Guided Glacier Hike on Athabasca with IceWalks
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Many hop on the massive Columbia Icefield Explorer trucks to experience the glacier. However, we highly recommend a more natural approach to North America’s most accessible glacier. It’s a fantastic experience for those diving the Icefields Parkway. Through a guided ice walk across the Athabasca Glacier, guests can better understand the glaciers that cover large sections of the Canadian Rockies. They are of huge importance to our environment, and the speed at which they are disappearing across the globe is alarming.
It’s a 3-hour interpretive guided hike by a certified ACMG guide. We’ve hiked across the glacier multiple times, enjoyed a guided hike, and climbed Mount Athabasca. It’s one of our favorite experiences in the Canadian Rockies. It’s best for those with some hiking experience, as walking on ice and the approach is similar to a moderate hike. The total loop for the tour is around 5 km in length. We recommend guests wear appropriate hiking footwear and clothing, as the glacier winds are very cold.
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IceWalks Guided Glacier Hike
- Location: Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure West Parking Lot
- Length: 3 hours
- Price: $135
- Included: Guide & Gear (Microspikes – small traction devices for boots/shoes)
- Pick-up: No
- Parking Lot: Yes
- Public Transport: No
Glacier Hike Highlights
- Close encounter with one of North America’s most accessible glaciers
- Knowledgeable ACMG guide with extensive experience in the Canadian Rockies
- Small-group tour with no more than 12 guests
- Moderate tour difficulty is appropriate for children and senior adults.
Glacier Hike Season & Times
| Dates | Tour Times |
|---|---|
| May 18th – October 14th | 9:45 a.m. & 2:00 p.m. |
Glacier Hike Important Details
No public transit to the Columbia Icefield exists, so you will need a vehicle to enjoy this tour. It’s easy to connect with the IceWalks in the parking lot, and the guide will do their best to wait for anyone running late. However, remember that there is limited cell phone reception along the Icefields Parkway, so you cannot call if you are running late.
As stated above, we highly recommend coming prepared for a hike on a glacier. You will be walking on ice, so good footwear such as hiking boots or shoes is recommended. Glacial winds, known as katabatic winds, are very strong, and you’ll want warm clothing even on a warm summer day. Standing on and near the glacier feels like standing in front of a freezer door.
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An Extended Tour Option
If you have good fitness and looking for a full day out on the ice, Icewalks offers an extended tour. This one goes to the end of the valley and much further up onto the ice. It ends near the beginning of the glacier’s huge seracs where you’ll have a picnic lunch.
