It is time for the superlatives: the Icefields Parkway is the finest scenic drive in the Canadian Rockies. This 230-kilometer road takes motorists and cyclist through the unspoiled high country of northern Banff and southern Jasper National Parks. This is a land of broad rivers, bighorn sheep, proud maintains, waterfalls, bears, lakes, mountain goats and more than a hundred glaciers, some so close to the road that you can feel their chill. And you can see all these things because much of the parkway lies in high subalpine, where trees are short and sparse and do not obstruct the views.

You could complete this drive in a few hours, but you should savour every mile. Tarry at some of the dozens of viewpoints. Hike some of the trails that branch off the parkway. Tour the Columbia Icefield. And to give yourself plenty of time and miss some of the crowds, start early.

Across the parkway is the Dolomite Pass Trail, a fairly steep 8.9-kilometre ascent. If it is mid- to late July, you may want to hike at least the first 6 kilometres to Helen Lake. The trail winds through upper subalpine meadows thick with Indian paintbrush, glacier lilies, and other wildflowers hurriedly blooming to take advantage of the fleeting high country summer.