The crisp blue waters of this mountain lake and its surrounding snow-capped peaks make for a stunning panorama.
Peyto Lake brings together the best that the Rocky Mountains has to offer – a beautiful lake, grand mountains, forests and valleys – in one of the most visited spots in Banff National Park.Most experience the panorama from the wooden lookout platform perched on the hillside above the lake, with few tramping to the shores of the lake itself. The lake's vistas are accessible from a car park just off the Icefields Parkway. In order to access the viewing point, exit the road into the car park and then, on foot, follow the signs along an easy, 10 to 15-minute trail (paved, and suitable for all fitness levels). There is also another car park closer to the vantage point for buses and disabled parking.The fantastic turquoise waters of this glacier-fed lake are a wonder of nature. During the annual thaw and melting cycle, particles of rock which have been ground loose by glacial erosion are washed down into the lake, giving it its bright, arresting colour. Winter offers a different experience, with the lake frozen below you, and the landscape covered in snow.In the summer months, tour buses bring large numbers of people to the lookout, and it can be difficult to even get onto the platform at times! If you'd like to avoid the crowds, come before 9 a.m. or after 4 p.m. in the afternoon. Bow Summit Lookout is a three-kilometre walk from the car park, and offers an escape from much of the crush – there are far fewer people here and also many excellent angles and views for photography.There is a second trail from the main lookout down to the lake. This is a serious trek, and you should come prepared for a return journey of a few hours.Found 40 kilometres from Lake Louise, the lake is 100 kilometres from Banff. You can rent a car from either place and follow the Icefields Parkway to the north. Another option is to take one of the many tours by bus around Banff National Park, most of which stop at Peyto Lake.
