do more, from 93 take Hwy 11 north to Saskatchewan River Crossing then Hwy 40 west to Pembina Forks and Coalspur: terrific riding but not yet clear how much gravel you will encounter.
87 months ago
awesome ride! watch for massive amounts of wildlife, tourists and climate change