Hike, Bike, Paddle: Lake Louise & Moraine Lake

Hike, Bike, Paddle: Lake Louise & Moraine Lake

Sydney Nearing
Lake Louise & Moraine Lake have been some of my favourite places to hike since my first visit in 2016. The breathtaking turquoise lakes and surrounding mountains provide the perfect day for your visit to Banff National Park. This guide includes my favourite hikes and activities to enjoy while visiting Lake Louise & Moraine Lake. If you find this guide helpful, tips are always welcome and appreciated :)
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Hiking Trails

Lake Louise
@sydneynearing
With numerous trails for beginner, intermediate and experienced hikers, Lake Louise has something to offer for visitors of all levels. See the growing list of hikes I've completed below since living in Calgary.
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Lake Louise Lakeshore

Lake Louise Lakeshore is the perfect hike for beginners! This trail takes you around the left side of Lake Louise and awards you with stunning views of Fairview Mountain. With benches along the way, this is the perfect choice if you're looking for an easy stroll with spots to stop and admire the lake.

⏱️ 1 hour

🥾 4 km round-trip

Little Beehive

See Lake Louise from above on the Little Beehive hike! This hike begins with switchbacks taking you to your first stop at Mirror Lake where you'll admire views of the Big Beehive. Past Mirror Lake you'll continue to the stairs taking you to your second break at Lake Agnes. Visit the Lake Agnes Teahouse before summitting the Little Beehive.

⏱️ 4 hours

🥾 11.5 km round-trip

Plain of 6 Glaciers

Lake Louise will appear as a tiny speck from the lookout at the end of the hike. Along the way, take in views of Mount Victoria and stop for a break at The Plain of 6 Glaciers Teahouse! If you're looking for solitude, this Teahouse is much quieter then the Lake Agnes Teahouse. 

⏱️ 5 hours

🥾 13 km round-trip

Fairview Lookout

Fairview Lookout takes you along the left side of Lake Louise! From the lookout, view the Fairmont Chateau from a whole new perspective. This is a short but steep hike.

⏱️ 45 mins

🥾 2.4 km round-trip

Lake Louise Ski Resort & Summer Gondola
@sydneynearing
The Lake Louise Summer Gondola gives you a new view of Lake Louise and the surrounding area! At the top you can take a walk along the boardwalk or take a hike along the trails.
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Kicking Horse Pass Viewpoint

The Kicking Horse Pass Viewpoint starts from the Lake Louise Summer Gondola. This easy, yet steep hike opens up to unforgettable views of Lake Louise and the surrounding mountains. 

⏱️ 45 mins

🥾 2 km round-trip

Moraine Lake
@sydneynearing
Moraine Lake is a must stop when visiting Banff National Park and is one of my personal favourites! I have so many favourite hikes that start at the majestic Moraine Lake, read all about them here!
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Moraine Lake Rockpile

The Moraine Lake Rockpile takes you to the stunning views of this picturesque lake. This is the perfect spot to take in the Lakes beauty, and if you're lucky, you'll spot hikers scrambling the Tower of Babel on your left.

⏱️ 30 mins

🥾 1 km round-trip

Consolation Lakes

The hike to Consolation Lakes begins at the Moraine Lake Rockpile! This hike through the forest surrounding Moraine Lake opens up to views of Consolation Lakes, Quadra Mt. and Bident Mt.. Take a break on one of the numerous rocks surrounding Consolation Lakes before heading back.

⏱️ 2 - 2.5 hours

🥾 6.7 km round-trip

Larch Valley

The Larch Valley hike begins with an uphill trail of switchbacks until it opens into the valley. This is the perfect place to take a break and admire the surrounding trees and mountains.

⏱️ 4 - 5 hours

🥾 10 km round-trip

Kayaking / SUP / Canoeing

Lake Louise & Moraine Lake both offer Canoe Rentals! If you're visiting, this is the perfect opportunity to travel across both lakes. Moraine Lake is smaller and offers a shorter paddle trip while paddling Lake Louise will take longer due to its size. If you have your own Kayak / SUP / Canoe, you can bring them to either Lake!

Make sure to research and follow the guidelines set by Parks Canada for watercraft in the National Parks.

Lake Louise Village

Wilson Mountain Sports
@sydneynearing
Wilson Mountain Sports offers a wide variety of rentals during the summer and winter months! In 2021, I rented an e-Bike and ventured the 14 km road to Moraine Lake in the spring while the road was closed to vehicles. Biking along the road back makes the uphill journey to get there worth it. You'll cruise the majority of the way back to Wilson Mountain Sports!
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Trailhead Cafe
@sydneynearing
The Trailhead Cafe is the perfect spot to grab a bite to eat before or after your adventure at Lake Louise or Moraine Lake!
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sydney Nearing
Hi everyone! My name is Sydney Nearing and I create guides and itineraries based on my travel experiences. My itineraries focus on locations I’ve travelled to. Before going on vacation I always create a personal itinerary that I then modify based on my recommendations and experiences before publishing on Thatch! While my itineraries focus on travelling, my guides are targeted to local experiences! While living in Calgary, Alberta, I’ve had the opportunity to explore many local provincial and national parks. These guides focus on restaurant recommendations and activities I enjoy in my spare time such as hiking and kayaking. Shop my trips and find me on Instagram (@sydneynearing and @st_travelling)
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