Edith and Cory each have moderate roped rock climbs to attractive peaks and are located close to the road near Banff. Mt. Louis is a challenging multipitch limestone rock climb to a spectaculer, spirelike summit. Castle Mountain west of Banff offers a number of steep rock routes ranging from moderate to difficult on gritty dolomitic limestone. The cluster of high summits around Lake Louise and Moraine Lake is one of the most popular alpine climbing areas in North America. It contains everything from moderate scrambles to the most serious alpine faces.
Extensive trails provide excellent access.
This is a good area in which to focus an initial summer climbing trip to the Canadian Rockies. Ascents of Mts. Victoria, Lefroy, Aberdeen, Deltaform, or any of a dozen other outstanding alpine peaks, all require a respectful early morning start and skillful routefinding by their easiest routes. There are many superb peaks along the Icefields Parkway north of Lake Louise. These are set back from the highway and often involve overnight or multiday excursions.