The 6 Best Larch Hikes in Banff, Alberta


Larch trees make for a spectacular scene this weekend high up in Larch

The Larch Valley hike rises from the shores of Moraine Lake to an extensive forest of larch trees. From this forest of larch trees, Banff hikers will enjoy panoramic views of the mountains which make up the Valley of the Ten Peaks.


Larch Tree โ€” Banff Moments

Banff National Park has loops after treks after mountain climbs all year round but there's one type of hike that is exclusive to just two weeks of the fall: The Larch hikes that display the incredibly beautiful larch trees!


Autumn Larch trees Banff National Park Canadian Rockies Canada Stock

Parks Canada says shuttles moving between 1,200 and 1,300 people a day to iconic Moraine Lake. This 2016 photograph shows Healy Pass in Banff National Park in late September, when larches turn.


Larch Trees in Lake Louise Alberta. Autumn Refocusing Photography

Larch trees dot the shore of the lake. Side trip to Big Beehive: 1.6 km one way; 135 elevation gain from Lake Agnes. Beyond Lake Agnes, use switchbacks to climb the Big Beehive for a stunning panorama of Lake Louise and the Chateau. Side trip to Little Beehive: 1 km one way; 105 elevation gain from Lake Agnes.


Larch Trees in Banff NP stock photo. Image of alberta 45429480

Larches tend to grow in cold climates and mountainous areas and need a lot of moisture so the Canadian Rockies are perfect for them. I also found out that they tend to grow where they have been forest fires. Why do larches turn yellow? Larches turn yellow in the fall because they are saving nutrients to use later.


10 Best Larch Hikes to Enjoy Banff in the Fall The Banff Blog

Laryx Lake Why This Is a Great Hike for Families Rock Isle Lake Larch Hike If you want to do a larch hike in Banff National Park, you're spoiled for choice. But let's back up a little. For those of you unfamiliar with my neck of the woods, larch trees are a big deal.


The 6 Best Larch Hikes in Banff, Alberta

Larch trees at Healy Pass in Banff. In this guide, we will share the best Banff larch hikes. While unfortunately, it will be harder to find solitude during the Banff larch season, walking through a stand of larch trees at the peak of the transformation will more than make up for it.


Larch trees in fall after first snow, Banff NP, Canada Photograph by

The Larch Valley/Sentinel Pass is the quintessential Canadian Rockies hike and definitely one of the best larch hikes in Banff, although keep in mind, it's easily the most crowded too. Sentinel Pass is relatively challenging, hugely popular, and offers some of Canada's most stunning natural scenery.


Larch Trees in the Fall. Mount Eiffel approach trail in Banff, Alberta

One of the best reasons to visit Banff and Lake Louise in the fall season are the truly spectacular larch trees. One of the most famous locations for viewing golden larch trees is Larch Valley near Lake Louise in Banff National Park. This is an incredible autumn hiking choice in the Canadian Rockies and a bucket-list must!


Larch trees in fall in Banff NP in Canada Photograph by Sara Winter

While there are many great places to see the larch trees in Banff National Park, the most well known is probably Larch Valley. We decided the Larch Valley hike would be best for us since it was not far from to the village of Lake Louise, where we were staying. We were starting our hike late in the day (around 4 pm), so we wanted something that.


Alpine Larch Trees The Beehive Is A Mountain Located In Banff National

It's one of the biggest stands of larch trees anywhere in Banff, making the Larch Valley one of the best larch hikes you'll find in Alberta. The only downside is that everyone knows this is one of the best hikes in Banff, so it's typically very crowded.


Banff Larch valley TierOne Travel

Build a Trip Embrace autumn and admire the fall colours in Banff and Lake Louise with these beautiful fall hikes in the Canadian Rockies.


This larch hike is the best one in Banff National Park

Situated in Banff National Park, the Larch Valley is easily accessible from Lake Louise Village. As you embark on your journey into the valley, you'll find yourself surrounded by a landscape that seems too perfect to be real.


Autumn colours, Larch trees, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada Stock

Banff is the perfect place for larch hikes in Alberta. The National Park is home to tens of thousands of larch trees and their annual transformation from green to golden needles in fall. Conifers (evergreen trees) don't lose their needles, and though the larch is a conifer, it does lose its soft needles like a deciduous (leafy) tree does in fall.


Golden larch trees partially lit up by the sunlight. Valley of the Ten

Build a Trip At certain elevations of the Rockies, the renowned larch tree grows in verdant patches. Those willing to hike up above Moraine Lake into Larch Valley will find an entire sweeping forest of them. The feeling of topping out after a rolling trail and attaining the treeline above the larches will fillโ€ฆ


Larch Trees in Fall after First Snow, Banff NP, Canada Stock Image

During spring and summer, the larch is rather unremarkable, as to the untrained eye, the coniferous tree looks like most pine species growing throughout Banff National Park. However, come autumn, summer's unassuming larch begins its dazzling transformation, from verdant green to a mesmerizing burnished gold. Why do Banff's larches change colour?