The seasonal travel restriction has ended on one of Banff National Park’s treasured gems. The annual restriction on the parkway helps protect wildlife from disturbance during the critical times when animals are actively looking for food and bearing their young after the long winter.
This spectacular scenic heritage route provides opportunities to visitors of all ages, abilities, and comfort levels to enjoy diverse and safe outdoor experiences in the wilderness of Banff National Park. Whether interest lies in exploring canyons and trails, delving into history, or indulging in fine dining, the Bow Valley Parkway has it all.
The original two-lane road between Banff and Lake Louise, offers outstanding views of the Sawback Range, Castle Mountain, and Mount Temple, and accesses exceptional recreational opportunities like picnicking, hiking, canoeing, and camping.
The best way to experience the parkway is to cycle it or take a leisurely drive: the speed limit is 60 km per hour. Roadside pull-offs with interpretive panels and self-guiding trails add to the experience with stories about the history and natural features of the area. Rustic campgrounds, a hostel, and unique cottage accommodations offer peaceful overnight stays. The eastern section of the parkway traverses a small, but important area of the park for species like grizzly bears and wolves – perhaps an opportunity to spot some along the drive.
This is either because:
Lakes abound in the limestone high country of Kananaskis. Many are set in remote valleys. This well-beaten path through forest and meadows leads to a beautiful tarn in a more open setting. It’s a great hike for birding and for botany. The wild flower displays of early summer can be superb, especially the blooms of glacier lilies near the lake.
Two lakes bookend this outing; one a massive reservoir, the other a jade gem nestled in a deep limestone pocket. Between them you climb through a tract of dense subalpine forest. Split log boardwalks span wet areas as you near the lake shore. Snow sometimes lingers until mid-July – which makes this a great place for wildflowers that prefer the cool and damp: white globeflower, alpine but-tercup, and evergreen violet. Mt. Sarrail (3174 m) is the backdrop at the lake. 
Mountain Biking BC, along with BC Bike Ride and Endless Biking are giving away a fabulous prize: a 7-day trip to explore seven destinations across British Columbia, discovering the province’s legendary trails, accompanied by some of the best guides and coaches in the industry. To top it off, the winner can bring along their best riding buddy to join the adventure.
