BEST 6 Larch Hikes in Alberta (That You Can Do With Your Kids)

Are you looking for the best larch hikes in Alberta that are family-friendly?

You can probably already smell it in the air: Fall is around the corner. With this season, warm-earthy soups, teas, pumpkin drinks and food, and cozy comfort food are expected and very well-loved.

But what else is there to enjoy about the Autumn in Alberta with your family? The larch trees.

Having lived in the province of Quebec, I am used to (and miss) the Eastern Fall filled with colors. The trees have so many shades of red, orange, and yellow. If you ever get the chance to travel East during the Autumn, Mont-Royal is a great place to admire this!

Alberta may not have the gorgeous foliage from the East, but it has the beautiful larches. Alberta and BC are the lucky provinces where you can enjoy this phenomenon between September and October.

In this article, we’re sharing the best larch hikes in Alberta that you can do with your family. We’ll also give you the best tips to be fully prepared to chase the gold!

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What Exactly is a Larch Tree, and What’s Unique About Them?

According to the Canadian Encyclopedia, “Larches are slender [conifers], with straight, gradually tapering trunks and narrow, irregular crowns. Larches are the only Canadian deciduous conifers, turning golden and shedding all their leaves in fall. The leaves are needlelike, soft and borne in clusters on dwarf twigs. The cones are 1-4 cm long, and composed of smooth scales and pointed bracts (modified leaves).”

Maybe what’s so special about them is that, although there are several places in Alberta where you can hike up and see this golden-hued scenery, they are not found everywhere. Spruce, pine, and fir (evergreen trees) are far easier to find and spot.

When is Peak Season for Larch Hikes in Alberta?

This will vary every year. However, you can expect the “golden madness” from mid-September to early October. So, get your hiking stuff ready and read below to find the best family-friendly larch Hikes in Alberta!

The 6 Best Family-Friendly Larch Hikes in Alberta

Below is a list of Alberta’s best 6 larch hikes you can do with your kids. Most of them are located in Kananaskis Country.

If you’re in a hurry and want to know which one is the BEST, here is our verdict:

• The BEST larch hike in Alberta: Larch Valley Hike in Lake Moraine, Banff National Park
• The BEST and EASIEST larch hike in Alberta for your KIDS: Ptarmigan Cirque Hike in Kananaskis Country

1. Larch Valley Hike

Larch Valley may very well be the most popular hike to see the golden larches in Alberta. This trail is located near the beautiful and famous Lake Moraine in Banff National Park and offers spectacular views.

Moreover, you’ll start your hike near the lake and find your way up through a shaded path to reach the Larch Valley. It’s a steady uphill with several switchbacks, but it is manageable if you walk slowly and take several picture breaks with your kids.

After around 2.5 km, you”ll finally get into the larch forest. When you reach the valley, you’ll be rewarded with endless views of mountains and glaciers.

Known as the Valley of the Ten Peaks, you’ll see Deltaform Mountain, Mount Tuzo, Mount Allen, Mount Perren, Mount Bowlen, and Mt. Fay with its beautiful glacier. Other nearby mountains are Mount Eiffel and the ever-so-popular Mount Temple. 

You and your kids can stop to admire the scenery and snack in several areas. This trail is rated hard on AllTrails and may not be for every family, but kids as young as 5 can hike up to be submerged in gold. 

Finally, you can continue to reach the Sentinel Pass to see the Paradise Valley. The switchbacks look scarier than they are. It is unnecessary to do this if you’re uncomfortable, but know it is worth it.  

🥾 Larch Valley Technical Information (from AllTrails) 🥾
Distance: 8.9 km (5.5 miles) out-and-back
Difficulty: Hard
Elevation gain: 604 m
Best Time to Go: Mid-September to early October
Permit Requirement: Parks Canada Discovery Pass

2. Chester Lake Hike

Located in beautiful Kananaskis Country, Chester Lake will offer stunning scenery year-round. Mt Chester is the backdrop to the identically named lake. It’s one of the best larch hikes in Kananaskis.

Moreover, the trail to reach the lake is vast and gains elevation quickly. Forests and meadows will surround you, and you may be able to spot some larches on your way to the lake.

But it’s important to note that most larches are near the trail’s end. So, hard work will pay off!

If you continue walking about 300 m from the lake onto the Three Lakes Valley Trail, you’ll reach the well-known elephant rocks, a pile of boulders that have fallen from neighboring mountains. Kids will love climbing on these rocks!

Finally, this is an excellent option to enjoy an autumn weekend to observe the larches with your family. You should know it gets pretty busy, so try and go early!

🥾 Elephant Rocks via Chester Lake Technical Information (from AllTrails) 🥾
Distance: 9.3 km (5.8 miles) out-and-back
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 449 m
Best Time to Go: Mid-September to early October
Permit Requirement: Kananaskis Conservation Pass

3. Pocaterra Ridge Hike

Easily one of the most popular larch hikes in Alberta, Pocaterra Cirque and Pocaterra Ridge will reward you with exquisite views of Highwood Ridge, Grizzly Ridge, Mount Pocaterra, and, of course, the golden larches.

Also, depending on your fitness level, you can choose between reaching just Pocaterra Cirque or hiking further up the ridge.

Pocaterra Cirque is a kid-friendly trail that offers an enjoyable adventure. As the weather gets colder, there is a lot of mist and moisture, which makes the trail to the cirque muddy. This is pretty fun for the kids, so make sure they are dressed appropriately.

Before you reach the steep section to get to the ridge’s summit, there is a tarn where kids will enjoy jumping on rocks or throwing them off to the water.

If you feel like adding a few extra kilometers and enjoying a ridge walk (because who doesn’t appreciate a ridge walk? It’s pretty cool to do that!), continue further to reach Pocaterra Ridge.

Moreover, I highly recommend using two vehicles (unless you want to walk the distance twice – a little less than 20 km): one parked at the Little Highwood day-use area and the other at Highwood Pass. I suggest not doing the complete ridge walk with kids, as it can be a long day for them.

Either doing Pocaterra Cirque or just reaching the south summit (Pocaterra Ridge summit) will suffice to be submerged in yellow!

Please note that the Little Highwood day-use area parking lot is limited and packed during larch season by 8 or 9 a.m. So, arrive early! Many hikers park their vehicles along Highway 40.

Alberta Parks sometimes hands out tickets, so watch out for parking instructions.

🥾 Pocaterra Cirque Technical Information (from AllTrails) 🥾
Distance: 6.9 km (4.3 miles) out-and-back
Difficulty: Hard
Elevation gain: 434 m
Best Time to Go: Mid-September to early October
Permit Requirement: Kananaskis Conservation Pass

🥾 Pocaterra Ridge Technical Information (from AllTrails) 🥾
Distance: 9.8 km (6.1 miles) point-to-point
Difficulty: Hard
Elevation gain: 730 m
Best Time to Go: Mid-September to early October
Permit Requirement: Kananaskis Conservation Pass

4. Arethusa Cirque Hike

Arethusa Cirque is a short, sweet, scenic trail on Highway 40 in Kananaskis Country. You will see the first larches and reach a meadow with a stream before arriving at the first kilometer.

Once there, you’ll feel tiny in the middle of colossal mountains such as Little Arethusa, Mount Arethusa, and Storm Mountain. The latter is my favorite when hiking this trail: it looks like a frozen ocean wave to me.

You can almost see the texture on the rock face of this imposing peak!

I recommend following this trail clockwise as there is a steep and loose section that is better to do while going up rather than going down.

Moreover, this trail rewards you with spotting the golden larch trees and finding some fossils such as horn corals and shells. Kids will love this!

Finally, once at the cirque, you can enjoy a picnic with your family while taking in your dose of yellow before heading back down following the loop trail.

🥾 Arethusa Cirque Technical Information (from AllTrails) 🥾
Distance: 4.5 km (2.8 miles) loop
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 377 m
Best Time to Go: Mid-September to early October
Permit Requirement: Kananaskis Conservation Pass

5. Ptarmigan Cirque Hike

This trail is rated as “moderate,” but I think this is a very easy hike. Perhaps the easiest one of all the ones listed in this blog entry.

You’ll start walking in a forested area where you will gain elevation quickly. Before continuing to the cirque, there is a small viewpoint where you can see the larches across Highway 40, right below Highwood Ridge. If you go during the peak days, you’ll be stunned by the yellow-colored trees.

Furthermore, as you arrive at the cirque, you’ll be encircled by mountains: Mount Rae, Mount Arethusa, and Little Arethusa. You can find the perfect spot almost anywhere to enjoy snacks with your kids.

This area has a small but pretty waterfall that turns into a creek/stream. Kids can enjoy jumping on rocks or playing with the (cold) water.

Finally, as you return to the trailhead, watch out for bighorn sheep!

We were lucky to spot a few of them eating not far from the main trail! You should also be mindful that, as anywhere in bear country, grizzly bears roam in the area. We saw a sow and her three cubs as we drove away from the trailhead.

You should always carry bear spray. Have fun and be safe!

🥾 Ptarmigan Cirque Technical Information (from AllTrails) 🥾
Distance: 3.4 km (2.1 miles) loop
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 263 m
Best Time to Go: Mid-September to early October
Permit Requirement: Kananaskis Conservation Pass

6. Tent Ridge

Of all these larch hikes, I would probably say that Tent Ridge Horseshoe Trail is one of the most beautiful to hike. Not only during larch season but anytime, really. 

I recommend doing this hike with kids 8 years old and older and in a clockwise manner, as there is a scrambling section that may not be too safe for toddlers or if scrambled down/counterclockwise. 

In addition, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views of the ridge, the Spray Lakes Reservoir, and its neighboring mountains: Mount Smuts and Mount Shark. If you look at the horizon across the reservoir, you will see Mount Fortune, Mount Turbulent, and Mount Nestor, which will take your breath away. The mountains here are just infinite!

In fact, there are not enough words to describe how beautiful this trail is! You should try it with your family. 

🥾 Tent Ridge Horseshoe Technical Information (from AllTrails) 🥾
Distance: 10.1 km (6.3 miles) loop
Difficulty: Hard
Elevation gain: 830 m
Best Time to Go: Mid-September to early October
Permit Requirement: Kananaskis Conservation Pass

Tips for Seeing Larch Trees in Alberta

• Go as early (or late) as possible to find a parking spot and avoid crowds. There is nothing like enjoying the larches in a calm and quiet environment. You don’t want to be eternally lining up to reach the summit.
• Have a plan B or C if the trail you want to do is too crowded. Be ready to pivot and discover new options!
• Be kind and patient if you are on a crowded trail. Everyone is there for the same reason as you. Enjoy the moment!
• Pack out what you pack in. Do not litter these beautiful trails. Protect the flora and fauna!
• Bring the proper Fall gear! As the temps get lower, you can expect freezing winds, snow, and rain in the mountains. The weather in alpine and subalpine regions can be unforgiving, so bring wind/rain/snow coats, layers, hats, and gloves. 
• Book your shuttles if hiking in Banff National Park (i.e. Larch Valley) as early as possible. This is a busy season (well, anytime, really!). You don’t want to miss out on the fun! If you can’t book a shuttle, there are plenty of other larch hikes in the region that you can enjoy with your family.
• Respect the traffic and parking rules set by the Provincial and National parks. Don’t speed, as there are people and wildlife, and don’t park in areas where it is prohibited. Avoid getting a ticket and ruining the fun!

How to See Larch Trees Without Hiking in Alberta

If you don’t want (or can’t) hike to see the larches, there are a few options that do not involve a lot of walking (or any walking, as you can drive). 

Drive Along Highway 40

You can drive along Highway 40, where Pocaterra Ridge, Pocaterra Cirque, Ptarmigan Cirque, and Arethusa Cirque are located. You will surely see the larches from your car!

Drive Along The Smith Dorrien Trail

Another option is to drive along the Smith Dorrien Trail, which is the same road you would take if you were hiking Tent Ridge Horseshoe Trail. There are several viewpoints along the road where you will likely spot larches in the towering mountains near the Spray Lakes Reservoir. 

Ride the Lake Louise Gondola

Finally, you can also ride the Lake Louise gondola to get that golden hue in the air. A few short, easy trails at the top of the gondola will allow you to experience this phenomenon. 

F.A.Q Best Larch Hikes in Alberta

What is larch season?

Larch season is between mid-September and early October when these conifers, known as larch trees, turn from green to yellow. 

You can enjoy this yearly occurrence in Kananaskis Country and Banff National Park. 

Where is the best place to see larches in Alberta?

Larch Valley is probably the most known and popular trail to see the larch trees. Since the road to Lake Moraine is closed to personal vehicles, it’s more difficult to reach this trail as the shuttle service fills up super fast.

I would highly suggest enjoying other trails, such as Tent Ridge Horseshoe Trail, which, although busy, is easier to get to than Larch Valley. 

Which larch trail is best in Banff?

The best larch trail in Banff is the Larch Valley trail, which is also one of the best larch hikes in Alberta.

Where are larch trees in Alberta?

The larches grow primarily in southern Alberta. Some trails in Banff National Park and Kananaskis Country have alpine and subalpine zones (1,800 m and above) where these trees can grow and survive. You can look at the picture below to know which areas have larches.

How long do larches stay yellow?

This phenomenon doesn’t last long. Probably less than a month. The dates will vary yearly, but you can usually see these conifers have this golden hue from mid-September to early October before the first snowfall in the mountains when they lose their needles. Head out and soak up the autumn vibe.