17 Best Larch Hikes in Banff National Park (2026)

Banff National Park is spectacular at any time of year, but fall brings one of its most beautiful transformations. For a few short weeks, larch hikes in Banff become the place to be as the alpine larch trees turn from green to brilliant gold. As locals, we look forward to larch season every year, and some of the best places to experience it are around Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, including the famous Larch Valley hike.

Larch trees are a type of deciduous conifer, which means their needles change colour and fall each year. During larch season in Banff, usually from mid-September into early October, entire hillsides can turn golden before the needles begin to drop. The timing is short and varies from year to year, which is part of what makes catching the larches at their peak feel so special.

The most popular Banff larch hikes are concentrated around Moraine Lake and Lake Louise, but there are excellent options elsewhere in Banff National Park too. Some trails take you through dense stands of golden larches, while others offer views across entire valleys filled with yellow trees. And while the best-known hikes can be very busy during peak larch season, there are quieter alternatives if you are willing to hike a little farther or choose a less obvious trail.

In this guide, we share our favourite larch hikes in Banff, including the iconic trails, lesser-known options and some of the easiest larch hikes in Banff. We’ll also help you compare the hikes by difficulty, scenery, crowds and access so you can choose the best larch hike for your trip.

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The Best Larch Hikes in Banff

Here are the best larch hikes in Banff National Park. While many of them are concentrated around Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, there are others in the list that are closer to the town of Banff. It’s important to get to the Banff larch hikes early so you can get a parking spot, especially on weekends.

1. Larch Valley Hike

Starting from Moraine Lake, the Larch Valley hike is easily one of the best larch hikes in Banff. Its popularity is well deserved.

The trail to Larch Valley begins with a climb through the forest with little to keep your attention besides moving your feet forward. As the terrain levels off, you’ll be in awe of the transformation around you. You’ll find yourself amongst golden larches with impressive mountain scenery all around.

If you have the time and energy, continue past Larch Valley to the Minnestimma Lakes then on to Sentinel Pass. The incredible mountain vistas are more than worth the effort.

The biggest challenge you’ll have is getting to Moraine Lake, as there are no private vehicles allowed on Moraine Lake road. We share all the best options for getting to Moraine Lake to enjoy the best Moraine Lake hikes towards the bottom of this post.

We like the Larch Valley to Sentinel Pass hike so much that we’ve included it in our Banff hiking trip itinerary.

2. Eiffel Lake Hike

If you want to see even more golden larches at Moraine Lake, consider hiking to Eiffel Lake. The Eiffel Lake hike starts on the same trail as Larch Valley and Sentinel Pass, including the same initial switchbacks.

As you ascend, you’ll eventually reach a junction with a welcoming bench – rest assured, it’s impossible to miss it. Here, you’ll veer off the Larch Valley trail to continue on the Eiffel Lake hiking trail.

Eiffel Lake, though perhaps lacking the same density of larch trees, compensates with its sweeping vistas of the Valley of Ten Peaks and notably fewer crowds. You won’t get the same up-close larch experience as Larch Valley, but the views across large stands of golden larches make this hike worthwhile.

3. Wenkchemna Pass Hike

For those seeking an extended adventure, consider pushing your hike beyond Eiffel Lake and onward to Wenkchemna Pass, where an even greater abundance of larches awaits. This extension adds an additional 6 kilometres to your journey, resulting in a round-trip distance of 18.3 kilometres from the trailhead.

It’s worth noting that as you progress along the Wenkchemna Pass trail, the density of larches gradually thins out, and eventually, you’ll encounter smaller trees in the alpine meadow. Nevertheless, the vista from Wenkchemna Pass, which looks down upon Eiffel Lake surrounded by its golden larches, is nothing short of spectacular.

The trail maintains a moderate level of ease until you approach the last 500 meters or so leading up to the pass, where the terrain becomes steeper and the path grows slightly more challenging to navigate. Yet, the rewards at the summit, offering breathtaking views on both sides of the pass, make every step well worth the effort.

4. Saddleback Pass Hike

While Saddleback Pass might not boast the same level of fame as the Banff Larch Valley hike at Moraine Lake, it stands as one of the best larch hikes at Lake Louise, offering an exceptional alternative to the more popular Larch Valley.

Embarking on the Saddleback Pass hike, you’ll commence your journey near the picturesque shores of Lake Louise, in close proximity to Fairrmont Chateau Lake Louise. This trailhead ranks among the most beautiful you’ll encounter anywhere in the world.

As you ascend, you’ll traverse a conifer forest for approximately 2 kilometres along the northern slopes of Fairview Mountain, which stands proudly at 2,744 meters. The scenery really improves when you reach the first golden larches.

Over the next 2 kilometres on this larch hike in Lake Louise, prepare to be in awe as you hike through a magnificent forest of golden larches, all the way to Saddleback Pass. The sheer density of larch trees along this Lake Louise hike is incredible.

Lakeshore parking is virtually impossible to get, so it’s best to reserve a Lake Louise shuttle. We share more details below on the best ways to get to Lake Louise during larch season.

5. Sheol Valley Hike

While the Saddleback Pass hike undoubtedly offers breathtaking views of larch trees, the one drawback worth mentioning is the crowds. Saddleback Pass is a highly sought-after alternative to Larch Valley, and the crowds can make it difficult to get photos without other hikers in them.

Our recommendation is that once you’ve reached Saddleback Pass, extend your journey further into the serene Sheol Valley, where you can revel in the beauty of larch trees without the crowds.

The trade-off is the extra distance. While you’ll savor the tranquility of the Sheol Valley along with its abundant larch trees, you’ll need to cover an additional 11 kilometres to circle around Saddle Mountain and return to Chateau Lake Louise.

The Sheol Valley landscape is nothing short of epic, and the majority of the hiking terrain is either downhill or level, making it a less daunting prospect than it might initially seem.

6. Big Beehive Hike

The Big Beehive hike at Lake Louise may not always be featured among the top larch hikes, due to its relatively lower larch tree density compared to more renowned trails like Larch Valley. However, it is still a worthwhile larch hike with incredible views.

You’ll start with the hike to Lake Agnes tea house. The scenery around Lake Agnes is stunning and you’ll find the shores dotted with golden larches.

After you’ve hiked through the larch trees along the shores of Lake Agnes and along the switchbacks leading up to the Big Beehive, you’ll find a large stand of larch trees at the Big Beehive Lookout.

Add to this the view of Lake Agnes PLUS Lake Louise down below and you’ll see why this hike is more than worth it.

7. Hidden Lake Hike

If you’re in search of a less crowded larch hike in Banff, the Hidden Lake trail is an excellent choice.

Setting off from the Skoki parking lot near the Lake Louise Ski Resort, the Hidden Lake hike starts with 4 kilometres along a service road, which isn’t the most exciting part of the hike. The only potential option to avoid hiking the road is to check to see if there is a Parks Canada guided hike to Hidden Lake. If so, they will take you up the road on a shuttle.

From the end of the road section, the Hidden Lake hike is 5.2 kilometres each way and is characterized by its relatively easy terrain. Along this trail, you’ll have the pleasure of witnessing larch trees embracing the shores of Hidden Lake, all while enjoying a splendid vista of larches adorning the Skoki Valley.

Although there are other remarkable larch hikes in the Skoki area, the Hidden Valley Trail stands out for its accessibility to most hikers.

Other choices for hikes in this region include Boulder Pass which is around 17 km return and 645 m elevation Gain, or the Skoki Lakes where you’ll be looking at over 25 km to do this in a day.

Lake Louise and Moraine Lake may be home to all the mega-popular larch tree hikes in Banff, but they doesn’t have a complete monopoly on them. There are several excellent Banff larch tree hikes elsewhere in the park.

8. Healy Pass Larch Hike

When it comes to Banff’s larch hikes that can rival the renowned Larch Valley, Healy Pass emerges as the best contender. In fact, the Healy Pass Trail has quickly claimed its spot as our favourite larch hike in Banff.

The Healy Pass hike starts with a long stretch through the forest. While some may describe this initial stretch as boring, we encourage you to savor the fall colours throughout this section, even if they aren’t the sought-after larches.

The incline is gentle throughout, so as long as you can handle the distance, you’ll find this larch hike to be a wonderful hiking adventure.

Around the 8.5-kilometre mark, you’ll enter a meadow where larch trees envelop you. You’ll spend plenty of time among the larches, with excellent views across the valley as you climb toward Healy Pass.

Upon reaching Healy Pass itself, the larch trees continue to captivate. They adorn the slope on the opposite side, providing the perfect backdrop for a leisurely lunch while you soak in the scenery.

An additional perk of the Healy Pass hike is the beginning of the descent, where those mountain vistas illuminated by the golden glow of larches will be constantly in view.

One other huge benefit of this larch hike in Banff is that it begins from the Sunshine Village parking lot, where there’s plenty of parking!

9. Taylor Lake Larch Hike

Golden larches are beautiful on their own, but seeing them reflected in a calm mountain lake is even better. That’s what makes Taylor Lake such a special larch hike.

The journey to Taylor Lake offers a highly enjoyable stroll through a lush evergreen forest, rich with non-larch trees. While the scenery along the first part of the path to Taylor Lake lacks mountain scenery, we have always enjoyed the hike through the forest.

It won’t be long before you’re taking in Taylor Lake nestled within a picturesque mountain cirque. With the majestic Rocky Mountains as its backdrop, Taylor Lake is beautiful any time of year but especially in the peak larch season in Banff. On a calm day, the mirror-like reflection of these larch trees in the lake’s waters is nothing short of extraordinary.

If you really want an amazing larch tree experience, don’t turn around at Taylor Lake. Venture to the rear of the Taylor Lake campground, and you’ll discover a sign marking the trailhead for the Panorama Ridge hike.

This short hike extension has some steep sections, but the rewards are worth it. Before long, you’ll find yourself immersed in a large forest of golden larches, complete with a charming mountain stream meandering through. Don’t miss out on this brief extension to your Taylor Lake hike.

10. O’Brien Lake

The first 75% of the O’Brien Lake hike is along the same hiking trail as the very popular Taylor Lake hike.

In the fall, you’ll enjoy more fall colours than just golden larch trees. The brightly coloured bushes that line the hiking trail showcase their bright red and yellow leaves. We especially like the red fireweed leaves in fall, as they glow brightly in the sun.

As you reach the meadow you’ll find the trail junction to O’Brien Lake. Taylor Lake is so close that it’s worth taking a few minutes to see it before returning to the O’Brien Lake trail..

The O’Brien Lake trail runs through lush forest filled with spruce and fir trees, with moss and tiny shrubs carpeting the ground.

You’ll enter a meadow with scattered larch trees and evergreens. The trail through the meadow can get extremely muddy, and you can virtually count on your hiking boots getting dirty. The golden larch trees get more dense as you approach O’Brien Lake. The first glimpse of O’Brien Lake caused our daughter to literally stop in her tracks and say “Wow!”

O’Brien Lake was mirror-like resting peacefully at the foot of Mount Bell with golden larches reflecting in the perfectly still water. There are far fewer people at O’Brien Lake, offering a more peaceful lake experience than Taylor lake.

11. Arnica Lake

The Arnica Lake hike offers not one, but two pristine Banff lakes to grace your journey. Commencing from the Vista Lake parking lot, the trail to Arnica Lake begins with a descent that leads you to the captivating Vista Lake.

Here, the emerald-green waters of Vista Lake glisten under the sunlight, while golden larches on the slopes of Storm Mountain add to the fall scenery.

It won’t be long after Vista Lake where you’ll start to climb, with plenty of roots and rocks to make sure you’re lifting your feet! Yet, as the trail becomes more demanding, the vistas become increasingly spectacular as you get closer to the radiant golden larches on Storm Mountain.

The captivating scenery alone is reason enough to recommend the Arnica Lake trail as an excellent choice for larch hiking in Banff. But there are two more spots along this trail that you don’t want to miss. The first is the stunning Arnica Lake, nestled at the base of Storm Mountain, with its far shores decorated by larch trees, creating a picturesque scene.

The second spot awaits beyond Arnica Lake, along the hiking trail leading to the Twin Lakes. Even if you climb only to the meadow’s summit, you’ll find yourself surrounded by larches, with views of more in the distance. While this larch forest may not be as densely packed as the one in Larch Valley, the effort is unquestionably worth it.

For an extension to Arnica Lake, continue to hike to Twin Lakes. While you won’t be treated to much more for larches, you’ll complete the hike having seen four mountain lakes. If you want to add to the larches you see, then you’ll need to continue on to Gibbon Pass.

The total distance round-trip to Twin Lakes is 16.6 km, while the hike to Gibbon Pass is over 21 km.

12. Sunshine Meadows

We’ve enjoyed hiking at Sunshine Meadows several times over the years. While it’s best known as one of the best Banff hikes for wildflowers, for anyone up for an adventure it can also be an incredible Banff larch hike.

Since the Sunshine Gondola typically stops operating in early-to-mid September, if you wish to see the larches here, your may need to walk or bike up the 5 km road to Sunshine Village.

There are many hiking trails around Sunshine Meadows, but the best larch hiking will be along the Grizzly / Laryx loop. Follow the link to our post below for details on how to get there.

If you want to get that iconic Sunshine Meadows view from the Standish Viewing Deck, from the Rock Isle Junction climb the 0.7 km (0.4 miles) to the viewing deck.

13. Bourgeau Lake Trail

If you are looking for a moderate-to-challenging larch tree hike near the Town of Banff, check out the Bourgeau Lake Trail. The larch forest growing near Bourgeau Lake is not as plentiful as some of the other hikes on this list, but the larches make a nice complement to the other highlights.

On your way up to the lake, you’ll pass one of the most impressive waterfalls in Banff National Park. The waterfall alone would make the hike worth it, but the larch trees and scenic alpine setting for Bourgeau Lake are icing on the cake.

14. Lake Annette Hike

If you love larch trees in fall, but hate the crowds which often accompany them, check out the larch trees at Lake Annette. The hike to Lake Annette is along the Paradise Valley Trail, which is often overlooked these days, now that Moraine Lake Road is closed to public vehicles.

But, if you make the effort, the larch scenery around Lake Annette is stunning. Lake Annette sits at the base of Mt. Temple, the 3rd tallest mountain in Banff National Park. With Mt. Temple looming directly overhead, there’s a large stand of larch trees along the lakeshore and the lower slopes of the mountain. All this fall scenery and very few people… a great combination!

15. Lake Louise Summer Gondola Larch Hikes

If you wish to avoid the larch hikes with a lot of elevation gain, you can take the Lake Louise Summer Gondola and enjoy two hikes to view the larch trees. Many of the hikes in Lake Louise and Banff to see larch trees involve long days and a lot of kilometres, but with the help of the gondola, these are two of the easiest larch hikes in Banff.

The two hikes you can do from the top of the Lake Louise gondola are Kicking Horse Pass Viewpoint at 1.7 km / 1.1 miles round trip or the Pika Trail to the Ptarmigan Valley Viewpoint at 3.4 km / 2.1 miles round trip.

The Kicking Horse Pass Viewpoint starts along a gravel road, then passes through a rocky area dotted with larch trees.

The better trail is the Pika Trail, which actually has you walking through a stand of larch trees.

I recommend continuing to the Ptarmigan Valley Viewpoint, where you can look back over the larch forest you just walked through and across another larch-covered valley.

16. Plain of the Six Glaciers

While Lake Louise boasts some of Alberta’s most exceptional larch hikes, it’s worth noting that the Plain of Six Glaciers hike doesn’t quite fit that description. You won’t find a dense larch forest here, but the Plain of Six Glaciers is still an excellent fall hike. We love the Plain of Six Glaciers hike and believe it is an excellent fall hike in Banff.

This trail offers an incredibly scenic journey, featuring the renowned Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House as one of its highlights. While the larch trees may not dominate the landscape, there is a modest cluster of them just beyond the Six Glaciers Tea House, adding a touch of larch beauty to this remarkable hike.

17. Little Beehive

Again, while the Little Beehive Hike might not claim the coveted top spot on any “best larch hike in Lake Louise” lists, it does offer a scattering of these beautiful trees along its path.

For a more substantial larch experience, consider venturing to the nearby Big Beehive hike or combining it with the Plain of Six Glaciers hike to create an epic hiking adventure. The mountain vistas and panoramic views overlooking Lake Louise will certainly compensate for the relatively sparse presence of larch trees along the way.

How to Get to Banff’s Best Larch Hikes

Larch Hikes Near Banff

For the Banff larch hikes outside of the Lake Louise and Moraine Lake areas, a rental car is the easiest way to get to Healy Pass, Taylor Lake, Sunshine Meadows, O’Brien Lake and Arnica Lake.

Larch Hikes Near the Lake Louise Ski Resort

For the Lake Louise Ski Resort hikes and Skoki Valley (Hidden Lake, Boulder Pass, Skoki Lakes) hikes, you have only a few options:

Lake Louise Larch Hikes

For any of the hikes at Lake Louise, you’ll need to get to the lakeshore parking lot very early or use one of these transportation options:

Moraine Lake Larch Hikes

Moraine Lake can no longer be reached by private vehicle, so there’s no longer concerns about Moraine Lake Parking.

There are several ways to get to Moraine Lake, but most involve booking a shuttle or a tour. We highly recommend you read our post on Getting to Moraine Lake, but if you are short on time this is a summary of the best options that will give you some time for the best hikes at Moraine Lake:

Tips for Hiking During Larch Season in Banff

Before heading out on a Banff larch hike, here are some additional tips to prepare you for long hiking days in Banff:

1. Have a Plan

It’s best to plan out your larch hikes. Once you know which ones you want to do, plan to do the most popular ones during the week and leave the lesser known ones for the weekend.

2. Check Trail Reports

Trails can be closed due to bears or require groups of 4 or more. Always check trail conditions before heading out.

3. Stay Close to the Trail

A fun and easy way to enjoy golden larches without the super-early wake-up call is to eliminate the long drive and stay at a hotel close to the larch trees.

4. Dress Appropriately

Dressing for a day of hiking in the Canadian Rockies can be tricky, even in the heart of summer. Given larch tree season is between mid-September and early October, dressing appropriately is even harder.

Chances are that you will be starting your Banff larch hike early in the day to get a parking spot. The sun is lower in the sky this time of year and will often be hiding behind mountain peaks. You may not get direct sunshine until mid-morning (if at all). No direct sunshine equals significantly colder temperatures.

Also, keep in mind that the temperature drops as you gain altitude. Given the high-altitude larch trees grow in, the temperature on your larch tree hike will be several degrees colder than the forecasted temperature for Calgary, Banff or Canmore.

Even if the forecast is for 20C+, bring a warm jacket, gloves and a toque. Trust us, you’ll be glad you did.

5. Bring Appropriate Hiking Gear

In addition to bringing multiple layers of warm clothing, make sure you have all the appropriate hiking gear with you. Most of these are long day hikes in Banff, so you’ll want proper footwear (hiking boots or shoes), a day bag (to carry water, snacks & layers), and warm layers for those passes and when the weather changes. You may also need proper winter traction devices such as micro spikes and trekking poles if your larch hike recently received a snowfall.

6. Start Early

A lot of these hikes are long and will take the majority of your day. Get an early start to avoid finishing late in the day or hiking in the dark.

7. Be Bear Aware

Travel in a group, especially during fall when bears are actively feeding before winter. Carry bear spray and know how to use it. Hiking in a group of four or more is even better

8. Pack plenty of food and water

September can still get quite warm and these hikes are at higher elevations. Bring plenty of food, snacks and more water than you think you will need.

Learn About Banff Larch Trees

What do Larch Trees Look Like?

In the summer Banff larch trees are full of green needles, making them difficult for a casual observer to distinguish a larch tree from other conifer trees. Starting in mid-September, larch trees become much easier to identify as the needles on larch trees turn a beautiful golden colour, while the other conifers stay green.

How do you Identify a Larch Tree?

The easiest way to identify a larch tree is to wait until fall and watch for their needles to change to their famous golden colour.

If you’d like to identify a larch tree when their needles are not golden, the easiest way is to look at their needles. Larch trees in Alberta have little nipple-like bases protruding from their branches. From each of these nipples, a larch tree will grow up to 40 needles.

When is Larch Season in Banff?

For those visiting Banff in September, you are in luck! The Banff larch season typically runs from mid-September until early October. The needles on larch trees start to change colour every year in mid-September. When they first change, the larch trees look lime-green, but before long they are ablaze with a full body of bright golden needles.

A great way to monitor when the larches start changing colour in Banff National Park is to read recent reviews for the Larch Valley Trail on AllTrails.

How Long do Larches Stay Yellow?

The answer to this question varies every year, but typically they start dropping their needles in early October. You can still enjoy Banff larch hikes if you are visiting Banff in October, but the golden needles become more sparse as the month progresses.

Where do Larch Trees Grow in Banff?

Subalpine larch trees grow at elevations of 1,800 to 2,400m above sea level (5,900 to 7,900 ft). This is significantly higher than the elevation of Banff (1,383m), Canmore (1,309m) and Calgary (1,045).

Where Do Larch Trees Grow in Banff?

Lake Louise is one of the best spots in Banff to see golden larches in fall. The elevation of Lake Louise is 1,600m, with surrounding mountain peaks ranging in elevation from 2,500m to 3,400m. These are ideal conditions for the Subapline larch tree to thrive.

The best stands of larch trees in Lake Louise can be found on hikes around Larch Valley, Saddleback Pass and the hikes around Lake Agnes.

Where Are Larches in Lake Louise?

The best area to view larch trees in Banff is the Lake Louise / Moraine Lake area. But the popularity of viewing larch trees around Lake Louise means that getting a parking spot is often difficult.

Some good alternatives to Lake Louise larch tree hikes are Taylor Lake, Arnica Lake and Healy Pass.

Where is Larch Valley?

The extremely popular Banff Larch Valley hike is located at Moraine Lake, near Lake Louise in Banff National Park.

What Species of Larch Trees Grow in Banff?

The most common larch tree you will see in the larch hikes listed above is the Subalpine larch tree (also known as Lyall’s larch). Its Latin name is Larix lyallii.