The Lake Louise Shoreline Trail Hike
4K return Elevation Gain – Minimal
The Lake Louise shoreline is perfect for all hiking abilities, and a few more things make it perfect for your next family hike – the trail is wide wheel stroller friendly, so you can feel comfortable bringing your little ones. There are frequent benches along the trail, and best of all, the trail is in the sun. Be sure to practice safe sun care!
The stroller-friendly trail starts from the paved pathway in front of the Fairmount Chateau Lake Louise. Look for the statue commemorating the Swiss Guides, employed by the Canadian Pacific Railway hotels between 1899 and 1954.
A fatal climbing incident in 1896 on Mt. Lefroy precipitated the hiring of Swiss Guides by the Canadian Pacific Railway Hotels. These guides brought with them the knowledge and skills acquired from guiding and mountaineering in the Swiss Alps. They were instrumental in leading many eager and wealthy hotel guests on climbs in the Canadian Rocky Mountains.
The trail hugs the Lake Louise shoreline offering postcard views of the Chateau Lake Louise, the Victoria Glacier, and paddlers on the emerald coloured waters of Lake Louise.
About Lake Louise
The Stoney Nakoda First Nations called this lake “The Lake of Little Fishes.” In 1882, Tom Wilson was the first white man to see this lake. Upon seeing the colour of the lake, he called it Emerald Lake: changing native names to English names was customary, albeit wrong, during the discovery and settlement of Canada in the 1880s. The name was soon changed to Lake Louise to honour Queen Victoria’s daughter Princess Louise Caroline Alberta.
The emerald colour of this lake and all glacier-fed mountain lakes is a result of rock flour: the glacier grinds and sands the rocks they scrape over, ultimately creating fine rock dust that floats on top of the water. This rock dust reflects the waves of green and blue light, causing the spectacular blue/green colour of the lake.
About The Lake Louise Shoreline Trail
The official Lake Louise Shoreline Trail ends at this bridge, and the Plain of Six Glaciers hike starts after this bridge. The cliffs in the right of this picture are popular climbing routes in both the summer and winter. It is very common to see climbers here at any time of the year.
The Lake Louise Shoreline trail also ends at the site of the Lake Louise delta. A Delta is a deposit of sediments accumulating at the mouth of a river. In this case, the water flows from the Victoria Glacier meltwater, which is full of Rock Flour that makes its way into Lake Louise.
Your view on the way back along this trail is just as spectacular as it provides a full view of the Chateau Lake Louise, with a distant view of the golden Larches that line the slopes of the Lake Louise Ski Resort.
Other Activities When Hiking The Lake Louise Shoreline
When we hike at Lake Louise, we generally finish our days with a trip to the candy store, located inside the hotel. I must confess, the candy store is also for me, as I have a sweet tooth. Over the years, we have been very fortunate to have stayed as guests at the hotel. We have enjoyed Afternoon Tea at the Chateau and many dinners and lunches at the various hotel restaurants. If you like fondues, then I would highly recommend the Walliser Stube restaurant.
If you want to reward yourself after a day of hiking in the area, then I would suggest trying one of the restaurants at the hotel or head into the village of Lake Louise for a treat there. BTW, there is a candy store in Lake Louise village.
Don’t Forget Your Parks Canada Park Pass
When hiking in the Rockies, please ensure you have your Parks Canada Pass. Please feel free to reference my blog post on national Parks Passes in Canada, and how and where to get one.
Pick Up A Copy Of Take A Hike With Your Children
My sold out book, Take A Hike With Your Children, is now available on Amazon as an eBook. Pick up your copy today, and begin exploring the Rockies!
Happy Hiking!
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