Shared itinerary · Banff National Park, Alberta
Three days in Banff
Three days in Banff: the town and the gondola on day one, Moraine Lake, Lake Louise and the Lake Agnes Tea House on day two, then Johnston Canyon, Lake Minnewanka and Two Jack Lake with one last dinner. 16 stops with times and notes. Start the Lake Louise day early; the shuttles fill fast.
From the guide Banff National Park: lakes, shuttles and the crowd problem
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Updated
Distance
175 km
Banff Avenue → The Maple Leaf
Days
3
Stops
16
| Day | Route | Stops | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Banff Avenue to Vermilion Lakes | 6 | 11.9 km |
| Day 2 | Moraine Lake to Morant’s Curve | 5 | 83.1 km |
| Day 3 | Johnston Canyon to The Maple Leaf | 5 | 79.5 km |
Day 1: Banff Avenue to Vermilion Lakes
11.9 kmEase in. Town first, then the mountain.
- 09:00
Banff Avenue
Sight
Coffee and a slow wander before the crowds arrive.
622 m · 10m walk to next
- 10:30
Cascade of Time Gardens
Park & nature
Free terraced gardens with the best view up Banff Avenue to Cascade Mountain.
519 m · 8m walk to next
- 12:00
Park Distillery
Food & drink
Campfire-cooked lunch. Try the smoked trout.
4.1 km · 8m drive to next
- 14:00
Banff Gondola
Activity
Ride up Sulphur Mountain. The boardwalk to Sanson Peak is worth the extra half hour.
3.1 km · 7m drive to next
- 17:30
Bow Falls Viewpoint
Park & nature
Quick stop on the way back into town.
3.6 km · 10m drive to next
- 19:30
Vermilion Lakes
Park & nature
Sunset over Mount Rundle. Bring a tripod.
Day 2: Moraine Lake to Morant’s Curve
83.1 kmThe big one. Start early, the shuttles fill fast.
- 07:00
Moraine Lake
Park & nature
Morning light on the Valley of the Ten Peaks. Private cars cannot drive up, so book the Parks Canada shuttle ahead; in 2026 the first one left the Lake Louise Park and Ride at 06:30.
14.0 km · 35m transit to next
- 10:00
Lake Louise Lakeshore
Sight
Walk the shoreline path past the canoe docks.
2.1 km · 1h 30m walk to next
- 12:00
Lake Agnes Tea House
Activity
A 3.4 km climb to tea and fresh scones at 2,135 m. Open in summer only; cards are unreliable up there, so bring cash.
2.4 km · 1h 15m walk to next
- 15:30
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
Food & drink
Late lunch in the lakeview lounge. You earned it on the descent.
7.6 km · 20m drive to next
- 17:30
Morant’s Curve
Sight
The classic railway photo stop on the Bow Valley Parkway.
Day 3: Johnston Canyon to The Maple Leaf
79.5 kmSlower morning, big views, one last dinner.
- 09:00
Johnston Canyon
Activity
Catwalks bolted to the canyon wall, waterfalls at the top. Go before 10 to beat the tour buses. Parks Canada closed the trail for safety work on May 2, 2026 and listed it in good condition on September 29; no reopening notice was found, so check the Banff bulletins the night before.
30.9 km · 35m drive to next
- 12:30
Lake Minnewanka
Park & nature
The biggest lake in the park. The cruise runs hourly in summer.
2.7 km · 6m drive to next
- 14:30
Two Jack Lake
Park & nature
Picnic tables right on the water, Mount Rundle straight across.
9.6 km · 12m drive to next
- 16:30
Surprise Corner
Sight
The postcard view of the Banff Springs hotel above the river.
1.7 km · 5m drive to next
- 18:30
The Maple Leaf
Food & drink
Farewell dinner. Elk striploin and a Caesar, the Canadian way.
Another way to do day 3
If Johnston Canyon is closed
If the Banff bulletins still list the closure of May 2, 2026, climb Tunnel Mountain from town instead and rejoin the plan at Lake Minnewanka.
- 09:00
Tunnel Mountain Summit
Activity
The trailhead is about 15 minutes on foot from downtown: 2.4 km one way and 260 m up, with the town and the Bow Valley below.