Quaintly nestled in Canada’s Banff National Park, Lake Louise is easily one of the most photographed places on Earth. As majestic peaks flank the serene turquoise water, the Victoria Glacier carves the mountains. All of this is anchored yet highlighted by the palatial Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. The surreal postcard views of Lake Louise are what make it one of the most visited destinations in the Canadian Rockies. Rocky Mountaineer runs a luxury rail service which is a unique and beautiful way to get Lake Louise on its First Passage to the West Rail Route.
The Rocky Mountaineer train with glass- dome coaches runs from Vancouver to Lake Louise with a stop at Kamloops in between and includes gourmet meals, 5- star service and luggage transfers. Once you’re in the region, you’ll need at least a day to absorb the charm of the namesake lake, close by Moraine Lake and the stunning beauty of the village. To truly enjoy Lake Louise, one day might not be enough but we will put together a list of things you can do in a day or leisurely spread over however many days you wish to spend in the beautiful region.
Lake Moraine
Lake Moraine is located 14kms from Lake Louise and it is so iconic that it was once featured on a 20 Dollar Canadian Bill. Start your day really early to try and reach Lake Moraine around 6:00 AM. The views at this hour are best and the crowds are yet to arrive so you will get to enjoy the space almost to yourself if not completely and skip past the biggest challenge of finding a parking spot.
Canoe in Lake Louise
Head back to Lake Louise to grab some satisfying breakfast. Rent a canoe by the hour which is a little steeply priced but can be worth the buck. It is priced at approximately 135 CAD per hour. You can also a paddle boat to get closer to Victoria Glacier’s dramatic peaks while gliding through the turquoise water.
Hikes and Trails
There are a number of hikes and trails to choose from and our recommendation would be the easy, relaxing and refreshing Lakeshore Trail. It is a 2km long wide flat trail that hugs the shore of Lake Louise, taking you close to the glacial creek that feeds the beautiful Lake Louise.
The Lake Louise Gondola
While hikes are great, the easiest way to get the gorgeous bird’s eye view of the region is the Lake Louise Gondola. It is a 14- minute gondola ride filled with endless views that lead to more such expansive views from the platform on top. While there are a number of things to spot from atop, this viewing point is specifically known as one of the best places in Banff National Park to view grizzly and black bears.
You can plan a trip with Rocky Mountaineer train to visit Lake Louie along with a day’s halt that includes the stay and further cover other beautiful destinations as well. To know more about rail routes and packages for Rocky Mountaineer, click here.