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


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

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


Larch Tree โ€” Banff Moments

Experiencing Fall in Banff - Finding Larch Trees In blazes of autumn glory, come mid-September, the larch trees take the Alberta Rockies main stage. Hiding in green forests, with conifer cousins, the fir, pine and spruce, the show-off larch waits patiently. Fall in Banff National Park, brings a flurry of larch tree seekers.


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

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.


This larch hike is the best one in Banff National Park

Every Autumn, pockets of Banff National Park come aglow with gold. It's that special time of year when larch trees sweeping across the Canadian Rockies bring the landscapes alive, as they begin to change coats for winter and turn a brilliant yellow hue. This natural phenomenon is a wonder to see, but it doesn't last long.


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

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?


Larch Trees โ€” Banff Moments

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.


Fall in Banff beautiful larch trees Banff national park, National

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.


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

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.


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

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.


The 6 Best Larch Hikes in Banff, Alberta

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 Valley, Banff national park [OC][4096x2304] r/EarthPorn

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


Golden larch trees along Eiffel Lake trail in Banff National Park

Larch trees can be found in all of Alberta's mountain parks, including Banff, Kananaskis and Waterton. If you are lucky enough to be in Banff (mid to late) September, you are in for a treat! There are a few opportunities to see larches without much effort, but the best experiences come from larch tree hikes.


Larch Trees in Lake Louise Alberta. Autumn Refocusing Photography

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.


Banff Larch valley TierOne Travel

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

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.


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

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!