If the idea of whizzing through the Canadian Rockies on a high-speed, four-lane highway doesn’t appeal to your sense of holiday luxury, take the first exit west of Banff, put some pleasant tunes in your stereo and opt for the Bow Valley Parkway instead. The original highway to Lake Louise, the Bow Valley Parkway (also known as Highway 1A) was constructed in 1920 and is the mountain road you probably expected to find in Banff. It’s relatively quiet, the roadsides are undisturbed, there is wildlife on the banks and it has a fair share of twists and turns to please any Sunday driver. If you’ve got time on your hands, and Lake Louise as your destination, the Bow Valley Parkway will satisfy your ramblin’ spirit. Like the Trans-Canada, the 1A follows the Bow River. But this road offers many roadside turnouts with great views. Many offer nice places for picnics. Watch for black bear, elk, coyote, bighorn sheep, deer and wolves – and keep an eye out for that other kind of mountain wildlife, cyclists.
