I honestly thought I’d have maybe a 50 percent chance of making it to the top of the Mount Temple, and that I might end up holding back my group. However, neither of those things turned out to be true. This ended up being one of the best days of my life, and definitely the most beautiful summit view I’ve ever seen. Here’s exactly what to expect on this epic Moraine lake trail.
10 to 11 Hours
16 km/ 9.9 miles total out and back
1,700 m/ 5,577 ft
Advanced Difficulty Involves Class 3 and 4 scrambling.
August to early September
- Trailhead: Moraine Lake Lakeshore, following the Larch Valley and Sentinel Pass trail
- Parking: None. Moraine Lake Road is closed to private vehicles.
- Transit: Shuttle or guided tour transportation required, booked well in advance
- Permit: Banff National Park Pass required
- Crowd level: Popular trail, with most of the crowds in the Larch Valley section, especially during larch season. If you’re hiking Mount Temple, though, you’re probably going to be starting way earlier than anyone else. We encountered no crowds at all, since we started around 6 a.m.
Getting to the Mount Temple Trailhead
Unfortunately, you cannot drive to Moraine Lake, at all. Instead, you can either book a shuttle significantly in advance, or you book a tour that includes transportation, which you still probably have to arrange in advance.
E-bikes aren’t allowed either, though you can ride a regular bike if you’re willing to add a significant bike ride onto what’s already a very long, tiring day. (I personally feel nowhere near capable of that.)
We met at 5 a.m. in Banff town, and by around 5:30 we were on our way to Moraine Lake. It takes about an hour to get from Banff townsite to Moraine Lake, so we arrived around 6:30. There are outhouses at the lakeshore, and if you have time, you may want to quickly go up the rockpile for the famous postcard view of Moraine Lake.
The Hike
Larch Valley to the Top of Sentinel Pass
From the lakeshore you start walking to the right, up the switchbacks toward Larch Valley and Sentinel Pass. I won’t go over that part in detail here, since our Larch Valley and Sentinel Pass guide already covers it, and it’s worth checking out as a much easier though still scenic alternative.
The Rocky Traverse Above Sentinel Pass
By 8:40 a.m. we were at the top of Sentinel Pass. At the top of the pass we went right, into a rocky region that honestly didn’t look super safe. I mean, I’m sure it wasn’t that bad, but it’s definitely not your standard hike from here. This should never be your first mountain summit, and it should especially never be your first hike, full stop.
You need good footwear, not runners. And you definitely need a helmet, because the biggest danger of the hike is actually rockfall. You can rent a helmet in Banff or Canmore if you don’t have one.
As you go along this rocky, scrambly area, the view just keeps getting better. You start to see these really beautiful teal blue glacier lakes in the distance behind Sentinel Pass, which is Paradise Valley, including Lake Annette. The higher you go, the better the views get.
The Class 4 Crux
By around 10:20 a.m. we hit the most difficult climbing section, which I’d say is technically a Class 4 scramble or something close to it, and it was definitely beyond what I felt safe doing on my own. This is the part that would have stopped me from doing Mount Temple had I gone by myself.
We were lucky to have a guide with a rope to keep us safe, and I’d really recommend going with a guide, unless you’re already experienced with Class 4 scrambling or some climbing. There are places up here where you can slip and definitely die, and that includes spots that look like normal trail, not only the technical climbing bit. Going down this same section later, we were belayed, and it was honestly worth it to not have to worry about the sketchy climb down at all.
Shortly after this crux there’s one more climbing section, but it’s not as vertical, and I found it a lot easier.
Incredible Views of Paradise Valley
After this second climbing section is when the views of Paradise Valley really came into view. The higher we climbed, the more of the valley floor and its lakes appeared, with gorgeous layered rock walls and glaciers.
There’s still a lot of elevation left to gain here, and it’s just steady uphill at this point. The views were just stunning the whole way.
The Summit
By around noon we could start to see Moraine Lake from above, which was beautiful, of course. I think we could also see Consolation Lakes, since there were two little lakes down there I’m fairly sure were them.
We got to the summit at 12:30 p.m., and that’s where we had lunch and all took photos. The summit is spectacular, but you have to be careful, because people die every year falling off the summit ridge.
If you’re going to look over toward Moraine Lake, the guide let us know to crawl to look over the edge instead of walking up to it, because people truly die from going too close to see the view. It was genuinely the best summit view I’ve ever seen, as well as maybe the most incredibly scenic hike of my life.
There was a raven hanging around on the summit rocks with us too.
Getting Back Down
You just go down the way you came. Going down was more slippery on a lot of the sections, and we were frequently slipping and sliding, actually falling on the rocks in a few spots.
We were belayed down that very vertical scrambling section, which helped a lot. By 3:40 p.m. we were back down to Sentinel Pass, and we reached the bottom of Sentinel Pass by 4:15, where the trail flattens out and gets easy again.
After that we just got back on our shuttle and got back home. Everyone in the group had a really great day, and it was one of the best days of my life. If you want to hike this one but haven’t done a real summit yet, here’s our guide to Mount Fairview and Saddleback Pass, which is a great, easier alternative. It’s perfect as a first real mountain summit, doesn’t even require a vehicle to get to if you’re based in Banff, and it’s also super larchy if you’re hiking it in the fall.
Tips
Bring a helmet no matter what. You can rent one in Banff, since the biggest danger is rocks falling on you from people above.
Bring poles. They can really save you from falling on the way down.
Wear proper hiking boots with actual grip, not runners.
Pack a rain jacket. It’s basically always cold at the top, even on a hot day, and it can suddenly start snowing or raining on you with no warning.
Bring food for a lot of energy. I brought electrolyte drinks, protein bars, and sandwiches, and it helped a lot. It’s important not to be too tired, so you can stay safe and not fall anywhere dangerous.
Always bring bear spray when hiking anywhere in Banff.
If you want to actually be safe, go with a guide, unless you actually have some experience rock climbing. I know a lot of people who do it with no guide and even no helmets, and I’ve seen trail runners literally running Temple, but please take this trail seriously. People die here every year, and two people already died on Temple this year. One died from falling off the summit ridge, so that’s also a place to really watch out for.
If you want a big summit day with a way easier scramble, our guide to summiting Castle Mountain covers a safer choice that still gets you a real summit and a great view.
Frequently Asked Questions
How hard is the Mount Temple hike?
It’s advanced. The summit includes a Class 4 scramble that hikers shouldn’t attempt without prior scrambling experience or a guide. This should never be your first mountain summit, or your first hike of any kind. It’s harder than Cascade or Castle Mountain due to it being more technical, more dangerous, and also steeper. Ensure you have hiked previous mountains before, have experience with long days, and experience scrambling or even climbing. If you’re worried about the class 4 scramble, a guide is a great idea.
Do you need a guide to hike Mount Temple?
You don’t strictly need one if you’re already a strong, experienced scrambler who’s done a bit of climbing. For most people, going with a guide who has a rope for the crux section and the descent makes the day a lot safer and less stressful. I’m super thankful I went with a guide, however most people don’t go with one.
How long does the Mount Temple hike take?
According to our guide, it takes 10 to 11 hours round trip for pretty much any group, breaks included. Start early, since you don’t want to be rushing this. We finished within that time frame too, though if you’re trail running it, it’ll be faster but also a lot more difficult and less safe.
How do you get to the Mount Temple trailhead?
The trailhead is at Moraine Lake, which has no private vehicle access at all. You need to book a shuttle or a guided tour with transportation, both well in advance.
Is Mount Temple dangerous?
Yes. People do die on Mount Temple most years, mostly from falls on the summit ridge or the exposed sections above Sentinel Pass. Good footwear, a helmet, going with a guide if you need one, and being extra careful if the weather turns all matter here. Hundreds of unprepared people hike this one every year and the vast majority make it back down fine, but it’s still worth taking seriously. Rockfall is one of the biggest dangers, so you absolutely have to wear a helmet. In the summer of 2026 at least two people have died on Mount Temple already.
What’s the best time of year to hike Mount Temple?
Late August is ideal, once most snow has cleared the upper scramble sections. I hiked it August 26 and conditions were dry and perfect, but that varies year to year, so it’s worth checking recent trip reports or photos on AllTrails before you go.
