Banff National Park
Banff
This was our first stop. It feels like a ski resort – lots of eating places and is an okay base to do some exploring but is not particularly pretty. However it was a good introduction to the Rockies but if you were short of time you could go straight to Lake Louise
Accommodation – Tunnel Mountain Site (Parks Canada) in Banff – First site that we stayed at. It was a perfect introduction to RV camping – it had full hitch up – for electricity, water and the loo and a regular bus service into Banff. There are also showers and toilet facilities on site. It is only about 4km from Banff so it also an easy walk to the town centre along the Bow river which made an excellent introductory walk to the Rockies. For all Parks in Banff click below
Things to do in Banff
Sulphur Mountain -you can either get the gondola to the top or you can walk it which is reasonably strenuous but rewarding and a good leg stretcher after all the travelling to arrive in Canada.
Lake Minnewanka is a very nice place to spend an afternoon. It is a bit more recreational –you can take a boat out, swim, play on the beach, or just go for a gentle walk along the shore. We were there in August and despite its beauty it wasn’t very busy.
Vermillion Lakes – more stunning lakes and with the mountains in the background makes a great backdrop for a classic photo using the lakes as a mirror.
Cycling is a great way to get around Banff. We hired bikes for the day and cycled to Lake Minnewanka, then we cycled along the dedicated cycle path to Canmore for lunch – going past the most fantastic beaver dam along the way. Then cycled back to Banff and went round the Vermillion Lakes – a perfect day. Banff cycles had good bikes and have the choice of conventional bikes and e-bikes
Johnston Canyon
Johnston Canyon and the Inkpots, 11.5km, 470m elevation – easy
This is halfway between Banff and Lake Louise (about 30 mins from each) We did the walk when we transferred from Banff to Lake Louise
Recommend starting the walk early (8:30am) – it does start to get bottlenecked as there is only one pathway up and down the canyon.
Lovely walk through the canyon but the inkpots were the real highlight and recommend making the most of this spot. The scenery around the inkpots is also stunning
Lake Louise Area
We then left Banff and drove to Lake Louise up the dramatic Icefields Parkway which is without doubt the most stunning highway I have ever been on. The camp site in Lake Louise is well positioned and well equipped. You can walk to the Lake Louise town but there is also a shuttle bus. Lake Louise is a small town with just a few shops and bars. It is 4km from the actual lake. It has an information centre for any questions about transport, some wifi, a bakery and an ice cream shop that serves the largest portions of ice cream ever which can’t be bad!
This is where the beauty steps up another notch. The beauty of Lake Moraine and Lake Louise need to be seen to be believed. They are stunning vivid turquoise lakes surrounded by mountains. Not surprisingly they are busy with tourists but there are plenty of walks from the lakes so one doesn’t tend to feel too crowded.
Accommodation – Lake Louise Campground (Parks Canada) was the best campground. Great transport into Lake Louise town – start at 8am and run until 7pm. Shower & toilet facilities, dumping ground, electricity hook up – everything you could need.
Lake Louise
There is very limited parking at Lake Louise and by far and away the best way is get there is to go on public transport and take the Park and Ride from Lake Louise town. From the campsite you need to take the camp shuttle to the town and then get a bus to the Park and Ride centre which is just out of town- or you can drive your RV to the Park and Ride centre. You need to book the Park and Ride from the website
Walks
After enjoying the stunning view along the lake to the Glacier it is time to go on a hike
Lake Agnes and the Beehive Circuit route on AllTrails, 17km, 787m elevation – medium/hard –
It is worth starting the walk early (we kicked off at 8:30am) as it does start to get busy around midday/lunchtime.
You certainly want to go to the top of the big beehive for some beautiful views over Lake Louise but the best viewpoint is the top of the Little Beehive where you can see the mountain peaks, and the three lakes you’ve just walked past – stunning!
The Agnes Tea house is on route where you can get some food, but the queues were very long. There is an area at the bottom of Agnes Lake where you can stop off and have some food. We always brought our own food in our backpacks, which meant we could have impromptu picnics in stunning locations.
Plain of Six Glaciers, 14km, 483m elevation – medium
This walk also starts at the lake It has a steady gradient up to the six glaciers, and in the last 200-300m the terrain changes to become quite rocky – but it is still perfectly manageable. As you approach the glacier there is a dramatic change in temperature so make sure you have an extra layer.
This is a lovely walk with wonderful views of the glaciers but if you only want to do one walk in Lake Louise I would do the Beehive circuit.
At the top of the walk, is a Tea House just short of the viewpoint which serves refreshments and food. We had our food but the queues here were less than at the Agnes’ teahouse.
Lake Louise
There are no private cars allowed in Lake Moraine and therefore you have to go on the Park And Ride service. This is in the same place as the Park and Ride for Lake Louise and is booked from the website – click on the button below.
You think Lake Louise is beautiful until you get to Lake Moraine! When you first arrive at Lake Moraine head straight for the Rockpiles which is a wonderful place to take a photo from especially first thing in the morning and towards the end of the day when the light is at its best for photos – but to be perfectly honest it’s pretty photogenic all the time! Then head for the Larch Valley hike
Larch Valley & Sentinel Pass, 11km, 711m elevation – medium/hard
First part of this walk is through dense forest with a few switch backs
This then opens out into a beautiful valley
You then start climbing again to reach another peak which has magnificent views of mountains all around
