Parking
Start at the Bow Summit and Peyto Lake parking lot beside the Icefields Parkway. Toilets are available at the lot. The first paved stretch serves the busy Peyto Lake platform before the route continues toward Bow Summit.
Overview
About Bow Summit Viewpoint Trail
A roughly 4.0 mi (6.4 km) out-and-back from the Bow Summit and Peyto Lake parking lot, this route follows the paved approach to Peyto Lake’s viewing platform, then continues on gravel and mountain paths to a separate high viewpoint above Bow Lake. Allow about 2–3 hours for the climb and return. The crowded Peyto platform is only the first stop; the upper trail is usually quieter.
Why go
- A broad Bow Lake and mountain panorama from a distinct upper viewpoint
- The upper trail feels quieter after the busy Peyto platform
- Forest, alpine terrain and bird habitat add variety to the walk
Heads up
- A sustained climb with a short steeper pitch above the stream crossing
- Snow, ice and the stream crossing can make footing variable
Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Banff map
Full mapElevation2,064–2,365 m
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Safety
8 active Banff alerts
- ClosureJohnston Canyon Trail and Day Use Area closedJohnston Canyon Trail and Day Use Area are closed to all traffic and travel through December 11, 2026, because construction work requires protecting public and workers’ safety.Official details
- ClosureBaker Lake and Hidden Lake campgrounds closed to campingCamping is prohibited at Baker Lake and Hidden Lake campgrounds through December 1, 2026, because a grizzly bear entered campsites and investigated tents and gear; the closures reduce risk to…Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Banff Tour Guide
Your drive to Bow Summit Viewpoint Trail, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Banff National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the Banff audio tourRecorded for this trailhead
Peyto Lake Viewpoint at Bow Summit0:00 / 0:29
“Up ahead is the parking area for Peyto Lake Viewpoint at Bow Summit. I'd make this stop for the high view of the lake, whose outline looks like a wolf's head beneath the peaks.”
Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Banff Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- A Bird’s Bed in the Snow
- One Aspen, Many Trunks
- The Songbird Under the Water
- Bow Lake: North Shore and a Café Stop
- 185 audio storiesacross Banff’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Grizzly Bear, Brown Bear, Gray Wolf, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 162 trails, 90 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“…Loved the commentary as you drove thru. I’m sure the app can do more than I know but the tips were very helpful. I’m gonna use it when we go to Banff next month.”
Trail guide
Hiking Bow Summit Viewpoint Trail
Route and effortFollow the paved, gently uphill path through forest to the Peyto Lake platform, then take the…
Follow the paved, gently uphill path through forest to the Peyto Lake platform, then take the marked continuation toward Bow Summit. The wider gravel trail climbs gradually through two switchbacks to an open clearing; a large rock arrow helps distinguish the main path where trails diverge. The route then drops briefly into a small valley, crosses a mountain stream, and climbs a short steeper pitch to the viewpoint. The mapped line is about 1.94 mi one way; the saved distance is round trip.
The viewThe upper shoulder opens toward Bow and Hector glaciers and the Icefields Parkway.
The upper shoulder opens toward Bow and Hector glaciers and the Icefields Parkway. At the end, a small, level clearing looks over Bow Lake and the Bow Valley. Peyto Lake is visible from the paved platform near the start, but not from this separate upper viewpoint.
Birds and habitatThe forested approach gives way to open subalpine and alpine ground.
The forested approach gives way to open subalpine and alpine ground. Look for Fox Sparrows, Hermit Thrushes and Clark’s Nutcrackers in the trees; White-tailed Ptarmigan, American Pipits and Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches may use the higher open slopes. Early summer is a useful time to watch for alpine birds.
Conditions and accessSnow and ice can linger at this elevation outside midsummer, and the stream crossing may be…
Snow and ice can linger at this elevation outside midsummer, and the stream crossing may be slick or hard to spot under snow. Match footwear to conditions and carry traction when ice is present. Dogs are allowed on leash. Toilets are available at the parking lot; bring water and snacks for the hike.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Banff
123 sightingsGrizzly BearMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
150 sightingsBrown BearMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
44 sightingsGray WolfMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
12 sightingsRiver OtterMost seen around 8 PMSighting map
69 sightingsMooseMost seen around 8 PMSighting map
466 sightingsBlack BearMost seen around 9 PMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Banff. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
