All You Need to Know BEFORE Biking Moraine Lake Road
There are a few different ways to get to Moraine Lake, but biking has to be the most rewarding. A wonderfully scenic ride, those who bike the Moraine Lake Road enjoy the journey as much as the destination.
Visiting Moraine Lake with your own pedal power provides more freedom and the chance to escape the crowds. This is also the best way to visit Moraine Lake in May before motorized vehicles have access.
Like many activities in the Rockies, biking Moraine Lake Road is an excellent excursion for active visitors or those who enjoy ‘Type 2’ fun. Your hard work will pay off once you crest the hill that overlooks Consolation Valley and can coast towards the famed Ten Peaks that encircle Moraine Lake.
Keep reading to learn important tips for biking the Moraine Lake Road.
When is the Best Time to Bike Moraine Lake Road?
Generally, the best time to visit Moraine Lake is from June to October, but the road can sometimes be biked in May. For most of the year, the road is snow-covered, and the lake is locked in ice. Avalanche risk also complicates access during the colder months, and travel beyond the viewpoint of Consolation Valley should not be attempted without the proper safety training and equipment.
While each year is different, Parks Canada usually opens the Moraine Lake Road to shuttles on June 1st and closes it after Canadian Thanksgiving weekend in October. In 2024, the Moraine Lake Road is open from June 1 to October 14th. During this period, bikes are welcome to travel the 12 km access road.
Although vehicle restrictions on Moraine Lake Road in recent years have reduced traffic, cyclists will still need to share the road with shuttle buses. For quieter conditions, we recommend riding early in the morning before 7 a.m. or in the evening.
If you are seeking a car-free cycling experience, there are two small windows to bike Moraine Lake Road: the end of May and mid-October after Canadian Thanksgiving.
Every year and season is different, but typically the snow has melted (or has been plowed) by late May before the road opens to shuttles. Similarly, biking may be possible the week after Thanksgiving if the weather stays mild. Snow is common at these high elevations in October and May, so bike access during these shoulder periods will depend on the weather and snowpack.
When conditions do align, these weeks on either end of the road opening are the best times to bike to Moraine Lake! Not only is there minimal road traffic, but you could get Moraine Lake all to yourself – a rare treat! That being said, the lake may not showcase its brightest blues during these periods, and may feature lingering ice and low water levels.
There is no official announcement on biking conditions to Moraine Lake. Conditions are usually spread through local word of mouth and Facebook. You can also always check the road status with Parks Canada by contacting the Lake Louise Visitor Centre over the phone or in person.
Where to Park
Securing a parking spot may just be the hardest part of the bike to Moraine Lake.
Parks Canada recommends starting from the Lake Louise Visitor Centre in the Village of Lake Louise. This makes sense if you are renting a bike at Wilson Sports, as you can set out right from the shop. However, two-hour parking restrictions are now in effect at the Samson Mall, which leaves little time for a leisurely ride.
If you have a way to transport bikes, another option is to start from the lakeshore parking at Lake Louise (parking fees are in effect when the shuttles operate). Given the high demand for these spaces, plan to arrive early or late in the day. We rolled up around 10 a.m. on a Friday in July and were lucky to be let in. Generally, I would not recommend arriving at mid-day during the summer unless you are willing to play parking roulette and defer to a Plan B. We saw many other vehicles being turned away.
When the Moraine Lake Road is closed during shoulder seasons, a few parking spaces are available at the start before the gate. You may also be able to park at the Fairview Day Use Area across the street, but this is closed for construction in 2024.
It’s also possible to rent bikes at Lake Louise Ski Resort and Summer Gondola, where there is plenty of free parking. Parking here will add to your bike ride, but it is a guaranteed place to park while you ride your bike to Moraine Lake.
If you want to avoid the stress of parking or are visiting without a vehicle, taking the bus to bike is an option. Roam Transit Route 8X connects Banff to Lake Louise and includes a few bike storage spaces on a first-come, first-served basis. Check Roam Transit’s Transportation Policies for more details and be sure to reserve your bus ticket in advance.
Getting to Moraine Lake Road
The Moraine Lake Road begins at the 3km mark of Lake Louise Drive that connects the Village of Lake Louise to the lakeshore. Of course, starting from this turnoff is ideal, but not always available. Depending on where you park, your bike journey to Moraine Lake may look a bit different.
Those starting from the parking lot by Lake Louise should follow the Tramline trail that runs parallel to Lake Louise Drive. While not a technical trail, Tramline can be a bit bumpy for bikes without suspension. Keep right when the trail forks for the most direct route. When you hit a paved intersection after about 2km of downhill cruising, you’ll be on the Moraine Lake Road!
If starting from the Village of Lake Louise, you can either make your way up the Tramline trail from the Railway Station Restaurant or follow Lake Louise Drive. While Lake Louise Drive is a more direct, paved option, this section of road is heavily trafficked during the summer months and may not provide the most enjoyable cycling experience, it also adds quite a bit of elevation gain.
If you park at Lake Louise Ski Resort, you’ll add another 6km+ to your journey. Please study the map for visual reference.
Moraine Road Route Description
The Moraine Lake Road is a narrow, paved road that gradually winds uphill for 12km to reach the famous lake. Although you will be pedaling steadily and changing gears to gain elevation, no section is especially steep. Distance markers are provided at 1km intervals so you can track your progress.
Most of the road is lined by forests, but do not expect much shade during the day when the sun is high overhead. Occasionally, you’ll catch glimpses out over the Bow Valley to the Lake Louise Ski Resort on the other side.
The first 2km of the road is pretty gentle. After the Paradise Valley Trailhead, the road gains more elevation as it curves around a hairpin turn over a creek. The next few kilometers are the most strenuous, with a fairly consistent incline.
Fortunately, the road levels out now and then, providing opportunities to catch your breath. Glimpses of Temple Mountain, then the Ten Peaks provide reassurance that your destination is within reach. After crossing the avalanche path, the road starts to descend as it approaches Moraine Lake and you can rely more on breaks than pedals for this final 2km stretch.
For the return journey, you’ll simply bike back the way that you came, coasting down many of the hills that you climbed on the inbound ride.
Sharing the Road
Unless you’re biking to Moraine Lake during one of the weeks that bookend the road opening, you’ll have to share space with various vehicles. There are no dedicated bike lanes or paved shoulders, so you’ll be biking in the same lanes as motorized vehicles. The narrow, winding road keeps vehicle speeds within the 20-50km/hour range, but traffic can be steady at times.
Most vehicle operators using the Moraine Lake Road are accustomed to bikes and will give space when passing. They will only overtake cyclists when it is safe to encroach into the oncoming travel lane. This means that buses or vans will sometimes follow behind cyclists on hills or when sightlines up the road are limited.
Follow these safe travel practices while biking to Moraine Lake.
- Bike on the right side of the road. Swerving into the left lane is especially dangerous and risks a collision with oncoming vehicle traffic.
- Remain aware of your surroundings at all times. Biking without earbuds makes it easier to hear approaching vehicles.
- Ride predictably and consistently. Maintaining a straight line while biking helps other road users maneuver safely around you.
- Bike single file and hug the right road shoulder so vehicles can pass.
- Pull off to the roadside when stopping and check for traffic before merging. There are no shoulders along the route, but there are occasionally small paved areas to pull over. Try to stop at these if you can.
- Be visible, especially if biking in low light conditions like before sunrise. There are plenty of sunrise shuttles running to Moraine Lake well before dawn.
How Hard is the Bike Ride?
The difficulty of biking the Moraine Lake Road depends on several factors, such as your fitness, experience cycling, and type of bike. The starting point for the bike ride also plays into the difficulty, as biking from the village of Lake Louise adds considerable elevation and distance.
Overall, I would consider this a moderate bike ride that most people with some physical fitness can complete. You’ll have to work on the way there, but will cruise downhill most of the way back. If you are concerned about difficulty, consider renting an e-bike for some assistance on hills.
Having experience cycling in mixed traffic is also helpful as you’ll likely have to share the road with large vehicles during the summer months.
- Elevation gain: I registered 385m of elevation gain biking between Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, but you’d add about 150m starting from the Village, and another 160 meters if starting from the Lake Louise Summer Gondola.
- Distance: The Moraine Lake Road itself is 12km, so the out-and-back trip totals 24km from the intersection with Lake Louise Drive, 28km from Lake Louise, approximately 32km from the Village, and 38km round trip from the Lake Louise Summer Gondola/Ski Resort.
How Long Does it Take To Bike to Moraine Lake?
Again, the duration of the bike ride to Moraine Lake will depend on your experience, bike type, and starting point. The trip out is more uphill, so it takes longer. You’ll have gravity on your side for the return trip, with minimal pedaling required.
Expect to spend about an hour biking up to Moraine Lake. Experienced cyclists would likely complete the journey in about 45 minutes. The return trip should only take about 30 to 40 minutes.
As you’ll likely want to enjoy some time at Moraine Lake, plan for the whole excursion to take between 3 and 4 hours, or longer if combining with one of the area’s many beautiful hikes.
Which Bike is Best?
The last time I biked the Moraine Lake Road, our group included a full range of bike types, including a road bike, a mountain bike, a hybrid bike, and an e-bike. I am glad to report that we all made it there and back with smiles.
Mountain bikes are more sluggish given their weight and I would recommend e-bikes to those who do not bike regularly. Pedal assist e-bikes are permitted on both the road and the Tramline trail.
Where to Rent a Bike
- Wilson Sports in Lake Louise Village is the most convenient place to rent a bike for cycling the Moraine Lake Road. If you want to bike before the road opening, it’s best to call and inquire about rental availability.
- Banff Cycle and Sport also offers a self-guided package that includes bike pick ups and drop offs in the Lake Louise Village.
- Lake Louise Summer Gondola offers ebikes for cycling around Lake Louise and up to Moraine Lake.
You can also rent from any of these shops if you are willing and able to transport bikes from Banff:
- Snowtips Bactrax is one of the largest rental shops in Banff, offering every bike category.
- Ultimate Sports Banff has a great selection of bikes, including full-suspension mountain bikes, commuter e-bikes, and road bikes.
- Banff Adventures is a local tour company that also rents a fleet of easy-going bikes to tour around Banff.
- SkiBig3 Adventure Hub has e-bike rentals in the summer months.
- Black Diamond Bike and SUP Rentals offers e-bikes on a hourly, daily, or multi-day basis.
Advanced reservations are recommended, particularly in summer when shops can sell out.
What to Pack for the Bike Ride
Moraine Lake is considered a backcountry area with limited amenities and no cellular service. While you can expect to have much company during the summer months, the following essentials will help you be prepared while on the road:
- Bear Spray: An essential item when recreating in the Rockies. Think you can outrun a bear on bike? Think again. Bears can reach speeds over 50km/hour, which is faster than most people on bike and even exceeds the speed limit on Moraine Lake road! Familiarize yourself with bear safety protocols before setting out.
- Helmet (typically included with rentals).
- Water: Pack enough to stay hydrated on the way there and back.
- Snacks: There are limited amenities at Moraine Lake and only one small cafe, so it’s a good idea to bring your own food.
- Layers: The secret to managing changeable mountain weather. You’ll want to wear something light and breathable for uphill bike to Moraine Lake. Consider packing a layer to protect against the wind on the downhill return.
- Bike Lock and Repair Kit (typically included with rentals): There are bike racks at Moraine Lake so you can secure your bike while you explore the area.
- First Aid Kit. In case of scrapes or cuts. I always like to have a couple first aid supplies on hand, particularly when venturing into more remote areas.
- Hand sanitizer. There is no running water at Moraine Lake, only pit toilets by the parking lot.
- Park Pass: This is actually left in your car, but anyone biking the Moraine Lake road needs a valid National Park Pass. You can read about getting a park pass here.
More Scenic Banff Bike Rides
Want to explore more on two wheels? Banff boasts many beautiful bike trails. Some of our favourite road cycling routes include the Bow Valley Parkway, the Legacy Trail between Banff and Canmore, and the Lake Minnewanka Loop.
If you prefer being off-roading in more rugged conditions, head to nearby Canmore and explore its many excellent mountain biking trails.
Plan Your Trip to the Canadian Rockies
- Recommended Experiences: There are many things to do in the Rockies, but our top recommendation is the Banff Gondola – a must do experience! If you want to get active, consider snowshoeing on top of the world. Lastly, enjoy nighttime in Banff on this Sunset and Stars Tour!
- Want an all in one tour? Pursuit is running this special Winter Wonder tour on weekends!
- Transport in the winter: If you don’t want to drive to Banff in the winter, we totally get it. To avoid this book with the Banff Airporter.
- Hotels in the Rockies: There are many places to stay, from luxury hotels to wilderness cabins. See all our favorites here.
- Get Around: We suggest renting a car to get around. You can search for rental cars on Rentalcars.com. For a campervan trip, you can check prices and compare on Outdoorsy.
- We can help you plan your 2025 trip to Western Canada! If you’re feeling overwhelmed by planning we can assist! We’ll personally go over your itinerary, hop on a 1 on 1 phone call, or create a bespoke itinerary just for you! See our services here.
