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    Parker Ridge Trail

    458 Reviews
    #1 of 82 things to do in Banff
    Hiking Trails, Nature & Parks, Outdoor Activities
    Icefields Parkway 93, Banff, Banff National Park, Alberta T0L 0C0, Canada
    +1 403-762-1550
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    Review Highlights
    “Fabulous short hike”

    An easy short hike near the Columbia Icefields with spectacular views of the Saskatchewan Glacier... read more

    Reviewed 3 weeks ago
    wesk8
    ,
    Hillsborough, New Jersey
    “No Better Scenery to Effort Ratio Hike in The Canadian Rockies!”

    I took my Eagle Scouts to hike Parker Ridge on my most recent visit. No better view/effort ratio in... read more

    Reviewed 4 March 2018
    Henri B
    ,
    Houston, Texas
    Read all 458 reviews
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    Overview
    5.0
    458 reviews
    • Excellent84%
    • Very good13%
    • Average1%
    • Poor1%
    • Terrible1%
    Travellers talk about
    “short hike” (42 reviews)
    “great hike” (28 reviews)
    “favorite hike” (8 reviews)
    LOCATION
    Icefields Parkway 93, Banff, Banff National Park, Alberta T0L 0C0, Canada
    CONTACT
    Website
    +1 403-762-1550
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    Write a ReviewReviews (458)
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    "short hike"
    in 42 reviews
    "great hike"
    in 28 reviews
    "favorite hike"
    in 8 reviews
    "glacier view"
    in 7 reviews
    "tree line"
    in 11 reviews
    "amazing glacier"
    in 4 reviews
    "jasper area"
    in 4 reviews
    "elevation gain"
    in 12 reviews
    "worth the climb"
    in 9 reviews
    "an incredible view"
    in 6 reviews
    "km round trip"
    in 4 reviews
    "experienced hikers"
    in 4 reviews
    "hiking shoes"
    in 5 reviews
    "wild flowers"
    in 9 reviews
    "ice field"
    in 6 reviews
    "bring a jacket"
    in 5 reviews
    "worth the effort"
    in 11 reviews
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    1 - 10 of 390 reviews

    Reviewed 3 weeks ago
    Fabulous short hike

    An easy short hike near the Columbia Icefields with spectacular views of the Saskatchewan Glacier and the valley which it carved. 4-5 km round trip with 250 meters elevation gain. 1-2 hours. Be sure to walk along the top of the ridge for great views.

    Ask wesk8 about Parker Ridge Trail
    2  Thank wesk8
    This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
    Reviewed 4 March 2018
    No Better Scenery to Effort Ratio Hike in The Canadian Rockies!

    I took my Eagle Scouts to hike Parker Ridge on my most recent visit. No better view/effort ratio in Candian Rockies! Fantastic vistas, incredible flora and a "mountain top", all for a modest amount of time and effort. Dress warm though as the wind can...More

    Ask Henri B about Parker Ridge Trail
    3  Thank Henri B
    This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
    Reviewed 3 March 2018
    Nice

    Real nice time in this area. Ice age trail, Water Falls 3.2 mile trail. Some what in heavy use..Well worth the vaction time.

    Ask roydstrait about Parker Ridge Trail
    1  Thank roydstrait
    This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
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    Reviewed 25 February 2018
    Superb Views

    We did this on the morning of our drive from Banff to Jasper. Its a fairly easy walk, but well worth stopping for. The hardest part was getting out of the car on such a cold day. Views were well worth it. Also worth a...More

    Ask Shifu69 about Parker Ridge Trail
    1  Thank Shifu69
    This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
    Reviewed 3 January 2018
    Short hike to a beautiful view.

    This is a short hike off the Icefields Parkway we did as a break between the Banff to Jasper drive. Pleasant walk to stretch your legs, and you get a beautiful view of the parkway and several glaciers from the plateau at the top.

    Ask Sarah W about Parker Ridge Trail
    4  Thank Sarah W
    This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
    Reviewed 25 October 2017
    Top of the world feeling

    Since this is a highly rated attraction, I made this as a 'must do' on my Rockies trip. On the way from Banff to Jasper, it snowed quite heavily so while I had a beautiful snow-covered view of the Icefields Parkway, hikes were off. Fortunately,...More

    Ask catesoo about Parker Ridge Trail
    3  Thank catesoo
    This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
    Reviewed 19 October 2017
    Excellent views

    The Parker Ridge trail is easily accessible from the Icefields Parkway, and a moderate climb. I didn't spend a lot of time getting to the top, but the ridge views are well worth pulling over for. Do it!

    Ask Laura N about Parker Ridge Trail
    1  Thank Laura N
    This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
    Reviewed 16 October 2017
    Great hike!

    We hiked the Parker Ridge Trail with my wife last September. Beautiful trail, beautiful view and the reward to be able to observe the glacier is really unique! We didn't know which trail to hike around the Colombia Ice field and it turns out to...More

    Ask Tommy-Nature-Guide about Parker Ridge Trail
    1  Thank Tommy-Nature-Guide
    This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
    Reviewed 10 October 2017
    if you only do one hike ..... This is the one!

    This had to be one of the highlights on our three week family vacation out west. Our family of five ( 10,12,14,43,50) made it up and back down in well under two hours. The view at the top is absolutely why you came to Western...More

    Ask Lori034 about Parker Ridge Trail
    4  Thank Lori034
    This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
    Reviewed 9 October 2017 via mobile
    Amazing

    The climb was short and not too difficult. It had snowed when we were here, so it took us a bit of time to make it up here. The wind was brutal above the tree line yet it was absolutely amazing. Really a must hike...More

    Ask Immerenga about Parker Ridge Trail
    Thank Immerenga
    This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
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    Ask a question
    Questions & Answers
    See all 28 questions
    JBRetired
    13 March 2018|
    AnswerShow all 5 answers
    Response from traveldoc | Reviewed this property |
    No bears, doggone it!
    0
    Votes
    Butt0n28
    9 February 2018|
    Answer
    Response from Henri B | Reviewed this property |
    We hiked it in early June in waist deep snow. The other "interesting" note is that in this area they use explosives during the winter to manage avalanches. There is a sign that warns of the possibility of unexploded shells... More
    0
    Votes
    Butt0n28
    9 February 2018|
    Answer
    Response from Nemo1921 | Reviewed this property |
    Hi - I would end of May would be safe as far as snow goes, but you'd have to keep an eye on the weather before you get there. It would make sense to check in with park officials in the days before you travel. Hope your... More
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