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The Lake Louise region in Banff National Park is one of the most scenic and serene places in the world. You will find people flocking to Banff National Park from all corners of the globe, and for a good reason. The bright, pristine blue lakes are even more powerful in person.
Now, I have to admit, planning my vacation to Lake Louise and Banff was one of the most challenging trips I have ever planned. In part, because I didn’t know anyone who had been to Banff National Park, and there was so much to do, I had difficulty figuring out where to start.
Help is Here!
Have no fear. To fully immerse yourself in the experience without any stress, I created a three-night, four-day Lake Louise itinerary that will take you to see all the highlights with the best views such as Lake Louise, Icefields Parkway, Yoho National Park (Emerald Lake), Bow Valley Parkway, and Banff. If you are doing this itinerary in the fall, especially after the second week of October, you can see most of these highlights without the crowds!
Interactive Lake Louise Itinerary Map
To make planning your trip logistically easier, I created the interactive map above. The map shows the location of each highlight on my Lake Louise itinerary. Seeing the highlights to visit on a map helped me plan our trip and I hope it does the same for you.
Almost all of the sites in this post are closer to Lake Louise than Banff. However, since Lake Louise and the town of Banff are only about forty-five minutes from each other, you can also use this itinerary if you are staying in Banff.
Color Coding System
The points of interest are color-coded by day.
Day 1: Lake Louise is red.
Day 2: Icefields Parkway is purple
Day 3: Yoho National Park is yellow.
Day 4: Lake Louise to Banff is orange.
I also included some of the stops on my three-day Banff itinerary in case you plan to continue your trip. Those days are coded in maroon, blue, and green. I am working on a separate post about the best things to see near Banff!
- Pro Tip
For each day you are in a Canadian National Park, you will need a park pass.
The Best Place to Stay in Lake Louise
Hands down, the best place to stay in the Lake Louise area is the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. You cannot beat the views, location, and convenience of having some of the only restaurants in town in your hotel.
When you book your room, I highly recommend you splurge for a room with a lake view. It is worth every penny. Waking up with a view of Lake Louise (see below) is like a dream. Plus, you can see the lake change colors throughout the day as the sun comes and goes. While the rooms are small and could use an update, it is the best option.
The Best 4-Day Lake Louise Itinerary
Day 1 of Your Lake Louise Itinerary
Visit Lake Louise
Get ready for a fun-filled day of stellar views. Lake Louise is located in Banff National Park and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Towering mountain peaks surround Victoria Glacier and the gorgeous turquoise blue Lake Louise. The lake color was unlike anything I had ever seen before, and I was pleasantly surprised how much better the view was in person than in photos.
I could not wait to explore the area around Lake Louise. In the summer you can get out on Lake Louise in one of the iconic red canoes. However, in the fall and winter, the only way to enjoy Lake Louise is by walking around it or hiking above it for spectacular views.
Easy Walk: Lake Louise Lakeshore Trail
A stroll around Lake Louise is a terrific way to start your day and your Lake Louise itinerary. The three-mile out and back trail with zero elevation gain is great for everyone. The path follows the shore of the lake, hence the name Lakeshore Trail. It’s a pleasant way to enjoy Lake Louise even if you are not physically fit. There are benches and places that look like they were designed for the best camera angels in mind around Lake Louise. While you cannot walk all the way around Lake Louise, you can walk around a fair amount of the lakeshore.
The boardwalk is the least crowded in the mornings and the evenings. The path starts near the boathouse on one side of the lake and continues past the Fairmont to the other side of the lake.
The Lake Louise Lakeshore Trail is also the starting point for the Fairview Trail, Plain of Six Glaciers, Agnes Lake, Mirror Lake, and the Mount Fairview Lookout trails.
Time at Lake Louise: 1-2 hours
Easy to Moderate: Mount Fairview Lookout Trail
A trip to Lake Louise is not complete without hiking the Mount Fairview Lookout Trail. The short but steep trail offers an incredible view of Lake Louise and the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise in the background. Hikers will climb about 200 feet in about 20 minutes to reach the lookout point. There is a sitting area at the top, giving visitors a chance to appreciate the views.
The trail starts right next to the boathouse. The primarily paved path takes hikers into the forest, revealing the beautiful vista only at the end of your hike!
Pro Tip: The trail does get a little slippery in the fall. I recommend you either bring hiking shoes or Yak Tracks or if you are staying at the Fairmont, see if you can borrow a pair from the front desk.
Time on the Mount Fairview Lookout Trail: 45 minutes to 1 hour
Moderate to Hard: Lake Agnes and Big Beehive
On our first day, we decided to go for a big hike. After breakfast at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, it was time to start our trek to Mirror Lake, Agnes Lake, the Agnes Tea House, and Big Beehive. (You don’t have to do Big or Little Beehive to get to Agnes Lake or the Tea House).
Mirror Lake
The Lake Agnes hike starts on a well-marked path (Lake Louise Lakeshore Trail) next to Lake Louise at the back of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. The hike takes you above Lake Louise into the peaceful forest. Your first stop will be Mirror Lake. On a calm day, I am told you can get a nice picture of the mountains reflecting in the lake. However, Mirror Lake was mostly frozen during our trip, so we quickly moved on.
Agnes Lake
The trail to Agnes Lake opens at the Agnes Tea House, providing you with stunning mountain and lake views. During the high season, most people stop at Agnes Tea House for tea and a snack. However, since we knew Agnes Tea House was closed during our visit and it would be cold, we planned ahead. We brought tea and pastries, and we had our own tea party!
To make our tea party a reality, we filled a S’well Bottle with boiling water and brought along a couple of tea bags and cups from the hotel. The Fairmont has a grab-and-go Pantry that has good pastries, snacks, the like, where we stopped to pick up a few goodies for the hike.
A warm beverage and a sugary snack on a cold day hit the spot! There are no trash cans at the Agnes Tea House, so pack out what you pack in. There is, however, a public bathroom above the tea house.
Big Beehive
After our bodies were warm and our bellies full, our next stop was Big Beehive. (We skipped Little Beehive, but if you are not up for a steep climb, Little Beehive might be more your speed). Keeping Agnes Lake on our left, we headed around the lake and through the steep pass to Big Beehive. The twenty-to-twenty-five-minute hike up the tight switchbacks is a bit challenging.
When the ground starts to get slippery and covered in snow in the fall, it’s a whole new adventure. However, by using Yak Tracks, we had no issues with the terrain. Like my brother-in-law says, there is no bad weather, just bad gear. On this trip, good gear is essential!
Big Beehive was a highlight of our Agnes Lake hike. Once you reach the top of the mountain, turn left at the sign for Big Beehive. As you continue towards Lake Louise (on flat ground), your hard work is rewarded with unobstructed views of Lake Louise below you. So, stop and take in the view.
There is even a viewing pavilion where you can enjoy the view. Although, the views from the surrounding area offer a little better view than the pavilion. We met a nice couple who brought a few beers to reward themselves for a hike well done! After you finish your beverage of choice, it’s time to head back down the mountain.
Plain of Six Glaciers
To mix up the hike and see something different, we choose to loop around instead of going back to Lake Louise the way we came up the hill. Instead of turning right at the fork to head back down toward Agnes Lakes, we went left toward the Plain of Six Glaciers. We started our hike around noon (after it had warmed up a bit) and didn’t have enough time to visit the Plain of Six Glaciers. However, you can use this trail to get back to Lake Louise without going to the Plain of Six Glaciers. We used the signs and Google Maps to help us navigate back to Lake Louise without any issues.
Alltrails is also a good resource. The trail lets you out at the backside of Lake Louise. So, if you didn’t have a chance to stroll around Lake Louise, now is your chance.
If you are in good hiking shape and have time, you could use this trail to visit the Plain of Six Glaciers before heading back to Lake Louise. We didn’t make it there, but we look forward to doing this hike on our next visit.
Total Roundtrip Hiking Time: 5 hours from start to finish. You can do it in less time, but we chose to stop along the way at Lake Agnes and Big Beehive and enjoy a beverage or two instead of powering through the hike.
- Pro Tip
I cannot recommend using Yak Tracks or a similar product enough to hike in the Canadian Rockies in the fall. Unprepared visitors were slipping and sliding everywhere, which takes away from your experience. But not us! We brought our own and used them almost every day of our seven-day visit to the Lake Louise and Banff areas. Gary and I often mentioned how happy we were that we brought our own Yak Tracks.
If you are staying at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, you can rent (or maybe even borrow) Yak Tracks from the concierge desk. However, they can run out.
- Pro Tip
It’s important to have the right gear, especially in fall, like hiking boots, a jacket, gloves, and a hat.
Happy Hour at Lake View Lounge
After a five-hour hike, my muscles needed to relax. We headed to Lakeview Lounge for a drink and a snack. I recommend a table in the bar area so you can see the view of Lake Louise. For a snack, opt for the cheese and charcuterie board! You might want to make a reservation in advance because the tables fill up quickly.
Dinner
Now to dinner. Lake Louise is a bit of a food desert. You have very few options, which are then limited even further by the time of year you visit. For ease and pretty much necessity, we ate at the hotel every night. By mid to late October, there are even fewer dinner options in the Lake Louise area. However, there are a couple of very casual places in the Lake Louise Village as well as Bill Peyto’s Café (causal and a short drive from the Fairmont) that also gets good reviews. I’m not sure if that is because there are so few choices, or the food is actually good.
We also had dinner at Lakeview Lounge. The menus at most of the restaurants within Banff National Park (including the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise) are very meat and game intensive. I had wild boar ravioli – a first for me, and it was surprisingly good.
- Pro Tip
Make dinner reservations at least a month in advance. If you are staying at the Fairmont, the concierge can help you with your reservations.
Day 2 of Your Lake Louise Itinerary
Visit Moraine Lake
Wake up bright and early to visit Moraine Lake. From everything I have read, you need to get to Moraine Lake crazy early, like 5:30 am, to get a parking spot. If you are not an early bird, sunset also seems to be a good time to visit when there are fewer crowds.
If Moraine Lake is closed for the season (it was for us), you get to sleep in! Sunrise was not until 8:00 am in mid-October!
If you visited Moraine Lake, drop a comment below and let us know about your experience!
- Pro Tip
Moraine Lake usually closes right after Canada’s Thanksgiving but can close earlier, depending on the weather.
Spend the Rest of the Day Driving the Icefields Parkway
There are incredible places to see along the Icefields Parkway. Each stop is impressive.
My advice is to give yourself enough time to stop when you want and explore the sites. The drive from Lake Louise to the Mistaya Canyon and back, including stopping at the highlights discussed below, took us about five and a half hours. However, in the summer months, when you can visit the Columbia Icefields or Athabasca Glacier, you might want to include them on your trip as well. To see these additional sites, you would need to add another couple of hours in each direction to your trip time.
Starting in mid-October, there are no places to stop for lunch. But that’s okay. There are so many scenic gems along the way to enjoy a picnic or a snack. If you are in Lake Louise, you have two good options for lunch: 1) the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise has a grab and go restaurant or 2) take advantage of the bakeries and little market in the Lake Louise Village (just off the Trans-Canada Highway in Lake Louise) and pick up a sandwich, cookies, or the like to take with you for the day.
Crowfoot Glacier
On a clear day, you can see Crowfoot Glacier from the viewpoint along the road. Crowfoot Glacier is known as a hanging glacier because it looks like it is hanging from the side of the mountain. The easiest way to find Crowfoot Glacier is to look for blue ice that peeks out from the snow at the top of the mountain.
The glacier was named Crowfoot because people thought the glacier looked like it had three toes. Over the years, the glacier has melted, and it now only has two toes. There is also a tunnel in the glacier from melting ice. I couldn’t find the toes or the tunnel, but hopefully, you can make them out on your trip.
Time at Crowfoot Glacier: This is a quick 5-minute stop.
Bow Lake
The river you see running through Banff National Park along the Trans-Canada Highway is the Bow River and is one of the largest lakes in Banff National Park. The runoff from Bow Glacier feeds Bow Lake which in turn feeds into Bow River. There are a few things to do while at Bow Lake.
- Visitors can stop at the viewpoint and enjoy the view and see Bow Glacier.
- Head to Jimmy Simpson’s Num-Ti-Jah Lodge (built in 1940) at Bow Lake. Jimmy Simpson is considered one of Canada’s greatest mountain men and guides.
- Go for a walk around Bow Lake
- Enjoy the lake during the summer months
Time at Bow Lake: 15-20 minutes in the fall if you stop at both viewpoints and head over to see Num-Ti-Jah Lodge.
Bow Summit/Petyo Lake
At 6,800 feet, Bow Summit offers a fantastic view of Petyo Lake. Named for Bill Petyo, one of Canada’s first park wardens of Banff National Park, Peyto Lake is a highlight on the Icefields Parkway Drive and a must-stop on your Lake Louise itinerary. To access Petyo Lake, take the Bow Summit exit on the Icefields Parkway.
Viewing Platform at Peyto Lake
Follow the trail (and all of the people) to the viewing platform. The path is about 1.8 miles each way and slightly uphill. In the fall, Yak Tracks are a must. Even though the hills are small, they are easy to slide down if you don’t have the proper footwear.
The view speaks for itself!
The fantastic color of blue at Peyto Lake changes with the brightness of the sun. We were there on a hazy day, and the color of the lake was still magnificent. The dazzling blue color of Petyo Lake comes from rock flour. As the glaciers move, they grind the rock, creating an extremely fine rock flour. The rock flour is carried down the mountain in the runoff from the glaciers. Like other dazzling lakes in the area, when the sunlight hits the rock flour in the water, it gives off a brilliant blue/teal color.
Do you think Petyo Lake looks like an animal? I think it looks like a wolf – a fun bonus of seeing the lake!
Observation Area at Peyto Lake
Wait! Don’t leave yet. If you face the lake, there is a path up to another viewing area on your left. When you get to the map, veer right and walk a couple of minutes until you come to the first sign about the area. Take the side cut trail at the sign. After a 3–5-minute walk, you will have an unbelievable view of Peyto Lake!
The observation area does not have any guardrails. So, if you are afraid of heights, you might want to skip the observation area.
- Pro Tip
Bring a snack and enjoy as you admire the vivid blue lake from the observation area.
Time at Bow Summit/Petyo Lake: 45-60 minutes, depending on how long you stay and enjoy the view.
Mistaya Canyon
One of the most unexpected and most astonishing sights along the Icefields Parkway is Mistaya Canyon. Over time, the water rushing down from Peyto Lake carved a deep slot canyon with narrow towering limestone walls.
To see the impressive sight for yourself, take the downhill trail at the end of the parking lot (opposite side as the bathrooms) to the bridge. As you cross the bridge, check out the views on each side of the bridge. Take time to stop in the middle of the bridge and stare down the slots between the wood planks to see the water moving quickly through the narrow canyon.
Once you cross the bridge, there are trails to your right and left. We took the path to the left and walked along the river for a few minutes to admire the river and crystal-clear water.
To get back to your car, you will need to take the same trail back up. The trail is about .3 miles in each direction and has approximately 200 feet of elevation gain.
Time at Mistaya Canyon: 30-45 minutes
Additional Stops on the Icefields Parkway
If you are visiting in the summer, you might want to continue on the Icefields Parkway and visit Columbia Icefields, Athabasca Glacier, and Athabasca Falls. Our visit was too late in the season to take advantage of these sites. Since these sights are closer to Jasper National Park, I would suggest staying a night in Jasper rather than driving three hours each way and trying to see all these sites in one day.
Our Overall Time on Icefields Parkway: 5-7 hours
- Pro Tip
We downloaded the GyPSy Guide to the Canadian Rockies and it felt like we had a personal tour guide for each stop along the way. We learned about famed explorers, how monuments were named, fun stories, and of course, practical tips for our drive. If you don’t need the Candian Rockies bundle, you can buy GyPSy Guide’s Icefield Parkway audioguide seperately.
Dinner at Fairview at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
For dinner, we dined at Fairview at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Fairview is a steak house with a beautiful art deco bar and views of Lake Louise (if you are eating while the sun is still shining). Fairview was my least favorite restaurant at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. In all fairness, I did not have steak, and that might have been the problem.
- Pro Tip
For a quieter dinner, opt for the dining room. For a livelier meal, ask to eat in the bar area pictured above.
Day 3 of Your Lake Louise Itinerary
Visit Yoho National Park
It’s time to leave Banff National Park and head to Yoho National Park for the day. Yoho means awe, miraculous, or wonder in Cree, which perfectly describes the sites you are about to see. Yoho National Park is close to Lake Louise (about 30 minutes) and a must-see drive while in the region. Your visit to Yoho National Park will take you into British Columbia too!
As you get ready for the day, I would suggest you pack a picnic. We stopped at the Lake Louise Village (again) to get a few snacks for our Yoho National Park adventure. Along the drive, there are a couple of food options in the summer, but it is slim to nil pickings in the fall.
Lower Spiral Tunnel and Kicking Horse Pass
As you drive through Yoho National Park, you may quickly realize that cargo trains are heavily used to transport goods through the Canadian Rocky Mountains. The double-decker cargo trains seem to go on for miles. Nowadays, we don’t think twice about a train’s trek through the jagged, steep mountains. But, as explained by our GyPSy Guide in the 1880s, the engineers had to design a track that would safely navigate these mighty trains up, down, and through these intimidating mountains. With a significant amount of ingenuity, the engineers designed two spiral tunnels through Kicking Horse Pass, the highest point on the Trans-Canada Highway, to decrease the steepness of the track and prevent runaway trains.
To see the lower spiral tunnel for yourself, take the turnout on your right (if you are coming from Lake Louise) and stop at the viewing platform. About every fifteen-twenty minutes (give or take), you can hear a cargo train pass behind you and see a sneak peek through the trees. About five minutes later, you will see the train spiral down below you and through the lower tunnel. The spiral tunnels (the second tunnel is a quick stop later in the day) are an engineering marvel.
Time at the Upper Spiral Tunnels: 5 – 25 minutes depending on when a train passes through the tunnel.
The Town of Field
On the way to Emerald Lake, you will pass the town of Field. A tiny town with about 300 residents. Most of the residents work for the railroad or the Canadian National Parks. The drive through the town of Field takes about five minutes as long as you don’t have to wait for a train to pass through. There is a restaurant and a visitors’ center. If you don’t need a map, a bite to eat, or the restroom, keep heading down the road.
Emerald Lake
One of my favorite places on this itinerary is Emerald Lake. On a clear day with no wind, the lake is so still that you can see its magnificent color and the gorgeous reflection of the surrounding mountains on the surface of Emerald Lake. You might be surprised to see Emerald Lake is more turquoise than emerald, and the color of the lake changes with the amount of sunlight. Emerald Lake is a must-see stop on your Lake Louise itinerary.
In the summer, it must be fun to rent a canoe and paddle around the lake. During the rest of the year, the best way to explore is to take the flat loop path around Emerald Lake. If it is a sunny day, start your walk by crossing the bridge, past the historic Emerald Lake Lodge, and into the forest filled with different types of flora and fauna. (In the summer, you may want to enjoy a drink or a snack at Emerald Lake Lodge after your hike so you can take in the views just a little longer).
You will be amazed at how quickly the ecosystem changes. There are even different microclimates along the path. In October, this part of the trail was muddy, so wear something you are comfortable getting dirty. A pair of hiking shoes or tennis shoes with a good grip is useful too because the mud can be slippery.
Stop along the way to take in the beautiful colors of the lake. The reflections in Emerald Lake change as you walk around the lake’s perimeter. At the backend of Emerald Lake, the path widens and gives visitors unobstructed views for the second half of your walk. With the sun shining on your face and Emerald Lake on your left, you are in for a spectacular stroll. Why not slow down and stop at one of the thoughtfully placed benches to take in the view!
- Pro Tip
The parking for Emerald Lake can be a bit challenging because the parking lot is so small. Try to arrive early to snag a spot. Parking was not an issue in the fall.
Time at Emerald Lake: 1 hour – 1.5 hours
Natural Bridge
On the way back to the highway, stop at the natural bridge for a quick view. The water has naturally carved the stone bridge. Take the man-made bridge across the river to check out the water as it swiftly moves over the limestone natural bridge. It’s a cool sight to see and great stop on your Lake Louise itinerary.
Time at the Natural Bridge: 10-20 minutes, depending on how much time you want to spend exploring the area. Gary and I stopped here and enjoyed our picnic lunch on the banks of the river. So, we spent a little longer here.
Meeting of the Waters
Head back on the Trans-Canada Highway toward Lake Louise to see the Meeting of the Waters. For this viewpoint, take the turnoff on your left for Yoho Valley Road to Takakkaww Falls. At the Meeting of the Waters, you can see another example of the difference between glacial water and non-glacial water. The Kicking Horse River is the smaller clear river behind me, whereas the Yoho River, fed by the Yoho Glacier, is a gorgeous color blue from the glacier sediment and runoff.
There are a few steep paths down toward the water that provide the best views. Remember, what goes down, must climb back up to get to the car. The rocks near the river can be extremely slippery, and the water moves quickly, so proceed with caution on your adventure.
Time at Meeting of the Waters: 10-20 minutes
Upper Spiral Tunnel
A short drive from the Meeting of the Waters is the Upper Spiral Tunnel Viewpoint. There is a parking lot, so you cannot miss it. Pull in and park. Head towards the large sign and look directly across the mountain behind the sign. It took me a few minutes to find the tunnel, and somehow, I missed it at first. By standing near the sign, you will see the Upper Spiral Tunnel.
By now, you have probably seen several trains, so you may not want to wait for another one to pass through the tunnel. However, if you have not seen a train yet, this is an excellent opportunity.
Time at Upper Spiral Tunnel: 5 minutes, or longer if you are waiting for a train.
Takakkaww Falls
Venture up the steep twisty road to see Takakkaww Falls. Standing at 1,240 feet tall, Takakkaw Falls is the second-highest waterfall in Canada. It is a short walk on a well-maintained stroller-friendly path to the base of the falls (less than a .5 mile each way). I’m told you can stand at the bottom of the falls where you can feel and see its immense power. Translation, bring a rain jacket or poncho to help keep you dry.
The 833-foot drop is supposed to provide an incredible view. However, during our mid-October visit, the road was closed, preventing us from venturing farther than the Meeting of the Waters and Upper Spiral Tunnel viewpoint. So, I didn’t get a chance to see Takakkaww Falls, but I wanted to. The best time of year to see the falls is in June, when the road opens back up and the snow starts to melt.
The water feeding Takakkaww Falls comes from the Wapta Icefields, a source of several glaciers creating blue color of the water. If you have been to Takakkaww Falls, drop a comment below and share your experience!
- Pro Tip
The road up to the Meeting of the Waters and eventually Takakkaww Falls is steep and twisty. Trailers are not allowed. This road is best driven in a car or truck, not an RV. Due to two tight twisty spots after the Upper Spiral Tunnel, superb driving skills are required for those in vehicles longer than 21 feet.
Time at Takakkaww Falls: 30-45 minutes
Overall Time in Yoho National Park: 4-5 hours
Dinner at Walliser Stube
The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise pays homage to its European roots with Swiss and German classics. At this upscale “Stube” or pub, the chef puts his own creative spin on Swiss and German classics like fondue, jaeger forest mushroom spaetzle, onion soup, and bratwurst.
For dinner, we dined on gooey traditional cheese fondue and the wild smoked mushroom strudel. Mushrooms are very popular in Banff and Lake Louise.
Lured by Toblerone, we could not say no to the dark chocolate fondue for dessert. I am not much of a fondue person, but I have to say, dinner at Walliser Stube was surprisingly good and one of my favorite meals while staying at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.
Day 4 of Your Lake Louise Itinerary
Head to Banff and Drive the Bow Valley Parkway!
Now that you have explored the Lake Louise area, it’s time to head into Banff! Your GyPSy Guide will guide you through both options to get to Banff. You can take the Trans-Canada Highway if you are in a hurry or enjoy the scenic drive on the Bow River Parkway. I vote you take the Bow Valley Parkway and stop to check out unique sights along the way, and if you are lucky, you might see some wildlife. So, take your time and drive slowly.
Morant’s Curve
On the Bow Valley Parkway, Morant’s Curve is an iconic sight to see. Pull off and park in the parking area. Cross the street carefully and walk towards Bow River. Here you can see the train tracks in the shape of an “s” along Bow River with the stunning Canadian Mountain peaks in the background. A photo of Morant’s Curve has been used for over a century to attract visitors to the Canadian Rockies. With trains running so frequently, you may get lucky and spot a train coming down the tracks.
Time at Morant’s Curve: 5-20 minutes depending on whether you are waiting for a train.
Castle Mountain
Coming up with a name for Castle Mountain was not hard. It is easy to see the castle-like formation in the mountain.
Time at Castle Mountain: 5-10 minutes
Johnston Canyon
Your Lake Louise itinerary must include a visit to Johnston Canyon! At Johnston Canyon you will walk past overhanging canyon walls, waterfalls, deep blue pools, and a thriving forest. Part of the fun of enjoying Johnston Canyon is walking on the metal catwalks suspended over the river below, crawling through the rock tunnel for an up-close view of the lower falls, and walking out on a suspended platform to view the upper falls. Although this is not a scary adventure (it’s a walk), you might want to skip this one if you are afraid of heights.
Lower Falls
Hopefully, you will opt to venture on to see the limestone bedrock carved by thousands of years of water erosion and the waterfalls for yourself. The hike takes you deep into the canyon. Once you get to the lower falls, head to the middle of the bridge for a terrific view. But don’t stop there. Continue through the small cave for a closer look at the falls.
Upper Falls
Don’t leave just yet. Continue up the mountain so you can see the upper falls. Several times along the way, I asked Gary if he thought we were at the upper falls, and the answer was always no. You will know when you are at the upper falls. There is a viewing spot at the bottom of the falls. After you check out the view, keep walking up a steeper trail where you can walk out onto the viewing platform above the gorge for the best view. Snag a seat near the falls to have a snack and enjoy your surroundings before heading back down.
The walk to the lower falls is about thirty minutes (.7 miles each way). You can continue to upper falls for a longer, steeper hike. The hike takes about 1 hour each way (1.6 miles).
- Pro Tip
Johnston Canyon is open year-round. In the summer, it can get very crowded, so try to visit early in the morning. During the fall, the trail was lightly traveled. Parking was not an issue, and it was easy to take pictures! In the winter (December to April), Johnston Canyon is a popular place for ice walking and ice climbing. Please note, the trail does get slippery in late fall and winter since the snow constantly melts and freezes again. You may want to bring ice cleats/microspikes for traction or if the snow is deep, snowshoes.
Explore the Town of Banff
After being in nature for a few days, it was nice to be in the town of Banff. Unlike the Lake Louise area, Banff has lots of shops and restaurants. We enjoyed walking around the cute mountain town, checking out the local shops, and looking for a place for dinner. The town itself is small, making it easily accessible. You can stroll down the main street and stop in the stores to pick out a souvenir or a gift to bring home to a loved one. Several retail centers have shops down an indoor corridor, which is great when it is cold outside.
- Pro Tip
Pay attention to the parking signs. We accidentally parked in a no-parking zone and came back to the car with a parking ticket. Not ideal.
Time in the town of Banff: 1-3 hours
Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel
A trip into Banff would not be complete without a visit to the Fairmont Banff Spring Hotels. The cavernous hotel is a sight to see. Dubbed the Castle in the Rockies, the Banff Springs Hotel is undoubtedly unique. For those of you continuing your adventure Banff as we did, check into the Banff Springs Hotel and then head up to the Rundle Bar for happy hour. The Rundle Bar is the perfect place to relax, have a drink, and enjoy the serene views of the Bow River running between the mountains. If you are lucky, you might even spot elk or other wild animals on the golf course. We did!
Time at Banff Springs Hotel: 1 hour – 1.5 hours
Dinner in Banff
Unlike in Lake Louise, where there were very few restaurants, Banff offers a plethora of restaurants. After a few heavy meals back-to-back, we opted for a lighter casual restaurant. We had dinner at Chaya, a small Pho shop on the main street in Banff. While in Banff, we also ate at Saltlick and the Sky Bistro – you take a gondola to dinner!
My Takeaways
If you have not been to Lake Louise, it’s definitely worth adding to your bucket list. The Lake Louise area is one of the most beautiful places, and it is a short three-hour flight from Los Angeles and a two-hour drive from the Calgary airport. I am so happy both Banff and Lake Louise were on my bucket list.
When visiting the Banff/Lake Louise area, I suggest spending between five to seven nights in total to see the major highlights without rushing. I am working on another blog post with an itinerary for activities near Banff that I recommend, such as the gondola ride, a nearby hike, a walk along the river, and a relaxing spa day! In total, we spent seven nights in Lake Louise (four nights) and Banff (three nights).
If you are traveling in the fall, I highly suggest you bring Yak Tracks with you. We wore them almost every day, and they saved us from sliding everywhere.
Before heading out on your next vacation check out my tips for planning the perfect vacation and how to stay safe while traveling.
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I’m bookmarking this post. It was very informative. We want to visit in summer 2022. Such breathtaking views.
Yay! I am so glad you found my post helpful. You are going to love Lake Louise and the surrounding area! Have fun!
Fantastic guide! My partner has always wanted to visit this side of Canada and loves to do outdoor activities so I’ll be saving this post for when we plan a trip here, hopefully next year!
That’s fantastic! Lake Louise is an outdoor paradise!
This has been on my travel bucket list for several years — thanks for putting this together and for all the great tips! The Yak Tracks definitely sound necessary!
It was on my bucket list too and finally checked it off. Although, I loved the area so much, I’d love to go back!
The view from your hotel room is stunning. Lake Louise was on my bucket list and I was able to visit six years ago. Now it is on my bucket list again to go back and explore some more.
I know the feeling!
OMG this looks so beautiful! I’m hoping to spend time around Banff next September and now I want to explore Lake Louise! The photos of the lakes with the reflections of the mountains are simply breathtaking. Pinning for later!
Thanks, Catherine!
This area has been on my bucket list forever and now I want to visit even more! It looks absolutely breathtaking from your photos – wow! Also, thanks so much for the cold weather gear suggestions; I’m actually planning to travel to Norway in February and living in Houston, I have absolutely no clue what I need for that trip, haha. Your post unexpectedly helped me with that too! Xx Sara
I’m so glad I could help! Have a great time in Norway!
Wow, Michelle! Lake Louise is one of my favourite areas to hike and hang out in. We lived in Calgary for 10 years and would visit as often as possible. Your exquisite images and attention to important details are outstanding. Thank you for sharing so much.
Thank you so much!
I’ve seen photos of Lake Louise before but I wasn’t sure where it was located. It’s just so beautiful! Definitely a bucket list destination!
Now that I have been, I can totally say I agree!
So beautiful! I live in Seattle, which is the jumping off point for a lot of beautiful hiking, but I’m rarely in Canada. This reminds me, though, of a week long trip I took with friends into BC at the Bowron Lakes…. canoeing around a circle of lakes, portaging and camping between lakes. It was stunning and fun! Friends go to Banff. I’ve never been, but it’s so pretty!
It really is gorgeous and the hikes are tons of fun!
This is such a detailed itinerary! I have never been to Lake Louise, but I will definitely keep your four-day itinerary in mind whenever I get the chance to visit it 🙂 I would love to explore Canada more!!
Yay!!
We absolutely loved our time in Alberta! Your itineraries are awesome! We are hoping to head back next year, as there is still so much we haven’t seen!
That’s how I feel. There is always something new see.
Gorgeous pictures! We did a very similar itinerary but did not have time for Yoho NP and now I am regretting it even more!! 100% agree with the splurge at The Fairmont Lake Louise. People thought we were nuts for spending that much on a hotel room but we have zero regrets, it was sooooo worth it!
I totally agree! Along up with a view of Lake Louise is almost priceless.
Amazing article, prepared with so much detail and care! Makes me want to go back there, the beauty of that area is unparalleled. There are also places on your itinerary I never knew about during my trip there, and would like to check out again.
Thank you!
I never realized there was so much to do just near Lake Louise! Planning to visit the spiral tunnels and the waterfall next time I visit – GORGEOUS!
Two iconic stops to see on your trip.
Okay I’ve been thinking about visiting the Banff area for a while and now I absolutely have Lake Louise at the top of my bucket list. That water color is just so stunning!! Thank you so much for the guide, and especially color coating each stops by day! That will be so helpful once we get there, definitely saving this for later – thank you!
You are so welcome! I’m glad you found my post helpful!
What an amazing trip! I really would love to get to Banff one day! Lake Emerald just looks so gorgeous, I’d love nothing more than to sit in a canoe and paddle around it on a summers afternoon! And chocolate fondue! Count me in! I’ve never had it, and holy moly I can’t imagine anything better on a cold winter’s evening! This is such a great detailed post! Well done.
Thanks so much!
I miss Lake Louise 🙁 I will hopefully be going back at the end of 2022, and cannot wait to head to these places!