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How to Cycle to Moraine Lake Before the Road Opens (to Beat the Crowds)
- andrewsco3
- 5 days ago
- 12 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
Moraine Lake is one of Banff National Park’s most stunning natural landmarks, and it's possibly even more beautiful than its more famous neighbour, Lake Louise.
Tourists arrive at dawn just to capture the iconic sunrise shot as the first light hits the peaks of the Valley of the Ten Peaks. It’s a bucket-list view that draws visitors from around the world.
However, with that popularity came serious overcrowding. The parking situation grew so unmanageable that in 2023, Parks Canada permanently closed Moraine Lake Road to personal vehicles. Now, the only way to access the lake by vehicle is via a Parks Canada shuttle or commercial tour, but these tours don't run year-round.
That's because each winter, the road closes to vehicles until Parks Canada can safely reopen it, which is typically around the third week of May. It’s not just a seasonal closure, but a safety measure, as the road has a high risk of avalanches, which is why vehicles are kept off the road until the danger passes.
But here’s what most people don’t realize: there’s usually a short window each spring and fall, after the snow has been ploughed in May and again after the road closes in mid-October, when conditions make it possible to cycle to Moraine Lake, without traffic, without noise, and without the crowds.
The ride is a steady climb and it is definitely hard work, but the payoff is having one of the Rockies’ most iconic views almost entirely to yourself.
In this post, we’ll walk you through exactly how to plan your ride to Moraine Lake before the road opens, including when you can go, what to expect, and how to prepare for the conditions.
👉 Don’t Forget Your Park Pass!
You’ll need a Parks Canada Discovery Pass to access Moraine Lake and cycle the road — even if you're not driving.
🎟️ If you’re planning a longer trip, check out our 2-week Canadian Rockies itinerary for tips and inspiration.
When Can You Cycle to Moraine Lake?
You can "technically" cycle, hike or cross country ski along Moraine Lake Road at any time of the year, but in the winter there is significant avalanche risk. This post focuses on cycling during the quiet spring and fall windows when the road is clear but is still closed to vehicles.
These quiet windows usually occur in mid to late May and after Thanksgiving in October when the road is clear of snow but still closed to vehicles. The exact dates the road opens and closes shift each year; in 2025, the road opened to tour buses on June 1st and is planned to close on October 13th, weather permitting.
Of course exactly when the road is suitable for cycling is very much dependent on the weather. In the Spring, Parks Canada will usually plough the road 2-3 weeks before the planned road opening date to ensure the road is safe once the road opens.
For example, in 2025, the road was ploughed and suitable to ride on the weekend of 17th May, so around 3 weeks before the official road opening.
During these windows, you should have the road all to yourself (and any other cyclists doing the same thing).
What to Expect at Moraine Lake When the Road is Closed to Vehicles
When the road to Moraine Lake is closed to vehicles, the experience feels completely different from visiting in peak summer.
There’s no tour buses, no crowds, and no lineup for the iconic photo spots, which is a refreshing change. We hung out at the rock pile viewpoint for at least 30 minutes and saw just one couple the entire time. In July, you’d likely be waiting in line to get a photo from that same spot.
If you visit in spring, you are likely to experience different conditions than in the height of summer. Moraine Lake is glacially fed and takes time to fill as the snow melts, so it may look shallower than expected. We visited on 31 May, so the lake had thawed, but if we had visited a week earlier, the lake would have still been frozen.
Canoeing might not be possible if that’s something you’re hoping to do, and the lodge won’t be open either.
In October, the lake is usually full and the views are just as spectacular, but cooler temperatures and the chance of early snowfall mean you’ll want to be ready for changing conditions.
But in our opinion, the trade-off is worth it!
You get to enjoy a peaceful visit to one of the most scenic lakes in Banff National Park, without the summer crowds.
Where to Park
There’s no way to sugar coat it, parking is almost always a challenge when visiting Moraine Lake. The earlier you arrive, the better your chances of getting a spot near the start of Moraine Lake Road. Below, we break down the various options for where you can park.
Option 1: Small Parking Lot at the Start of Moraine Lake Road
If you're planning to cycle before the road opens to shuttles and tour buses, there’s a small parking lot right at the start of Moraine Lake Road. It only fits about 10 to 15 cars, and those spots are usually the first to go.
Once the shuttles start on June 1, you’re out of luck. Traffic is no longer allowed to turn onto Moraine Lake Road at all, so that small lot becomes unavailable.
Option 2: Parking Lot Across from Moraine Lake Road
This is a larger parking lot with space for around 50 cars. It’s actually where we parked, since we arrived later in the day at around 11am. We were lucky to grab one of the last spots, but it often fills up quickly too. It is free though if you can get a spot.
Option 3: Lake Louise Lakeshore Parking
Lake Louise Lakeshore Parking can be equally difficult to find a spot, especially during the period when shuttles aren’t running, as most visitors have no choice but to drive if they want to visit Lake Louise.
On the plus side, parking is free when you visit outside of the dates that the shuttles are running (approx mid October through May), but if the shuttles are running, parking will cost you $36.75 flat rate, regardless of how long you park there for!
👉 Tip: Even if you can’t find a spot at the Lake Louise lot, you can drop off any children or less experienced riders who might struggle with the climb. Since the parking lot sits at a higher elevation than the start of Moraine Lake Road, they can coast down the Tramline Trail to the start of the route while stronger riders loop back and catch up after parking elsewhere.
The Tramline Trail isn’t paved, but it’s wide, fairly smooth, and easy to ride on a mountain bike, but probably not suitable for a road bike. You can cycle down the main road if you are comfortable riding with lots of traffic (but the Tramline is much safer).
If you do take the Tramline Trail, it's a straightforward 1.6 km ride to the start of Moraine Lake Road. If you have to ride back up at the end of your trip, it will add about 70 metres of elevation to the final stretch.
Option 4: The Old Train Station
If you can’t find parking at the first three spots, the lot at the Old Train Station near town is a good backup. It’s free, has plenty of space, and the bottom of the Tramline Trail begins right from the car park.
It runs all the way up to Lake Louise Lakeshore, passing the turnoff to Moraine Lake Road along the way. The trail climbs about 120 metres over 3 km at a relatively easy incline to the start of Moraine Lake Road.
There’s also a restaurant at the train station parking lot if you’re looking for food after your ride.
Option 5: Samson Mall at Lake Louise Village (but only if renting)
If you decide to rent a bike (or e-bike) from the Wilson Sports shop in Samson Mall, they have some specially designated parking stalls for customers, along with passes that they can give you to ensure that you don't get a ticket.
We called to confirm, and they verified this is still accurate, though they recommend arriving early as spots and passes are limited.
If you are not renting a bike, you can technically park at the mall, but only up to a maximum of 2 hours, so not particularly useful if you are trying to make the most of your time exploring Moraine Lake.
Last Resort: Lake Louise & Moraine Lake Park & Ride
The sixth and final option is the large lot at the Lake Louise & Moraine Lake Park & Ride. There’s plenty of space here, so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding a spot. The downside is that it’s around 5 km to the start of Moraine Lake Road, meaning you’ll add about 10 km to your total ride.
How Long is the Bike Ride?
The ride to Moraine Lake is 24 km return with about 400 m of elevation gain, assuming you start at the bottom of Moraine Lake Road.
If you're not able to park there, you'll need to add extra distance and elevation to your ride.
Starting from Lake Louise village (Samson Mall) or the Old Train Station adds roughly 2.5 to 3 km each way. If you park in the Lake Louise lakeshore parking lot, it's about 2 km each way from there.
The bike ride took us around 90 minutes with a few stops. I would think that strong riders or those using e-bikes would be able to get there in around an hour, and up to 2 hours if you are choosing to take a more leisurely approach.
How Difficult is the Bike Ride?
Many people underestimate the difficulty of this ride.
While it’s not a technical route, the steady elevation gain is draining - particularly if you’re not an experienced cyclist or used to climbing for long stretches. It’s important to pace yourself !
If you are able to rent an e-bike, you'll be glad you did!
From the start of Moraine Lake Road, the first 2 km are a fairly gentle climb, but after that, the incline increases quite a bit over the next 4 km or so. While none of the road is particularly steep, it’s a long and fairly consistent uphill, which I found challenging as someone that doesn't ride regularly.
Along the road, you’ll see distance markers every kilometre, so you can track your progress. The markers felt pretty demoralizing at the start but definitely helped toward the end of the climb!
Around the 7 km mark, there’s a short downhill section... but before you know it, you’re climbing again. The good news is that once you reach around the 9 km mark, the hard work is mostly behind you. From there, it’s a lovely glide for the final few kilometres all the way to the lake.
The road is paved, and is in excellent condition. Since the road isn’t used during the winter, there was no grit or gravel that can sometimes make early-season rides feel sketchy.
The ride back to the car is definitely easier, although the first stretch feels steeper and more difficult than you remember, especially if you’ve gone for a hike or scramble at the Lake!
Once you get past that final climb, though, the last 6 to 7 km is some of the most fun I’ve ever had on a bike. It’s a beautiful glide all the way back to the car. Just make sure your brakes are in good shape!
Is the Ride Suitable for Kids?
In general, I’d say this ride would be challenging for most kids, but like anything, it really depends on how often your kids ride and how confident they are on a bike.
Speaking from experience, our girls love biking, but they would have found the steady climb tough. On the ride up, there are very few downhill stretches where kids can build momentum or recover, so it’s a long grind that can feel pretty relentless.
In my opinion, kids should probably be 12 or older before attempting this ride - unless they’re already used to longer climbs and have strong cycling stamina.
That said, we did see one family towing a chariot with a baby inside, and another group using a TowWhee to help pull a kid up the hill (its the same setup I used when hiking Ha Ling with Jessica). Just keep in mind, even with assist gear like that, you’d need to be a strong rider to manage the effort.
It’s also really important that kids are confident riders who can handle both gears and brakes properly. Some sections of the descent are steep, and a fall at speed wouldn't be fun.
If your kids are enthusiastic riders and you’re okay with taking plenty of breaks, then it might be doable. But I wouldn’t underestimate the effort required.
Where Can I Hire a Bike?
The most convenient place to rent a bike for this ride is Wilson Mountain Sports in Lake Louise Village. It’s locally owned, well run, and is the closest option to the start of the road.
They offer a solid selection of bikes, including mountain bikes, road bikes, and e-bikes, AND one of the best perks is that you can park for free at their shop if you rent from them. That’s a huge bonus in a place where parking can be tricky to find.
If you're planning to bike to Moraine Lake, it’s worth giving them a call ahead of time to check availability.
Of course there are plenty of places in Banff that rent bikes, but you will need to either arrange transportation with the rental shop, or transport the bikes yourself, which is less convenient and more expensive.
What to Bring With You
If you're biking to Moraine Lake in May or October, conditions can vary dramatically and it's best to come prepared.
Here’s what we recommend packing:
Bike Helmet: Should be mandatory for safety. If you are hiring a bike, then a helmet should come with the bike as part of the rental fee.
Layers: A warm base layer, windproof jacket, gloves, and a toque if it's on the chillier side. You’ll likely peel off layers as you warm up during the long climb, so make sure you have space in a backpack.
Water and snacks: There are no services at Moraine Lake in spring, so bring enough to stay energized and hydrated.
Bike lock: Even though it’s quiet, it’s still a good idea to lock up while you explore. Locks usually come free with bike rentals.
Phone or camera: You’ll want to capture the views.
Bear spray: The road passes through active wildlife corridors, and bears are often seen in and around the lake. Even along the road to the lake bears are sometimes spotted. As with all outdoor adventures in the Rockies, bring bear spray and know how to use it.
Microspikes or sturdy footwear: If you plan to explore around the lake, trails can still be icy or snow-covered.
Basic bike tools: A small repair kit with a pump, tire levers, and Allen keys is useful in case of a flat or a loose part. We had to stop to pump a tire, and at least two cyclists checked in to see if we needed help. People are generally helpful and friendly, but it’s best to be prepared.
The Best Things to do at Lake Moraine
Reaching Moraine Lake before the crowds is a reward in itself, but there’s more to do than just take a few photos. Some activities depend on the weather, so keep that in mind.
Here are a few ways to enjoy your time at the lake:
Take in the view from the rockpile: This short walk uses a mix of boardwalk and steps, making it manageable for almost everyone. It’s only 1 kilometre return and takes about 10 minutes to reach the top, where you’ll be treated to some of the best views of Moraine Lake and the Valley of the Ten Peaks.
Walk along the lakeshore: The shoreline path winds through the trees and offers different perspectives of the lake and Ten Peaks. The entire route is 3.7km and is another easy, family friendly hike.
Hike to Consolation Lakes: A relatively easy trail that follows a scenic valley to two glacier-fed lakes. It's a great option in the summer too to get away from the crowded lakeshore trail. Consolation Lake is similar to Moraine in that it is glacier fed, so might be shallower and / or frozen if you visit in May.
Enjoy a peaceful break: Bring a thermos of coffee or a packed breakfast and soak it all in without the summer crowds. There are plenty of benches to sit on and strategically placed rocks too.
Paddle on the Lake: Early in the season, you might not be able to do this, but when we visited on 31 May, canoe's were available to hire. It's not cheap, but it's a pretty special experience that everyone should do once!
Tackle a more advanced trail: If conditions allow and you’re properly prepared, you can venture onto longer hikes like Larch Valley, Eiffel Lake, or even Sentinel Pass, though snow often lingers well into June. Make sure to check the conditions before setting out.
Scramble the Tower of Babel: For experienced hikers and scramblers, this steep, unmarked route climbs above the lake for incredible views. It’s short but demanding and should only be done in safe conditions with the right gear. We wrote about our experience here.
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