Crowned by 10 majestic peaks, this valley in Banff National Park is a hiker's delight. In the summertime, trails wind through alpine meadows filled with wildflowers; in the fall, the yellow leaves of the larch trees dance in the breeze. At any time of the year, the area offers breathtaking views of 10 mountain summits. There you'll find plenty of trails for beginners, but experienced hikers can also hike to the neighboring Larch Valley via an 8-mi/12-km trail that begins near Lake Moraine, in the heart of the valley.
While it's not a household name like Lake Louise, Moraine Lake is one of the most famous images of the Rockies. Photos of the lake can be found on many postcards and tourist brochures. After its appearance on Can$20 bills printed in 1969 and 1979, the glacier-fed lake was nicknamed "The $20 view."
Many of the valley's trailheads start and end near Moraine Lake Lodge, at the shore of the lake. Originally built as a teahouse in 1908, the facility has been redeveloped several times by a handful of owners. The lodge offers canoe rentals for those who'd like to explore the area by boat. Visitors should note that Parks Canada restricts some of the trails to large groups from mid-July to early October in order to protect visitors from grizzly bears in the area.
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