Top Things to do in Lake Louise
Top 10 Hiking Trails in Lake Louise, Canadian Rockies
Alpine, cross-country skiing, heli-skiing and snowboarding are popular activities in quiet Lake Louise, 35 miles east of Banff, as are ice fishing, skating, dog sledding and ice climbing. In summer, the area attracts almost as many visitors to its trails, waters and rock faces. Peer into turquoise Lake Louise in Banff National Park, three miles from the town of the same name, and be amazed by the color. The renowned grand hotel Chateau Lake Louise sits at the brim of the eponymous lake.
Restaurants in Lake Louise
1. Sentinel Pass
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 122 reviews
Reviewed By BrittanyMExplores - Winnipeg, Canada
I hiked the 8.5 km Larch Valley Trail at Moraine Lake on the morning of September 28, 2020 (did not go all the way to Sentinel Pass). It was an amazing larch hike! The trail began along the flat lakeshore path and then branched to the right. It climbed for 2.4 km, along steep, long switchbacks through the forest. There were some views of Moraine Lake through the trees which was gorgeous. The climb up was hard and I took it slow and steady. At the junction, the trail continued to the right (Eiffel Lake is to the left). It was a gradual but steady (and less steep) climb through the beautiful larch forest! The trail opened up to a clearing where there were stunning panoramic views of the mountains and larches! It then climbed some more through larch forest, steep at times, and opened up again above the trees with even more breathtaking views from a higher perspective. You could see all ten mountain peaks and the larches were plentiful. I continued on a little ways further but turned around before Sentinel Pass. This hike was incredible and one of my favourites so far for larches! I took the Roam Transit from Banff to Moraine Lake to arrive just after sunrise. This was such a good option to avoid waking up super early to find parking. The trail was not that busy when I started at 8 am or when I was on my way down. It was very nice!
2. Mount St. Piran
3. Plain of Six Glaciers
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 413 reviews
Reviewed By Sophie_12341369 - Saint Jerome, Canada
This is a truly amazing hike that gets you up close to the glaciers with the option to eat a snack at the tea house. The trail itself is challenging but very doable for someone of average fitness. It is uphill but never gets too steep. The views are amazing all the way up. Highly recommend
4. Big Beehive
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 126 reviews
Reviewed By BlueHero - New Jersey, United States
Big Beehive is one stop while we did the big loop hike, starting from Lake Louise, then stopped at Lake Agnes, Devils Thumb, Big Beehive, Plains of Six Glaciers, and finally back to Lake Louise. You can visit Big Beehive either through the big loop as we did. Or you can just go there via Lake Agnes and then turn around. The views from Big Beehive was great. And the difficulty level for the trail leading to Big Beehive was between easy and modest. Highly recommended.
5. Saddleback Pass
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By ahewkojpeg - Ottawa, Canada
Beautiful hike, we went right after the rain and were the first people going up at 8am. Didn’t need/use any poles but saw other people with them. Was consistently steep the whole way, and when we were given the choice to take one of the two paths, we chose the steep one! On another dat we’d like to go back up and try one of the continued paths like Paradise Valley or Fairmont. Stunning views the whole way.
6. Mount Fairview
7. Little Beehive Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 32 reviews
Reviewed By 184patm184 - Wausau, United States
We hiked this section of the trail after stopping at Lake Agnes tea house. It’s only another short hike to the top, and well worth the effort. Views were spectacular. I would say it takes about 3-4 hours round trip from Lake Louise, but stopping at the tea house makes it all the more pleasant.
8. Lake Agnes
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 480 reviews
Tiny lake only a couple of kilometers away from Lake Louise; a great hiking destination.
Reviewed By cathyw156 - Ottawa, Canada
We arrived at 9:45 on the first monday in October and there were still spots left in the main lot (although they were filling up quickly). The trail is well marked. We hiked to the Lake Agnes Teahouse first. From there we went up to the Little Beehive and then retraced our steps to the Teahouse. We had a quick lunch before hiking up the Big Beehive trail. There was a short section where it switchbacks up that I found a bit uncomfortable not being the best with heights but it would likely not bother most people. We returned by the trail through the forest that joins up with the Highline trail. This takes you back to Mirror Lake. I think this route was longer than if we had gone back to the Teahouse and down from there but I preferred that to doing the switchbacks back down. Loved the views at Lake Agnes and from the tops of both beehives!
9. Bow Glacier Falls Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 210 reviews
Reviewed By AnnapolisHiker_MD - Annapolis, United States
The trail is very easy most of the way. It begins at the end of a gravel parking lot and winds along the shore of Bow Lake. The day we were there the wind was stiff coming off the lake and it was very smoky from the fires to the west so the views across the lake weren't the best but still nice. There is one spot at the head (inlet) of the lake where the trail is not easy to discern. It sort of disappears along a shallow spot in the stream with some small places to place your feet as you try to avoid stepping in the water. That only lasts for about 50 ft or so and then the path becomes easier to follow. For a short time the path enters a wooded area where you must go up and down from the stream and back to the stream bed. Lots of tree roots in this area so be careful. The trail opens up and crosses a wide expanse of rocky/gravelly area with the rushing stream in the middle. Eventually you need to climb probably 100 ft up a "staircase" but once over this spot the trail is again easy and flat. The view of the falls is rewarding because it is relatively high fall with very noisy water flow. Across the rocky area to the base of the falls are rock cairns along the way to keep you from wandering to far afield. This is a very nice hike that most people will be able to complete. Give it a go!
