Icefields Parkway (Canada)

A must-see during your trip to Canada, the Icefields Parkway makes its way through two national parks, Banff National Park with Jasper National Park. You'll need several days to make the most of this spectacular region.

Departing from Lake Louiseand heading north, you'll find several hostels where you can sleep, but there's only a single filling station, located 76 km from Lake Louise.

I followed the Parkway during winter. At that time of year, the route is often closed because of the avalanche risk. You either need snow chains or snow tyres. I was bowled over by the beauty of the landscape. You're deep in the heart of Canada at its wildest. You keep driving and as you drive, the natural landscapes extend as far as the eye can see. My only regret was that I saw the lakes as they were frozen. In addition, the hiking trails are not practical underneath the snow. I therefore stuck to the highway and the various viewpoints along the roadside.

I can only imagine the emerald green colour of the lakes at the height of summer: lush, green foliage against a backdrop of glaciers, with all the animals having emerged from hibernation. I'm determined to go back. It's worth travelling in the spring or summer, even though there's bound to be a lot more traffic on the road. It does at least mean that you'd be able to explore these majestic landscapes in greater depth.