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Lake Louise
is a hub for the best hiking in the Canadian Rockies
because of its central location and its proximity to the Great Divide
– the
tallest glacier-clad peaks. Trails in the area all start at a high
elevation, so you quickly arrive at open views and
rewarding scenery!
There are
many fabulous trails to be found within a 45 minute radius: at Lake
Louise itself, at Moraine Lake and Lake O'Hara, in Yoho and Kootenay
National Parks and along Banff's Icefields Parkway.
When you book
a guided hike with us (by phone or email), we discuss your
interests and abilities to find the best trail for you - from flat as a
board to a high mountain aerie. We love to stroll as much as we like to
hike! Our focus is learning and discovery... and that can be done on
any trail.
Here are just a few of our favourites.
1. The Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse
and Viewpoint
The "Plain of Six" is probably the most famous Lake
Louise hike, and for good reason. No other trail gives you so much for
a moderate effort. Starting at the Chateau Lake Louise, the path
follows the lakeshore and continues to the back of the valley where the
views just get better and better. Glaciers, vaulting peaks, avalanche
paths and high mountain wildlife are all on the menu.
w Moderate
full day hike
w 12-14 km
(7.5-8.5 mi) return trip
w 365 m (1200
ft) elevation gain
w Note: this
trail is busy and also used for horseback riding trips.
w On private trips, we offer a special geology theme hike to the
Plain of Six Glaciers.
2. Helen
Lake
The Helen Lake trail, off the Icefields Parkway, takes
you into some of the most extensive alpine meadows in Banff.
Wildflowers cover the meadows from mid-July to mid-August. There are
wonderful views of the Crowfoot Glacier and Dolomite Peak, and a good
chance you'll see marmots. For stronger hikers the trail continues to
Helen Lake headwall where glimpses of the Wapta Icefield can be had.
w Moderate
full day hike
w 12 km (7.5
mi) return trip
w 457 m (1500
ft) elevation gain
w On private trips, we offer a special grizzly bear theme hike to
Helen Lake (July 25 to August 15).
3. Paget
Lookout
Located right on the Great Divide, the old Paget fire
lookout boasts some impressive views of the surrounding peaks,
including one of the biggest drops in the Canadian Rockies - the north
face of Mt. Stephen. The trail winds its way up through a varied
subalpine forest and across avalanche paths, ending high above the
valley. This is a quiet, beautiful trail perfect for those seeking
solitude.
w Moderate
full day hike
w 7 km (4.5
mi) return trip
w 518 m (1700
ft) elevation gain
w Fondue with a View available
w On private trips, we offer a special co-evolution theme hike to
Paget Lookout.
3½.
Sherbrooke Lake
Despite its short length, Sherbrooke Lake is a quiet
trail with a wonderful wilderness feel. The lake's aquamarine waters
are fed by the Wapta Icefield and the forest has many stories to tell -
of past fires, powerful winds and grizzly bear life. Because of the
wide variety of habitats along the way, the trail boasts an amazing
diversity of wildflowers in mid-summer. A must-do trail for flower
lovers.
w Easy
half day hike
w 6 km (4 mi)
return trip
w 190 m (630
ft) elevation gain
4.
The
Valley of the Ten Peaks
The famous Valley of the Ten Peaks surrounding Moraine
Lake is seen to its best advantage on this trail. All ten summits, each
over 10,000 feet high, loom over the Wenkchemna glacier below. The
trail crosses meadows filled with wildflowers during the mid-summer
season. The trail continues to Wenkchemna Pass, but we generally only
go part way, because the views are great no matter where you end up!
w Moderate
full day hike
w 9-11 km
(6-7 mi) round trip
w 365 m (1200
ft) elevation gain
w Current
park regulations may require a
group size of 4 or more people on this trail due to grizzly bear
activity.
5. Bow Glacier Falls
A slot canyon, old moraines, blue glaciers, braided
streams, beautiful Bow Lake and spectacular Bow Glacier Falls all
combine to create a lot of scenic beauty for a modest effort. If you
love water, this is the trail for you! Families will enjoy both the
opportunity for skipping rocks, but also the "adventure" of crossing a
rocky landscape to reach the waterfall itself. You can go as far as the
great view of Bow Glacier Falls, or go right to their base.
w Easy
full day hike
w 8-10 km
(5-6 mi) round trip
w 152m (500
ft) elevation gain
w On private trips, we offer a special wonder of water theme hike at
Bow Glacier Falls.
6. Bow Summit Lookout
Another great family trail, but this time it's all about
the alpine - alpine meadows, alpine flowers and alpine wildlife! Bow
Summit is the highest place you can drive to in the park and so the
trail quickly gets you above the trees and to expansive views,
including two of the most famous lakes along the Icefields Parkway:
Peyto Lake and Bow Lake.
w Easy
full day hike
w 6.5 km (4
mi) round trip
w 245 m (805
ft) elevation gain
7. Stanley Glacier
As of 2003, the Stanley Glacier trail has become one of
the most interesting day hikes in the Rockies. A wildfire set the
ecological clock back in time. The result is surprisingly beautiful!
Flowers bloom prolifically in the newly fertilized soil, their
brilliant colours standing out against a black background. Unusual
plants like liverworts thrive and each trip yields new surprises. The
trail leads from fire to ice, ending in a dramatic setting with the
Stanley Glacier hanging above.
w moderate
full day hike
w 8.4 km (5.5
mi) return trip
w 365 m (1200
ft) elevation gain
7½.
Stanley Glacier Valley
The Stanley Glacier trail can be done as a half day trip
that still features fire, flowers and fine views of the glacier.
w Moderate
half day hike
w 6 km (4 mi)
return trip
w 230 m (750
ft) elevation gain
8. The Lake
O'Hara Area
Moderate to difficult full day hikes to choose from.
Please note that Lake O'Hara is a hiking destination, not a sightseeing
destination. Even the most moderate full day hike involves walking in
rocky, uneven terrain. Good footwear is essential.
Lake O'Hara Hiking On Your Own
w Lake O'Hara
is only available by making bus reservations. This destination is so
"in demand" that you must make reservations 3 months in advance - to
the day! Guided trips, however, can be arranged with less advance
planning (see below).
w Season runs
from about June 17 to October 6, varying slightly from year to year.
w The fees
(charged by the national park) are: reservation fee of CDN $12, plus
bus fees of $15 per person or $7.50 for people 16 years and under.
Group size is limited to six.
w The phone
number for reservations is 250-343-6433, Monday to Friday. They open at
8 am Mountain Time. The phone will ring busy, so plan to redial many
times until you get through.
Lake O'Hara Guided Hiking Trips
w In Lake
O'Hara, we take only full day private hikes. There
is a group limit of 5 people, plus guide.
w Season runs
from July 1 to September 30.
w Moderate to difficult full day hikes to choose from. Please
note that Lake O'Hara is a hiking destination, not a sightseeing
destination. Even the most moderate full day hike involves walking in
rocky, uneven terrain. Good footwear is essential.
w Please email us for more information on
booking a guided hike to Lake O'Hara.
w We offer a special
larch theme hike at Lake O'Hara (September 17 to 27).
8½.
Consolation Lake
This pretty and short trail is perfect for families. It
begins at one exquisite mountain lake — Moraine — and ends
at another — Consolation. The forest in between is beautiful,
filled with lichen, mushrooms, moss-covered logs, grouseberry and maybe
even... grouse.
w Easy
half day hike
w 6 km (4 mi)
return trip
w 90 m (300
ft) elevation gain
w Current
park regulations may require a
group size of 4 or more people on this trail due to grizzly bear
activity.
9. Lake Agnes and the Beehives
This beautifully graded trail through old-growth forest
gives way to expansive views of the mountains above Lake Louise. In
fall, larch trees turn vivid gold, lighting up the longer trips to the
Big or Little Beehive — or both! These trails can also be
connected to the Plain of Six Glaciers for an even bigger day.
w Lake
Agnes: moderate half day hike, 7 km (4.5 mi) round trip, 390 m (1280
ft) elevation gain
w Little
Beehive: moderate full day hike, 9 km (5.5 mi) round trip, 510 m (1680
ft) elevation gain
w Big
Beehive: moderate full day hike, 10 km (6 mi) round trip, 540 m (1770
ft) elevation gain
w Note: the
trail to Lake Agnes is busy and the upper sections also used for
horseback trips. The Big Beehive trip can avoid most of the horse use.
9½.
Emerald Lake
Emerald Lake is another jewel of the Canadian Rockies,
and is one of the few lakes with a trail all the way around it. Thanks
to its position on the west side of the Great Divide in Yoho National
Park, a 360 degree tour of Emerald yields up four very different
environments: a huge avalanche path, the normal forest, a dry and
dramatic alluvial fan and the towering trees of the coastal rainforest.
w
Easy half day walk
w 5 km (3 mi)
return trip
w no
elevation gain
To book a walk or hike, or
for more information e-mail us
now.
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Paget Lookout 
