Lake Louise & Lake Agnes- Banff NP, AB

Lake Louise, with its grand hotel, towering snow capped mountains peaks, and impossibly emerald water is perhaps the most popular destination in the Canadian Rockies. Or maybe it just feels that way, due to the crazy crowds. Arriving early is key here, if you are not staying at the Chateau. Just after dawn the parking lots are full, and by mid-morning, the area trails are packed. That said, it is worth any inconvenience to visit this spectacular glacial lake.

The sad, but fortunate truth is that many Lake Louise visitors just snap a quick picture before heading off to their next destination; this means it isn’t as crowded as it could be. It also means earlybirds who hike up into the surrounding hanging valley will escape most of the crowd chaos. The 6.6 mile round trip trail up to Lake Agnes affords excellent views of Lake Louise from above, takes you past Mirror Lake and Big Beehive, and leads to a historic Canadian Pacific Tea House-which is a lot of fabulousness for a relatively short hike.

While the Chateau is popular for obvious reasons, for a quieter, more intimate experience, stay at nearby Moraine Lake. Equally as stunning, once tourists leave for the day, Moraine almost feels remote and isolated. However, the Chateau is a fabulous place to grab a lakeside lunch after hiking, with several restaurants offering outside seating; it also remains open in the winter, if you own clothes warm enough for skating on the lake. I do not. Regardless of when you visit, the surrounding beauty is beyond breathtaking, and the experience unforgettable.