Episode 10: How Much Time at Lake Louise and Moraine Lake?

Lake Louise and Moraine Lake are two of the most popular places to visit in Banff National Park. You can spend a short time enjoying the views at each lake, or you can fill an entire day with hikes, canoeing and other activities.

So how much time should you allow at each one, and can you visit both lakes in a day? I would start with what you actually want to do, then choose your transportation and schedule around those priorities.

Listen to Episode 10 of The Banff Travel Podcast

3 Key Takeaways

1. Short lake visits can fit into one day. Allow around 1–2 hours per lake for main viewpoints and shoreline walks.
2. Hikes need substantially more time. Lake Agnes, Plain of Six Glaciers, Sentinel Pass and Wenkchemna Pass can fill much of a day.
3. Book transportation around your priority activity. A short combined tour is different from a flexible shuttle day that allows a big hike.

How Much Time Do You Need at Lake Louise?

Lake Louise is more than a quick photo stop in front of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Some of the best experiences involve walking along the lakeshore or heading higher into the mountains.

Lake Louise Lakeshore Trail

The Lake Louise Lakeshore Trail is approximately 4 km return, mostly flat, and a great choice for anyone who wants beautiful scenery without a challenging hike. Allow around 1–1.5 hours, depending on how often you stop for photos.

Fairview Lookout

For a viewpoint above the lake, try Fairview Lookout. It’s about 2 km return and relatively short, but the climb is steep. I’d allow around one hour. The payoff is a lovely view over Lake Louise and the Chateau.

Lake Agnes Tea House and the Beehives

The Lake Agnes Tea House hike is about 7.5 km return with 385 m elevation gain. Allow roughly 2–3.5 hours, depending on your pace and how long you spend at the teahouse.

If you have more time and energy, you can continue to Little Beehive or Big Beehive for even better views. I’d plan around 4–5 hours if you’re adding a Beehive viewpoint. Devil’s Thumb is another extension for stronger hikers.

Bring cash for the teahouse and expect it to be busy. Our Lake Agnes Tea House hiking guide and Big Beehive trail guide have more information.

Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House

One of my favourite Lake Louise hikes is the Plain of Six Glaciers. It’s about 14.6 km return with 590 m elevation gain and usually takes around 5–6 hours.

You get the lakeshore walk as part of the hike, beautiful glacier views and a teahouse along the way when it’s operating (June to early October). It’s generally less crowded than Lake Agnes, and I always enjoy having a slice of cake partway through a long hike.

Read our Plain of Six Glaciers hiking guide if this sounds like your kind of day.

Canoeing, Afternoon Tea and Horseback Riding

Canoe rentals on Lake Louise are first come, first served, so allow time for the lineup as well as your paddle. The season usually begins around late May or early June and depends on lake conditions.

For something more relaxed, you can reserve afternoon tea at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. If you enjoy a guided outdoor experience, Brewster Adventures offers horseback rides toward Lake Agnes and the Plain of Six Glaciers. Those outings can take several hours and should be booked in advance.

My Lake Louise Time Recommendation

For the viewpoint and an easy lakeshore walk, allow 1–2 hours. If you’re adding canoeing, a teahouse hike, afternoon tea or a horseback ride, I’d plan half a day or a full day, depending on which activities you choose.

How Much Time Do You Need at Moraine Lake?

Moraine Lake also has plenty to do beyond taking a photograph. Most visitors start with the Rockpile and shoreline, while hikers can head toward some of the best alpine scenery in the area.

Rockpile Viewpoint

The Rockpile is approximately 0.8 km return and takes about 15–30 minutes. It’s a short walk up rocky steps to the famous view over Moraine Lake and the Valley of the Ten Peaks.

Moraine Lake Lakeshore Trail

The lakeshore walk is under 4 km return, mostly easy with some roots and rocks. I’d allow roughly one hour if you want to walk along the lake and stop at the benches to enjoy the views.

Consolation Lakes

Consolation Lakes is a good option for families wanting something more than the shoreline. It’s about 6 km return with roughly 240 m elevation gain, taking around 1.5–2 hours depending on your pace.

When we’ve done this hike with the kids, we’ve typically stopped at the big boulder field rather than climbing over all the rocks. It’s a lovely place to enjoy the mountain views and keep an eye out for hoary marmots. Please don’t feed them.

Larch Valley and Sentinel Pass

The hike to Larch Valley is about 8.6 km return with 535 m elevation gain. Continuing to Sentinel Pass brings the outing to roughly 11.5 km return and makes the hike more challenging.

I’d usually allow 4–5 hours or more for a substantial Larch Valley/Sentinel Pass outing, depending on your pace and how far you go. If you have the ability, time and energy, I highly recommend continuing to Sentinel Pass. The views are well worth the extra effort.

See our guide to the best Moraine Lake hikes for more options.

Eiffel Lake and Wenkchemna Pass

For a quieter, longer hike, consider Eiffel Lake, at roughly 12 km return. If you’re comfortable with a big hiking day, Wenkchemna Pass adds approximately another 6 km return, creating an outing of around 18 km.

I love the views along this route and looking back toward Moraine Lake and the valley. But I wouldn’t plan it unless you’re ready for a substantial hike and have transportation that allows enough time.

Canoeing at Moraine Lake

Canoe rentals are also first come, first served, with availability depending on season and weather. If this is on your wish list, allow time for possible line-ups.

My Moraine Lake Time Recommendation

For the Rockpile and an easy lakeshore walk, 1.5–2 hours is a reasonable starting point. For canoeing or a long hike, plan at least half a day, and often a full day for the longer routes.

Can You Visit Lake Louise and Moraine Lake in One Day?

Yes, absolutely, especially if you’re mainly interested in the viewpoints and lakeshore walks. A shuttle option that connects the two lakes makes the day much easier.

Visiting Both Lakes for Short Walks and Photos

If you want the Rockpile, lake views and shoreline walks, you can usually visit both lakes in one day. Some combined shuttle tours allow about 1.5 to 2 hours at each lake, while Parks Canada’s Lake Connector offers more flexibility (you choose how much time at each lake).

One Big Hike and One Shorter Lake Visit

You can also do a major hike at one lake and a shorter visit to the other. For example, visit Moraine Lake at sunrise and then hike to a Lake Louise teahouse, or start with a big Lake Louise hike and finish with a quiet late-afternoon walk at Moraine Lake.

Choose your shuttle based on your hiking time. A fixed two-hour tour stop isn’t suitable for one of the teahouse hikes.

When I’d Split the Lakes Into Two Days

If you’re planning big hikes at both lakes, or you want long hikes plus canoeing and other activities, I’d give each lake its own day. There’s no need to rush from one place to the next just because they’re close together on a map.

How to Plan Transportation Between the Lakes

Most personal vehicles cannot use Moraine Lake Road (the only exception is guests of the Moraine Lake Lodge). The Parks Canada shuttles and Lake Connector, Roam Transit and commercial shuttles or tours are the main ways to visit, depending on where you’re staying.

You can still drive to the Lake Louise Lakeshore parking area, but parking is paid during the main season and fills early. If you have a Parks Canada shuttle reservation, you can not park at Lake Louise lakeshore then plan to use the Lake Connector shuttle. You must park and check-in at the Lake Louise Ski Resort.

There are special shuttle arrangements for some guests at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise or Paradise Lodge & Bungalows – these guests can skip the drive to the Park and Ride at the Lake Louise Ski Resort. Simply show your shuttle reservation and proof of lodging to get access to the Lake Connector Shuttle to Moraine Lake.

The Parks Canada’s Alpine Start is also different in that it departs from the Lake Louise Lakeshore parking lot (where you will need to pay for parking) and return on the Lake Connector shuttle from Moraine Lake.

Our Lake Louise shuttle guide and Moraine Lake transportation guide explain the options.

How I’d Choose My Lake Louise and Moraine Lake Day

Start with your most important activity. If you’re excited about Lake Agnes, Plain of Six Glaciers or afternoon tea, give Lake Louise enough time. If Moraine Lake or a hike to Sentinel Pass is the highlight, build the day around that instead.

Then choose transportation that works for your plan, pack enough food and water, and allow time for mountain weather and shuttle connections. Some travellers will be happy spending a couple of hours at each lake. Others will be glad they booked two days. Both approaches can make for an excellent Banff trip.

Helpful Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• Lake Agnes Trail: Tea House Hike at Lake Louise
• Plain of Six Glaciers Hike in Lake Louise: A Local’s Guide
• Best Moraine Lake Hikes
• Lake Louise Shuttle Guide
• How to Get to Moraine Lake

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