Larch Valley Trail to Sentinel Pass Day Hike in Banff National Park

By: September 10, 2017

Lake Moraine

Sentinel Pass is a popular day hike in Banff National Park located right off beautiful Lake Moraine and the world famous Valley of Ten Peaks. The valley was featured on the 1969 and 1979 issues of the Canadian twenty dollar bill. In mid-September, the Larch Valley is filled with golden larch trees which are in prime of changing their foliage, attracting travelers from all over the world to explore and experience one of the most colorful natural phenomena.

Trip Information:

  • Distance: 10.5 km (6.5 mi) round-trip
  • Elevation Gain: 760 meters (3,000 ft)
  • Estimated Duration: 4 – 7hrs round-trip
  • Directions: From Banff
  • Alltrails Map: Sentinel Pass Trail

The Larch Valley trailhead is located right off Lake Moraine parking lot. When you approach the trailhead, you will see a sign warning that you must hike in groups of 4+ people due to the increased grizzly bear activity in the area. Since this is a highly popular hike, joining a bigger group or tagging along if you’re solo shouldn’t be a problem.

Stay to the right and you will quickly gain elevation through a series of switchbacks in a dense pine forest. Occasionally, you will be able to get a glance of the vivid turquoise colors of Lake Moraine’s glacier fed basin.

Getting a glimpse of Lake Moraine through the trees during initial elevation gain.

Eventually, the terrain will level out and you will enter a beautiful plateau filled with thousands of larch trees surrounded by giant cascading peaks.

Looking back at The Valley Of Ten Peaks

Looking at Sentinel Pass on the right

Once you’ve gotten above the treeline, you will reach the Minnestimma Alpine Lake with clear views of switchbacks up ahead leading up to the Sentinel Pass. It’s a relatively short, but very steep and strenuous climb. The trail is filled with loose rocks, so be careful, wear proper shoes and take your time.

Looking at Valley of Ten Peaks from Sentinel Pass with Minnestimma Alpine Lake on the right.

Once over the pass, you will be rewarded with magnificent views of the Paradise Valley. This is the highest point in Canada that could be reached by a hiking trail at elevation of 8,528ft. It can get pretty windy at the pass, so make sure to bring an extra layer of clothing to keep warm.

Looking into Paradise Valley