Guided Glacier Hike on The Athabasca with IceWalks
Overview
Available languages
3 hours
Mobile ticket
This will be the highlight of your trip through the Icefields Parkway!
A great way to explore a glacier. The Athabasca Glacier is easily accessible and the tours are moderate difficulty suitable for active people seeking a meaningful experience.
Great value for families, we supply all the gear required to comfortably explore the glacier.
IceWalks' guides are ACMG certified. Your friendly and informative guide will explain the natural history of the area and show you the many ice formations on the glacier.
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
You will be provided micro-spikes (crampons for added traction on the ice) If you don't have your own: Rain gear, hiking boots, gloves, and hat
Warm layers - bring your own insulating layer
What To Expect
Athabasca Glacier
IceWalks' ACMG certified guides will meet you in the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre parking lot and gear you up for an unforgettable 3 hour interpretive glacier adventure. You will be shuttled a short distance to the trailhead. This 5 km roundtrip walking tour will take you onto the Athabasca Glacier and into the incredible landscape that is the Canadian Rockies. You will learn the rich history of the glacier and you will have spectacular views of the glaciated mountains. You will learn about and explore the many incredible ice formations on the glacier, which include: crevasses, mill wells (waterfalls into the depths of the ice), meltwater streams, and icefalls (from a safe distance). This will be the highlight of your trip on the Icefields Parkway. The pictures you take will capture the memories of a lifetime. No technical climbing experience required! Our tours are moderate in difficulty, suitable for young children who enjoy hiking and active seniors.
Options
Classic Half Day Glacier Hike
Reviews
342 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Bucket list adventure surpasses expectations
Jennifer H,
Sep 30, 2025
- Viator
5.00Wow - what an amazing experience! Our guide, Cece made it even more memorable. She was knowledgeable about the glacier itself, as well as the ice ages that formed it. She also help me when I had a bought of vertigo on the hike up. Made me feel safe and gave practical hiking tips for me use then and in the future. So grateful for the whole experience.
Glacier hike was absolutely incredible
nucci l,
Sep 26, 2025
- Viator
5.00We did the glacier hike and it was incredible. Antoine was amazing and friendly and knowledgeable. Im still in awe. So much beauty on the glacier! I didnt realize how intense the hike is though. We hiked around 4 miles and a lot of it was up hill so be prepared. Antoine was great and patient and we moved at a very manageable pace.
DO IT!! You won’t be sorry!!
Celena F,
Sep 25, 2025
- Viator
5.00Look no further and take this tour! You will NOT be sorry, I promise! “G” was our tour guide and he was amazing. He is so kind, funny and informative. If they charged more for this tour, I would definitely pay it! You will see some really neat things that the other tour companies do not show you. These are small groups as well so there is individual interactions. Loved it!!!
One-of-a-kind access to stunning glacier features
Chloe T,
Sep 23, 2025
- Viator
5.00This tour was amazing!! Our guide, Jason, was extremely knowledgeable and helped us navigate the glacier. Our group ranged from early 20s to middle aged. Although some of us found the experience slightly challenging, climbing from the bottom of the glacier to the top, we also found it extremely rewarding. Jason made sure to give us frequent stops on the trail so that we could catch our breath. The tour also includes all the equipment you will need, like spikes for your shoes to navigate the glacier. The spikes were extremely easy to use and really helpful. He also showed us amazing crevasses and rivulets on the glacier itself. He mentioned that the glacier changes so often that crevasses that appear one day may not have been there even the week prior. It was fascinating hearing all the facts about the Athabasca Glacier. The experience is truly one-of-a-kind, and we would highly recommend everyone try it out.
Grandiose and unique
Yvonne J,
Sep 21, 2025
- Viator
5.00Very informative, unique and highly recommended. We got spikes in advance and even hat, sunglasses, gloves and jackets could have been borrowed. Our guide guided us safely across the ice field, gave us detailed information about everything we wanted to know. We got to see waterfalls, canyons and deep gorges. It was such an uplifting feeling what you had. Stunning.
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Operated by IceWalks