The hike from Moraine Lake to Larch Valley during the Fall is truly breathtaking - and I don’t say that lightly! The stark contrast of the glittering, golden larches against the towering snow capped Rockies are a sight unlike any other.
While you can take in the beauty of the golden larches all throughout Banff National Park, Larch Valley is one of the best hikes to see them in their concentrated beauty - and to really seal the deal, the continuous views of the Valley of the Ten Peaks seriously cannot be beat.
LARCH VALLEY TRAIL HEAD:
The trailhead is located just off the Moraine Lake shoreline, so this is the PERFECT reason to check out Moraine Lake at the same time - as if you already haven’t! During peak seasons, parking can fill up quickly and you may have to catch a free shuttle from the overflow parking lot. GPS coordinates for the overflow lot are below and bus schedules may be found here.
Moraine Lake parking lot: 51.328361, -116.181833
Overflow lot, only if Moraine is full: 51.386858, -116.130004
Trailhead: 51.326949, -116.183038 (the exact trailhead is slightly further up trail from this point)
Miles & incline: 5.42 miles, 1700 Ft. elevation gain
To find the trailhead, continue past the beach entrance, the dock, and follow the path along the shoreline. You’ll pass a few cabins and after a short walk, a trailhead that veers up the hill will appear on your right.
Observe any posted signs regarding bears. Due to seasonality, it may be required that you hike with no fewer than a group of four - but NO WORRIES if you’re setting off solo or in a small group. You won’t have to wait at the trailhead long to find fellow hikers. I actually LOVED this because it’s such a natural way to meet great people on the trail! We met and hiked with Anna; she was the best and so friendly!! We loved sharing our experiences and hiking with her easily made this hike a highlight of our trip!
The first portion of this hike switches back through dense forest and has a considerable incline in elevation, though you’ll often be rewarded with glances of Moraine’s glittering blue waters.
In time, the dense evergreens transition into golden larches. Then, the trail starts to widen and the golden larches grow thicker.
You’re almost done with the steady incline as the trail opens into a wide clearing. As we rounded the bend, it started to lightly snow. THIS. THIS WAS JUST MAGICAL. MAGICAL.
I could NOT believe what I was seeing; pictures truly cannot do this hike justice. Standing here fills you with such an immense feeling - the cold mountain air piercing your lungs, soft snow flakes landing on your cheeks, the towering Rockies proudly standing high in front of you.
The awe can only be broken by curious Grey Jays as they float and dive around you. These birds are THE CUTEST and I admired them for their hardiness. These little badass birds stick around all winter and are one of the only birds to be found in all of Canada’s thirteen provinces and territories. We loved to watch them float and dart as we snacked at the top, admiring the Valley of the Ten Peaks.
We originally planned to continue up to Sentinel Pass, but a looming snow storm had different plans for us and we had to quickly head back down the mountain.
BEFORE YOU GO:
Miles & incline: 5.42 miles, 1700 Ft. elevation gain
Trekking poles: Not necessary, but were SO nice to have as they really help your knees on the downhill. We rented ours at Wilson Mountain Sports in the town Lake Louise for $9/pair.
Bear spray: The man at Wilson Mountain Sports said it best: “bear spray is a like a seat belt - it’s not REQUIRED, but you really don’t want to find out what happens if you don’t have it.” We also rented bear spray from WMS for only $10. They’ll give you a quick tutorial if you’re unfamiliar with how to use it.
Water + snacks: Stay hydrated, always! We took a few apples, granola bars, and pringle snack packs to refuel at the top.
Windbreaker: Storms can brew quickly, having a windbreak will help to keep both the wind and snow out.
Check the Weather: Always know what to expect before starting any serious alpine hikes.
I hope you enjoy the hike as much as we did!! Happy rambles, always! xo
