Scroll down for Top Tips Before You Go and my one gluten-free find.
My recent trip to Banff, in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, was an exciting adventure full of amazing nature sights. I stayed in Calgary, but I would recommend, if you want more time in Banff, to stay closer to town. Since I didn’t have a car, I pre-bought a bus ticket for the On-It bus, which was very convenient, hour and a half ride straight into the middle of Banff. The route was beautiful and set the tone for the rest of the day’s adventures. As soon as I got to Banff, I was on an immediate search for coffee since I knew I had a long day ahead. Good Earth, was right across from where the On-it Bus dropped us off so I decided to stop in. Good Earth was a super cute coffee shop, and to my surprise, they had several gluten-free options. I got the gluten-friendly granola bar, which was vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free. I ate it outside to take in the views, while I waited for the Roam bus to bring me up the mountain.
Taking the Roam bus is the best way to get up the mountain, especially since they no longer allow cars to drive and park. I also bought the hopper pass, allowing me to get to and from Lake Louis and Lake Moraine as often as I wanted. I would recommend making reservations in advance since pick up and drop off are at set times and they often fill up fast.
The bus drive was about 50 minutes up to Lake Louise, the hub for all Roam buses. Once I got off the Roam bus, I got my ticket, allowing me to hop back and forth to each lake. Since I wanted to see Lake Moraine first, I took another shuttle bus to head to Lake Moraine.
As soon as I got off the bus, I was in awe. The blue water and scenery were absolutely beautiful and breathtaking!
I headed straight to the canoe rentals, as I was hoping to be able to canoe. However, it was a rainy day, and the winds made it dangerous, so they weren’t allowing anyone to rent canoes. Instead, I spent around 30 minutes hiking around the lake before deciding to relax with my lunch (a sandwich I made the night before) on a seat surrounded by tall mountains and peace and quiet.
Lake Moraine was so calming, but I wanted to venture more, so I got in line for the Roam bus to head back to Lake Louise. It was a quick bus drive that took me to the parking lot right outside the path to walk down to Lake Louise. I walked down the path and saw the stunning Lake Louise. Even though it was an overcast and rainy day, it was still beautiful! After I took in the views, I walked through the famous Chateau and had a snack I brought outside on the bench overlooking the water.
I had about 3 hours until my bus reservation, so I went on a short hike up to Fairview Lookout. Lake Louise is famous for hiking, so I suggest taking longer hikes to make the most of your time there. The trail to Fairview Lookout is about half a mile, but it is not for the weak, since it is up a mountain and very steep. It took me about 30 minutes to climb up. It’s so worth it when you get to the top, though! Fairview Lookout gives you a wide view of Lake Louise and its beautiful scenery.
I then walked back down from the lookout, took more photos, and returned to Banff on the Roam bus. When I got back to Banff, I walked through its busy streets, went into some cute shops (Big Bear Trading Co was one of my favorites), walked through the Banff School Auditorium, and bought some souvenirs. I then made my way to the Banff sign before I got on the On-It bus back to Calgary.
Once I got back to Calgary, it was 10pm. I was exhausted, so I made a sandwich in the hotel room and went to sleep. The beauty of nature, a delicious gluten-free breakfast, a hot cup of coffee, exploring, and a feeling of peace made Banff an unforgettable experience. I will always remember Banff’s unique charm and beautiful scenery and I can’t wait to go back again!
Tips Before You Go:
- Make all your bus (Roam and On-It) reservations ahead of time
- Bring snacks, water and a lunch – it’s hard to find a restaurant that’s not too busy
- Plan which hikes you want to go on before you go, and make sure you know how much time it will take to hike up and down
- Try to go on a no-windy/rainy day if you want to canoe
- Go to Lake Moraine first if you’re looking to canoe – it’s cheaper and the lines are shorter
- Take lots of pictures, have fun and enjoy the views!
My Gluten-Free Find:
- Good Earth in Banff
- I would recommend you bring your own food and snacks to eat. I made sandwiches the night before and brought chips and crackers for a snack and packed it in my backpack