Hiking into the Bow Glacier Falls is a novice hike. A 3 hour, 9.2 km round trip, for most people it can be done with a good pair of running shoes, but, as with all outdoor activity in the Canadian Rockies solid hiking boots are always recommended.
These falls should not be confused with the Bow Falls located by the Banff Springs Hotel as Bow Glacier Falls requires considerable more effort to access and is about an hour away from Banff town site.
Great Day Hike Near Calgary, Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper
Accessing the falls is easy. From Banff, take Trans Canada Highway 1 to Highway 93 Alberta just west of Lake Louise (this is a toll highway, a park pass is required and costs $10.00 CDN per person). On Highway 93 travel 40 km north until the entrance to Num-Ti-Jah lodge and turn left to find an upper and lower parking lot.
The lower parking lot has several outdoor washroom facilities and visible signs that point to the trail head that leads to the falls. Travelers should not use the upper parking lot unless visiting the Lodge itself as parking is limited.
Beginning the hike, Bow Lake and several majestic peaks can be seen on the left. The trail follows the lake shore for the most part, but also meanders in and out of the brush. The path is straight forward and there is little elevation gain until the very last stretch where the terrain rises sharply for an ascent of 150 meters beside a canyon wall.
Use Caution When Hiking into Bow Glacier Falls
While somewhat steep, the rise is actually quite friendly as makeshift stairs have been implemented into the trail. The small ascent is also the portion of the hike with the highest risk of injury and exposure to steep drops.
There are no rails, so people with children or pets should be extra careful as the drop between the canyon walls into the frigid glacier runoff gets higher with every step. Even falling from a lower elevation of 20 meters or less could prove fatal.
After making the ascent beside the canyon, the trail opens into a flat valley littered with rocks and boulders left by advancing and receding glaciers from the last ice age. Entering the valley, the headwall from which the falls tumble as well as the Bow Glacier where the falls originate can be seen.
From here a small amount of route finding and some common sense are all that are required and people will find themselves in the wake of the majestic Bow Glacier Falls.
Enjoy Banff National Park and Come Prepared
Hiking in Banff National Park is an excellent activity with abundant fresh Rocky Mountain air and pristine preserved scenery, however, any hiking in and around Banff comes with an element of risk.
There have been grizzly and black bear sightings around Lake Louise and Bow Lake so carrying bear spray is a potentially life saving asset. Whenever hiking to heights, boots or trail runners with thick soles are a good idea, and proper hiking attire that does not retain moisture is a good idea as well.
Have fun hiking into the Bow Glacier Falls, a truly magnificent Rocky Mountain experience!
For cheap accomodations near Bow Lake and Lake Louise see also:
 |
 |
 |
 |
