Bow Glacier Falls and Lake Hike

Trailhead: Park at the Num Ti Jah Lodge located on the north side of Bow Lake approximately 40kms north of Lake Louise on the Icefields Parkway. Banff National Park.

Description: Locate the trailhead behind the Num Ti Jah Lodge near the shore of Bow Lake. Follow the lakeshore trail and enjoy the beautiful views of Bow Lake, Bow Glacier, Bow Falls and the Wapta Icefields.

The Bow Glacier is the headwater of the Blue Ribbon Bow River, world renowned for it’s excellent Rainbow and Brown Trout fly fishing. Bow lake itself contains very large Lake Trout however difficult to catch due to watercraft restrictions. You’ll need a National Parks fishing license to try your luck.

If you decide to go canoeing on Bow Lake beware of very strong katabatic winds that often blow down off the Wapta Ice Fields without warning. Staying close to shore is advised. While on the trail to Bow falls you’ll see a large boulder wedged in the river canyon This natural bridge is the start of another trail that leads to the Canadian Alpine Club’s Bow Hut Hostel. The hut is used by climbers and winter skiers.

In the winter Bow Falls creates a popular Ice climb. Ice climbers cross country ski to the base, then climb the frozen waterfall. Due to Bow Lakes elevation at 1920ms, it has a very short summer season. Often the lake is still frozen by mid to late June. Expect hordes of people here during the summer months. This Is Bear Country.

Bow Valley Parkway Map PDF