The Jasper-Banff region of Alberta is one of the most well-known and iconic areas in Canada. It’s full of endless untouched beauty which will make you say “wow” every corner you turn. You could easily spend days or even weeks exploring Jasper and still not have scratched the surface.

Coming from Banff, drive up along the Icefields Parkway to arrive at Jasper. This incredibly scenic drive will take you right through the Canadian Rockies. Drive through winding valleys, and past sky-high mountains, observing the stunning fall colors and more snow to sink a ship! You’ll also have the opportunity to experience unforgettable hikes, adventurous outdoor activities, and have a high chance of spotting some wildlife.

So how do you make the most out of this place with only a limited amount of time? Keep reading to discover the highlights of Jasper and bucket list items you should not miss.

Take a Stroll Along the Foreshore at Bow Lake

About a 30-minute drive north of Moraine Lake you’ll find yourself at Bow Lake. This lake is easy to spot off the Icefields Parkway as it has the magnificent Bow Summit towering over it. It's one of the largest lakes in Banff National park and sits at 1,920m high.

On a calm day, capture the stunning reflections on the water melted from the Bow Glacier in the Wapta Icefield. This makes a lovely place to enjoy a short walk and a hot cup of coffee.

Admire the Incredible Colours of Peyto Lake

Slightly further up the road, you’ll see signs for Peyto Lake. I was skeptical as to whether the water is really that vibrant. I can tell you firsthand, that it is! This popular viewpoint rivals the nearby Lake Moraine with its stunning turquoise blue color and mountainous backdrop.

Take the short 5-minute walk until you reach the viewing platform and be ready for your jaw to drop. The viewpoint stands quite high up which really intensifies the magnitude of the scene. If you prefer to avoid the crowds, walk just a little further to the second, lesser-known, and much quieter viewpoint.

To get there simply walk along the paved path you were originally on and continue uphill towards the Upper Peyto Lake Viewpoint. About 150 meters in you will see a sign signaling where the track becomes a circuit. Walk counter-clockwise along the circuit until you see a dirt trail on your right. After the paved path turns left, there will be a sign directing you right towards the Upper Viewpoint. About 250 meters later you’ll arrive and are hopefully alone!

Walk on a 10,000-Year-Old Glacier

The Athabasca Glacier is impossible to miss! It's one of the largest non-polar ice fields in the world and you know when you've arrived! You'll be compelled to stop and take in the incredible sights of this ancient glacier.

Or you can go one step better with the opportunity to actually walk on it.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and one that should be appreciated as the glacier is melting at an incredible rate.

Jump on an organized tour at the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre. Book ahead as the tours can fill up quickly.

The impressive Ice Explorer will take you out onto the glacier. Once you've reached it, you then have half an hour to explore. Half an hour is the perfect amount of time to spend on the glacier, you don’t feel rushed but it's short enough to quickly warm up when you get back into the Ice Explorer.

This is the ideal way to walk on a glacier as they can be extremely dangerous; full of crevasses and snow bridges that no one wants to unexpectedly stumble across.

If you visit just after a snowfall the glacier looks like a pristine, untouched wonderland. The white snow looks so magnificent contrasting against the jagged rocky landscape. You can’t help but feel humbled after standing in the shadow of the glacier sitting on top of the mountain.

This is one of the best experiences you could have in Jasper and is one not to be missed. It is an activity that will leave you with lifelong memories and a new respect for Mother Nature.

Take a Walk on the Wild Side at the Glacier Skywalk

If you're short on time you can walk along the Glacier Skywalk. Conveniently, the bus leaves from the glacier straight to the Skywalk. You then stay as long as you like before catching any bus you wish back. The buses come every 15 minutes.

Enjoy the 1-kilometer interpretive walkway before reaching the glass-bottomed platform. Sitting 918 feet above the Sunwapta Valley, it's hard to comprehend just how high up you are. Walking on the glass bottom is an experience in itself.

Observe the waterfalls in the distance, watch for the family of mountain goats roaming nearby, and admire birds soaring across the sky as you take in the beauty of the glacier-topped peaks in the distance.

Just make sure you don’t hold your phone over the edge because you're not getting it back if it falls!