Lake Louise, Alberta
Lake Louise is located in Banff National Park. I took a bus here from the town of Banff. At the lake is a beautiful hotel called the Fairmont Chateau. Before hiking I took the opportunity to explore the hotel and have some pre-hike sugar high on ice cream from an ice cream shop there. Canoes can be rented at the lake.
A lake reminiscent of jade, snow-capped mountains in the background, blooming flowers, a purely serene setting; idyllic is the word that comes to mind. I met fellow travelers from Australia and other parts of Canada on my way to the lake and we stuck together for the day, picnicking on grassy slopes, posing for pictures, and playing in the mud. I love how travel can bring strangers together.
A Hike in Every Country 