Banff National Park, Canada
Larch Valley Loop
Route detail
About this route
One unhurried day through golden larch forest to Sentinel Pass above Moraine Lake. A perfect first mountain day with a local guide.
Daily activity
4–6 hr on trail.
Terrain
Forest switchbacks, alpine meadows and one broad pass.
Best season
September for larches; June to October for hiking
Your guide office
Yamnuska Mountain Adventures
Based in Canmore, Canada
What's included
Guide, trail lunch, park entry.
Not included
Transport from Canmore, gratuities.
Itinerary
- 1
Moraine Lake start
Time: 4–6 hr
Early shuttle to the lake, switchbacks into Larch Valley.
- 2
Sentinel Pass
Time: 2–3 hr
Lunch at the pass with the Ten Peaks in view, then the same way back.
What to pack
Built for this route's terrain, altitude and number of days. Tick items off as you pack — without the right footwear or hard shell, a guide can refuse to take you up.
0 / 24 packed
Footwear and pack
Broken in before the trip — new boots are the most common cause of an abandoned day.
Clothing layers
Three layers, no cotton. Temperatures can swing 20 °C between valley and summit.
Sun, health and altitude
UV rises roughly 10% every 1,000 m of altitude.
Documents and small items
Keep these in a zipped pocket, not the main compartment.
Boots, crampons, ice axe and harness can usually be rented from Yamnuska Mountain Adventures in Canmore, Canada — confirm sizes when you agree your dates.
Traveller feedback
Ratings collected from travellers who completed this route with Yamnuska Mountain Adventures.
4.8
★★★★★122 ratings
Written reviews for this departure are still being collected. Ask us for references from previous groups before you pay — we will forward them from the guide office.
Questions about this route?
Talk to the guides who run it — gear, fitness, weather windows, private dates. We answer within one working day.
€95
per person
Guide, trail lunch, park entry.
Next departure · 21 September 2027
10 of 10 spots left
Live availability updates daily and after every booking.