Parking
Moraine Lake Road is closed to personal vehicles year-round. Arrive by Parks Canada shuttle or an authorized commercial operator; the shared trail access begins near Moraine Lake Lodge, with a marked approach from the transit area.
Overview
About Eiffel Lake Trail
Why go
- A close view of the Ten Peaks and Fay Glacier
- Larch and wildflower slopes after the initial climb
Heads up
- Ten steep switchbacks make the opening climb demanding
- Moraine Lake access requires transit planning
Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Banff map
Full mapElevation1,875–2,339 m
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Safety
8 active Banff alerts
- ClosureJohnston Canyon Trail and Day Use Area closedJohnston Canyon Trail and Day Use Area are closed to all traffic and travel through December 11, 2026, because construction work requires protecting public and workers’ safety.Official details
- ClosureBaker Lake and Hidden Lake campgrounds closed to campingCamping is prohibited at Baker Lake and Hidden Lake campgrounds through December 1, 2026, because a grizzly bear entered campsites and investigated tents and gear; the closures reduce risk to…Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Banff Tour Guide
Your drive to Eiffel Lake Trail, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Banff National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the Banff audio tourRecorded for this trailhead
Moraine Lake Shuttles at the Park and Ride0:00 / 0:30
“You're approaching Lake Louise Park and Ride by the ski resort, the boarding point for Parks Canada's seasonal Moraine Lake shuttles.”
Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Banff Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- A Snail’s Floating Feeding Ground
- A Movie Camera and Sixteen Horses
- An Osprey’s Grip on a Fish
- A Cave Beneath the Icefield
- 185 audio storiesacross Banff’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Grizzly Bear, Brown Bear, Gray Wolf, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 162 trails, 90 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“…Loved the commentary as you drove thru. I’m sure the app can do more than I know but the tips were very helpful. I’m gonna use it when we go to Banff next month.”
Trail guide
Hiking Eiffel Lake Trail
A different angle on the Ten PeaksEiffel Lake Trail is a 7-mile (11.
Eiffel Lake Trail is a 7-mile (11.2-km) out-and-back from the Moraine Lake transit access to the alpine basin below the Valley of the Ten Peaks. The distance includes the shared approach past Moraine Lake Lodge, then the left branch toward Eiffel Lake. Allow about five hours; it is a moderate hike with a sustained climb. Parks Canada’s area guide lists 560 m of gain, while another detailed route account gives about 400 m, so plan for a real uphill effort rather than relying on the lower estimate.
The steep part comes firstFrom the access area, follow the marked path past the lodge onto the route shared with Larch…
From the access area, follow the marked path past the lodge onto the route shared with Larch Valley and Sentinel Pass. About ten switchbacks climb through the forest and do most of the hard work. At the signed junction, turn left for Eiffel Lake; the other branch continues toward Larch Valley and Sentinel Pass. The tread is easy to follow, but the climb is abrupt.
Open slopes and a darker lakeAfter the fork, the trail climbs more gently across subalpine slopes for roughly 3.2 km.
After the fork, the trail climbs more gently across subalpine slopes for roughly 3.2 km. Wildflowers brighten the summer walk, and larches turn gold near treeline in late September. The route ends beside Eiffel Lake with a close view into the Ten Peaks and toward Fay Glacier. Eiffel Lake lacks the fine glacial rock flour that gives many nearby lakes their bright blue color, so its darker water reflects the cliffs and snow instead.
A long alpine dayThe trail is exposed above the forest, and snow can linger at this elevation early or late in…
The trail is exposed above the forest, and snow can linger at this elevation early or late in the hiking season. Check current conditions before setting out, especially in shoulder season. Grizzly bears use this country: carry bear spray where you can reach it and know how to use it. A photo from the lake works best with some shoreline or larch branches in the frame to show the scale of the peaks.
Getting to the startMoraine Lake Road is closed to personal vehicles year-round.
Moraine Lake Road is closed to personal vehicles year-round. Arrive by Parks Canada shuttle or an authorized commercial operator, then follow the shared marked path past the lodge. This distance includes that approach to the signed trail junction. Dogs are allowed on Banff trails in summer unless a specific restriction is posted; keep them leashed and under control. Food or water service on the route was not confirmed, so carry enough for the outing.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Banff
123 sightingsGrizzly BearMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
150 sightingsBrown BearMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
44 sightingsGray WolfMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
12 sightingsRiver OtterMost seen around 8 PMSighting map
69 sightingsMooseMost seen around 8 PMSighting map
466 sightingsBlack BearMost seen around 9 PMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Banff. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
