Howse Peak: The Towering Sentinel of Banff National Park

Why Howse Peak Stands Out

Howse Peak (3,290 m) anchors the northern end of the Waputik Range in Banff National Park. Its 1,200-metre north face ranks among the longest and most technically demanding alpine walls in the Canadian Rockies, drawing experienced mountaineers from around the world. Even for non-climbers the peak’s sheer profile and hanging glaciers create one of the most photographed roadside spectacles on the Icefields Parkway.

Getting There

The mountain is reached via Highway 93, the Icefields Parkway, roughly 80 km north of Lake Louise. Pullouts near the Howse River bridge and the start of the Glacier Lake trail provide unobstructed views of the north face. No formal trail ascends the peak itself; visitors wanting closer contact hike or mountain-bike the 9 km Glacier Lake trail, then continue on informal paths toward the base of the east face. Four-wheel-drive roads to the Howse Pass area exist south of the peak but require high-clearance vehicles and are often washed out.

Best Time to Visit

July through early September offers the longest daylight and most stable snow-free approaches for climbers. Road access is reliable then, wildflowers carpet the valley, and the north face is usually in condition. Shoulder seasons bring fewer people but higher avalanche risk and lingering snow on approach routes. Winter visits are limited to ski touring or snowshoeing from the highway; the face itself is rarely attempted outside summer.

What to See and Do

Most visitors stop for photographs at the roadside pullouts. Those with more time can walk the flat Glacier Lake trail through old-growth forest to a turquoise lake directly beneath the east face. Photographers favor early-morning light on the north face or golden-hour reflections in the lake. Serious parties tackle multi-day routes on the north face or the technically easier but still committing east ridge; these require glacier travel skills, rock and ice protection, and strong route-finding ability. No facilities exist at the mountain; every visitor must be self-sufficient.

Nearby Attractions

• Mistaya Canyon – a short, dramatic slot canyon 15 minutes south on the Parkway.
• Peyto Lake overlook – 30 minutes north, offering sweeping views of the Wapta Icefield.
• Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Glacier – an hour north, with guided ice walks and the Glacier Skywalk.
• Waterfowl Lakes campground – convenient base for exploring the Howse area.