Fairview Lookout, Banff National Park |

Fairview Lookout is a family friendly trail that climbs through the trees with little views of the surrounding mountains until you reach the lookout. When you reach Fairview Lookout, you are presented with a unique perspective of Lake Louise and the Fairmont Lake Louise. In the winter, this trail is a beautiful winter wonderland.

This trail is also located in the paperback and eBook Hikes for Families: A Guide to the Canadian Rockies.

If you want to explore the Banff National Park area then try these 10 Easy Hikes in Banff National Park.

Insider Tip for Families

Fairview Look Out is a beautiful trail in the winter. Make sure to return the way you came from the platform as the trail past the platform enters an avalanche risk zone.

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 3.6 km (2.2 mi) out and back
Elevation: 145 m (475 ft)
Highlights: Glacier, Lake, Mountain Views
Facilities: Restrooms, Parking, Overflow Parking, Shuttle, Lake Louise Chateau, Gift Shops, Horseback Riding, Boat Rentals
Optional Gear: Carrier, Snowshoes
TrailRider Rating: Challenging

Directions

The Fairview Lookout Trail is located at Lake Louise. To get to Lake Louise head down the Trans Canada Highway AB-1 W past Banff. Follow the signs for Lake Louise and turn off the Trans Canada Highway AB-1 W onto Bow Valley Parkway AB-1A W. Pass the four way stop and continue onto Lake Louise Drive to Lake Louise.

In the summer months, Lake Louise parking can fill up by 8:00 am or earlier. There is an option to turn left into the overflow parking lot one km before the turn off to Lake Louise. Here you can take a free shuttle to the lake that runs every 15 minutes. There may still be a wait time to board the shuttle either on the way to Lake Louise or on the way back.

Trailhead

The trailhead for Fairview Lookout Trail starts to the left of Lake Louise when facing the lake. Follow the shoreline to the boat house and look for signs for the Fairview Lookout.

Trail

If you are looking to escape the larger crowds, Fairview Lookout is less travelled then Lake Agnes and Lake Louise Shoreline Trail.
The trail is well marked and even counts down the first 0.8 km in.
After following Lake Louise on the left side, follow the trail into the trees. The climb starts immediately and is steady throughout the whole hike.

The first part of the trail passes a series of junctions. Continue to follow the signs to Fairview Lookout. At the final junction, which also indicates that there is one km left to the lookout, stay right. The trail continues to climb with little views of the surrounding mountains.

As you near Fairview Lookout, Fairview mountain will poke through the trees. Shortly after, the trail flattens before descending to the wooden platform that overlooks Lake Louise, the Chateau, and surrounding mountains.

Nearby Attractions

Combine the Fairview Lookout trail with the Lake Louise Shoreline trail. If your visiting in January then enjoy the Ice Magic International Ice Carving competition.