Consolation Lakes guided hike

Banff National Park

Guided hike bookings:

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Consolation Lakes hike

Difficulty: Moderate
Return Distance: 6 km round trip
Elevation Gain: 120 m
Duration: 7:45 am to 1:00 pm, (4.5 hours hiking time)

Is this hike right for you?

Wildlife conservation hike in Banff National Park!

This short, moderately graded trail is a great introduction to hiking in the Canadian Rockies. It begins with a rocky section, then climbs through mature forest, ending at a boulder field on the shore of the first Consolation Lake. Enjoy views of alpine meadows, towering peaks, and the Quadra Glacier.

Along the way, learn about the incredible wildlife that calls Banff National Park home. Your Parks Canada guide will share stories about how animals adapt to life in this dynamic landscape, and what we can all do to help protect them.

Note: This hike includes a Parks Canada shuttle up to Moraine Lake.

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Is this hike right for you?

The Consolation Lakes hike is rated moderate in difficulty.

  • The first 100 m (110 yards) is flat and easy.
  • Next, you’ll cross a 200 m (220-yard) boulder field where the trail is all rocks.
  • The remaining 2.5 km (1.5 miles) follows a well-maintained, moderately graded forest trail to the first Consolation Lake.
  • The lake’s shoreline is a boulder field. To reach the water’s edge, you’ll need to walk about 20 m on large boulders that may shift underfoot (optional).

This hike takes about 4.5 hours and gains/loses 120 m of elevation over 6 km (3.75 miles) round trip.

Important: If you have past injuries, surgeries, or medical conditions, please inform your Parks Canada hiking guide before starting the hike.

For details on hike ratings and to compare other hikes in Banff National Park, visit our day hikes page.

Not sure if this hike is right for you? Call us at 1-403-522-3833 or email lakelouiseinfo-infolakelouise@pc.gc.ca.

Important notes:

  • At this time, this guided hike is only offered in English
  • Children under 5 are not allowed
  • Children under 8 are not recommended but may attend at parent’s discretion
  • The hike is not suitable for strollers or child-carrying backpacks
  • Children and youth up to and including 15 years of age must be accompanied by an adult
  • A parent or guardian of participants 16 to 18 years of age must sign a waiver at the trailhead
  • No pets
  • No exceptions

Schedule – 2026 Consolation Lakes Guided Hike

Consolation Lakes guided hikes operate on select dates from July 13 to September 15, 2026.

All hike times are in Mountain Daylight Time, the same time zone as Calgary, Alberta and Golden, British Columbia. When travelling east from Vancouver, the time changes from the Pacific Time Zone to the Mountain Time Zone at Glacier National Park’s eastern boundary.

Cost

Visit our fees page for pricing.

All participants on the Consolation Lakes guided hike require a valid national park pass. Purchase your pass the day before your guided hike; the park gates and visitor centres are not open in the early morning, and our guides do not sell park passes. Passes may be bought after hours from vending machines at Yoho Visitor Centre and Lake Louise Visitor Centre.

Reservations

Reservations are required and available starting January. To make a reservation you will require the following information:

  • Dates and hike requested
  • Names and ages of participants
  • Emergency contact and medical info
  • MasterCard, Visa, or AmEx number

Call 1-877-RESERVE (1-877-737-3783), or reserve online:

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Hike logistics

Meeting point

Meet at 7:45 am (MDT) at the Lake Louise Park and Ride, located at the Lake Louise Ski Resort, in Banff National Park. Your guide will be waiting for you near a pop-up sign stating “Consolation Lakes: Meet Here”

  • To arrive at the Lake Louise Park and Ride, exit the Trans-Canada highway at the Lake Louise Ski Resort. Continue towards the resort on Whitehorn Road and park in the main lot in front of the lodge. From the Lake Louise Park and Ride, guests will ride a shuttle to the access point of the Consolation Lakes trail. This is located at the Moraine Lake day-use area.
  • This hike starts and ends with a 17 km shuttle ride up a restricted, paved road. There is a locked gate, and members of the public are not allowed to drive on the road. The shuttle departs between 8:00 and 8:15 am, and if you miss the shuttle there is no way for you to catch up; you will miss the hike. No refunds.

Guests joining the Consolation Lakes guided hike receive same-day shuttle access to Lake Louise Lakeshore with their ticket. After the hike, they can stay at Moraine Lake, visit Lake Louise Lakeshore, or return to the Park and Ride with the guide. Those who choose not to return with the guide can use their return ticket to go back to the Park and Ride at any time that day.

What to bring

A day of hiking in the Rockies requires preparation. Conditions can change rapidly in the mountains and higher elevations increase your exposure to the sun and stormy weather. To have a safe and fun time outdoors you will need to bring:

  • Quick-drying layers, rain jacket, and rain pants, gloves, toque / hat
  • Hearty lunch with multiple snacks
  • Drinking water, at least 2 litres or ½ gallon per person
  • Comfortable, sturdy hiking boots
  • Hiking poles. Note: Your guide may have hiking poles for you to borrow for the day.
  • Sturdy and supportive backpack with a waist belt
  • Sunscreen, sunglasses, sun hat, insect repellent
  • Toilet paper in a plastic bag for disposal, hand sanitizer
  • Reading glasses, if you wear them
  • Blister kit and personal medical supplies (just in case)
  • Sorry, no pets

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