Azul VoyagesYour Travel Experts
Canoes docked on the turquoise water of Lake Louise in Banff National Park
Canada · Alberta

Banff, Turquoise Water and Nothing Else

Glacial lakes the color of sea glass, a castle-like hotel built into the mountainside, and a drive between the two that ranks among the most scenic on the continent.

4.8 (4.1k travelers)·Best for: hiking, lakes, mountain views
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Best Time to Visit
Jun – Sep
Flight Time
1 Stop (7h 15m)
Currency
Canadian Dollar
Language
English

Overview

Banff works on a simple rhythm: a lake in the morning, a trail in the afternoon, and dinner back in a townsite small enough to walk end to end.

The peaks stay in view from almost everywhere in town, turquoise glacial lakes included, which makes it easy to build a day around a single view. Four days covers Lake Louise and Moraine Lake; a week adds the full Icefields Parkway north to the glacier.

Turquoise water at Lake Louise in Banff National Park
Banff
Banff
Banff
Banff

Things to Do

Curated moments that make Banff unforgettable

Moraine Lake at Sunrise
From £0
Moraine Lake at Sunrise
The Valley of the Ten Peaks before the parking lot fills
Banff Gondola to Sulphur Mountain
From £65
Banff Gondola to Sulphur Mountain
A summit boardwalk looking out over six mountain ranges
Icefields Parkway Day Drive
From £0
Icefields Parkway Day Drive
Glaciers, waterfalls, and alpine lakes on one of the world's great drives
Lake Louise Canoe Rental
From £135
Lake Louise Canoe Rental
An hour on water the color of a postcard

Handpicked Stays

Hotels our travel experts vouch for

Moraine Lake and the Valley of the Ten Peaks in Banff National Park
Limited Time Offer

Save on Banff Escapes

Book by November 15 and add a guided Moraine Lake sunrise hike to any 4-night Banff itinerary.

14%Off Select Stays

Travel Guide

What our travel experts want you to know before you go

01
Reserve Moraine Lake Parking Ahead
Personal vehicle access is capped and sells out. Book a shuttle or parking pass well before you arrive.
02
Wildlife Has the Right of Way
Elk and bears cross roads and trails regularly. Keep distance and never approach for a photo.
03
Layer for Four Seasons in One Day
Mountain weather shifts fast, so a warm layer and rain shell matter even in July.
04
When to Go
Late June through September brings the ice-free lakes and open high-country trails; winter turns the whole valley into a ski destination instead.