Moraine Lake: How To Visit Banff’s Most Iconic Alpine Lake 2026

A fun way to see Moraine Lake and surrounding mountains is on an open-top double-decker bus. The tickets for later in the day start at 71.70 CAD/adult & 60 CAD/child. You can purchase the Roam Transit Super Pass on the bus, through the Token Transit App, or online here. Roam buses accept US and Canadian currency, but cash only. Roam bus tickets cost 10 CAD/adult (one-way), and children 12 and under are free (but require a reservation). While you can pay directly on the bus, reservations are recommended.

Consolation Lakes Trail

You stand among jagged peaks and feel very small in the best way. The shoreline trail is short and gentle. The Moraine Lake hike offers big rewards with manageable effort. Nick has travelled extensively around Canada visiting Quebec, Toronto, Banff, Calgary, Vancouver to name just a few! Alberta’s Indigenous communities have shaped this province for thousands of years, creating a cultural tapestry that continues to thrive today.

Now the cheapest option for most visitors to see the lake is the Parks Canada Moraine Lake Shuttle. The parking concerns at Moraine Lake have gotten worse each passing year, not better. Or earlier in the summer months to guarantee a parking spot. That being said, the color never leaves, and you can still see the lake’s colors until mid-October before the road to the lake closes. There are several fantastic khelaghor bet hikes and walks around the lake. Like many other blue lakes in Banff, the lake can attribute its brilliant blue color to glacier waters full of rock flour (fine particles of rock) that refracts the sunlight.

In Canada, national parks enjoy special protections that may differ from other protected places. During the winter, the road is track-set for skiing and the lake itself is inaccessible due to avalanche hazard. Reserve your shuttle ticket online and park your vehicle at the Lake Louise Park and Ride, located at the Lake Louise Ski Resort. Upon reaching Consolation Lakes hikers may continue along to the upper lake, which is not visible from the end of the lower lake. The water from the lake, like other glacial lakes, is not potable without adequate treatment (both filtration and boiling).

The easy hike to Consolation Lakes is a nice escape from the Moraine Lake crowds. However, I enjoyed my dips in Moraine Lake and Lake Louise after stand-up paddleboarding on a very hot day. The year-round temperature hovers around 5C, so it’s a matter of seconds until you get hypothermia. Yes, you can swim in Moraine Lake, it’s not forbidden. You can even hear several avalanches coming down the mountains when you visit in spring.

• This is one of the most scenic trails in Banff National Park.
• Biking the Moraine Lake Road in October after it closes for vehicle traffic is a better idea, and it’s one of the best biking trails in the Banff area.
• How were these peaks formed?
• The trail from Moraine Lake is pretty easy to follow up to the fork for Eiffel Lake or Sentinel Pass.
• If you’re planning to go hiking, check out our Hiking packing list for summer in the mountains.
• Adding Emerald Lake or Takakkaw Falls builds a full day of alpine magic.

Can You Drive to Moraine Lake?

If you have a shuttle reservation (park at the Park & Ride at the Lake Louise Ski Area), you can utilize the buses to complete this point-to-point hike. The Lake Connector Bus is free of charge for those with a shuttle ticket, making it easy to see both lakes in one day. This new system reduces the harmful impacts of crowds and ensures visitors do not have to deal with the stresses around parking at the lake. Take in the iconic views from the lakeshore and the rockpile or explore the area further with trails suitable for both seasoned hikers and casual strollers. There are no personal vehicles allowed on Moraine Lake Road, and it is best to pre-book your seat on the buses to the lake as they can get busy, especially during the peak times over the summer.

Since 2024 season, Parks Canada offers a sunrise shuttle – Alpine Start Shuttle. Especially if you’re on vacation in the Rockies and seeing the most beautiful lake in Canada is on your bucket list, you won’t regret it! You catch a sunrise and start your hike before the crowds arrive. If you’re planning to go hiking at Moraine Lake, the sunrise option is perfect as well.

Why The Moraine Lake Hike Is Worth The Effort

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