Ready to explore this trail?
View Trail Map in AppA Parks Canada National Park Pass is required to visit Banff National Park. Paid parking is in effect at the Lake Louise lakeshore parking lot from mid-May to mid-October, and parking spaces are extremely limited, often filling up early in the morning. To guarantee access, visitors are encouraged to reserve a seat on the Parks Canada shuttle or use Roam Transit public transit from Banff.
Trail closures or seasonal group-access restrictions (such as a mandatory minimum group size of four) may be implemented by Parks Canada due to grizzly bear activity in the area. Check current trail conditions and warnings on the Parks Canada website before departing.
Path Type
There and Back
The Fairview Lookout trail is a short, rewarding hike that offers elevated views of Lake Louise and the historic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Starting near the boathouse on the south side of the lake, the trail climbs steadily through a dense forest of subalpine fir and Engelmann spruce.
After a climb of approximately 0.6 miles, a short spur on the right leads to a wooden viewing platform. From this vantage point, hikers enjoy a unique perspective of the iconic lake, the grand resort, and the surrounding mountain peaks, including the Big Beehive and Mount Saint Piran.
The hike can be completed as an out-and-back trail or as a 1.2-mile loop by continuing past the lookout to descend steeply to the Lake Louise Lakeshore Trail, which provides a flat, scenic walk back to the starting area.
All Clear
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