Lake Louise explores by combining the main lake and the excursion to Moraine Lake. Typical 2-day itinerary:
Day 1 — Lake Louise: Lakeshore Trail (early morning 6-9am for magical light and no crowds, flat 4.5 km return walk along the shore, accessible PMR to km 2, panoramic view over Victoria Glacier at back). Canoeing on Lake Louise (rental at foot of Chateau, CAD 135 for 2h, unique experience of paddling on turquoise glacial waters — reservation recommended in high season via Fairmont Mountain Adventures). Lake Agnes Tea House hike (5.8 km return, 385 m elevation, 2-3h, climb by forest trail to alpine Lake Agnes 2,134 m, historic 1901 tea house for tea and Canadian scone CAD 10-15, cash only, open June-October). Lunch at Chateau (Lakeview Lounge or Walliser Stube). Afternoon: Plain of Six Glaciers hike (10.8 km return, 365 m elevation, 4-5h, climb to Victoria Glacier and Lefroy Glacier, another tea house at summit open June-September) or Big Beehive (10 km, 540 m elevation, spectacular Lake Louise view from summit). Evening: dinner at Chateau (Fairview Bar & Restaurant or Walliser Stube Swiss fondue) or at Lake Louise Village (Lake Louise Station Restaurant for Canadian cuisine).
Day 2 — Moraine Lake: Parks Canada shuttle at sunrise (5:30-7am from Lake Louise Park & Ride, CAD 28/person return, booking 6 months ahead) for magical light on the 10 peaks and no crowds. Rockpile Trail (300 m, 30 m elevation, iconic view over the lake and the 10 peaks — the CAD 20 banknote image). Lakeshore Trail Moraine Lake (3 km return along the shore). Canoeing on Moraine Lake (CAD 135/2h, more exclusive and less crowded than Lake Louise). Larch Valley hike (8.6 km return, 535 m elevation, 4-5h, spectacular late September with golden-yellow larches) or Sentinel Pass (8.6 km return to col 2,605 m, the highest accessible in Banff). Beware: frequent grizzly alerts in July-August on Larch Valley (minimum 4 people mandatory, bear spray mandatory). Lunch at Moraine Lake Lodge (open June-October only). Return shuttle in early afternoon.
Optional excursions: Lake Louise Gondola (5 min by car, cable car to Mt Whitehorn 2,088 m, CAD 65, grizzly viewing from summit — one of Banff's best spots, summer only June-September), Yoho National Park (40 min away: Emerald Lake calmer turquoise lake than Louise, canoeing CAD 90/2h, Takakkaw Falls 3rd highest waterfall in Canada at 384 m, Burgess Shale UNESCO fossils mandatory guided hike CAD 110/person July-September), Icefields Parkway (route 93N to Jasper, one of the world's most beautiful scenic drives, 5-7h return with stops or 3 days combined Jasper — Peyto Lake and Bow Lake accessible in 1h from Lake Louise).
Winter: Lake Louise Pond Skating (free skating on the frozen lake in front of the Chateau, skate rental CAD 16/day, December-March), Ice Magic Festival (mid-January, ice sculptures), skiing at Lake Louise Ski Resort (4,200 acres, 145 runs, world top 10, free shuttle from the Chateau, lift pass CAD 130-200/day, accessible with SkiBig3 Pass joint with Banff Sunshine and Mt Norquay), snowshoeing (rental CAD 25-35), cross-country skiing (free trails facing the lake), dog sledding (CAD 180-260, operator Kingmik Dog Sled Tours), snowmobiling (CAD 250-400/day).
Read also
- Canadian Rockies — The full region: Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper, Icefields Parkway.
- Banff — 1h south: Canada's 1st national park, Banff Gondola, hot springs, Fairmont Banff Springs.
- Canada — Complete country guide: eTA visa, currency, regions, best time to visit.
- British Columbia — Vancouver, Whistler, Vancouver Island: combine for a complete 14-day West trip.