Lake Louise & Moraine Lake One Day Itinerary

A day at Lake Louise and Moraine Lake is on nearly every first-time visitor’s Banff itinerary. And while you could easily spend one whole day at Moraine Lake and one whole day at Lake Louise, most people are short on time and don’t have this option. Additionally, the way the shuttles work to both lakes means that it makes sense to combine Moraine Lake and Lake Louise for one epic day in the mountains.

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How to Spend One Day at Lake Louise and Moraine Lake

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Early Morning or Sunrise Shuttle to Moraine Lake

Start your day early and catch a shuttle to Moraine Lake. Shuttles start as early as 4 a.m., ensuring you can get to Moraine Lake for sunrise. However, this is a very early morning for many people, and we completely understand if you don’t want to wake up at 3 a.m. on your vacation to get to Moraine Lake.

That being said, we still recommend an early start to Moraine Lake. The crowds really start coming around 9 a.m., so aim to get there at least before 8 a.m.

There are multiple ways to get to Moraine Lake in the morning including:

• Parks Canada Moraine Lake Shuttle
• Parks Canada Alpine Start Shuttle
• Moraine Lake Bus Company
• Via Via Shuttles
• Fairview Limo
• Banff Hop on Hop Off

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Head Up the Rockpile Trail for Sunrise

The most popular thing to do at Moraine Lake is take a stroll up the Rockpile Trail. The Rockpile Trail is where you can get some of the best photos of Moraine Lake, especially at sunrise.

A nice and short walking trail will lead you to the top of the Rockpile Trail in about 5-10 minutes, and you will no doubt find plenty of photographers here at any point in the day. We encourage everyone to take in the view from the Rockpile, but be forewarned; this is where all the crowds hang out throughout the day.

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Grab a Coffee at the Moraine Lake Lodge

The Snowshoe Café opens around 8:30 a.m. It’s a fantastic place to grab a coffee and snack before hitting the water. If the sun is shining, there is also a nice patio to hang out on.

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Canoe on Moraine Lake

Canoeing on Moraine Lake is one of the most sought-after activities in the entire park. There’s no better feeling than paddling on a brilliantly blue-colored lake with the most majestic Ten Peaks in front of you. While you can canoe on Lake Louise, we personally recommend canoeing on Moraine Lake over Lake Lousie. It’s our favorite place to paddle, and the Lake Louise Boathouse often has very long lines to rent a canoe.

You can rent a canoe from the boathouse at the Moraine Lake Lodge. Canoe rental fees are hefty, at over $150 an hour, so splitting the cost with one or two other people will help keep costs down. Canoe rentals come with paddles and a lifejacket and operate on a first-come, first-serve basis. However, there is rarely a line up before 10 a.m.— all the more reason to get an early start!

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Shuttle to Lake Louise

After your canoe on Moraine Lake, you might want to spend more time there. This is a great time to walk around the Moraine Lake Lakeshore. However, if you have had enough time, it’s time to catch the Lake Connector shuttle to Lake Louise. The Parks Canada Lake Connector shuttles are free for shuttle reservation holders and operate on a first-come, first-served basis. They also run throughout the day.

If you have Parks Canada shuttle reservations, these include a shuttle transfer to Lake Louise. If you have booked a spot on any of the alternatives, such as the Hop On Hop Off, Fairview Limo, or any of the other shuttle buses, make sure to pay attention to their timetables to Lake Louise.

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Lunch at the Fairmont

You’re probably hungry for lunch. Either you planned ahead and packed a lunch, or you can grab something at one of the restaurants at Lake Louise. You can sit down for lunch at the Lakeview Lounge for a nice meal with a view. Alternatively, you can eat at the Fairview Bar or The Guide’s Pantry inside the Fairmont.

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Enjoy a Hike Around Lake Louise

It’s now time to get those legs moving and work off that lunch. There are so many amazing hikes around Lake Louise to enjoy, but what you choose depends on how you feel, how long you want to hike, your fitness, and your ability. A few ones we recommend are:

• Fairview Lookout: A short, sweet hike great for those who only want to dedicate 1-2 hours to hiking. It provides great views over Lake Louise from some elevation. It’s not as popular and much less strenuous than the classic Lake Agnes Teahouse hike listed below, so it’s a good option if you’re not up the elevation gain required for Lake Agnes or just want a quick jaunt in the area. A nice platform also provides views of the historic Chateau Lake Louise Hotel.
• Lake Agnes Teahouse: One of the most iconic and popular hikes in Banff, and has been enjoyed by hikers for well over a century. The hike ends at the historic Lake Agnes Teahouse. A rustic old cabin from 1905, that sits along the shores of beautiful Lake Agnes. This hike takes about 3-4 hours round trip to complete. Bring cash and be prepared to wait in line if you want to grab a pastry and tea at the teahouse.
• The Beehives: If you’ve made it to the Lake Agnes teahouse and want just a little bit more you can continue hiking to the Little Beehive or the Big Beehive for sweeping views over Lake Louise. This will add 1-2 hours onto your Lake Agnes hike.
• Plain of Six Glaciers: A less popular option than the Lake Agnes Teahouse, is the Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse. Skirt the Lake Louise Lakeshore and follow the trail for the teahouse. This hike is long, but we find it slightly less demanding than Lake Agnes. Plan for this hike to take between 3-5 hours round trip, depending on if you stop at the Teahouse for a snack.

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Enjoy Evening Light at Lake Louise

By the time you’re finished with your hike, the day will be drawing to a close. Spend the evening enjoying the Lake Louise Lakeshore. We find that after 6pm, the crowds are dying down for the day. However, make sure to pay attention to your transport times and not miss your shuttle back for the day.

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Head Back to Banff or Stay in Lake Louise

Make your way back to Banff, or if you’ve decided to stay in Lake Louise over Banff, you’ll enjoy an easy commute back to your hotel. If you’d like to stay on the Lake Louise Lakeshore, you can only do this at the Fairmont. Other recommended properties are Paradise Lodge, The Post Hotel, and Mountaineer Lodge.