10 of the Best Hikes Near Lake Louise, Alberta

September 8, 2021

The turquoise hues of Lake Louise and its neighbouring Lake Moraine attract visitors from near and far. The surrounding wilderness is ripe for exploring.

The area is home to a phenomenal network of trails that offer a serene natural ambience, an opportunity to break a sweat and unbeatable Rocky Mountain views, so one of the best ways to spend your days here is by hiking.

Pack your bear spray, bug repellent, plenty of water and layers and get ready to take on the trails. Here are 10 of the best hikes near Lake Louise:

Giant Steps via Paradise Creek

Distance: 19.5 km

Elevation Gain: 720 m

The route to the Giant Steps goes through a variety of terrain, including creek crossings, wildflowers and the serene Lake Annette. The finish line of this trail here is not a summit view, but a beautiful open landscape with a waterfall cascading down giant step-like boulders. This is grizzly bear territory, so hiking in groups is encouraged.

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Lake Agnes Trail

Distance: 7 km

Elevation Gain: 400 m

Is there any better hiking reward than a snack and beverage complimented by a serene lake? Built by the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1901, the quaint Lake Agnes Tea House serves up freshly made treats and 100 varieties of tea. This trail will bring you past Mirror Lake and up to Lake Agnes and its surrounding mountains and waterfall, a scenic setting that is the perfect stage for your alpine adventures.

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Lake Louise Lakefront Trail

Distance: 4.5 km

Elevation Gain: 108 m

Lake Louise is, for good reason, a tourist hotspot, and coming here usually means either paying a parking fee or taking a shuttle, so you’ll want to make the visit worth your while. After snapping some photos on the viewing platform, take the leisurely trail framing the lake to soak in the views.

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Big Beehive Trail

Distance: 10.8 km

Elevation Gain: 776 m

The Big Beehive Trail provides arguably the most rewarding aerial view of Lake Louise, which looks like a vibrant puddle of plasticine from above. The trail meanders through the forest, past Lake Agnes and the teahouse and up some challenging switchbacks on the way to the top. It’s a bit of a grind, but you’ll be glad you did it.

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Plain of Six Glaciers Trail

Distance: 14.6 km

Elevation Gain: 588 m

One of the most popular and rewarding trails in the region, the Plain of Six Glaciers Trail provides incredible views and is not overly strenuous. The tea house makes for a fantastic pitstop, but taking the optional rocky pass for the final 1.5 kilometres is definitely recommended for the grand finale view.

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Moraine Lake Shoreline Trail

Distance: 5.1 km

Elevation Gain: 275 m

Lake Moraine is stunning from any angle, such as from atop the rock pile or on a canoe, but the easy trail lining its shores provides a great option to take in the blue hues, which seem to turn more Gatorade-esque as you venture along.

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Larch Valley Trail

Distance: 8.6 km

Elevation Gain: 535 m

One of the best things about the area around Lake Louise is the diversity brought by each different season and not to be missed are the fall months, when the larch trees turn a crisp golden colour. One of the best ways to experience these hues is on Larch Valley Trail, found just past Lake Moraine.

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Sentinel Pass

Distance: 11.6 km

Elevation Gain: 817 m

Continuing on past Larch Valley Trail leads to Sentinel Pass and spectacular views of a sweeping valley, majestic mountains, lush forests, beautiful wildflowers and friendly (sometimes too friendly!) woodland creatures. The hike’s difficulty increases near the end but don’t let the switchbacks daunt you — the scenery is so worth it.

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Bourgeau Lake Trail

Distance: 13.8 km

Elevation Gain: 960 m

Climb along this a well-maintained forested trail to the lovely Bourgeau Lake. For those looking to keep the adventure going, continuing onto the steeper route to Harvey Pass will reward you with epic views. Keep an eye out for wildflowers and wildlife along the way!

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Boom Lake

Distance: 10.8 km

Elevation Gain: 572 m

Boom Lake Trail is a family-friendly, relatively flat and easy hike with beautiful scenery that leads to a gorgeous lake. Take anyone from toddlers to grandparents to furry friends and enjoy the fresh air and nature. It’s a great spot to bring floaties, have a picnic or go for a refreshing dip.

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