(continuer en français) – Last updated: February 18, 2023
Banff National Park is probably the most famous national park in the Canadian Rockies. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Many areas of the park attract large numbers of visitors each year and are managed accordingly. Lake Louise is one of the most remarkable of these sites.
In 1884, Lake Louise was named in honour of the fourth daughter of Queen Victoria, whose husband was Governor General of Canada from 1878 to 1893. The lake is located at 5,250 feet, 1,600 meters, above sea level and covers an area of 200 acres, 80 hectares, it can reach a depth of 230 feet, 70 meters. Fed by the melting snow and glaciers that surround it, giving it its special colour, the lake empties into the Bow River.
The lake began to attract attention during the construction of the railway by the Canadian Pacific Railway, a station was built in 1890, Laggan Station, a small holiday village developed from there. Also being close to the Trans-Canada Highway, the area is easily accessible and is very busy during the summer months.
The lake looks as if it is surrounded by a circle of mountains rising directly from the shore. Around Lake Louise there are several peaks exceeding 9,800 feet, 3,000 metres. The majestic landscape comes up against Mount Victoria at the end of the lake, which rises to 11,365 feet, 3,464 metres.
Some parts of the lakeshore may be exposed to avalanches, elsewhere climbing is one of the many outdoor activities practiced around Lake Louise.
For a few hours or several days, there are many possibilities for hiking around Lake Louise. The trails gradually rise from the bottom of the valley after going around the lake. One of the best known routes leads to a tea room near Lake Agnes, an establishment created in 1901.
Canoeing on the lake remains the preferred activity, a rental facility is set up on the shore near the arrival path.
In winter, the lake freezes sufficiently to allow activities on its surface, such as ice skating. Ski tracks are laid out on the slopes behind Chateau Lake Louise, where one of the World Cup alpine skiing events is held every year.
Chateau Lake Louise
With the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) and the tourist potential that Lake Louise represented, CPR decided to build one of its large luxury hotels like those that existed across the country. These palaces represented both places to welcome travellers and a destination in themselves. All in all, this made it possible to generate traffic on passenger lines.
The initial construction at the end of the 19th century was more modest and in order to respect the natural setting, the dominant material was wood. This part burnt down in 1924. The hotel has been extended and modernised several times since then, seeking to be in line with prestigious establishments copying their exterior appearance on European castles. Nothing remains of the original construction except the grand setting and luxury.
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Lookoom 
Always love visiting Lake Louise..
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It is a place that everyone can enjoy, either for a quiet moment or for an outdoor activity, with always a beautiful nature around.
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I have fond memories of Lake Louise as my husband and I spent 3 weeks touring Canada way back in the eighties. We stayed at Banff Springs Hotel which was very grand but we never had time to explore the hotel over the two days we stayed there as we were out all day. The area is quite gorgeous and it is one part of the world I’d love to return to.
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I can understand why you have great memories of this place. Banff National Park and its neighbours are fortunate to have a great natural setting. In addition, they are maintained in optimum conditions for visitors to make their stay easier. Thank you for commenting.
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Banff is my happy place and one of my favourites places in the world. I’ve been to Banff twice over the past few years and still feel like that wasn’t nearly enough time to see and do everything. The hike to the two tea houses at Lake Agnes and Plain of the Six Glaciers is still one of my all-time favourite hikes ever.
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I understand you, as this is a national park, everything seems to be well maintained while remaining natural. It is an ideal form of nature. As soon as you go outside the park boundaries, there are buildings, not always attractive, fences, advertising signs, even rubbish along the road. This is where you understand that something is being done to keep nature at its best.
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Very nice! I was here when I was a little girl in the mid 70’s!!
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Yes, it is a lovely place to make lasting memories.
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Love Lake Louise! I’ve only been in winter when the lake is frozen. Your photos inspire a return in warmer weather or when the colors are changing. Great post!
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This is a nice comment from a Lake Tahoe expert 🙂 Happy Thanksgiving!
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Thanks Lookoom! Happy Thanksgiving to you as well. A strange year has connected us. I’m grateful. 🙂
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Thank you Kelly, a very strange year indeed, at the time of summing it up there are fortunately some positive points.
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It’s a busy place but I never stop marvelling at its beauty-summer and winter. I remember staying at the Chateau with my family when I was a kid—I felt like I was in a movie.
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I understand that this remains a good memory, the Chateau is ideally situated to absorb the whole perspective from the lake to the glacier. Thank you for sharing this memory.
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Some absolutely gorgeous shots and a nice history to the lake and its surrounds. I’m trying to imagine the views from an upper floor suite at Chateau Lake Louise.
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It’s right, you put yourself in the best place to combine natural beauty with the comfort of luxury.
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what a simply amazing location! that looks to be one hell of a hotel too. What a spot!
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In the past this was reserved for the happy few, nowadays the place is open to the crowds but the beauty of the setting has been preserved.
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It has been a long time since we visited Lake Louise, and maybe when Canada lets their southern neighbors back into the country again, we shall visit once more. It is a beautiful setting!
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I agree with you, I would also like to revisit this place at a quieter time in the spring or fall, when there are fewer people and nature is changing seasons.
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What is not to be loved at Lake Louise&surroundings🙂 I hope we will return there one day, soon!
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You’re right, it’s a place where I’d also like to go back and spend more time, like pushing the hike a little higher.
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Such a beauty.
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It is certainly one of the most beautiful places in Banff National Park, and there is no shortage of them in the area.
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