Eiffel Lake Trail
Eiffel Lake Trail is a Banff National Park day hike out-and-back from the Moraine Lakeshore area, with the trailhead starting just past the Moraine Lake Lodge. The route climbs away from Moraine Lake, then continues along the north side of the Valley of the Ten Peaks toward Eiffel Lake, before turning back the same way.
Route length is about 11–12 km round-trip, with roughly 400–600 m of total elevation gain and a typical hiking time around 3–4.5 hours. Most of the effort concentrates early in the hike: a steep ascent on switchbacks through forest, then a longer stretch that eases to a more gradual climb.
Early on, the trail follows a crushed gravel tread on the Moraine Lakeshore side and quickly becomes a forest route with packed dirt surfaces. Expect uneven footing in places, including exposed rocks and roots; there are also occasional short loose-scree sections in the approach toward the higher valley.
After the main climb, the terrain opens up along the valley side. From the junction area where the route to Eiffel Lake stays left, the hike runs through more open slopes with long sightlines across the Valley of the Ten Peaks.
Near the higher part of the valley the trail transitions onto rockier ground. Eiffel Lake comes into full view after about the mid-to-late half of the hike, with the route ending at a cairn marker near the top approach; there’s no established trail down to the lake shore from there.
If you have extra time, there’s a continuation option beyond Eiffel Lake toward Wenkchemna Pass; otherwise the planned hike is to turn back at Eiffel Lake and descend the same way.
In-season conditions can vary: the higher valley may still hold snow patches even in mid/late summer, and the loose, rocky ground can make traction important. The trail can be in grizzly bear habitat and is managed with possible group-access requirements, depending on on-site rules for the season/day.
More information: Eiffel Lake - Moraine Lake Hikes - A walk and a lark, Eiffel Lake Hike in Banff National Park, Eiffel Lake Hike- Banff National Park - Adventure Alberta