5 Hikes to FALL in love with <3
Orange you glad its fall? Because I am! Here are my favorite hikes to do in Alberta this September that will bring the awe to autumn.
1. LARCH VALLEY and SENTINEL PASS
Larch Valley to Sentinel pass and Lake Moraine are highly sought-after attractions when visiting Canada if not one of the most beautiful places on earth. Luckily you can see all 3 in one trip.
Time: 4-6h
Distance: 13.6km
Elevation Gain: 925m
Hiking Difficulty (Shenandoah's formula): Moderately strenuous - Very Strenuous (287)
Technical Rating (Yosemite Decimal System): S-1.1 “Hikes predominately on a mix of maintained and used trails, requiring virtually no route-finding skill and covering terrain that consists of stable, easy footing, vegetation, or water obstacles, and low to moderate grades. There is little risk aside from weather and altitude”
Best time to go: Mid - end of September. “The 13 km road to Moraine Lake opens the Tuesday after Victoria Day in mid-May and closes the Tuesday after Canadian Thanksgiving in mid-October.”
Toilets: Yes. Located at Moraine lake parking lot
Trail Popularity: Very High - Extreme
Footwear: Hiking Shoes, Running shoes may vary depending on the weather.
Trailhead: Google maps link
Book your Parks Canada Shuttle and avoid full parking lots: Shuttle reservations
GPX download link: External download link
For the full hiking guide click this link HERE
2. PTARMIGAN CIRQUE
Ptarmigan Cirque is a family-friendly hike that’s located in the Highwood Pass area, it sits in between Mount Rae and Mount Arethusa. Be prepared for a short and easy hike that can be completed under 2.5 hours and if you’re lucky you can find 350 million year old fossils on this hike as well!
Time: 2 hours
Distance: 3.5km
Elevation Gain: 194m
Hiking Difficulty (Shenandoah's formula): Easy (52)
Technical Rating (Yosemite Decimal System): S-1.1 “Hikes predominately on a mix of maintained and used trails, requiring virtually no route-finding skill and covering terrain that consists of stable, easy footing, vegetation, or water obstacles, and low to moderate grades. There is little risk aside from weather and altitude”
Best time to go: Mid-September - Early October for the fall colors.
Toilets: Outhouses located at the Highwood Pass parking lot
Trail Popularity: Very High
Food and H20: 1-2L
Footwear: You can get away with trail runners and possibly running shoes in dry/ favorable conditions. Hiking shoes and boots are always recommended.
Trailhead: Start Here
Parking: Park Here
3. ROCKBOUND LAKE
Tower lake and Rockbound lake offers a steady and gradual climb towards one of Banff’s most iconic mountain ranges with a breathtaking experience. These lakes are great options to stop early if you choose not to finish any of the surrounding peaks next to Castle Mountain.
Time: 7- 8.5 hours
Distance: 16.8 km
Elevation Gain: 760m
Hiking Difficulty (Shenandoah's formula): Very strenuous (228)
Technical Rating (Yosemite Decimal System): S-1.1 “Hikes predominately on a mix of maintained and used trails, requiring virtually no route-finding skill and covering terrain that consists of stable, easy footing, vegetation, or water obstacles, and low to moderate grades. There is little risk aside from weather and altitude”
Best time to go: June - October
Toilets: Outhouses at the trailhead
Trail Popularity: Low
Footwear: Hiking boots, Hiking Shoes, and Trail runners are ok. Regular running shoes will get muddy.
Trailhead and parking: Google maps link
GPX download link: External download link
For the full hiking guide: Click here
4. AYLMER LOOKOUT
The best birds-eye view of Lake Minnewanka hands down. Don’t even bother arguing with me on this.
Time: 7-9 hrs
Distance: 24.5 km
Elevation Gain: 1085m
Hiking Difficulty (Shenandoah's formula): Very Strenuous (329)
Technical Rating (Yosemite Decimal System): Class 1. Walking with a low chance of injury, Well maintained trail.
Best time to go: July 10 - September 15
Toilets: Yes, At Lake Minnewanka day-use area.
Trail Popularity: High at the start of the hike - Low as you begin your ascent to Aylmer Lookout
Footwear: Hiking Shoes or Boots
Trailhead/Parking: https://goo.gl/maps/Sr2QrbgobWqdmfDR7
Important Trail Restriction Notices: Click here before you go
5. EIFEL LAKE
Eifel lake is located in the Valley of Ten Peaks, it’s accessible by getting to Lake Morraine and is a great option if you’d like to avoid the crowds in the area. You’ll be surrounded by larches, Beautiful lakes, and will have amazing backdrops towering above you. This hike gets the Mr. Mountain Man double thumbs-up approval.
Time: 4-6h
Distance: 12.2 km
Elevation Gain: 609m
Hiking Difficulty (Shenandoah's formula): Moderate - Strenuous (174)
Technical Rating (Yosemite Decimal System): S-1.1 Hikes predominately on a mix of maintained and use trails, requiring virtually no route-finding skill and covering terrain that consists of stable, easy footing, vegetation, or water obstacles, and low to moderate grades. There is little risk aside from weather and altitude.
Best time to go: Mid - end of September. “The 13 km road to Moraine Lake opens the Tuesday after Victoria Day in mid-May and closes the Tuesday after Canadian Thanksgiving in mid-October.”
Toilets: Yes. Located at Moraine lake parking lot
Trail Popularity: Medium - High
Footwear: Hiking Shoes, Running shoes may vary depending on the weather.
Trailhead: Google maps link
Book your Parks Canada Shuttle and avoid full parking lots: Shuttle reservations