Exploring Lake Louise

Lake Louise, Alberta

4.6/5
based on 19 reviews

Description

Added by Outbound

Take in amazing lake views and stop to enjoy the local tea houses when in season.

Lake Louise is one of the most photographed lakes in Canada, with reason. Many tourist walk the paved path round and head home. They miss out though.

Hiking to the various tea houses surrounding the lake is a must. An easy 2 mile hike from the lake lies a tea house perched on a hill in a tight cirque of peaks. Mirror Lake, at the foot of the Big Beehive, shows reflections of the peaks that surround it.

Unfortunately during the fall, the tea houses are closed. But, this doesn't warrant skipping the hike. Pack your own tea, and enjoy the porch of the tea house with out the crowds.

The impressive peaks and lakes of the area are not to be missed. Worth every step of the hike you'll be blown away by the place.

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Features

Photography
Chillin
Hiking
Easy Parking
Family Friendly
Food Nearby
Forest
Lake

Exploring Lake Louise Reviews

PRO
PRO

Explorer

08/31/25

Hiked to Fairview Lookout where you get a better view of Lake Louise and the turquoise color. Its a steep climb, but having a 6 year old stranger behind you to encourage you along the way (“You can’t rest until you reach the top. No stopping!”) certainly helps.

PRO
PRO

Explorer

08/31/25

Took a steep hike uo Fairview Lookout above Lake Louise for the best view in the area.

Explorer

08/31/22

If you’re in Banff, you better add this place to your list! Get there early, the parking lot does fill up pretty fast for obvious reasons! The view of the lake with the giant mountains behind it is picture perfect every time

PRO
PRO

Explorer

10/02/21

Beautiful lake, but crowded with tourists taking photos. Wish we had more time to do all of the hikes in the area. We did schedule high tea at the chateau after doing the easy walking trail around the lake.

Explorer

10/22/20

This was one of the best lakes in alberta, and probably one of the most photographed and stopped at. It would be great to get a sunrise photo.

You cannot visit the Canadian Rockies on vacation and skip over Lake Louise. Yes, it is overly crowded but there is a reason. It is magnificent. In bright sunlight the lake seems to glow in color while the surrounding mountains tower over you with their glaciers. To get away from the crowds, there are doable day hikes all throughout the area and to finish the day off you're able to grab dinner at the many restaurants nearby. There are days worth of activities just within Lake Louise itself so go for it, spend a few days here, and indulge yourself!

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Snowshoe to Mirror Lake and Lake Agnes

Mount Niblock

Hike to the Devils Thumb

Devil's Thumb Scramble

Hike to Big Beehive

Plain of Six Glaciers