The majority of visitors coming to Banff National Park have a limited amount of time. So naturally they want to make the most of their trip by seeing the the top highlights. There’s so many worthy places to visit that it’s hard to narrow down a list of what you must see. We’ve provided what we feel are some of the most awe inspiring sights, hikes and drives.
Highlights Near Lake Louise
Lake Louise
Lake Louise is one of the most famous lakes in the Canadian Rockies and is known for its postcard photos. Visitors from around the world flock to the lake in the summer months to admire the beautiful setting and to canoe on its turquoise coloured water. With the backdrop of Mount Victoria and the Victoria glacier it’s a spectacular sight year round. If you’re visiting in the winter you can ice skate on Lake Louise. Due to it’s high elevation the lake is frozen from late November through May. The Fairmont hotel keeps a skating area cleared from approximately early December to mid-April depending on the conditions.
There are several worthwhile hikes in the Lake Louise area including the trail to the Lake Agnes Tea House or the Fairview Lookout. If you’re looking for something more casual you can walk along the shoreline trail. It starts from the front of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise hotel.
The Plain of Six Glaciers trail is considered one of the best hikes at Lake Louise. To access starts near the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise hotel. It begins at the end of the Lake Louise shoreline trail at the back end of the lake. The hike is considered moderately difficult with switchbacks working their way up in elevation. There are views overlooking Lake Louise and of the mountain peaks and glaciers, hence the trails name. If it’s open, you can reward yourself at the end of the trail with a drink and a bite to eat at the Plain Of Six Glaciers tea house. You can hike an additional 1.5 km’s to the Victoria Glacier viewpoint.
From late spring through the early fall the ski hill operates the Lake Louise gondola for site seeing. There’s a chance you’ll see grizzly bears feeding on the grasses below as you ascend or descend the mountain.
Moraine Lake
The deep blue water of Moraine Lake is situated in the Valley of the Ten Peaks. There’s an easy walk along the shoreline trail. For the best view overlooking the lake you can hike up the Rockpile Trail. If you have the stamina for a strenuous day hike the hike to Sentinel Pass via the Larch Valley offers incredible mountain views and is considered one of the best hikes in the Moraine Lake area. Canoe rentals are available during the summer months.
The road to Moraine Lake is closed to all vehicle traffic from approximately the third week of October through to mid or late May depending on the conditions. Update: private vehicles are no longer permitted on Moraine Lake Road. To visit the lake the options are taking a shuttle or booking a tour.
Bow Lake
Bow Lake is situated below the Crowfoot Glacier and Bow Glacier. It can be seen from the Icefields Parkway drive, approximately 36 km’s north of Lake Louise. This is a favourite spot with photographers. The water is often still enough to capture the reflections of the mountains and in late summer wildflowers can be seen in the surrounding meadows. Due to its high elevation it doesn’t start to fully thaw until mid to late June. A short access road leads to the nearby Lodge at Bow Lake, a historic property dating back to 1922. A popular hike in this area is the the Bow Glacier Falls, they are the headwaters the feed Bow Lake. The hike offers scenic views and chances to see wildlife.
Peyto Lake
Peyto Lake is accessible from the Bow Summit area of the Icefields Parkway. A short access road leads to the parking area. From there a moderately steep trail leads up to the viewing platform. The colour of Peyto Lake is such a unique and intense blue that you people with think your images of it are photoshopped. The lake is most easily viewed in the summer months or early fall. During the rest of the year the Icefields Parkway can have poor winter driving conditions. The parking lot can be snowbound and the trail leading to the can be covered in knee deep or higher snow.
The lakes mentioned above are within fairly close proximity of each other which makes it possible to visit them in the same day. The driving distance between Lake Louise and Moraine Lake is approximately 15 minutes. Bow Lake and Peyto Lake are located along the Icefields Parkway and take approximately 30 and 35 minutes respectively to reach from Lake Louise. Update: As of 2023 private vehicles are no longer permitted to drive to Moraine Lake. Access to the lake can be done by booking a shuttle or tour.
The Icefields Parkway
The Icefields Parkway (Highway 93 N) is one of the most scenic drives in Canada. The route is not solely in Banff National Park. It crosses through the northern part of the park and the southern part of Jasper National Park. It creates a link between the Trans Canada Highway #1 and the Yellowhead Highway #16 between Lake Louise and Jasper. Two of the lakes along this route have already been mentioned, Bow Lake and Peyto Lake. If you have the time we highly suggest driving the parkway to at least the point of Peyto Lake. If you have more time continue further along the route. There are many other sights worth seeing along the parkway as well as chances to see wildlife and almost non-stop mountain views.
Highlights Near The Town Of Banff
Vermillion Lakes
The Vermillion Lakes are a series of wetlands that formed from the Bow River. They sit at the western edge of the Banff townsite, accessible from Mt. Norquay Road. From there turn onto Vermilion Lakes road. It’s an excellent area for viewing wildlife and the backdrop of majestic Mount Rundle makes for a photographers dream.
Lake Minnewanka
Lake Minnewanka is the largest body of water in Banff National Park. It’s back dropped by the beautiful scenery of Mount Inglismaldie and the Fairholme range. There’s a walking trail along the shoreline. Boat cruises on the lake can be booked through the local Brewster company.
The 24 km Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive offers access to several alpine lakes, including Johnson Lake and Two Jack Lake. There’s chances to see wildlife along the drive. This area is particularly known for bighorn sheep. More information about this drive and others can be found here: http://banffandbeyond.com/scenic-drives-in-banff-national-park/
The Bow Valley Parkway
The Bow Valley Parkway is a 51 km scenic road between Banff and Lake Louise that offers an alternative route to the Trans Canada Hwy. There are panoramic views, chances to see wildlife and the famous viewpoint called Morant’s Curve. Viewpoints, camping and picnic sites and chances to see wildlife. The most popular stop along the drive is hiking Johnston Canyon.
Johnston Canyon
Johnston Canyon is a deep canyon carved over thousands of years by Johnston Creek. It’s probably one the most popular hikes in the park. A series of trails and catwalks cling to the canyon walls and lead to a set of lower and upper waterfalls. The canyon is just as spectacular in the winter. With the use of ice cleats strapped onto their footwear visitors can experience hiking to the frozen falls. More information on hiking in in the canyon can be found here: Johnston Canyon hiking in Spring, Summer and Fall and Johnston Canyon Frozen Waterfalls. Johnston Canyon is close to the halfway point between Lake Louise and the town of Banff so could be easily visited from either location.
Tunnel Mountain
The Tunnel Mountain trail is accessible right from the town of Banff. It follows a series of switchbacks to the low summit of Tunnel Mountain. At the top you can enjoy the panoramic views overlooking Banff, the Bow Valley and Mount Rundle. Check the trail conditions before you go. It can be icy from October through April. More information can be found here: The Tunnel Mountain Trail