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Banff is known the world over for its spectacular mountain scenery, yet with the arrival of Labour Day, it suddenly takes on a dormant mood as the seemingly endless wait for the ski season begins. With the arrival of fall though, some of the most exciting hiking in the Rockies can be found as the aspen turn the valleys golden, and the alpine larch do the same to the high country.

September is a great time to hike in the Banff area. Not only are the trails much quieter, but the weather often seems a little more stable at this time of the year. Banff is often treated to a balmy Indian summer as the temperatures stay high for much of the month. On some years, the fall hiking season may extend well into October. The best time to take advantage of the fall colours is around mid September.

Like any other time of year, hiking in the mountains requires preparation. Because the weather can change with little notice, you should be prepared for just about anything. It’s not uncommon for us to get early season snowfalls in September, so be sure to pack along some warm clothes just in case. It’s a good idea to check the forecast before you head out, but remember that in the mountains, local weather patterns can blow in almost instantly and foul up the best laid forecast.

In the fall, bears are busy filling their bellies with vast amounts of berries. A single grizzly can eat up to 50,000 buffalo berries in a single day. As a result, you want to be aware of the ever-present possibility of bears in the mountains and take the proper precautions. When hiking, make lots of noise and be sure to make a wide detour of any bears you do see. The chance of seeing a bear when hiking with a group is slim. They usually know you are coming long before you even see them however, for more information on hiking in bear country, see the brochure "You Are In Bear Country", distributed free as you enter the park.

Where To Hike

Fall hiking in Banff is famous for the golden alpine larch that rims many of it’s high valleys and ridges. The following hikes all take you into areas where you can view great examples of this sub alpine treat.

Taylor Lake

This 6½ km hike up to a pretty alpine lake begins at the Taylor Creek Picnic area 8 km west of Eisenhower junction on the Trans Canada Highway. Although the trail is primarily through dense forest, the final destination is well worth the visit. Taylor Lake sits in a high sub alpine valley with glacier studded peaks.

Egypt Lake

The trail to Egypt Lake begins at the Sunshine Ski Area parking lot. From there the hiker travels part of the route followed by Sir George Simpson in 1841. This steady climb finally culminates with the spectacular Healy Pass. The trail then descends towards Egypt Lake at the 12.4 km mark.

Twin Lakes

"The Twin Lakes lie at the base of the scarped and nearly vertical front of the watershed range, which rises above them in stupendous cliffs, in the rifts and hollows of which, snow remains throughout the year." This is how these picturesque lakes were described by surveyor George M. Dawson in 1884. Today the lakes are accessed by an 8.7 km hike which climbs a steep 745 m (2,445 ft). Worth every step, the trail begins at the Vermilion Pass Burn viewpoint, 5.2 km south of the Trans Canada Highway on Highway 93 (towards Radium).

Rockbound Lake

This 8½ km hike (one way) begins along the 1A Highway .8 km east of Eisenhower Junction. The trail is a steady climb taking the hiker up behind the towering Castle Mountain to the picturesque Rockbound Lake. Completely hemmed in by rock, this appropriately named lake is well worth the 760 m (2,500) foot climb to reach it.

Lake Agnes

This tiny lake is easily accessible after a 3.4 km hike from the shores of Lake Louise. Climbing 367 m ( 1,205 ft) over this distance, it rapidly ascends above the lake to a teahouse along the shores of this pretty little lake. Named after Sir John A. McDonald’s wife, this alpine gem is well worth the visit. Energetic hikers may continue another 1.6 km to the top of the big beehive and be rewarded with one of the most spectacular views of Lake Louise.