About the Port
Lake Louise, the Columbia Icefield, and Jasper National Park form the heart of the Canadian Rockies, linked by the Icefields Parkway as it winds beneath towering peaks and hanging glaciers. Lake Louise itself draws visitors to its turquoise waters, framed by the Victoria Glacier, while nearby Moraine Lake sits within the dramatic Valley of the Ten Peaks. Further along, the Athabasca Glacier extends from the Columbia Icefield, one of the largest ice fields in the Rockies, and specialized ice vehicles carry travelers directly onto its surface.
Past the icefield, the parkway continues toward Athabasca Falls, where the river cuts through narrow limestone gorges, and on to the town of Jasper. The historic Bow Valley Parkway, once the main route between Lake Louise and Banff, offers a quieter alternative with frequent wildlife sightings. Because the region spans significant distances, travelers should expect a full day of overland travel between stops, with limited walking beyond short, well-marked trails.
Pavlus Recommendations
How our planners would spend a day in Lake Louise.
Ride the Ice Explorer onto Athabasca Glacier
Board a specialized all-terrain vehicle for the short drive out onto the ancient ice of the Columbia Icefield, one of the largest ice fields in the Rockies. Dress warmly and expect firm footing but chilly wind on the glacier itself.
Walk the Shore of Lake Louise
A short, well-marked lakeside trail delivers postcard views of turquoise water framed by Victoria Glacier. Go early to beat crowds and capture the reflections at their calmest.
Detour to Moraine Lake's Ten Peaks
Where access allows, the drive to Moraine Lake reveals striking glacial-blue water set against the jagged Valley of the Ten Peaks. Just a short stop, but among the most photographed views in the Rockies.