A peak accessible as a difficult hike from Lake Louise, offering one of the best viewpoints in the area. Mount Fairview (2,744 m / 9,003 ft) rises approx. 1,000 m above the lake, acting as a geographical sentinel along the southeastern shoreline. Walter Wilcox and Samuel Allen made the first ascent in 1893; Wilcox named it in 1894 for the panoramic “fair view” from the summit.

Trail. The Fairview Mountain Trail begins near the Lake Louise canoe rental boathouse. 10.6 km return, approx. 1,014 m gain, 4–6 hours. The route ascends via Saddleback Pass; the final push gains approx. 414 m over 1.6 km on steep talus and scree. Return exactly the way you came; the north face is vertical cliffs and rotten rock. Hikers have been killed or heli-evacuated after attempting to shortcut down the front. See Fairview Mountain Trail for a full guide.

Geology. Composed of Eldon Formation (Middle Cambrian); grey dolomite and limestone forming the summits of Fairview and Temple. The smooth contour on the south and east contrasts with sheer northern cliffs dropping to the lake; a result of structural dip and glacial scouring. Laramide thrust faults and Pleistocene glaciation shaped the Bow Range.

Views. Summit vistas: north; Mount Victoria, Victoria Glacier, Lake Louise, Mount St. Piran; south; Mount Temple, Paradise Valley, Mount Fay, Deltaform; west; Mount Aberdeen, Haddo Peak, Mount Lefroy, Abbot Pass; east; Bow Valley, Trans-Canada Highway, Lake Louise Ski Resort.

Safety. Avalanche hazard Oct–June; AST1 and full gear required for winter attempts. Bear-aware; prime grizzly habitat. Paradise Valley group-of-four rule when in effect. See Lake Louise and Moraine Lake Trail Systems.