Create an account

Start your adventure today.

    0

    Already a member? Login

    Banff to Lake Louise

    Difficulty
    This reflects the 10Adventures difficulty rating for each route. We aim to keep ratings consistent across regions.
    Very Hard
    Duration
    This reflects the estimated time the majority of users will take on this trail. If you are slower, add time to the top-end figure. If you are fast, then you may complete this route faster than this time range.
    5-8h
    Distance
    This reflects the return distance of this route as measured by the GPS file.
    118.5 km
    Elevation
    This reflects the total elevation gained throughout this route as measured by the GPS file. This includes all ascents and descents, and is higher than what is quoted in most route guides, which simply measure the distance between the starting-point and high-point of the route.
    685 m
    User Ratings
    These ratings are completed by users who have completed this trail and not subject to reviews by 10Adventures.
    Overall Rating
    This is the average user-submitted overall rating on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest.
    9.5
    Physical Difficulty
    This is the average user-submitted rating on the physical difficulty of this route. In general, green is beginner, blue is intermediate, black is advanced/most difficult and double-black is expert-only. It is recommended that users build up to black and double-black routes.
    Advanced (Diamond)
    Suitable for advanced experience level looking for a solid adventure.
    Technical Difficulty
    This is the average user-submitted rating on the technical difficulty of this route. In general, green is beginner, blue is intermediate, black is advanced/most difficult and double-black is expert-only. It is recommended that users build up to black and double-black routes.
    Intermediate (Square)
    Suitable for intermediates who are ready for a little bit more adventure.
    Read Reviews
    Directions to Trailhead
    Panorama of Banff to Lake Louise road biking route in the Canadian Rockies

    The bike ride from Banff to Lake Louise (and back) is a classic! Ride along the Bow Valley Parkway, where traffic is slowed to 60.0 km/hr and there isn’t too much traffic. You can do this bike ride one-way by booking a taxi or arranging a car shuttle to Lake Louise and then riding downhill from Lake Louise back to Banff.

    Download the 10Adventures App

    View Banff to Lake Louise on Map

    View Map

    Join our newsletter

    Get a weekly dose of discounts and inspiration for adventure lovers

    Route Description for Banff to Lake Louise

    This is a classic bike ride in Banff National Park, and the last stage of the iconic Jasper to Banff cycling route. Not only do you get the great bike ride along the Bow Valley Parkway (highway 1A), but you also get to cruise along Vermilion Lakes Drive, which is a stunning bike ride. We love doing this as a daytrip riding out and back, with a good break at Lake Louise.

    There are great ways to shorten this bike ride, either going one-way (we recommend Lake Louise to Banff as there is less elevation gain) or you can start at the Fireside parking lot (at the southern end of the Bow Valley Parkway) and only ride the Parkway. Starting at the Fireside parking lot makes this a roughly 100.0 km ride.

    Below we give the full route description for riding from Banff to Lake Louise and back.

    The hardest part of this bike ride could be finding parking if you’re not staying in Banff. We usually get there early and park in the parkade near Nester’s Market, at 122 Bear Street. This is right in central Banff and also allows us to pick up last minute snacks before we head out. Other parking options can be found on the Banff parking site. The Fenlands Parking lot is another great option, and is located on Norquay Road, near the Trans-Canada Highway.

    If you’re at Nester’s Market go right on Lynx Street, you’ll pass Banff Park Lodge and then a Petro Canada and Shell Gas Station. The road curves and turns into Gopher Street and you pass the Bus Station and then Railway Ave, where the road becomes Mount Norquay Road. You’ll also pass the Fenlands Parking Lot on your right.

    Soon after passing Fenlands Parking, you’ll see a road going to your left. The first road is for a parking lot to access Fenland Trail and the second road is the one you want, and is signed for Vermilion Lakes.

    The Vermilion Lakes Road is 4.3 km of spectacular views and you’ll have to stop a few times to take it all in. If you’ve started in the early morning on a calm day, you’ll be treated to the most incredible views of Mount Rundle and great reflections in the various Vermilion Lakes.

    At the end of the Vermilion Lakes Road you’ll ride onto a bike path that winds its way through the trees, eventually linking up with the off-ramp for cars travelling the Bow Valley Parkway (1A).

    At this point, go left, under the Trans-Canada Highway. There are pretty views to the left of the Bow River. Soon you pass the turnoff for the Fireside Parking lot. You’re now on the Bow Valley Parkway.

    The next stage is the route to Castle Mountain. Follow the road for 12.3 km until you come to a split in the road. This first 12.3 km passes through an old controlled burn, where the plant-life and colours are spectacular.

    You are now on a one-way route for 5.7 km, where you gain 84 m and then descend 45 m at the other end. 1.1 km after the two roads re-join, you’ll pass Johnston Canyon, where you’ll likely see cars parked along the side of the road on your ride back later in the day.

    If you need a snack, you can head into Johnston Canyon Resort, where they have a café and a bistro. Otherwise continue on the road for another 6.3 km and come to Castle Mountain Junction and the Castle Mountain General Store. The General Store has a variety of snacks, and great picnic tables to enjoy a break at.

    From Castle Mountain Junction, get back on the Bow Valley Parkway and ride 14.5 km to Baker Creek Mountain Resort. Along the way, the route will separate again for a short stretch. Baker Creek Mountain Resort is a charming series of log cabins and is well known in the valley for great food and being a very pleasant place to stay.

    From Baker Creek, you have an 11.1 km stretch that takes you on a nice descent down to the junction with Whitehorn Drive.

    At Whitehorn drive we love to go right and ride for 2.0 km with one last ascent to the Lake Louise Ski Hill. You can also go left and descend 1.1 km to the chaos of the Lake Louise Village, though you will have to get across two sets of cattle gates (there is a pedestrian route beside the road that bypasses the cattle gates).

    After a good break in Lake Louise, continue back along the 1A. Point your bike south and pass Baker Creek Mountain Resort, Castle Mountain Junction and ride through to the end of the 1A.

    Cross under the Trans-Canada and get back onto the bike path as it winds through the forest to Vermilion Lakes Road. Once at the end of the Road, go right and head back into Banff.

    Congratulations, you have just completed one of the most epic road bike rides in Canada.

    Insider Hints for Banff to Lake Louise

    • If you want to do this as a one-way trip, we suggest riding from Lake Louise to Banff, as there is less elevation gain. Taxi’s can take you and your bike to Lake Louise, but it’s not cheap.
    • The great Roam bus service connects Banff and Lake Louise with five trips daily. They even have the ability to take bikes now. Check out the Roam Bike policy to learn more.
    • You can rent a bike at Banff Cycle, Snowtips-Backtrax or Ultimate Sports.
    • Once back in Banff, ditch your bike in your car and settle in for a feast at any of the wonderful local restaurants.
    • If you only want to go Banff to Castle Junction and back it’s about 62.0 km. If you want to go Lake Louise to Castle Junction and back it’s about 56.0 km.

    Getting to the Banff to Lake Louise Trailhead

    If choosing to complete the return trip, you can start anywhere in Banff or Lake Louise. We usually start on Banff Ave. In summer parking can be hard to find, so arrive early. If going from Lake Louise to Banff, we suggest starting at Lake Louise Ski Hill, as there is abundant parking there.

    Route Information

    • Re-supply points

      Castle Mountain, Lake Louise

    • When to do

      May - October

    • Toilets

      Along route

    • Level of Car Traffic

      Moderate

    • Road Type

      Shared roads with cars

    • Family friendly

      No

    • Route Signage

      Average

    • Crowd Levels

      Moderate

    • Route Type

      Out and back

    Banff to Lake Louise Elevation Graph

    Weather Forecast

    Check Area Weather

    Banff to Lake Louise Reviews

    Add a comment

    You must be logged in to post a comment.

    Nearby Trails

    Nearby Regions

    Get travel inspiration and discounts

    Join our weekly travel newsletter