We've made a selection of the Lakes in Canada that must be visited when in the west of the country. One is more wonderful than the other.
In July 2016, I took a road trip through western Canada, leaving Vancouver and going to Banff, to see the famous Canadian lakes. Here, I have gathered the places that impressed me the most.
There were more than 3 thousand km traveled, many trails, lakes and breathtaking views. The tips are divided into two parts: the lakes located in the province of british columbia, and those from the province of Alberta.
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Before leaving, two important tips: pack food in your suitcase for emergencies and watch out for bears, which are very common in the region. In several tourist spots and stations it is possible to buy a whistle that can be used to scare away the animals.
In this post you will see:
- Lakes in Canada located in the province of British Columbia:
- Lakes in Canada located in the province of Alberta:
- WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE GOING TO CANADA
Lakes in Canada located in the province of British Columbia:
Visiting the lakes of Canada is a sensational trip. I think the photos speak for themselves, check out the tips:
Joffre Lakes
The Joffre Lakes are located in the province of British Columbia, about 185 km from Vancouver (about 2h30 by car), close to the city of Pemberton.
This is the ideal place for trekking lovers, as it is made up of 3 lakes in Canada (Lower Lake, Middle Lake and Upper Lake).
Lower Lake is on the parking level, just a 5 minute walk will take you to the lakeside. If you're not the type who wants to walk a lot, the view of Lower Lake is incredible and it's worth the trip alone.
Middle Lake requires a little more effort. There are about 3 km of trail, and 90% of the time is uphill. The reward of the walk is not small. See in the photo. The place is known for having a giant tree trunk that lies over the lake.
Remembering that, for you to do the hikes safely, a recommendation is to go on these tours with appropriate footwear, such as Columbia hiking shoes.
From Middle Lake to Upper Lake it is about 1,5 km. I didn't visit the last lake because it started to rain a lot while I was in the middle. The advantage of Upper Lake is being able to see the glacier up close, that is, to see the origin of the lakes.
In total, set aside at least 4 hours to do the entire round-trip hike. For the more adventurous, you can camp on Upper Lake. But pay attention to this tip: take water and snacks, because there is no place to buy anything.
Kinney Lake
This was one of the first Canadian lakes I visited on my trip from Vancouver. It is located within Mount Robson Park, a 4.000-meter mountain on the border between the provinces of British Columbia and Alberta.
The walk to Kinney Lake takes about 1h30. The trail is easy and well marked and you walk all the way along the river. But, of course, it's always much better to do these hikes with comfortable trail shoes ?
Kinney Lake isn't as famous as other lakes, but it sure doesn't disappoint. In fact, I found Kinney a place that is more worthwhile, for the view and beauty, than the much more famous Lake Louise. Again, the more adventurous have trekking options to camp inside the park and climb to higher lakes, such as Lake Berg.
Emerald Lake
This lake is located within Yoho National Park and is considered one of the main tourist attractions.
Normally between the months of November to June the lake is frozen, due to its altitude. At that time, going with a thermal coat is essential.
To get the emerald color of the lake, it is recommended to go at the end of June or in the month of July, when the snow on the mountains melts.
During the summer season it is possible to rent canoes to paddle across the lake. From the city of Banff to Emerald Lake it is 94 kms.
Lakes in Canada located in the province of Alberta:
Moraine lake
The lake is located within the Banff National Park and is considered a UNESCO heritage site. As it is one of the most touristy lakes in Canada, depending on the time of day you will find many tourists.
To try to escape the crowd I chose to go to the lake at sunrise and it is a tip that I highly recommend, especially if you want to take good pictures.
Access to the lake is easy, with parking nearby. The road that gives access to it is closed in the winter, so it is only possible to go in the summer between the months of June and September. You can also rent canoes to ride around the lake.
Lake Louise
Just 20 kms away from Moraine Lake, it is one of the best known lakes in Canada. In summer it attracts many tourists to go canoeing and see the impressive emerald green color of the lake. In winter, tourists walk on the frozen lake and skate.
Access is easy, from the parking lot to the lakeside is less than a 5-minute walk. It is located in the courtyard of the famous Fairmont luxury hotel.
A nice tip is to do one of the several trails there. There are trekkings for all tastes: easy, short, long and difficult. I, for example, did the Devil's Thumb trail, considered a difficult trail, but worth it (see photo for reward). It was worth the effort.
For that, it's always good to have the right equipment, and Columbia's trekking shoes are great tips.
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Peyto Lake
This lake is also within Banff National Park. From Lake Louise to it is 40 km. Just like the previous two, many tourists are attracted to this lake in Canada.
From the parking lot to the viewpoint, it is only a 15-minute walk and the trail is well marked. For adventurers there is a 3 km trail that reaches a second viewpoint and is considered more difficult.
If rent a car, my tip is to take the Banff – Jasper route by car and stop at the points that most interest you, so you can get to know the entire Icefields Parkway, voted one of the most beautiful roads in the world.
Well, as you can see, lakes in Canada are breathtaking. Which one were you most excited to meet?
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE GOING TO CANADA
Are you full of things to think about and still have to plan your entire trip? Or you've seen it all, but you're feeling that familiar "maybe I've forgotten something?" So calm down, we'll help you with some items you can't forget before boarding. Come on?
Have you already purchased your air ticket?
Where to buy: PROMO TICKETS
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Have you already booked your accommodation?
Where to buy: BOOKING.COM
If you haven't booked your stay, the tip is to compare hotels, hostels and inns through Booking.com. This is the largest hotel booking platform in the world, ensuring a safe experience and great accommodation deals.
#StayHip: Keep an eye out for 'Smart Deals', which only last for one day. Some amazing hotels offer great discounts using this badge on the platform. If you find a good deal, is it worth closing?
Canada Travel Insurance
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Where to Buy: AMERICA CHIP
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Just ask for an international cell phone chip at AMERICA CHIP. We always use and love it! They send a SIM card to your address in España, you insert it in your cell phone when you arrive at your destination and you have unlimited internet throughout the trip.
#StayHip: Save on car GPS rental and use GoogleMaps and Waze with your unlimited internet?
Rent cars at the best prices
Where to rent: RENTCARS
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Also, be very smart when closing with other car rental comparisons. That's because prices are usually charged in dollars and close with your card. If the dollar goes up, the price of your car rental goes up too.
Plan your trip:
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