Bow Glacier Falls hike

Start in the Bow Lake parking lot, and quickly head to the right of Bow Lake. You will soon pass the historic Num-Ti-Jah Lodge. Continue on a path hugging the lake, and you have wonderful views in all directions. Depending on water levels you may be able to scamper across the rocks at the far end of the lake, saving a bit of time.

When coming to a river, continue following on the right-hand side of the water. There will then be a set of stairs, at which point you can go left to Bow Hut or up the stairs to Bow Glacier Falls. If you are tired, you can also turn around, however tackling these stairs yields a large reward with some incredible scenery – including an alpine wonderland and glaciers that are truly magnificent.

At the top of the stairs, the falls will be straight ahead, with a path leading off to the right. Follow this trail and continue to stay to the right of the stream the entire time. The path is clear and the views are delightful, though as you start your final ascent you may find the path difficult to find. Lots of water has created a litany of small streams that take over the trail and make route finding hard. Look for Cairns and continue in the direction of the water. You can get close enough to the falls to feel the spray!

Descend the way you came up. The views heading back on Bow Lake are sublime.

What’s new for Bow Glacier Falls Trail in 2024

In 2024, the Bow Falls Trail in Banff is likely to be ready for hikers earlier than usual due to low snowfall, offering great views of the Bow River and falls. Other great news, the Lodge at Bow Lake (formerly Num-Ti-Jah Lodge), located at the trailhead, reopened in August 2023 after renovations, so don’t forget to stop by its Café for a coffee and treat!