Peyto Lake: the view from above
A short walk, a big view, and a steep descent for experienced hikers.
Peyto Lake lies in Banff National Park on the Icefields Parkway, 43 km (27 mi) north of Lake Louise and 190 km (118 mi) south of Jasper. From the parking lot a short trail climbs to a viewing platform high above the turquoise lake; a 0.3 km (0.2 mi) barrier-free path leads there from the upper lot.
The platform is at Bow Summit, at 2,070 m (6,791 ft) the highest point on the Icefields Parkway. If you want more, carry on to the Bow Summit Viewpoint.
There is no mobile coverage on the Parkway. In summer, parking lots often fill early and stay full all day; there is no space to wait for a stall.
Parks Canada: travelling the Icefields Parkway, stops, seasons, services (accessed 3 October 2026) ↗
In numbers
- From Lake Louise
- 43 km (27 mi)
- From Jasper
- 190 km (118 mi)
- Bow Summit
- 2,070 m (6,791 ft)
- To the platform
- 0.6 km, +30 m (98 ft)
- Barrier-free path
- 0.3 km (0.2 mi) from the upper lot
- Bow Summit Viewpoint
- 3 km, +310 m (1,017 ft)
- Down to the shore
- 1.3 km, −240 m (787 ft)
- Icefields Parkway
- 232 km (144 mi)
- Winter tyres mandatory
- 1 November to 31 March
