Banff 
The golden larch trees of Alberta’s Rocky Mountains create some of the most magnificent fall scenery. Luckily for hikers, there are several trails around Banff National Park that lead to these unique fall scenes.
Credit: M.E. Sanseverino/Flickr/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
The top eight hikes in Banff (other than Moraine Lake hikes) for seeing the golden larch trees are all rated as moderate to difficult. These hikes are all over 5km out and back, with elevation gains between 300m and 700m.
So, in order to make the most of your time on the trails, plan for a full day of sightseeing and hiking!
FYI: Hikes that begin from Moraine Lake, like Larch Valley (considered the top Larch hike in Banff NP), are not listed here.
Lake Agnes
The Lake Agnes Tea House is the star of this hike, with a few golden larch views along the way. Follow the trail away from Lake Louise to find the tea house, open until Thanksgiving, set amongst a beautiful mountain backdrop.
Lake Agnes is surrounded by larch trees to create a dream-like setting while you sip tea and snack on sweets mid-hike.
There are also great views of Lake Louise from higher up along the Lake Agnes Trail.
Length: 6.8km out-and-back, 385 m elevation gain
Location: Upper Lake Louise parking area
Details
Saddleback
The Saddleback Trail will bring your hike toward the opposite side of Lake Louise as the Lake Agnes Trail.
The hike will lead south of Lake Louise and up a steady climb to the Saddleback. This area offers views of Mount Temple and the Paradise Valley, lined with golden larch trees.
The Saddleback Trail is a peaceful escape from some of the more crowded trails.
Length: 7.4km out-and-back, 595 m elevation gain
Location: Follow the Saddleback trail starting on the boathouse side of Lake Louise.
Details
Arnica Lake
The Arnica Lake Trail from Highway 93 will provide a few different route options. Take a quick and simple route from the parking lot for a walk to Vista Lake and back at 2.8km.
For a longer hike, and to get under the shade of the golden larch trees, follow the trail a further 5km to Arnica Lake.
The entire Arnica Lake hike will offer changing scenery the entire way.
Length: 10.2km out-and-back, 580 m elevation gain
Location: Vista Lake viewpoint on Highway 93 South
Details
Taylor Lake
It is a steady climb up to the beautiful and serene Taylor Lake, one of Banff’s many glacial lakes.
The Taylor Lake trail is considered one of the more difficult of the golden larch hikes in the park given its distance and the uphill hike to the lake.
Once you arrive, there is plenty of space for relaxing on the shores and taking in the views.
Length: 12.6km out-and-back, 585 m elevation gain
Location: Taylor Creek day-use area, 8 km west of Castle Junction on the south side of the Trans-Canada Highway
Details
Bourgeau Lake
One of the great things about the hike up to Bourgeau Lake is that the climb is nice and steady or gradual.
The trail has stunning views the entire way, from the forests and meadows to streams and waterfalls to the lake itself. All of this is dotted with bright fall foliage, including a few groupings of larch trees.
Length: 14.4km out-and-back; 725 m elevation gain;
Location: South side of the Trans-Canada Highway, 13 km west of the Mt. Norquay Interchange.
Rockbound Lake
Take on the challenge of the Rockbound Lake Trail to explore quintessential Banff scenery, including golden larch trees.
Rockbound Lake itself is an interesting sight with tall rock walls and cliffs surrounding the water. And the base of the grey mountains is brought to life with the blazing gold colours of the larch groves.
Length: 16.8km out-and-back; 760 m elevation gain;
Location: Rockbound Lake parking lot on the Bow Valley Parkway (Highway 1A).
Boulder Pass
Experience the tranquillity of one of the quieter parts of Banff National Park, yet with the convenience of being near the village of Lake Louise.
The Boulder Pass hike is certainly a full-day endeavour and will bring you to incredible meadow views among the giant peaks. Larch trees line the edges of the trail and the bases of the nearby mountains.
Length: 17.2km out-and-back, 640 m elevation gain
Location: Fish Creek parking area, off Whitehorn Road, Lake Louise
Details
Healy Pass
The Healy Pass hike is considered one of the more challenging hikes in Banff, let alone the golden larch hikes. It is 18km total with over 600m in elevation gain. But with the work comes incredible rewards through sweeping views of alpine meadows dotted with larch groves.
Length: 18km out-and-back; 655 m elevation gain
Trailhead: Sunshine Village parking lot
Details
