Parking
Park at the Sunshine Village base area and ride the gondola to upper Sunshine Village to begin the signed Grizzly–Larix route.
Overview
About Grizzly-Larix Loop
Why go
- Two alpine lakes, wildflowers, and golden larches in one signed circuit
- Gondola access reaches high country with a moderate, rolling route
Heads up
- Paid, seasonal gondola access controls the start and return
- Busy lift lines and crowded paths are common in summer and larch season
Sunshine Meadows' Grizzly–Larix Loop reaches two alpine lakes beneath broad mountain views, with wildflowers in summer and golden larches in early fall. It is a rewarding high-country circuit rather than a summit climb.
Parkwolf’s verdictWhy hike itMap & elevation
The route
Loading the Banff map
Full mapElevation2,161–2,293 m
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Safety
8 active Banff alerts
- ClosureRed Deer River valley bottom closed for ceremonial bison harvestThe Red Deer River valley bottom is closed to the public during an Indigenous ceremonial bison harvest taking place through November.Official details
- ClosureLake Minnewanka and Aylmer area closureLake Minnewanka Trail, Aylmer Pass Trail, and campgrounds Lm8, Lm9, Lm11, Lm20, Lm22 and Lm31 are closed to all users because black bears are displaying food-seeking behaviour.Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Banff Tour Guide
Your drive to Grizzly-Larix Loop, 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.
Recorded for this trailhead
Sunshine Village: Gondola to the AlpineListen
“Coming up is the access road for Sunshine Village. While it's a major ski resort, the main draw in summer is the gondola ride high into the mountains.”
Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Banff Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- Sunshine Mountain Lodge: Banff's Only On-Mountain Stay
- Sunshine Meadows in Golden Season
- Who’s Behind the Run Names at Sunshine?
- Tiny Travelers: Western Toad Migration
- 178 audio storiesacross Banff’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Grizzly Bear, Brown Bear, Gray Wolf, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 177 trails, 236 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 Grizzly-Larix Loop
Route and feelFrom upper Sunshine Village, follow the signed Rock Isle/Citadel Pass access to the…
From upper Sunshine Village, follow the signed Rock Isle/Citadel Pass access to the Grizzly–Larix junction, complete the lollipop circuit around the two lakes, and return along the required shared approach. The full visitor walk is about 5.3 miles (8.5 km) and typically takes about 3 hours, with rolling alpine grades and some boardwalk, steps, and bridge sections.
Access and logisticsPark at the Sunshine Village base area and ride the gondola to upper Sunshine Village; the…
Park at the Sunshine Village base area and ride the gondola to upper Sunshine Village; the walking route begins there. Lift access is paid and seasonal, so check the operating schedule and allow time for the ride. The signed trail network has no reliable water service on the circuit—carry what you need.
Know before you goHigh-alpine weather changes quickly.
High-alpine weather changes quickly. Stay on designated paths to protect fragile meadows, carry bear spray, and make noise in bear country. Dogs are not allowed on the sightseeing access or this trail network. Larch season and summer weekends can be busy, and the gondola schedule controls your return.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Banff
122 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
67 sightingsMooseMost seen around 8 PMSighting map
465 sightingsBlack BearMost seen around 9 PMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Banff. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
