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The most famous hiking trail during fall in Banff is the stunning Larch Valley hike. This moderately difficult trail is truly magnificent and I’ve had it on my bucket list for a long time. Recently, I got to finally enjoy the Larch Valley Trail, and the best part? I did it during larch season!
I hiked among breathtaking autumn colors with cool crisp air and mountain views. I must say, this spectacular trail is easily one of the best things to do in Banff.
However, hiking the Larch Valley trail wasn’t without its difficulties. In fact, if you want to enjoy the Larch Valley hike during fall or even any other time of the year, you need to be prepared for an early morning. The reason?
The Larch Valley hike starts from Moraine Lake (arguably the busiest lake in Canada.) So, if you want to enjoy the Larch Valley as I did then read on. In this blog, I’ll explain everything you need to know before you go including how to get to Moraine Lake since you can’t drive or park there any longer!
Larch Valley Hike Overview
Distance: 4.3 kilometers/2.7 miles (each way)
Elevation gain: 535 meters/1755 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Time needed: 5 – 6 hours
Type of Trail: Out and back
The Larch Valley hike is a moderately difficult trail that begins with a steep climb up to the Larch Valley. This climb gains roughly 450 meters (1,476 feet) in elevation and takes around 1.5 hours. Once in the Larch Valley, the trail flattens out to a slight incline until you reach the end of the trail where you’ll find Minnestimma Lakes (small alpine tarns.)
Along the trail, you can enjoy stunning mountain views as well as wildflowers in the summer and the beautiful colors of Larch trees in the fall. There is also the option to hike on a little further to Sentinel Pass. This extra 1.5-kilometer (0.9 mi) trail (each way) takes you to a viewpoint overlooking Paradise Valley on the other side of the mountain pass. In good weather, it’s well worth checking out!
Overall I think the Larch Valley hike is one of the best hikes in Banff at any time of the year. However, the Larch season (in autumn) does prove to be a once-in-a-lifetime time to visit!
Related Read: Another great hike near the Larch Valley is Lake Agnes Tea House Trail. The hike to Lake Agnes is slightly easier but just as beautiful especially during fall.
Larch Valley Hike FAQs
What to Pack to Hike the Larch Valley Trail
Bear spray – As I mentioned above, this is bear country, and grizzly bears frequent the area. You should always carry bear spray with you on the Larch Valley Hike.
Flashlight – If you plan on hiking early in the morning a flashlight is a great idea. We personally hiked through the dark to reach the Larch Valley for sunrise.
Snacks – It’s a long enough hike that snacks and even lunch would be a great idea.
Hiking poles – If you have bad knees then hiking poles would be helpful on the Larch Valley trail. The trail is wide and free from rocks a shale so hiking poles work great.
Warm clothes – It may be warmer at Moraine Lake but in the Larch Valley, you are exposed to high winds that come over Sentinel Pass. It gets cold!
Related Read: Check out other fun things to do in Lake Louise in the summer!
Best Time to Hike the Larch Valley
The best time to explore the Larch Valley is during the Larch season in the fall. Larch season runs from the middle of September to the beginning of October with the best time usually (it changes every year) around the 25th of September.
The season can happen earlier or later, however, after experiencing two Larch seasons in Banff (one later and one earlier) traveling around September 25th is a safe bet as it falls right in the middle of peak Larch season. Plus, there are plenty of other gorgeous hikes and things to do in Banff National Park in September.
The second best time (preferred by many) is in late July when the wildflower season is in full bloom. During this time of year the crowds are nowhere near the size they are during Larch season and the wildflowers are stunning. Oh, and it’s also warmer!
Personally though, nothing beats Larch season! The colors of the Larch trees are nothing short of amazing!
Related Read: If you’re looking for a hike to really test your fitness consider doing the Heart Mountian Horseshoe Loop. We loved this challenging hike and it’s actually on our list of the best things to do in Canmore.
Getting to Moraine Lake to Hike the Larch Valley
The Larch Valley Trail starts from the Moraine Lake parking lot. The only problem is that getting to Moraine Lake can be way more challenging than the hike itself!
Parking at Moraine Lake has always been a nightmare and getting a spot here meant arriving by 4:30 am in some cases. Parks Canada made a change in 2023 and closed the Moraine Lake Road and parking lot to all personal vehicles – only commercial traffic like guided tours to Moraine Lake, buses, and shuttles are allowed. The only exception is if you have a disability parking pass, you will be permitted to park at the lake.
So, this means you’ll need an alternative to parking at Moraine Lake. My top recommendations are the Parks Canada Park and Ride shuttles, ROAM public transit, taking this hop-on hop-off bus from Banff, or the new privately-operated shuttle.
Park and Ride Shuttle
The Park and Ride shuttle now departs from the Lake Louise Ski Resort parking lot. During previous years, it departed from an overflow parking lot located 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) east of Lake Louise Village on the road between Lake Lousie and Banff.
These shuttles are cheap (adults $8 CAD; seniors, $4 CAD, and youth 17 and under are free) and start running as early as 6:30 am. You can find all the info on the Banff Lake Louise website or the Parks Canada website.
The only downside is that the shuttle MUST BE BOOKED IN ADVANCE. And unfortunately, this means that it is often fully booked.
One insider tip: 60% of the spaces on the shuttle are saved for “last-minute bookings”. These spaces open exactly two days before at 8 am. For example, if you want to visit Moraine Lake on Thursday, be online on the reservation system at 8 am on the Tuesday before. This way, you might still have a chance at getting a reservation.
Another thing to note is that even if you want to only visit Moraine Lake, book the shuttle to Lake Louise if that’s all that is available. The reason is that with your reservation you’ll get free access to the Lake Louise Connector Shuttle. The Lake Louise Connector shuttle runs between Lake Louise and Moraine Lake all day and is available to people who have a Park and Ride reservation or ROAM Superpass.
If you missed out on the shuttle bookings, try this hop-on-hop-off bus from Banff. It is more expensive but you’ll also visit a few other iconic attractions such as Johnston Canyon!
ROAM Transit (Public Bus)
ROAM Transit is the public bus system. You can actually buy a bus pass with ROAM that will get you to both Lake Louise and Moraine Lake from either Banff or Canmore.
You must buy the ROAM “Superpass”, this pass is $25 CAD and includes your roundtrip transport from Canmore or Banff to Lake Louise Lakefront. Once here, you will get off the ROAM bus and change onto the Parks Canada Lake Connector Shuttle. Show your Superpass to the driver and you will get a free ride to Moraine Lake! The Connector Shuttle leaves every 20 minutes, so it’s very easy to use.
This is great because it means that for $25 CAD you can visit Lake Louise AND Moraine Lake in one day!
It is highly recommended that you book your ROAM Superpass in advance during the summer months.
For more detailed info read our blog about parking alternatives at Moraine Lake and shuttle options!
Hop-on-hop-off bus
The first departure time for the hop-on-hop-off bus is at 7:45 am from Banff at Moose Hotel and Suites on Banff Avenue. One of the following stops will be Moraine Lake.
The stops are very well organized so you will be able to plan out how much time you want to spend at Consolation Lakes based on what times the bus will come back around to the Moraine Lake parking lot before heading back to Banff.
Tickets for the entire day are $80 CAD and even though it seems like a big upfront cost if you start early you can make use of hopping on and off at several other locations too!
Book the (new!) privately-operated shuttle
A brand new company has just started offering shuttles to Moraine Lake from Lake Louise. This option is for transport only – so no tour guide. That does make it a lot more affordable than regular tours as this shuttle starts at only $35 CAD per adult.
The other thing that we love about this new shuttle is that it offers early morning departures at both 4 am and 5 am, which means you’ll get to enjoy sunrise at Moraine Lake! But even if you aren’t an early riser, this shuttle is super convenient because your spot on the shuttle is booked, meaning no waiting around in long lines like you would with the Parks Canada shuttles.
When you book the shuttle, you can also choose to add on a quick hour-long stop at Lake Louise Lakefront. This is the perfect choice for anybody who also wants to check out Lake Louise for a few photo ops without the stress of trying to get parking.
One thing to note about this shuttle is that it departs from Lake Louise (either Lake Louise Village or the Lake Louise Gondola, depending on the departure time that you book). So, you will have to get yourself to the meeting point.
We expect this shuttle to be very popular this year (especially the Lake Moraine sunrise shuttle departures), so we recommend booking online here to secure your spot.
Larch Valley Trailhead and Climb
Once you’ve arrived, been dropped off using the bus, or you’re one of the lucky ones staying at the Moraine Lake Lodge, it’s time to finally start the hike!
The Larch Valley hike starts along the Moraine Lake Lakeshore trail. This is the same side of the lake as the hotel so just walk towards the hotel along the lakeshore. Eventually, you’ll come to a sign that marks the start of the Larch Valley hike. Here, turn right and you are officially on the trail.
At the start, the Larch Valley hike is nice. It begins with an incline, however, it’s not that steep and there are flat areas to give your legs a rest. But shortly after this, you’ll hit the switchbacks.
This section consists of 10 large switchbacks (yes, I counted them) where the path goes nowhere but up. It’s tiring!
Thankfully it does end and you’ll know it has (if you didn’t count the switchbacks) once you get to a sign that points to the Larch Valley in one direction and Eiffel Lake in another. This is the official start of the Larch Valley.
Exploring the Larch Valley
The hard part is over! Yes!
Honestly, one reason the Larch Valley is so amazing is that the hard part of the hike is over once you get there. Now it’s time to take a slow stroll along the Larch Valley and enjoy the magnificent views around you!
The hike to the end of the trail takes around 45 minutes from here and at the end be sure to stop at Minnestimma Lakes. On a calm day, the reflections of the larch trees are out of this world. I’ve only seen photos though, the day I went it felt like a tropical cyclone was on its way! Let’s hope you have more luck with the weather than I did!
As you get closer to the end you’ll want to turn around. These amazing views show a sea of yellow (if you’re here during Larch season) with the famous 10 Peaks in the background.
It’s truly one of the earth’s greatest views!
Hiking to Sentinel Pass
Distance: 1.5 kilometers/0.9 miles (each way) from end of Larch Valley
Elevation gain: 170 meters/558 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Time needed: 2 hours
Type of Trail: Out and back
After exploring the Larch Valley there is a short add-on to the trail to Sentinel Pass. The day I went it was so windy it would not have been safe to explore the mountain pass, so we didn’t. However, if you get better weather then it’s something you should consider doing.
We started to hike the trail and it’s pretty much a large switchback that climbs up the pass. It’s not very steep and only takes around 30 minutes to complete. Once at the top you can then explore the pass and enjoy the views. We turned back halfway up as the gusts of wind were simply too strong!
Related Read: After hiking the Larch Valley consider check out all the best breweries in Banff. In our guide, we show you the 3 best to check out in the area!
Essential Things to Know about the Larch Valley Hike
Canada Parks Pass
The Larch Valley is in Banff National Park so you do need a valid Canada Parks Pass to do the hike and visit Moraine Lake. This can be purchased at the gates coming into Banff National Park or online.
Parks Canada Pass Quick Info
If you plan on spending time in Canada’s national parks (including Banff, Jasper, Yoho, Mount Revelstoke, Glacier, Kootenay, and more) then you’re going to have to pay for a Parks Pass.
Single Daily Admission:
This type of pass is valid for one person for one day. It is ONLY the best value if you are traveling alone and only plan to visit a national park for a couple of days.
- Adult (ages 18-64) is $10.50 CAD
- Senior (65+) is $9.00 CAD
- Youth/Child (17 or younger) is FREE
Group Daily Admission:
If you’re traveling in a group or with family, you can buy a single-day admission for your entire vehicle (up to 7 people in one vehicle.)
- $21.00 CAD gets your entire vehicle entry for one full day
Parks Canada Discovery Pass
The “Discovery Pass” is what Parks Canada calls their year-long (365 days from the purchase date), multi-park entry pass. This pass will give 365 days of access to all participating national parks in Canada. This includes the most popular parks like Banff, Jasper, Yoho, Kootenay, Glacier, Mount Revelstoke, and so much more.
- Adult (age 18-64) – $72.25 CAD
- Senior (64+) – $61.75 CAD
- Group/Family (up to 7 people in one vehicle) – $145.25 CAD
Hot Tip: Although more expensive up front, if you plan on spending more than 7 days in different parks in Canada within a 12-month period, then the Discovery Pass is actually the better deal!
Parks Canada Passes can be bought online here or at one of the Visitor Centers or booths at the entrance to many national parks.
This is Bear Country
The Larch Valley trail is not just a great place for humans to visit. In fact, it’s frequented by grizzly bears. For this reason, there is either a recommendation to hike in groups of 4 or more, or it will be a requirement (depending on bear sightings in the area in that particular year.)
If it is required and you aren’t in a group then just wait for other hikers at the trailhead and join them! If you get caught in a smaller group you can be fined!
Also, carry bear spray and make lots of noise. When we hiked up in the dark, I will admit that we were a little scared!
Other Things to do While You’re in Banff
Seeing the incredible lakes around Banff is just one of the many awesome things you can do in Alberta! To give you an idea of more places to explore, here are some of the other things you can do while you’re in Banff:
- Hike Johnston Canyon – There are tons of amazing hikes in and around Banff, but I especially loved hiking Johnston Canyon and seeing its spectacular waterfalls. You can drive to the trailhead on your own or book a tour. This e-bike and hiking tour is excellent for those who want to combine both activities. Or if you just want transport, take the hop-on-hop-off bus that stops here. If you visit Johnston Canyon in winter, this Icewalk tour will show you ice formations and frozen falls!
- Ride on a gondola – If you want the best vantage points around, take in one of the four gondolas around Banff! You’ll climb up high above the ground with tickets for the Banff Gondola, the Banff Sunshine Gondola, Lake Louise Gondola, or the Mt Norquay Chairlift.
- Look for wildlife – Banff is home to some pretty incredible wildlife. You might just spot elk, bears, deer, foxes, coyotes, bighorn sheep, and more! The best chance you have of seeing the most critters is on a wildlife tour in Banff. We really liked this small group tour where the guides tailor the itinerary to recent wildlife spottings and you get to see highlights of the national park along the way.
- Explore Banff town – While many nature-based activities are nearby, you shouldn’t neglect Banff town itself! Start your morning by visiting one of the cute local cafes, or grab patio drinks along Banff Avenue in the afternoon. To avoid traffic, check out the pedestrian-only Bear Street, with even more restaurants, cafes, and shops. And if that’s not enough, there’s also a Farmers Market every Wednesday in the summertime.
Where to Stay near the Larch Valley Trail
Lake Louise
When visiting the Larch Valley for Larch season often people stay in Banff. I too have done this, however, on my last visit I decided to stay in Lake Louise Village. The main reason is that it’s closer. From Banff to Moraine Lake it takes around 45 minutes to an hour. From Lake Louise, about 10 minutes.
Besides the distance, there are plenty of delicious restaurants in Lake Louise as well as hotels to spend the night. It is a nice place to stay and more peaceful than Banff.
Some great options for places to stay in Lake Louise include:
Hi Lake Louise
For budget travelers coming to Lake Louise, the Hi Lake Louise is by far the best option. They have dorm beds and budget doubles with an onsite kitchen and restaurant. I’ve stayed on multiple occasions and love this hostel.
You can check it out on Booking.com and HostelWorld
Baker Creek Mountain Resort
If you have a bigger budget and want a place to stay a little more unique, the Baker Creek Mountain Resort stands out. Located in the wilderness around 11 kilometers (6.8 miles) from Lake Louise this cabin-style hotel is truly in paradise. This would be the perfect stay for wilderness lovers!
You can check it out on Booking.com
Fairmont Château Lake Louise
The ultimate luxury stay in Lake Louise has to go to the Fairmont Château Lake Louise. This spectacular hotel overlooks Lake Louise and makes getting to Lake Moraine and Lake Lousie super easy. If location and luxury are important to you, this is the best hotel.
You can check it out on Booking.com
Banff
Obviously, if you’re here for more than just Moraine Lake and the Larch Valley trail then it’s very tempting to stay in Banff. The reason? Banff is such a lively place and Lake Louise just doesn’t have that atmosphere nor the quality of restaurants and shops.
Below are a couple of top choices for places to stay in Banff, but if you want more recommendations and details then be sure to read our blog about all of the best hotels in Banff!
Samesun Banff
There aren’t many budget options in Banff but this is one of the few. One of the cheapest is Samesun Banff. Although cheap the hotel/hostel still has great reviews. With dorms and privates available it’s a great choice.
You can check it out on Booking.com and HostelWorld
Moose Hotel and Suites
In the mid-range, there are so many great options in Banff. A place I’ve stayed at before and love is Moose Hotel and Suites. The hotel has the most amazing hot tub on the roof as well as a fitness center and restaurant and bar.
You can check it out on Booking.com
Fairmont Banff Springs
Once again for the most luxurious option, the Fairmont takes the cake. This hotel is actually out of this world and is more of a castle than a hotel. In fact, touring the grounds is actually a thing to do in Banff! Honestly check it out!
You can check it out on Booking.com
Canada Travel Essentials
Before you decide to head off and explore the gorgeous mountains, lakes, towns, and cities around Canada it’s important to have the right equipment. Of course, it’s likely you’ll have most of the basics already but there are some common items people forget that I never travel without.
Crampons: In winter, crampons are super handy, but what people don’t realize is that they come in handy in summer too. In fact, up until mid-July, you can still expect icy conditions in the mountains. The pair I use is only $37 CAD and they have lasted me 3 seasons so far!
Waterproof shell: Most people will have this item but I thought I’d include it anyway since it’s so handy in Canada. The Columbia waterproof jacket is a lightweight windproof jacket that will seriously save you in many situations. The best part, though? It comes in pink!
Bear bells: These are a must, and for the price, you shouldn’t hike without them. The bear bells I use are only $9 CAD and they come with a silencer (a must) so you can easily travel with them.
Scent-proof bag (for bears): Most people think you only need to keep the smell of food away from you when you’re overnight camping. However, bears can smell the food in your bag while you’re hiking and the best way to avoid an encounter is to use a scent-proof bear bag. Basically, you put your food in the bag and the bear cannot smell it while you’re hiking. This is one item most people never have (I never hike without it) but it could save you and the bear.
Buff: I love my buff! Seriously, I go nowhere without it both in winter and summer. There are a few brands around but I always buy the original Buff (you know, the one from Survivor!) They’re a little more expensive but the material is good quality and both breathable and quick drying.
Dry bag: I have expensive camera equipment, so I always travel with a dry bag large enough to fit some of my equipment. It can be a camera, book, binoculars, or even my keys. Regardless, a dry bag gives me peace of mind! The MARCHWAY bag is really good quality, and when not in use, takes up only a small amount of room.
Binoculars: I love my binoculars! Seriously they have come in handy so many times, especially when I’m looking for wildlife. The best part is, I use a set that only costs $25 CAD and they serve my basic needs without any issues!
Renting a Car in Alberta
If you’re arriving in Alberta via plane then I can’t recommend getting a rental car enough. Canada is a large country and traveling between cities and even just getting out to some of the best places to visit in Alberta requires transport. Although you can use public transport, on some occasions, it means your trip will not only require more time but more planning.
Renting a car will definitely make exploring all of the fun things to see and do in Alberta easier.
Car rental in Canada isn’t super cheap, but it isn’t overly expensive either, especially if you get a budget car. The cheapest car with pickup and drop-off in different locations is around $100 CAD per day. The price does vary though depending on the time of year and the type of car that you rent. For car rentals, I use the website DiscoverCars.com. It’s a search engine with lots of deals with good customer service. In fact, I’ve used them all over the world including in Chile, New Zealand, and Australia.
Another popular option is to rent a campervan or motorhome (only for the brave in winter.) Using Motorhome Republic you can search hundreds of deals across multiple companies to pick a great vehicle and the cheapest price. Having a motorhome is a stunning way to see Canada, and using crown land and campsites, you can often camp for free or very cheap in the most beautiful places imaginable!
Travel Insurance is more important than ever right now!
If you’re traveling during these uncertain times, be sure that you have travel insurance!
SafetyWing is our go-to insurance when we are going on longer trips. They offer travel medical insurance that’s super affordable (only $42 USD per 4 weeks!) and even have coverage in case you get that dreaded c-word. The only thing to note is that the insurance must be purchased once you’ve left your home country – we typically buy it as soon as we land at the airport.
We’ve personally used SafetyWing for many different trips, and we’ve been reimbursed for countless expenses when we’ve fallen ill. SafetyWing even covered our flights back to Canada in full when the pandemic first happened (when last-minute flights before the borders closed were super expensive!)
It’s safe to say that travel insurance has saved us thousands over the years!
Thanks for reading!
The Larch Valley hike is truly one of the most breathtaking trails in Canada and should be part of every Banff itinerary. I can’t believe it took me this long to do it! Next time I want to hike it in wildflower season and hopefully spot a grizzly bear!
If you found this guide helpful be sure to read more of our Canada blogs. We have so much on the Rocky Mountains! Or keep reading from these below:
How to spend Christmas in Banff
Micki
Monday 15th of August 2022
Wow, thank you so much for all the details and insights. The bus system is so exciting. I'm determined to catch the larches this year with my 2 y/o so this is all really helpful! Thanks again.