Lake Louise Alberta Lake Agnes Tea House and Moraine Lake

Why visit Lake Louise

Lake Louise was known to Indigenous peoples long before the Canadian Pacific Railway arrived, and the Stoney Nakoda called it the Lake of the Little Fishes.

Lake Louise sits inside Banff National Park, Canada's first national park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The lake is a perfect starting point for hikes, tea house visits and scenic drives, but go early, because it draws large crowds from late morning.

The best places to visit at Lake Louise

Lake Louise lakeshore

A level path follows the lakeshore toward the Victoria Glacier, and in summer you can rent a canoe from the hotel. Before about eight in the morning the lake is quiet and the first light touches the glacier wall, but by midday coach groups arrive and parking fills.

The Fairmont Château Lake Louise

The grand railway hotel on the eastern shore was developed by the Canadian Pacific Railway, and its Painter Wing, built in 1913, is the oldest surviving part. You can walk through the lobby and gardens and enjoy the view from the Lakeview Lounge.

Lake Agnes Tea House

This log tea house on the shore of Lake Agnes was built by the railway in 1901 and began serving tea in 1905, making it the oldest tea house in Canada.

Lake Louise Summer Gondola

At the ski area, the gondola climbs to an interpretive centre and viewpoints with a wide view of the lake and the surrounding peaks. Lake Louise Ski Resort is the best-known ski area in Banff National Park and hosts World Cup ski events every November.

Lake Louise Railway Station

Regular passenger trains no longer stop here, but the heritage station has been converted into a restaurant, with displays that appeal to rail enthusiasts. It is a pleasant stop in the village if you are interested in how the railway shaped the Rockies.

The best places to visit around Moraine Lake

Moraine Lake

About 14 kilometres from the village, this lake sits at around 1,884 metres in the Valley of the Ten Peaks. Its water is fed almost entirely by snowmelt and glacier melt, so it does not reach its full crest until mid to late June, when it turns a vivid azure.

Consolation Lakes

From the same trailhead as the Rockpile, the Consolation Lakes trail runs about three kilometres with a modest climb. It leads to a quieter lake below steep walls, and the crowds thin out quickly. Check Parks Canada for current trail restrictions, as access can change.

The best places to visit along the parkways

Peyto Lake

Named for the trail guide Bill Peyto, this glacier-fed lake gets its bright turquoise color from rock flour. The best view is from Bow Summit, the highest point on the Icefields Parkway, and the viewpoint and trails were upgraded in 2021.

Bow Valley Parkway

This slower road, Highway 1A, runs between Lake Louise and Banff with a reduced speed limit and many pullouts. It offers a better chance of seeing wildlife than the main highway, though the mountain views are less open.

Johnston Canyon

Accessible from the Bow Valley Parkway, this canyon has an easy walk of about 1.1 kilometres to the Lower Falls, and you can continue to the Upper Falls and the Ink Pots. The trail is popular, so start early.

Food and local flavors

Most restaurants in Lake Louise are inside hotels or in the village, so plan meals around your sightseeing. Alberta beef is the classic main course, and many menus add Saskatoon berry pie, made from a native western shrub. The Caesar, the clam and tomato cocktail invented in Calgary in 1969, is a fitting drink after a hike. The most memorable meal for many visitors is Lake Agnes tea, served at the tea house since 1905.

Where to stay

Lake Louise lakeshore has just one place to sleep, a grand railway hotel, which is the only option if you want to wake up at the water.

Lake Louise village, a few kilometres from the lake, has an inn, a lodge, a large hostel and a tent campground.

Banff townsite, about an hour away, has a much wider choice of lodging and restaurants.

Along the Icefields Parkway, rustic wilderness hostels and campgrounds suit adventurous travelers heading toward Jasper.

Best time to visit

Summer gives access to the tea houses, canoes, the gondola and Moraine Lake, but it is also the busiest season. Moraine Lake turns its richest blue by mid to late June, and the road to it is open from June to September. Visit before eight in the morning or just before dusk for the quietest views. Winter has its own appeal, with ice skating, sleigh rides, dog sledding and skiing at Lake Louise Ski Resort, which hosts World Cup events every November.

Getting there and getting around

Lake Louise is about 186 kilometres west of Calgary on the Trans-Canada Highway and about 56 kilometres northwest of Banff. Calgary International Airport is roughly a two and a half hour drive away.

To reach the lakeshore, the surest option is the Parks Canada shuttle from the Park and Ride at the ski resort, which also connects to Moraine Lake.

The Icefields Parkway runs north from Lake Louise to Jasper, about 230 kilometres, and the Bow Valley Parkway offers a slower route toward Banff.

A suggested itinerary

First day

Reach the lake before eight in the morning for quiet views, walk the lakeshore and hike to Lake Agnes Tea House for a mid-morning tea.

Second day

Take an early shuttle to Moraine Lake, climb the Rockpile and walk toward Consolation Lakes.

Third day

Drive the Bow Valley Parkway and walk to the Lower Falls in Johnston Canyon, or head north on the Icefields Parkway to Peyto Lake.

Practical tips

• Reserve Parks Canada shuttle seats in advance, especially in summer.
• Arrive before eight in the morning for the best light and the fewest people.
• Carry layers and rain gear, since mountain weather changes quickly.
• Ask at the Lake Louise Visitor Centre about trail conditions and local grizzly activity before you hike.
• Do not plan to drive your own vehicle to Moraine Lake.
• Keep a safe distance from wildlife, including elk and bears along the Bow Valley Parkway.