In this adventure, I set out with six friends and family members to complete an epic 34-kilometer loop hike around the iconic Mount Temple in Banff National Park. This full-day journey took us an entire 18 hours to complete, starting from the Paradise Valley Campground and traversing some of the most breathtaking alpine terrain the Canadian Rockies have to offer. We scrambled up Sentinel Pass, descended through Larch Valley to Moraine Lake, followed the famous highline mountain biking trail, and made a final detour to Temple Lake and Little Temple Ridge.
This ambitious circuit around Mount Temple is not your typical day hikes experience. We certainly underestimated the time required to complete such a task with our group, but the end result was definitely an unforgettable adventure that will land in one of our top hiking stories for years to come. The diverse terrain, stunning alpine views, and the challenge of circumnavigating this famous peak made every hour on the trail worthwhile.
In my video below, I walk through the experience exactly as shown and explained:
Starting Point: Paradise Valley Campground
Our journey began at the Paradise Valley Campground, which is located right beside the Giant Steps Waterfalls. This campground served as the perfect basecamp for our ambitious loop, offering convenient access to the trail system we would be tackling throughout the day. I had previously featured this campground review in another video documenting our time in the Banff Valley area, so we were already familiar with the area and its facilities.
The proximity to Giant Steps Waterfalls meant we started our hike with the sound of cascading water in the background, an inspiring soundtrack for the beginning of what would become an 18-hour adventure. With our group of seven assembled and packs ready, we set off knowing we had a massive day ahead of us, though perhaps not fully grasping just how long it would take to circle Mount Temple.
The Scramble Up Sentinel Pass
The first major challenge of our loop was the ascent up the north side of Sentinel Pass. This wasn’t just a simple hike—it involved scrambling over rocky terrain as we gained elevation toward the pass. The physical demands of this section were significant, especially knowing we had many more kilometers ahead of us.
As we made our way up, we had the unique experience of being watched by climbers who were escalating the Grand Sentinel Spire. Seeing these climbers tackling the technical rock faces above us provided a humbling perspective on our own adventure. While our route was challenging, those climbers were engaging with the mountain in an entirely different way, testing their skills on the vertical walls of the Grand Sentinel.
The scramble required focus and careful foot placement, and with a group of seven, we needed to maintain awareness of each other’s pace and positioning. The north side approach offered dramatic views as we climbed higher, with the landscape opening up around us with each meter of elevation gained.
Summit of Sentinel Pass
Reaching the top of Sentinel Pass marked a significant milestone in our journey. Here, we took a well-deserved break to catch our breath and prepare ourselves for what came next. The pass provided a natural stopping point where we could regroup as a team, hydrate, fuel up with snacks, and take in the incredible alpine environment surrounding us.
From this vantage point, we could appreciate the scale of the terrain we had just climbed and begin to visualize the descent that awaited us. The views from the pass showcased the rugged beauty of the Canadian Rockies, with Mount Temple dominating the landscape and reminding us that we were attempting to travel around this massive peak.
Descending Into Larch Valley
After our break at the pass, we began the descent into a huge forum that the Larch Valley trail would lead us through. This section represented a dramatic change in terrain and perspective. Where we had been scrambling upward over rock, we now entered a more gradual descent through one of the most stunning alpine valleys in the region.
The Larch Valley trail is famous for good reason. This area features expansive meadows surrounded by towering peaks, and depending on the season, can be filled with wildflowers or the golden glow of larch trees in autumn. The “forum” we descended into felt like a natural amphitheater carved by glaciers and time, with mountains rising on all sides.
The trail led us through this entire valley system, gradually dropping elevation as we made our way toward Moraine Lake. This was a more forgiving section compared to the scramble up Sentinel Pass, allowing our group to settle into a rhythm and enjoy the scenery rather than focusing solely on foot placement and route finding.
Arriving at Moraine Lake
The Larch Valley trail eventually delivered us all the way down to Moraine Lake, one of the most iconic and photographed locations in all of Banff National Park. The distinctive turquoise waters of this glacially-fed lake are recognizable worldwide, and seeing it appear below us as we descended was a highlight of the journey.
Moraine Lake also represented a key transition point in our loop around Mount Temple. We had completed the eastern portion of our circuit, traveling from Paradise Valley up and over Sentinel Pass and down through Larch Valley. Now we needed to work our way back toward Paradise Valley, completing the western side of our loop.
Following the Highline Mountain Biking Trail
From Moraine Lake, we picked up the famous highline mountain biking trail that would lead us back towards Paradise Valley. This trail offered a different character than what we had experienced so far. Designed with mountain bikers in mind, the route featured a more sustained and consistent grade compared to the dramatic elevation changes of Sentinel Pass and Larch Valley.
Following this trail meant we were now traveling through different terrain, working our way through forest and across slopes as we gradually made our way around Mount Temple. The highline route provided its own perspectives on the surrounding peaks and valleys, and knowing this trail was popular with mountain bikers added an interesting dimension to our backpacking journey.
The Detour to Temple Lake
Rather than simply following the most direct route back to our starting point, we opted for a large detour that would take us up to Temple Lake and the Little Temple Ridge that splits the lake. This decision added significant distance and elevation gain to an already demanding day, but it would prove to be an incredible addition to our adventure.
Temple Lake sits in a dramatic cirque below Mount Temple’s massive walls. The lake itself is split by Little Temple Ridge, creating a unique geographic feature that makes this destination special. The detour required us to climb once again after already having been on the trail for many hours, testing our group’s endurance and determination.
The effort was absolutely worth it. Temple Lake offered a perspective on Mount Temple that few people experience, and the ridge splitting the lake provided a stunning foreground for photographs and simply taking in the alpine environment. Being able to stand at this remote location, surrounded by towering rock walls and pristine water, reminded us why we push ourselves on these long mountain adventures.
The Final Push Back to Paradise Valley
After exploring Temple Lake and Little Temple Ridge, we still had to complete the final leg of our journey back to Paradise Valley Campground. By this point, we had been moving for many hours, and the cumulative distance and elevation gain were taking their toll on the entire group.
This final stretch tested our mental fortitude as much as our physical conditioning. With 34 kilometers covered and 18 hours invested in the journey, every step required focus and determination. The landscape that had seemed so fresh and exciting in the morning took on a different quality as we pushed toward completion of our loop.
Reflecting on the 18-Hour Adventure
Completing this 34-kilometer loop around Mount Temple in 18 hours with a group of seven people was a significant undertaking. We had certainly underestimated the time required to complete such a task when we set out that morning. The combination of distance, elevation gain, scrambling terrain, and the natural pace considerations of moving as a group all contributed to the extended timeline.
However, the end result was definitely an unforgettable adventure. From the scramble up Sentinel Pass while being watched by climbers on the Grand Sentinel Spire, to the expansive descent through Larch Valley, the iconic views at Moraine Lake, the traverse on the highline trail, and the final detour to Temple Lake and Little Temple Ridge—every section offered something unique and memorable.
This incredible hiking trip will definitely land in one of our top hiking stories for years to come. The scale of the undertaking, the variety of terrain, the challenge of maintaining group cohesion over such a long day, and the stunning alpine views throughout make this Mount Temple circuit an adventure I’ll remember for a lifetime. Starting and ending at Paradise Valley Campground, right beside the Giant Steps Waterfalls, we had truly circumnavigated one of Banff’s most impressive peaks.
Since 2020, I’ve been exploring the Canadian Rockies and sharing these adventures on my YouTube channel. Whether you’re looking for things to do in Jasper National Park like Maligne Lake, Spirit Island, or Athabasca Falls, searching for hikes in Jasper like Valley of the Five Lakes, Icefields Parkway, or the Skyline Trail, or looking for things to do in Banff National Park like Johnston Canyon, Lake Louise, or Moraine Lake, I continue to document these experiences. My content covers hikes throughout the region including Tunnel Mountain, Sentinel Pass, and Bow Glacier Falls, along with information about where to stay including campgrounds, cabins, and hotels.
I also explore Yoho National Park, featuring places like Natural Bridge, Takakkaw Falls, and Emerald Lake, along with challenging hikes such as the Lake O’Hara Alpine Circuit, Iceline Trail, and Hamilton Lake Trail. My goal is to provide endless ideas for road trips, travel guides, campground reviews, and itinerary information that proves invaluable to your trip planning in Alberta or British Columbia.
