Larch Valley Hike, The Valley Of The Golden Larches

Larch Valley is truly the valley of the golden larches with a stunning array of bright orange and yellow colored larch trees throughout the hike. The valley of the 10 peaks in the foreground dusted with snow adds to its brilliance.

This hike to Larch Valley is most popular in late fall, (Sept) as people flock to see the golden larch trees before they shed their golden-colored needles.

The Larch Valley Hike is an approx 8.6 km moderate hiking trail beginning at the beloved Moraine Lake up to the Sentinel Pass area.

Getting there:

Moraine Lake is about 2 hours and 20 min from Calgary Alberta.

It is a very popular area with hikes ( Larch Valley via Sentinel Pass, Eiffel Lake, Consolation, and Tower of Babel)based at Moraine Lake. The parking lot fills up early due to its popularity through the open season. It closes for the winter between October 15, to May 18, depending on the weather.

The recommended time to get a parking spot is before 6:30 a.m., midday, or evening. The best bet is to catch the shuttle for a $20 return starting at 8:00 AM -3:40 PM. However, these times don’t work well for Sunrise or sunsets over the stunning turquoise waters.

Larch Valley Hike

The Larch Valley hike heads up the northwest side of the lake to a steep switchback pathway for about 2.2 km, which continues on a gradual ascent over a few bridges before reaching the valley. Just to the left on the trail to Eiffel Lake is a creek, a must-stop along the trail.

The valley is called the Valley Of The 10 Peaks a panoramic skyline that covers a wide range from Moraine Lake to the Sentinel Summit. A feature photo on the Canadian $10 bill.

The weather in the area is very unpredictable this time of year so it’s a good idea to come prepared. Having the proper Back-Country essentials such as footwear, layered clothing, and bear spray are a must as bears are often spotted in the area.

Best Hikes For Larch Trees

• Arethusa Cirque
• Ptarmigan Cirque
• Larch Valley
• Loretta Ponds
• Healy Pass
• Lake Agnes
• Burstall Pass
• Pocaterra
• Chester Lake

Larch trees are found mostly in higher-elevation alpine areas. However, there are many varieties of larch trees and some can also be found in your own neighborhood.

Follow me on Instagram @internethousewife for more adventures. See ya there!

Update: Due to changes, personal vehicles are no longer allowed up to Moraine Lake. Entry is by scenic bus tours or bikes.