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    Parker Ridge Trail

    450 Reviews
    #2 of 85 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
    “Excellent views”

    The Parker Ridge trail is easily accessible from the Icefields Parkway, and a moderate climb. I... read more

    Reviewed 3 days ago
    Laura N
    ,
    Oakland, California
    “Great hike!”

    We hiked the Parker Ridge Trail with my wife last September. Beautiful trail, beautiful view and... read more

    Reviewed 6 days ago
    Tommy-Nature-Guide
    ,
    Playa del Carmen, Mexico
    Read all 450 reviews
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    Overview
    5.0
    450 reviews
    • Excellent83%
    • Very good13%
    • Average2%
    • Poor1%
    • Terrible1%
    Travellers talk about
    “short hike” (40 reviews)
    “great hike” (27 reviews)
    “favorite hike” (8 reviews)
    LOCATION
    Icefields Parkway 93, Banff, Banff National Park, Alberta T0L 0C0, Canada
    CONTACT
    +1 403-762-1550
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    Reviews (450)
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    1 - 10 of 384 reviews

    Reviewed 3 days ago
    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!

    Thank Laura N
    Reviewed 6 days ago
    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

    Thank Tommy-Nature-Guide
    Reviewed 1 week ago
    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

    1  Thank Lori034
    Reviewed 1 week ago 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

    Thank Immerenga
    Reviewed 2 weeks ago
    Nice Glacier View

    The Parker Ridge Trail was a nice straightforward hike and did offer a great view of the Saskatchewan Glacier in the end stretch. it took us about 2.5 hours and the trail has great spots to relax and make it sort of like a picnic...More

    Thank Chaitanya S
    Reviewed 2 weeks ago
    Waaw

    Beautiful, breathtaking !! Go slow to avoid a speed violation ( 100 instead of 90 and 205 CAD fine) no mercy

    1  Thank gokeAntwerp
    Reviewed 2 weeks ago
    Jaw-dropping views!

    Amazing, relatively easy hike to a ridgeline overlooking the Columbia Icefields. The view of Saskatchewan glacier and the surrounding mountains was jaw-dropping... Definitely be prepared for whipping winds and even snow as you get to the top! Was definitely a highlight during our 10 day...More

    Thank jaimesteffen24
    Reviewed 3 weeks ago
    Steep climb, totally worth it.

    We nearly didn't do this trail but we met another couple who had done it and they couldn't recommend it enough. It had snowed overnight so this made the climb extra beautiful but also a little slippy and muddy in places. The views at the...More

    Thank lolly888
    Reviewed 3 weeks ago
    Parkers Ridge Hike

    A great stop along the icefields parkway. We went the first week of September 2017 and it was very smokey due to the wildfires in BC, so we couldn't actually see the glacier unfortunately! Still a great hike. A series of steep switchbacks take you...More

    Thank 22AlyssaH
    Reviewed 3 weeks ago
    Best work/reward ratio in Banff

    An easy trail that provides stunning views of the Saskatchewan glacier. Can get a bit windy on top so bring a coat

    Thank Steve G
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    Questions & Answers
    See all 23 questions
    erinago
    23 August 2017|
    AnswerShow all 4 answers
    Response from Canada1vli | Reviewed this property |
    I didn't see anything. And there were a lot of people using the trail. I didn't have bear spray with me either.
    0
    Votes
    friedricefan
    23 July 2017|
    AnswerShow all 2 answers
    Response from JML02118 | Reviewed this property |
    It's about 180km from downtown Banff to the Parker Ridge trailhead. The official speed limit is 90km on that section of road, so depending on how you drive, it should take you at most two hours to get there if you don't make... More
    0
    Votes
    friedricefan
    23 July 2017|
    Answer
    Response from Troy P | Reviewed this property |
    It took us about 3 hours but that was with a stop to see Peyto lake. Also not something to be missed.
    2
    Votes