Biking trails: Lake Louise area

Easy | Moderate | Difficult

Difficulty ratings are based on trail length, elevation gain and remoteness.

Brochures

Easy

Bow River Loop

7.1 km loop, no elevation gain, easy

Trailhead: Lake Louise Campground or opposite the historic Lake Louise train station (Station Restaurant) beside Bow River bridge

Ideal for families, this gentle riverside trail travels both sides of the Bow River and can be shortened by cutting across any of the bridges. Interpretive signs along the way highlight the Bow River ecosystem. This trail is popular with pedestrians who may not hear your approach above the river’s sound; ride respectfully and make your approach known. This route connects with the Tramline Trail (#5).

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Tramline

This wide trail is the former route of a tramway (1912 to 1930). It offers a quiet ride up and down from the valley floor to upper Lake Louise. The trail comes out at the upper Lake Louise parking lots, an alternative starting point for a downhill ride on this trail.

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Moderate

Pipestone

7.2 km one way, elevation gain 165 m, moderate

Trailhead: Slate Road, turn off Trans-Canada Highway– 1.5 km west of Lake Louise

This well-defined gravel and dirt trail heads up along the Pipestone River into the Pipestone Valley north of Lake Louise. Watch for horse users and bears. Not far from the trailhead, an 800 m side trail offers a short, sometimes muddy, trip to Mud Lake. Cyclists are not permitted beyond the bike turnaround point at km 7.2.

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Difficult

Ross Lake 

Trail #6

7.3 km one way, no elevation gain, difficult

Trailhead: Tucked behind the Chateau Lake Louise staff residences

One of the few trails that crosses from Banff to Yoho National Park, this trail winds and dips through sub-alpine forest to a small lake nestled against an impressive rock wall. Expect to yield to horse traffic on the first 100 m. A challenging 1.3 km trail down along Ross Creek connects to the Great Divide Road (#1), allowing a loop return.

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Moraine Lake Highline

Trail #7

9.3 km one way, elevation gain 305 m, difficult

Trailhead: Small parking area on the right, 2.5 km up Moraine Lake Road

The most demanding of the Lake Louise trails, this single-track trail climbs onto the shoulder of Mount Temple and then descends to Moraine Lake, one of the loveliest spots in the Canadian Rockies. Hikers are often encountered on the first km from the trailhead. Roots and rocks on the narrow trail might pose a challenge. The upper trail section, often exposed as it follows side hills, offers tremendous views. The trail can be combined with Moraine Lake Road (#2) to make a loop. When buffalo berries (an important food for bears) ripen in mid to late summer, the upper section of this trail is closed to all users. This will allow grizzly bears to forage undisturbed and keep visitors safer. A stub trail allows access from the trail to the Moraine Lake Road at the bottom of the seasonal trail closure. Check with Lake Louise Visitor Centre staff and trailhead signs for closure dates and important information.

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Easy | Moderate | Difficult

Difficulty ratings are based on ride length and elevation gain.

Easy

Great Divide

Trail #1

10.5 km one way, minimal elevation gain, easy

Starting Point: Parking lot at 3.6 km mark of Lake Louise Drive

This route (formerly the 1A Hwy) is closed to vehicles. Though paved, the surface is rough. It winds past the Great Divide at 7.5 km and continues to the Trans-Canada Highway in Yoho National Park. About 500 m west of the Divide, a challenging 1.3 km trail up along Ross Creek connects to the Ross Lake Trail (#6). It allows an alternative return to the trailhead for advanced mountain bikers.

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Moderate

Bow Valley Parkway

Trail #3

28 km one way, minimal elevation gain, moderate

Starting Points: Lake Louise Visitor Centre

From Lake Louise to Castle Junction, the Bow Valley Parkway (1A) winds through montane forest near the Bow River. This is a busy road with narrow shoulders; consider riding midweek when traffic is lighter. Numerous short hikes, viewpoints and interpretive signs are accessible from the road. The Bow Valley Parkway continues farther eastward towards the town of Banff and reconnects with the Trans-Canada Highway or the Banff Legacy Trail, after an additional 21 km, making the entire Bow Valley Parkway 49 km in length or 98 km return to Lake Louise.

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Difficult

Moraine Lake Road

Trail #7

15 km one way, elevation gain 385 m, difficult

Starting Point: Lake Louise Visitor Centre

 

This narrow, mountain road has no shoulders and heavy mixed traffic. It’s best to ride Moraine Lake Road and Lake Louise Drive early or late in the day when traffic volume is lower. From the turnoff at the 3 km mark of Lake Louise Drive, Moraine Lake Road climbs to spectacular views of Consolation Valley and the Valley of the Ten Peaks. Mountain bikers can create a loop by combining with the challenging Moraine Lake Highline Trail (#7).

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