Top 10 Kananaskis Larch Hikes

Kananaskis is renowned as a year-round destination, famous for its towering mountains, vibrant green forests, and shimmering lakes. However, each fall, K-country transforms into a golden wonderland as larch trees turn a bright gold hue and hikers flock to see this short-lived annual attraction.

What is a larch tree – and why do they turn golden?

There are several types of larch trees in North America, but most in Kananaskis are of the ‘Larix lyallii’ variety, which will only grow at altitudes of 1,800 to 2,400 meters. When temperatures drop each year and turn leafy trees to familiar shades of red and yellow, the larch tree follows its unique process, displaying a wondrous shade of gold. Needles turn yellow and drop to the ground– having been utilized for nutrients– resulting in astonishing scenery as the trees we expect to be ever-green turn as gold as the Alberta sun.

When is the best time of year to see them?

These trees only stay their golden colour for 2-3 weeks from late September to early October. Come mid-October, larch tree needles will have fallen off and the tree will remain barren for the winter. 

“Golden Larch” season has become a prominent fall attraction in Kananaskis, and easy to moderately challenging hiking trails can become quite busy as locals and tourists alike flock to see this brief natural wonder. Here are the top 10 hikes to fully take in the splendour of larch season in Kananaskis.

Pocaterra Cirque

Pocaterra Cirque is incredibly popular year round – especially during larch season due to its relative ease and astonishing scenery. Masses of larch trees frame this hike, with amber-coloured forests lining the trail to the cirque’s expansive larch valley views.

This is the most popular larch hike in Kananaskis and can be extremely busy. For those looking to experience a more tranquil hiking experience, we recommend going later in the day, or on a weekday.

Centennial Ridge & Mount Allan Hike

 

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Centennial Ridge offers stunning views overlooking Kananaskis Village from the highest maintained trail in the Canadian Rockies. During the fall, the hike glows yellow with larch trees as you ascend its 1,340 m of elevation. This trail is challenging, but hikers can reward themselves afterwards with a treat at one of the many dining options in Kananaskis Village.

Burstall Pass Trail

A long but gentle hike, Burtall Pass Trail alternates between short uphill climbs and wide stretches of wildflowers. The trail is made up of an old logging road and is surrounded by larch trees all the way up to the pass, where views overlooking the mountain ranges are on full display.

Rummel Lake

Rummel Lake trail is filled to the brim with breathtaking scenery – not limited to its spruce forest, avalanche slopes, and waterfalls. During the fall, the trail becomes even more stunning as splashes of yellow larch trees race their way across the emerald green landscape.

Ptarmigan Cirque

 

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A moderately challenging 3.5 km loop trail, Ptarmigan Cirque rewards hikers for making it through its steep start. This trail is extremely popular due to the picturesque mountain views overlooking valleys of larch trees that emerge following some steep switchbacks and can be very busy during peak periods on the weekends.

Tent Ridge

 

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The trek to the top of this 10.1 km loop trail includes scrambling, rock-hopping, and ridge-running, and may not be a favourite of those who are scared of heights. However, the challenge is well worth it. During the fall, hikers will see splashes of red, yellow, and orange as they make their way to Tent Ridge’s unforgettable horseshoe ridge for commanding views which seem to showcase the entirety of Kananaskis Country before your eyes.

Highwood Ridge and Grizzly Col

Like its neighbour Pocaterra Cirque, this trail offers similarly breathtaking views. Both hikes start at the same trailhead, but this trail quickly veers into the golden tree line. Unlike its neighbour, this 8.0-km out-and-back hike is lesser-known and tends to be pretty quiet.

Arethusa Cirque

Arethusa Cirque is another of the most popular golden larch hikes in Kananaskis. Starting with a trek through the woods and past splitting streams, the trail then leads hikers up a fairly challenging hill to reach the top of the cirque. Once at the top, breathtaking views of larch trees sprawling up the adjacent summits complete the experience.

Healy Pass Trail

 

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Healy Pass Trail is another popular fall hike due to the sheer number of larch trees lining the vista. The majority of the trail envelops hikers in a forest of larches before opening to views of the surrounding mountains. This trail is considered to be relatively easy but does have a consistent incline.

Buller Pass

Golden larches bring a splash of colour to this hike’s sprawling mountain backdrop during the fall months. Buller Pass is a moderately challenging 15.1-km out-and-back trail that sees hikers gradually climb up past waterfalls before reaching the pass. The region is still recovering from a forest fire, but the larch trees will nevertheless still come into prominent view each year.

See you on the trails!

There is nothing quite like the golden panorama of the all-too brief larch season from the summit of a Kananaskis hike. The suddenness of the onset of Golden Larch season is matched only by its end, making your hike even more memorable, for you made it just in time for one of Mother Nature’s greatest performances. See you on the trails!