Amazing Fall Hikes in Banff

Are you dreaming of hiking among golden larches in Banff this fall? Trust me, fall hiking in Banff is everything you’re imagining and so much more.

Most people know Banff is stunning in summer, but did you know it becomes even more magical in the fall?

During the Fall, an unusual event takes place called “LARCH MADNESS.”

🍁 Definition of Larch Madness: When a person goes bonkers for 2 weeks out of a year for a tree that turns from green to golden for only 10ish days.

When I visited Banff in the fall, I couldn’t believe how unreal the trails looked! Golden forests, crisp air, and those iconic turquoise lakes framed by bright yellow trees. In this guide, I’ll share the best hikes in and around Banff to see larches at their peak.

The Best Fall Hikes in Banff

What to Expect from Fall in and around Banff

• Unpredictable weather – You never know what you are going to get. Last year, it felt like Summer in the Rockies during Fall and this year it rained, was freezing and even snowed!
• Crowds – People come from all over to see the golden larches in the Rockies. Popular trails like Larch Valley and Healy Pass will be packed, however there are some trails that will be quieter around this time of the year.
• Colours – The Canadian Rockies come alive with colour at this time of the year. Usually you just have the turquoise lakes, but now you have bright yellow larches against the turquoise lakes which doesn’t even look real, it’s so stunning!

What is the Weather Like During Fall in Banff

The weather can be unpredictable in the Canadian Rockies at any time during the year, but especially during Fall. It could be warm and sunny or it could be extremely wet and rainy.

The temperatures also start changing from warm to super cold in the Fall so it’s a good idea to bring some nice warm clothes with you.

When is the Best Time to Visit Banff to See the Golden Larches?

Fall or Autumn in Canada is September, October and November, however, the colours don’t usually last through the entire season.

The best time to see the larches is anywhere from the last couple of weeks of September through to the first week in October. The time that the larches hit their peak golden colour can be different every single year depending on the weather.

This year, it rained and snowed quite a bit right around the peak time which can potentially make the larch’s needles fall off faster.

We booked our road trip from the 23rd September to 3rd October which worked out really well but this can change from year to year.

Map of the Fall Hikes in and Around Banff

The below map can be used for directions to each of the trailheads. You can also open the map in Google Maps here!

10 Best Fall Hikes in and Around Banff

This is a list of 10 of the best Fall Hikes in and around Banff to see the Fall colours including the incredible golden larches. Some of the hikes on this list are super popular which means there will be crowds on the trails but they are still worth doing and there are ways to avoid the crowds.

Larch Valley

Distance: 8.85km / 5.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 560m / 1,837 ft
Time: 3 – 4.5 hours
Location: Trailhead located at Moraine Lake

Larch Valley is the number 1 most famous and popular larch hike in and around Banff National Park. It does get pretty crowded on the trail from about 8:30am, but it is so beautiful up there, that I think it is worth it! Plus, if you want to avoid the crowds, you can just book the early 6:30am shuttle to Moraine Lake.

The Larch Valley trail takes you up through a forest where you will have to endure way too many switchbacks before getting to the pretty part of the trail.

After the switchbacks, the trail opens up in Larch Valley, where you will be surrounded by golden larches against a backdrop of enormous mountains!

You can end your hike at Larch Valley, or you can continue onto Sentinel Pass, which isn’t too much further and you get an epic view looking back over Larch Valley which, in my opinion, is totally worth it!

If you’re dreaming of seeing the golden larches but don’t feel comfortable hiking solo, join a guided Larch Valley hiking tour! You’ll explore the trail safely with an expert guide, meet other hikers, and won’t miss out on this once-a-year experience.

Healy Pass

Distance: 20.3km/ 12.61 miles
Elevation Gain: 868m / 2,847 ft
Time: 5-7 hours
Location: Sunshine Village Banff

Healy Pass is.. okay let me start out by saying that the weather was not on our side when we did Healy Pass in the Fall so my memory of it is mainly that it wasn’t as beautiful as Larch Valley.

Healy Pass is longer than Larch Valley but with no brutal switchbacks and similar in the way that a lot of the trail is through the forest, before you pop out in a larch covered wonderland! Then, like Larch Valley, you climb up a little higher to enjoy some epic views or the Pass and surrounding lakes, including Egypt Lake, which can also be done as a backpacking trip.

Tent Ridge

Distance: 10.1km / 6.3 miles
Elevation Gain: 810m / 2,657 ft
Time: 5-6 hours
Location: Spray Valley Provincial Park

Tent Ridge is an epic hike that can be enjoyed not only in Fall but also Summer. The trail takes you along a ridge for the majority of the hike which means you get views for the majority of the hike!

I’m not going to lie.. This was one of the first hikes we did in this area and I found it hard! Mostly because of the exposure, scrambling and scree sections. I’m not too used to this sort of hiking. But it was worth every second!

I do recommend checking the wind report before you go because you are exposed for most of the hike and high winds would not make for a pleasant experience.

The larches can be seen at the end of the ridgeline if you are going clockwise, along with the famous photo worthy view that you have probably seen on social media.

Make sure you are bear aware on this hike as it is a super popular area for Grizzlies! While we were in Banff this Fall, we actually heard about a girl on the tent ridge trail getting charged by a Grizzly and her screams could be heard from up the ridgeline. Absolutely terrifying! Stay safe out there, make lots of noise when hiking to let the bears know that you are coming, and ALWAYS carry bear spray.

Trail Tip: Go Clockwise to make for an easier hike and to avoid hiking back down the hard scramble.

Floe Lake

Distance: 21km/ 13 miles
Elevation Gain: 976m / 3,202 ft
Time: 7 hours
Location: Kootenay National Park

Floe Lake is not a hike you do JUST to see larches. The larches are just an added bonus. The lake itself will blow you away with its beauty! It is incredible.

Floe Lake is found up in the mountains with the famous Rockwall set as a backdrop behind it and reflected in its waters. There are loads of larch trees surrounding the lake which are super pretty against the blue of the lake!

If you decide to continue on up to Numa Pass to look back towards Floe Lake, you will get to enjoy hundreds more larches up there. We decided to skip Numa Pass when we went but I have heard that the views are incredible from up there.

Floe Lake can be done as a day hike or a backpacking trip. To learn more about how to camp at Floe Lake check out our guide!

Opabin Plateau and Lake Ohara

Distance: 8.7km / 5.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 340m / 1,115ft
Time: 2.5 – 3 hours
Location: Lake Ohara (Yoho National Park) – shuttle reservation required

This is a hike that is on a lot of people’s bucket lists but is extremely hard to do due to there being a permitting system for the shuttle bus which is the only way to get to the trailhead unless you feel like walking an extra 22km.

Lake Ohara is located in Yoho National Park. Opabin Plateau is one of the most popular lookouts in the area and for good reason. The views overlook multiple lakes and are absolutely out of this world crazy beautiful!

Not only is the view from the lookout amazing, but the hike also takes you through a forest of larches with crazy mountain views. It is one of the most beautiful hikes we have ever done!

Pocaterra Ridge

Distance: 9.8km / 6.09 miles
Elevation Gain: 708m / 2,322 ft
Time: 3 – 5 hours
Location: Kananaskis – Kananaskis Conservation Pass required

Pocaterra Ridge is one of the best hikes in Kananaskis to see larches. This means it is also a very popular hike, so if you can go during the week or early in the morning, I recommend it to avoid some of the crowds.

A Kananaskis Conservation Pass is required to hike in Kananaskis. You can get one here.

You can choose to do Pocaterra Ridge as a point to point hike which would make the distance a little longer at 11.4km or you could do it as an out to the summit and back which would make your hike more like 9.8km.

If you are looking for a hike with larches AND insane views, this might just be the one! There is a little scrambling on the ridgeline but not much at all.

Gibbon Pass

Distance: 13.2km / 8.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 850m / 2,788 ft
Time: 5 – 6 hours
Location: Hike starts from the Arnica Lake Trailhead

Gibbon Pass is another amazing larch hike to do in Banff National Park which we ALMOST did, but didn’t have time for. The trail starts at the Arnica Lake Trailhead and takes you up to the Shadow Lake Lodge, passing through Gibbon Pass on the way.

Although we didn’t have time to do this one this year, we heard from a friend that there were HUNDREDS of golden larches so it definitely sounds like one that needs to be added to the list for next time!

Little Beehive

Distance: 8.6km / 5.3 miles
Elevation Gain: 535m / 1,755 ft
Time: 3-4 hours
Location: Trailhead located at Lake Louise

The Little Beehive is one of my favourite hikes at Lake Louise. It is a great beginner hike and the views of Lake Louise from above are absolutely bonkers! If you didn’t think the lake could get any bluer than when we see it from the shoreline, you are wrong. It is 10 times bluer from above!

There aren’t loads of larches on this trail. There are a few near the lookout and then when you look out at the viewpoint, you can see a few cluster of larches which I think just adds a bit of magic to the classic view.

You can also tie in Lake Agnes Teahouse with the Little Beehive and if you are feeling extra energetic, you could even go all of the way up to the Big Beehive, which is a similar view as the Little Beehive but you see more of the lake from a much higher vantage point.

Lake Agnes Tea House and the Big Beehive

Distance: 10.8km / 6.7 miles
Elevation Gain: 778m / 2,552 ft
Time: 4-6 hours
Location: Trailhead located at Lake Louise

When we originally hiked the Little Beehive, we added on Lake Agnes Teahouse and the Big Beehive to our hike which is easily done because they all follow the same trail.

Lake Agnes Teahouse was beautiful in the Fall. There are larches scattered all around it. Even if you don’t want to go all of the way up to the Big Beehive, I still recommend going to Lake Agnes as it does not add much onto your hike.

At Lake Agnes, there is also a teahouse where you can get hot drinks and some food. It gets super busy during the Summer but we noticed that it was a lot less manic in the Fall.

Ptarmigan Cirque

Distance: 3.4km / 2.11 miles
Elevation Gain: 241m / 790 ft
Time: 1-2 hours
Location: Kananaskis – Kananaskis Conservation Pass required

Ptarmigan Cirque is a nice short hike that is moderate in difficulty due to the steepness of the trail but is perfect for people who want to see larches but don’t want to hike too far.

Due to how short the hike is, the Ptarmigan Cirque is extremely popular and can get quite busy on the trail, so I recommend getting there early or hiking during the week instead of weekend.

On the trail you will see meadows, mountains, waterfalls and of course the beautiful golden larches during Fall.

🎒 What to Pack for Banff in Fall

As I mentioned earlier, you need to be prepared for all seasons when visiting the Canadian Rockies during Fall because you never know what the weather will be like. I recommend packing the following essential items.

Our Very Real Experience of Banff in the Fall

We visited Banff in the last week of September. We arrived on the 23rd September and started driving back to Vancouver on the 3rd October.

I remembered seeing that last year it was super sunny and hot in the Rockies during Fall. People were swimming in lakes and getting the most beautiful sunsets and sunrises in their photos.

Of course, that’s exactly what I was imagining our trip to be like, so when we finally arrived in Banff and our first full day was cloudy and rainy, followed by another 9 days of very mixed and unpredictable weather with absolutely no proper sunsets or sunrises, I was a little disappointed to say the least.

It was definitely hard to stay motivated to keep getting out to hike and explore in the rain but looking back on our trip now, it was so much fun and still so beautiful.

So this is your reminder, if you are thinking of booking a Fall trip to Banff, prepare for anything, expect nothing and just get out and explore as much as you possibly can!

🍁 Visiting Banff in the Fall? You might also enjoy:

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• The Best Lake Louise Tours
• Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Banff in October
• How to Spend 1 day in Banff in Summer
• 3 Days in Jasper National Park: The Ultimate Itinerary
• How to Get to Spirit Island in Jasper
• How to Spend a Weekend in Banff
• Beautiful Lakes in Jasper for Swimming and Kayaking
• How to Visit Banff Without a Car
• How to Visit the Stunning Lake O’Hara
• Amazing Icefields Parkway Stops You Shouldn’t Miss!
• Amazing Things to do in Banff this Winter
• Everything you Need to Know About Johnston Canyon
• How to See the Ice Bubbles at Abraham Lake, Alberta

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