Moraine Lake to Lake Louise Traverse: Our Epic 19-Mile Day

Hiking from Moraine Lake to Lake Louise in a single day is one of the best things we’ve ever done in Banff National Park. It strings together Larch Valley, Sentinel Pass, Paradise Valley, Giant Steps, Saddleback Pass and Fairview Mountain into 18.9 miles (30.4 km) and 6,696 ft (2,041 m) of climbing. We rate it 10/10, but it’s a long, hard day and it isn’t for everyone.

We didn’t even plan to do it. We found out at the bus stop at 4 a.m. that the through-hike was possible, and we committed on the spot.

Quick facts

Route: Moraine Lake → Larch Valley → Sentinel Pass → Paradise Valley → Giant Steps → Lake Annette → Saddleback Pass → Fairview Mountain → Lake Louise
Distance: 18.9 miles (30.4 km), one way
Climbing: 6,696 ft (2,041 m)
Our time: 7.5 hours moving, 9 hours 20 minutes on the trail (5:37 a.m. to 2:58 p.m.)
High point: Fairview Mountain, 8,977 ft (2,736 m). Skip Fairview and the day gets shorter.
Getting there: shuttle only. Moraine Lake Road is closed to private cars.
Difficulty: hard. Two big passes, loose rockslide terrain, and an optional scree summit at the end.
When we went: 27 July 2026
Our rating: 10/10

Before you go: check Parks Canada’s trail conditions and closures and restrictions, and read recent reports for the first half of the route on AllTrails (Sentinel Pass Trail). Book the sunrise bus with Moraine Lake Bus Company.

Getting to Moraine Lake for sunrise

Moraine Lake Road is closed to private vehicles, so a shuttle is the only way in. We booked the Moraine Lake Bus Company sunrise shuttle, at CA$115 per person. Sunrise departures park at Samson Mall in Lake Louise Village and board outside Wilson Mountain Sports.

Our alarms went off at 2 a.m., we were out the door at 3, and the drive from Banff to Lake Louise Village took 45 minutes. The ride up was quiet and peaceful, and we were the first ones off the bus.

Moraine Lake and the Ten Peaks at blue hour before sunrise, Banff National Park

Sunrise on the Rockpile (and a plea)

We hustled up the Rockpile and had our pick of spots. Then the groups arrived, and the guided groups were the worst. Headlamps swung into people’s faces, voices carried, and nobody seemed to notice the 30 other people trying to have a quiet moment. My timelapse got wrecked by light spilling across the frame.

So, a plea: point your light at the ground, turn it off once you’re set up, and keep your voice down. It’s not complicated.

After that, clouds rolled in and killed the colour, so we left early and started hiking. It was the best call of the day.

Larch Valley and Sentinel Pass

This is one of the best climbs in the park. There were wildflowers everywhere, the Ten Peaks stacked up behind us, and there was a photo spot at nearly every switchback. It’s about 2,400 ft (730 m) of climbing from the lake, and it goes faster than the numbers suggest.

Larch Valley meadows with the Ten Peaks behind, on the hike from Moraine Lake to Lake Louise

Clouds over the upper Larch Valley on the approach to Sentinel Pass

Over the pass, the trail crosses rockslide terrain into Paradise Valley. It’s loose and a little exposed, so watch your feet. We managed it easily, but take your time here.

Looking across Paradise Valley toward the cirque, Banff National Park

The Horseshoe detour that wasn’t

We were well ahead of schedule at the junction, so we tried to add the Horseshoe loop. About half a mile (0.8 km) in, the trail vanished. We followed game trails while trying to match AllTrails and our Garmin, never found it, and turned back. If you know where the trail actually picks up, tell us, because we want to go back for it.

Giant Steps

Giant Steps was worth every extra step: a wide staircase of waterfalls pouring over rock slabs. It’s a great place to sit down and eat, and it fixed our mood after the Horseshoe mess.

Lake Annette

Lake Annette is another spot where you’ll want to stay longer than you should. On a hot day, it’s a real swimming stop. After that, the trail drops back down to the river before the next big climb.

Saddleback Pass

The second climb is a similar effort to the first, but the views open up in every direction and stay open. Keep looking around, both for the views and because this is bear country and you don’t want anything sneaking up on you. It went by surprisingly fast.

On the way up we spotted a brown animal moving through the meadow below the trail. It may have been a young grizzly, but we were never able to confirm what it was, which is exactly why you keep your eyes up here.

Fairview Mountain: the optional summit

At Saddleback Pass we decided to go up Fairview Mountain. It isn’t for everyone: it’s about 1,300 ft (400 m) more on loose scree at the end of an already long day. We didn’t get the view hovering straight over Lake Louise that we’d hoped for, but it was still spectacular. Sign the summit register if you make it.

The summit register plaque on top of Fairview Mountain

The way down

After the summit it’s cruise control down to Lake Louise. We took the short detour to the Fairview Lookout, and by then we were out of water but still had energy.

Looking down toward Lake Louise through the trees on the descent from Saddleback

The shoreline trail that continues along the far side of Lake Louise from there is closed. We went along it anyway, and it was unmaintained, full of fallen trees and muddy in places. We wouldn’t recommend it: closures in a national park are there for a reason, and you can be fined. Instead, head back down to the lakeshore the way the open trail goes.

We reached the Lake Louise shuttle stop around 3 p.m. and caught an earlier bus than we’d booked. Our backup plan was the 2-mile (3 km) downhill walk to the car. A cold soda from the little grocery store in Samson Mall never tasted so good.

Bears: don’t copy us

We didn’t carry bear spray on this hike. Instead, we played a speaker in the remote, empty sections and talked the rest of the time. That was a mistake, and we wouldn’t do it again. Parks Canada recommends carrying bear spray and knowing how to use it, and this route runs through prime grizzly country.

Also check whether group access restrictions are in force before you go. Around Larch Valley and Sentinel Pass, Parks Canada sometimes requires hikers to travel in a tight group of four or more when bears are active. When that’s in place, team up with other hikers at the trailhead, and check the closures and restrictions page the night before.

The bite

Lunch on the summit

Our trail food was the same as always: peanut butter and jelly from to-go packets we save from hotel breakfasts, on bread from the Banff grocery store. Eaten on top of Fairview with Mount Temple behind it, it was the best sandwich of the trip.

A peanut butter and jelly sandwich on the summit of Fairview Mountain with Mount Temple behind

Three Bears Brewery (the night before)

We carb-loaded at Three Bears Brewery in Banff the night before. All the beers were great, and we went with happy-hour shrimp bao buns, lamb riblets and a shared pizza. Rating: 9/10.

A pizza and a red beer at the bar at Three Bears Brewery in Banff — Pizza and a beer at Three Bears (from an earlier visit).

The Boss Kitchen and Bar (after)

After the hike, The Boss Kitchen and Bar in Banff hit the spot: a salad, the Boss Burger, excellent fries and a great sour. Rating: 9/10.

A burger with sweet potato fries at The Boss Kitchen and Bar in Banff — A burger and sweet potato fries at The Boss (from an earlier visit).

Inside a burger at The Boss Kitchen and Bar in Banff

Summer tip: eat early. Hit happy hour and get out before the 6 p.m. rush. After dinner, we walked out to Bow Falls, 2.4 miles (3.9 km) of easy walking, which was exactly what our legs needed.

What it cost

All prices in Canadian dollars (July 2026).

Item	Cost
Bow View Lodge, Banff, 1 night	CA$408
Rental car (National)	CA$185
Moraine Lake Bus Company sunrise shuttle	CA$115 per person
Parks Canada annual pass	CA$85
Groceries	CA$35
Three Bears Brewery	CA$105
The Boss Kitchen and Bar	CA$95

Our tips

Start with the sunrise bus. You’ll be on the trail before the crowds and have the whole day.
Bring more water than you think. We each carried 1.5 litres (about 50 oz) in running vests and still ran out after Fairview.
Skip the counter at Calgary airport. We rented from National with Emerald Club, so we walked straight to a car and left.
Pack your own food. We carry to-go peanut butter and jelly packets saved from hotel breakfasts, so we only needed bread and a couple of energy drinks from the grocery store.
Flying out the same night? You could finish this hike, eat and still make a late flight from Calgary. The Aspire Lounge in YYC’s US (transborder) departures area has showers, and we got in with Priority Pass.
Leave Fairview for another day if your legs are done at Saddleback Pass. The trail down to Lake Louise is easy from there.

Gear we used

Running hydration vests (1.5 litres each)
A second backpack for layers, food and electronics
Headlamps (keep them pointed down)
Camera and tripod for the sunrise timelapse
Garmin watch and AllTrails for navigation

Moraine Lake to Lake Louise: FAQ

Can you hike from Moraine Lake to Lake Louise?

Yes. The through-hike links Larch Valley, Sentinel Pass, Paradise Valley and Saddleback Pass. Our route, with the Fairview summit, was 18.9 miles (30.4 km).

How long does the Moraine Lake to Lake Louise hike take?

We took about 9 hours 20 minutes, including stops and the Fairview summit. Without Fairview, plan on a shorter day.

How do you get to Moraine Lake?

By shuttle only. Moraine Lake Road is closed to private vehicles, so book Parks Canada’s shuttle or a private sunrise shuttle such as Moraine Lake Bus Company.

Do you need bear spray?

Yes. Parks Canada recommends carrying it, and we’d carry it next time.