Lake Louise

Lake Louise is a beautiful mountain lake in the middle of Banff National Park in the Alberta Rockies region of Alberta. The lake is surrounded by snow-capped peaks, and at the far end is a large glacier. The lake is quite isolated, but provides a magnificent setting for a luxury resort, the Châteaux Lake Louise, and a conference wing on the 'inland' side of the hotel.

There is a very small town of the same name at the base of the mountain.

Understand
The lake, a major tourist attraction, can be crowded during the day as coach tour groups arrive, and parking fills up early in the summer. Before 8AM, you can see the lake with few people around; at dawn, the light shines onto the back wall of the glacier lake. Just before dusk is also reasonably quiet.



By car
Lake Louise is 186 km (120 miles) west of Calgary, and 56 km (36 miles) Northwest of the town of Banff on Highway 1 (Trans-Canada Highway).

An alternative from Banff is the Bow Valley Parkway (Highway 1A), this is a restricted speed narrower tree lined road, which although does not provide such clear views of the mountain does provide a better chance of seeing wildlife such as bears and deer.

Lake Louise can also be reached by traveling south from Jasper on Highway 93 (Icefields Parkway).

If you are driving, check out the Parks Canada closures and restrictions

By train
Regularly scheduled passenger trains no longer stop at Lake Louise's historic train station, but luxury Rocky Mountaineer sightseeing trains run from Vancouver between late April and early October (Reservations required). This train takes two days to complete the journey, with an overnight stop at Kamloops. VIA Rail Canada's The Canadian scheduled train route stops in Jasper, and from there, you can take a bus or rent a car to reach Lake Louise.

Get around
Once in Lake Louise, you have access to some of the most beautiful drives in North America.


 * North: The Icefields Parkway, connects Lake Louise to Jasper. It is 230 km (142 mi) taking you along the most beautiful drive in North America.  Along the Icefields Parkway you can stop and take a tour on the Columbia Icefield which is a glacier that covers an amazing 325 square km of land.  An information centre there includes an interpretive section and a café.
 * West The Great Divide denotes the highest ridge-line in the Canadian Rockies and creates a natural border with British Columbia and Yoho National Park 10 km west of town.
 * East Banff is 60 km (36 miles) south-east of Lake Louise on either Hwy 1 (Trans Canada Highway) or the 1A (Bow Valley Parkway). Hwy 1 is quicker, but if you have some time to explore and enjoy the scenery the 1A is the way to go.  There tends to be more animals sighted on the 1A and the scenery is breathtaking (not that you're going to get a bad view from any road in Banff National Park).  Leave some time for a walk at Johnston Canyon, it's an easy walk anyone can do to the lower falls (1.1 km) or you can continue on further to the Upper Falls and the Ink Pots.

National Car Rental is located in the village of Lake Louise and there is a Hertz location in the Fairmont Lake Louise hotel. Otherwise the tour buses are an option.

The surest way to get to the lakeshore, other than staying at a nearby hotel, is to take the Parks Canada Shuttle: Lake Louise Lakeshore bus. Book tickets in advance, then park at the Park and Ride, located at the Lake Louise Ski Resort, and take a bus to Lake Louise (every 20 minutes). You can also take the bus (Parks Canada: Lake Connector) to Moraine Lake (no additional fee), so best is to start in the morning and see both lakes.

By public transit

 * Operates bus routes 8X (Express) or 8S (Scenic) between Lake Louise and Banff. From Banff, there is a route to Canmore. If you get the Roam Super Pass (additional fee), you can also use the Parks Canada: Lake Connector to go to Moraine Lake and back.

Moraine Lake vehicle access restriction
No personal vehicles are allowed to travel to Moraine Lake. Roam Transit, the Parks Canada Shuttle, and commercial buses are your only options to reach Lake Moraine.

See
The main attractions at Lake Louise are the vibrantly coloured glacial lakes and Victoria Glacier at the head of Lake Louise. Other lakes to stop and explore in the area (all within Banff National Park) are Moraine Lake, Bow Lake and Peyto Lake.



Do
As a ski-resort and wilderness area, tourist activity varies according to the season. The primary form of spring and summer recreation in the area is walking around the lake on the lakeside path, hiking on mountain trails leading from the lake, and admiring the scenery. During the summer, canoes can be rented and fishing is a popular activity. The ski resort turns into an interpretive centre in the summer months and gives visitors a beautiful view of Lake Louise from the top of the Gondola.

Summer

 * There is some great rock climbing in the area. Wilson Mountain Sports (see "Buy" section) in Lake Louise rents all the climbing gears except rope and harness.
 * Horseback riding, there are two companies which offer trail rides and pack trips in Lake Louise. Brewster Adventures and Timberline Tours
 * There is some great rock climbing in the area. Wilson Mountain Sports (see "Buy" section) in Lake Louise rents all the climbing gears except rope and harness.
 * Horseback riding, there are two companies which offer trail rides and pack trips in Lake Louise. Brewster Adventures and Timberline Tours
 * Horseback riding, there are two companies which offer trail rides and pack trips in Lake Louise. Brewster Adventures and Timberline Tours

Buy
There isn't a lot of shopping in Lake Louise. There are some stores at The Fairmont Château Lake Louise as well as in the hamlet at Samson Mall.

There are two gas stations in the village providing fuel and basic supplies.

Eat
Most of the restaurants are located within the hotels in the hamlet of Lake Louise. The Lakeview Lounge at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise has fabulous views of the lake, and a patio that is open in summer; there are no reservations for lunch, and often a long wait. Dining at the Post Hotel is simply amazing. Additionally, ask at your hotel or camp-ground where they would recommend.

There are a couple of restaurants located at Samson Mall, also the Station Restaurant which was converted from the heritage-listed train station and another at a gas station. There are also a few restaurants located just outside of Lake Louise at the various other hotels just off the beaten path. Bill Peyto's Cafe in the hostel serves good basic food.



Drink
Most hotels in the hamlet of Lake Louise have a bar or pub.

Sleep
The lake is approximately an hour's drive from Banff, where a much wider variety of accommodations are available.



Go next
Escape the crowds of tourists at Lake Louise and travel up the Icefields Parkway Highway 93 North - Banff to Jasper Highway, one of the most scenic drives in North America with sites such as: Bow Lake, Bow Glacier, Crowfoot Glacier, Mistaya Canyon, Waterfowl Lake, Parkers Ridge, Wilcox Pass, into Jasper National Park, Columbia Icefields, Athabasca Falls,and eventually Jasper.

Along the Icefields Parkway there are numerous opportunities to camp or stay in a rustic wilderness hostel.

For the adventurous you can get to Banff from Lake Louise on foot via the Saddleback Trail. It is an easy to moderately difficult 4-5 day hike complete with empty camp-sites. The trail is passable from July through to October. Check with the Park Canada Information office in town for up to date trail conditions, the disposition of any local Grizzlies and advice.