Parking
Park at the Taylor Lake trailhead lot off the Trans-Canada Highway and follow the Taylor Lake signs. Lot capacity and fees were not verified.
Overview
About Panorama Ridge East Trail
Why go
- Golden larches and sweeping valley views from the ridge
- Taylor Lake offers a scenic midpoint on the long approach
Heads up
- A long, mostly forested approach to the lake
- The upper route is steep, faint and braided
This out-and-back starts at Taylor Lake trailhead, passes the lake and campground, then climbs through Panorama Meadows to the East Ridge. Allow about 11.8 miles (19 km), roughly 1,070 m of climbing and around eight hours. Reports vary from 19 to 20 km and 1,070 to 1,110 m of gain. The maintained lake approach is moderate; the upper extension is steep, faint and braided. Turn back at the lake or meadows if you want a more straightforward day.
Parkwolf’s verdictIs this hike for you?Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Banff map
Full mapElevation1,472–2,511 m
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Best time to go
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 Panorama Ridge East 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
Taylor Lake: The Payoff after the Forest Climb0:00 / 0:24
“Up ahead is Taylor Lake trailhead, the start of a long forest climb to a glacial lake beneath steep mountain walls. Allow four to five hours round trip, with roots, rocks and wet ground near the lake.”
Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Banff Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- A Chickadee’s Cold Night
- When Banff Turned Cars Away
- The Buzz That Shakes Pollen Loose
- When a Lake Mixes
- 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 Panorama Ridge East Trail
The approach to Taylor LakeThe regular trail climbs 6.3 km one way through forest to the lake, gaining about 585 m.
The regular trail climbs 6.3 km one way through forest to the lake, gaining about 585 m. The forest section is long, and the ground near the lake can be muddy or wet. The lake and surrounding mountain walls make a scenic pause. A lake-only return is about 12.6 km and usually takes four to five hours.
From the campground to the meadowsBeyond the campground, look for a small sign and faint path toward Moraine Lake.
Beyond the campground, look for a small sign and faint path toward Moraine Lake. After roughly 15 minutes, take the left branch toward Panorama Meadows. Several faint tracks braid across the open ground, so carry an offline map and pay attention to the route. The meadows are a sensible turnaround if the upper trail is hard to follow.
The East RidgeAbove the meadows, the climb steepens over rocky ground with sections of faint trail and light…
Above the meadows, the climb steepens over rocky ground with sections of faint trail and light bushwhacking. The ridge opens onto broad valley and mountain views, with a small horn-like high point. Expect wind exposure near the top. Golden larches color the meadows and ridge in late September, though timing varies each year.
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.
