Lake Louise in Banff National Park, Canada

Who hasn’t heard of the famous Lake Louise in Alberta, Canada?

Along with Moraine Lake, Lake Louise is one of the most iconic lakes in Banff National Park. This glacial lake gets its striking turquoise color from the rock flour carried into the water by meltwater from the surrounding glaciers.

As one of the most famous destinations in the Canadian Rockies, Lake Louise is busy year-round. In the summer, visitors can explore a variety of hiking trails and even rent a canoe to paddle on the lake. In winter, the lake transforms into a large ice skating rink.

Be sure to arrive early in the morning or later in the evening at Lake Louise, as it tends to get very crowded during the day.

Fairmont Château Lake Louise

On the eastern shore of Lake Louise stands the famous Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, originally built by the railway at the end of the 19th century. Unfortunately, the Rattenbury Wing was destroyed by fire in 1924 and replaced by the current Barrot Wing. The oldest surviving section of the hotel is the Painter Wing, built in 1913, while the newest addition is the Mount Temple Wing, which opened in 2004.

Originally, the hotel was built for summer use, but it was winterized in 1982, making it a magical destination for winter activities such as skiing, ice skating, and more.

Mirror Lake

If you’re hiking to Lake Agnes, be sure to make a quick stop at Mirror Lake. The lake gets its name because it perfectly reflects the Big Beehive, creating a stunning mirror image.

If you’re planning to eat near Mirror Lake, be cautious of the squirrels! They can be quite bold, and it’s hard not to laugh as they practically climb into your face, hoping for a snack!

Little Beehive

The Big Beehive and the Little Beehive are both popular hikes near Lake Louise. If you’re not up for hiking the Big Beehive, at least do the Little Beehive. The views are absolutely worth it, you’ll get a stunning panorama of the Big Beehive, Lake Louise with the Chateau, and even spot Mirror Lake and Lake Agnes from above.

Both hikes start from the popular Lake Agnes trail, making it easy to combine them into one extended adventure. The Little Beehive is the shorter and easier option, perfect for a quick detour with a fantastic reward at the top. From there, hikers with more energy can continue toward the Big Beehive, where the trail becomes steeper and more rugged. The Big Beehive viewpoint offers a unique angle over Lake Louise, showing off its turquoise color from high above and giving you a postcard-perfect panorama. If you’re lucky, you might even find a quiet spot to sit and soak it all in.

Lake Agnes Tea House

The Lake Agnes Tea House is a small teahouse at an elevation of 2,135 meters, which was originally built in 1901 as a shelter for hikers. It was named after Lady Agnes MacDonald, the wife of Canada’s first Prime Minister. In 1886, she visited Lake Agnes and was amazed by the idyllic lake near Lake Louise. The Lake Agnes Tea House is said to be the oldest teahouse in Canada. In 1981, the teahouse was completely rebuilt into the version you see today.

Lake Agnes, with its charming tea house, is located 7 km from Lake Louise and takes about 2 hours to reach (one way). It remains a very popular stop for hikers, which means it’s often crowded and quite difficult to get a seat inside the teahouse. You can enjoy a variety of teas, baked goods, and light lunch options. The teahouse has no running water or electricity, everything is transported up by staff, either by horse or even by helicopter.

Lake Louise Gondola

The Lake Louise Gondola takes you up to an elevation of 2,088 meters, offering an amazing view over Lake Louise and the Victoria Glacier. In addition to the breathtaking scenery, there’s also an extensive network of hiking trails suitable for all ability levels.

If you’re lucky, you might even spot some wildlife during your ride on the gondola.

What about you? Have you ever visited Lake Louise?

Read next: Top 10 things to do in Banff National Park, Canada