Moraine Lake Highline Trail

Moraine Lake Highline is a 5.8-mile (9.3 km) one-way point-to-point trail from a start 2.5 km up Moraine Lake Road to Moraine Lake. It climbs onto Mount Temple’s shoulder, then descends to the lake; the route has about 485 m of climbing and 325 m of descent. Plan around four hours for the trail itself. This is also a difficult mountain-bike singletrack, and hikers are commonly encountered near the start. It suits someone comfortable with rough tread and who has sorted out the one-way transport.

The opening follows a rooty old road, with rocks and several stream crossings. Bridges span the larger crossings, and one has a narrow plank option. The path joins the Paradise Valley hiking trail before climbing onto Mount Temple’s flank. Higher up, the sidehill narrows and feels exposed, but the trees open to broad mountain views and wildflowers. The route then drops to Moraine Lake, where the Ten Peaks rise across the turquoise basin.

The Highline begins 2.5 km up Moraine Lake Road. Personal vehicles are not permitted on the road, there is no pathway along it, and its narrow shoulders and heavy commercial traffic make a walk from Lake Louise an unappealing approach. All-day parking in the Lake Louise community is very limited; there is no parking at the Great Divide lot or Moraine Lake junction. The trail ends at Moraine Lake, so plan a permitted way to reach the road-side start and transport back from the lake. Walking the route back to the start adds another 5.8 miles.