Hike The Bow Lake Trail.
Bow Lake is a small lake in western Alberta, Canada. It is located on the Bow River, in the Canadian Rockies, at an altitude of 1920 m. The lake lies south of the Bow Summit, east of the Waputik Range and west of the Dolomite Pass, Dolomite Peak and Cirque Peak.
Bow Lake is approximately 30 minutes north of Lake Louise, off the Icefields Parkway (Hwy 93) in the Canadian Rockies and a half-mile north of the Crowfoot Glacier. Sitting at an elevation of 1,920 m (6,300 ft), it is one of the largest lakes in Banff National Park. Fed by meltwater from the Bow Glacier in the Wapta Icefield, the lake lies at the base of Bow Summit, which is perfectly reflected in its aquamarine waters on a calm day.
On our scenic drive on the Athabasca Glacier or Ice Fields, we stopped at Bow Lake and as always it was stunning. October 14, 2021 Temp -5C. Bow Lake is about an hour and a half excluding stops. There was hardly nobody else there and it was so peaceful that we did not want to leave.
It’s one of our favorite spots to visit. The mountains create the backdrop. the lake with its clear water makes up the foreground and together you could just sit and look for a while.
Rank 8.5 This is an easy hike with unbelievable views.
Human traffic can get really busy.
Yes, you can swim in Bow Lake, but you will not want to for very long.