Taylor Lake Trail

Taylor Lake Trail is a Banff National Park day hike with a long, sustained climb through the trees to a subalpine lake and meadow in a hanging valley. The hike is known more for reaching the lake than for variety on the approach; expect most of the day to be a grinding uphill followed by the return on the same route.

Route shape is an out-and-back from the Taylor Lake parking area off Highway 1 (Trans-Canada), passing through a wildlife gate in the fence line before the trail begins its steady ascent. The first part stays relatively flat, then elevation gain builds after about the first kilometre.

From the early climb, the route follows Taylor Creek upstream, with switchbacks carrying you into higher, rockier footing as you approach the lake. Around the ~6 km mark you cross Taylor Creek on wooden bridges, then continue up toward the signed area for the O’Brien Lake junction.

On the final approach, the trail exits the forest and reaches a grassy meadow near the lake’s outlet before arriving at the east end of Taylor Lake. Mount Bell rises sharply along the south side of the lake, and the far end is fed by a small waterfall.

For extensions, there’s a signed turn toward O’Brien Lake from the Taylor Lake area (described as about a 2 km one-way side trip). This side route is typically less maintained and can be muddy and overgrown, so it’s best treated as a deliberate add-on rather than an automatic stop.

In larch season (late September), the route is a popular target because the larches around Taylor Lake and the nearby area turn golden; late September is the peak window described for the trail’s seasonal payoff. Camping is possible at the Taylor Lake backcountry campground, but it requires making advance arrangements and carrying the right permits.

Typical planning numbers put the hike at roughly 12.3 km to 13.8 km round-trip and about 595 m to ~900 m of elevation gain, with a time window around 4 to 6.5 hours for the Taylor Lake out-and-back. Bring bear spray for grizzly country and be ready for damp meadow conditions near the lakeshore, especially after wet weather.

More information: Taylor Lake Hike in Banff National Park: Trail Guide + O'Brien ..., How to Hike Taylor Lake & O'Brien Lake - Banff, Taylor Lake Hike- Banff National Park - Adventure Alberta