Around Lake Louise..

Canadian
Rockies

Around Lake Louise

Lake Louise is a good 50 miles into Banff National Park and only a few miles on the eastern side of the continental divide. The area is rich in hiking trails and other outdoor activities in what is largely pristine wilderness.

The top and left photos of the Bow River, which flows south to Banff, were taken within a few miles of Lake Louise.

As shown above right, travel through Banff National Park is along the Bow River Valley. While you are in the mountains, you aren't driving through the mountains. Instead, you drive on the valley floor and see the mountains to your left and right, many with snow capped peaks.

Lake Louise, unlike Banff, is a wilderness area with minimal facilities beyond the hotel. On one of the few mountain roads, winding toward Moraine Lake, we got a glimpse of “downtown Lake Louise” which is limited to a small shopping plaza and a couple of gas stations.