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Banff & Lake Louise in 3 Days

Itinerary by the TimeLine team

Turquoise lakes, mountain hikes and the Icefields Parkway in the Canadian Rockies.

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Day 1 · 4 stops

  1. Banff Avenue

    Banff

    The mountain town's main street, framed by Cascade Mountain.

    Tip: A Parks Canada pass is required to stop in the park.

  2. Banff Gondola

    Sulphur Mountain

    A gondola up Sulphur Mountain to boardwalks along the ridge.

  3. Banff Upper Hot Springs

    Mountain Ave

    A hot pool with mountain views.

  4. Vermilion Lakes sunset

    Vermilion Lakes Rd

    Mount Rundle reflected in the lakes at sunset.

Day 2 · 4 stops

  1. Lake Louise

    The glacier-fed lake below Victoria Glacier.

    Tip: Parking fills early; Parks Canada shuttles run in summer.

  2. Lake Agnes Tea House

    Lake Agnes

    A 3.5 km climb to a historic tea house by a mountain lake.

  3. Moraine Lake

    The famous turquoise lake in the Valley of the Ten Peaks.

    Tip: The road is closed to private cars — take the shuttle or a commercial bus.

  4. Johnston Canyon

    Bow Valley Parkway

    Catwalks along a narrow canyon to the Lower and Upper Falls.

Day 3 · 4 stops

  1. Icefields Parkway & Bow Lake

    Bow Lake

    One of the world's great drives, starting with Bow Lake.

    Tip: Gas and cell service are limited; fill up first.

  2. Peyto Lake

    Bow Summit

    A wolf-head-shaped turquoise lake seen from a short viewpoint trail.

  3. Mistaya Canyon

    Icefields Parkway

    A short walk to a slot canyon of sculpted rock.

  4. Columbia Icefield

    Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre

    Walk to the toe of the Athabasca Glacier, or take a tour onto it.

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