Banff 
Visit Banff this Thanksgiving weekend to see golden larches.
There are a few ways to get a glimpse of Banff’s golden larches during fall. You can take on challenging hikes, simple walks, or a gondola ride to get your best photo opportunities. So, even if you’re not into hiking, there is a chance to see these beauties in a more relaxed setting.
So, what is the hype around Banff’s larches?
Banff is where you will find an abundance of Alberta’s Tamarack/Alpine Larch Trees. For spring and summer, these larches blend in with the rest of the evergreen scenery. During the fall, when the deciduous trees begin to transform- into reds, oranges, golds – so too do the larches. Unlike many conifer trees, the larch trees transform into rich gold or yellow hues in the fall.
There is a special contrast that takes place at this time of year in Banff’s scenery. We get the gold of the larches, the green surrounding forests, the deciduous fall colours, bright blue waters, and, if we’re lucky, a blue sky too.
Getting to the Larches on Thanksgiving Weekend
Banff National Park is popular at any time of year as the area draws in local, national, and international tourism. Based on this alone, it is always a good idea to get an early start on your plans in the park or your travel plans to the park. There is a fee to enter the Banff gates, which will vary depending on your length (number of days) of stay. The peak time for entry to the park is usually around rush hour on Friday of the long weekend. So, if you can get there in the morning, you may save yourself time in line.
The best of Banff’s larches are about a 40-45 minute drive from Banff. Conveniently, these trailheads and locations from where to see the larches are all generally in the same spots: Lake Louise and Moraine Lake.
There is no public vehicle access open for Moraine Lake.
Though Lake Louise is open to public vehicles, it is best to avoid driving altogether if you can- you’ll spend more time sightseeing and less time bunting for a parking spot or stuck in traffic!
Banff is set up with two main modes of public transportation: ROAM city buses and Parks Canada shuttle buses.
Moraine Lake Hikes
Location and how to get there: at the end of Moraine Lake Road via Lake Louise Drive and Highway
- No personal vehicle access.
- In 2025, Route 10 will not operate. Until October 13, access Moraine Lake via Route 8X. You must buy the “Superpass,” which will first take you to Lake Louise Lakefront. Change onto the Parks Canada Shuttle to Moraine Lake.
- Parks Canada shuttles have a park-and-ride location in Lake Louise Village. These shuttles are only open until October 13, 2025.
How to Get to Moraine Lake – Shuttles, Public Transit and Tours
Larch Valley or Sentinel Pass
The famous Larch Valley hike in Banff begins at the Moraine Lakeshore and Lodge. From here, the trail travels near the lake’s shores before entering the trees. There will be a steady incline from here to the turn-around location of Minnestima Lake. Nearly the whole hike will offer views of vast larch forests in all their golden glory.
Length: 8.6km out-and-back
You may extend your hike from here, as well. The Larch Valley Trail is part of the Sentinel Pass Trail. This hike goes beyond Minnestima Lake by about 3km, and offers birds-eye-views of the larch trees. The trail also leads through Paradise Valley, a second location for bright golden larch trees.
Length: 11km out-and-back
Consolation Lakes
This is one of the simpler trails for viewing larches in Banff. The hike to Consolation Lakes takes about 2-hours total, including time at the isolated, peaceful lakes. The golden larches around the lakes are a bit smaller than some others in Banff, but the additional fall foliage only adds to the picturesque qualities of the area.
Length: 5.8km out-and-back
Lake Louise Hikes
Location and how to get there (Lake Louise shoreline): west end of Lake Louise Drive via Highway 1
- Use Banff ROAM Transit route 8x Lake Louise Scenic. The first bus will leave Banff for Lake Louise Village and shoreline stops at 6:20 am. The last bus back to Banff is available at 10:40 p.m.
- Parks Canada shuttles has a park and ride location in Lake Louise Village. These shuttles are only open until October 13, 2025. Use any of the three Lake Louise shuttles.
- Parking is limited and fills up early in the morning.
Lake Agnes Trail
The claim-to-fame for the Lake Agnes Trail near Lake Louise is the Lake Agnes Tea House. Thanksgiving Weekend is the last weekend each season to visit this quaint, picturesque, and often much-needed café on your hike.
Another bonus for fall hikers on the Lake Agnes Trail is the golden larch trees.
The shores of Lake Agnes are dotted with beautiful fall foliage, as are some of the waterfall views.
The Lake Agnes Tea House is open from 8 am-5 pm until Thanksgiving.
Length: 6.8km out-and-back
Hiking Escape to Alberta’s Rocky Mountain Tea Houses
Saddleback Trail
The Saddleback Pass route is considered a moderately challenging hike with an elevation gain of 595m and a steady climb up the mountainside. From the top, you are granted views of Paradise Valley and Mount Temple on the opposite side of the valley. Paradise Valley is home to abundant larch trees, and this hike will give you a view of hundreds and hundreds of gold larches all at once.
Length: 8.4km out-and-back
Lake Louise Gondola
Now is the perfect time to visit the Lake Louis Ski Resort if you want incredible views of Banff’s golden larches. The gondola takes you up the hill, where you’ll see an endless sea of gold. October 8th is the last day to ride the Summer Gondola!
