Craving unforgettable fall adventures, the kind where familiar trails transform into something downright magical as the air cools and the colours explode. Experience Golden, BC with this mix of incredible fall hikes, scenic walks, and even a suspension bridge – spread across two national parks, a stunning lake, and the town of Golden itself.
As with any hike in the Canadian Rockies, it pays to be prepared before you head out.
Carry bear spray just in case you see a grizzly on one of the Golden fall hikes. Pack the hiking essentials and let someone know where you’re going and when you expect to be back. With cooler temperatures, dress in layers and carry rain gear.
You might also like: Things to Do in Golden, BC in Winter
This post includes some affiliate links. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of these links, I will receive a small percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you. Thank you very much for your support.
Diana Lake is one of the premier fall hikes near Golden, BC
Location map of the best fall hikes in Golden, BC
Diana Lake – one of the premiere fall hikes near Golden
Larch madness sweeps across the Canadian Rockies starting around mid-September. One of the best places to experience it is on the hike to Diana Lake – just 90 minutes from Golden. The 23-km-long forest service access road is rough in a few spots, but doable, and the reward at the end is a little slice of heaven.
The hike itself is 6 km each way with 630 metres of elevation gain. Most of it is gradual with colours appearing in the avalanche chutes about 3 km into the hike. From there the trail winds gradually up through forest that thickens with larches the closer you get to Diana Lake.
If you continue up to Diana Lake Lodge, you’ll first pass a backcountry campsite where no reservations are needed. The lodge offers tea and baked goods (cash only) between Thursday and Sunday. Either take advantage of picnic tables by the lodge, or if you’re like me, choose a bench or sunny rock overlooking Diana Lake and soak up the beauty of the area.
Great fall colours on the way up to Diana Lake
Diana Lake ringed with golden larches in late September – truly one of the top fall hikes near Golden
One side of Diana Lake is thick with larches
Fall hikes near Golden in Yoho National Park
Parts of Yoho National Park are transformed into a blaze of gold – cue the almost impossible-to-visit Lake O’Hara area. But there’s plenty in the park that will wow you all the same. And the trails aren’t usually packed with people.
Before you hike, purchase a Parks Canada Pass either online or at the Visitor Centre in Field.
Sherbrooke Lake
The hike to Sherbrooke Lake is rewarding in fall, when the forest understory glows with colour and more of the shoreline is exposed. The family-friendly 6 km return hike can be done in 90 minutes. But what’s the rush when you can enjoy a fall picnic by the lake, looking out at mountains?
If you have more time I’d recommend you include the hike up to Paget Lookout, accessed from the signed intersection. Enjoy stupendous views up and down the Trans-Canada Highway and into the Lake O’Hara area.
The understory is a study in colour on the Sherbrooke Lake hike in Yoho National Park
Takakkaw Falls
Takakkaw Falls, one of Yoho National Park’s famous attractions, ranks as the second highest waterfall in Canada. It’s also very accessible – just a 0.9 km flat walk on a paved trail from the parking lot to its thundering base. Along the way pass Parks Canada’s iconic red chairs, feel the mist rising from the river, and the spray as you near the falls. (Protect your camera!)
Plan your visit as you’ll need to navigate a sometimes narrow 17-km-long winding road to the parking lot. (No trailers allowed!) The parking lot fills quickly – so go early or late in the day. The road to the falls is open until mid-October.
For adventurous hikers, one of the best views of Takakkaw Falls is from the famous Iceline Trail, accessed from the same parking lot.
Takakkaw Falls is one of Canada’s highest waterfalls
It is a thrill to walk close to the base of Takakkaw Falls
Wapta Falls
One of the closest fall hikes to Golden that’s in a national park is Wapta Falls. And it’s a beauty. The easy 2.3 km-long trail winds through forest passing a tree with the largest burl I’ve ever seen before reaching the 150-metre-wide falls.
There is an option to continue down a steep trail to the riverbed for an up-close view of the falls. But even from above, it’s easy to appreciate the power and beauty of the largest waterfall on the Kicking Horse River.
Wapta Falls is one wide waterfall on the Kicking Horse River
It’s a thrill to see and hear Wapta Falls up close
Fall hikes near Golden in Glacier National Park
Purchase a Parks Canada Pass either online or at the Rogers Pass Centre before you begin hiking.
The Great Glacier Trail gives you a taste of the landscapes you can experience on a higher elevation hike in Glacier National Park. It’s one of my favourite areas in Canada to hike – though overlooked by most as they speed down the Trans-Canada Highway.
The trailhead for the Great Glacier hike is only a one hour’s drive from Golden. It’s the easiest hike in the park that gets you close to the high alpine. In just 2.5 – 3 hours you’ll hike 4 km each way through mossy forest with towering hemlock and western red cedar trees, with off and on glimpses of the Illecillewaet River and waterfalls. At the end of the trail enjoy a spectacular view of Mount Sir Donald – if it’s not shrouded in cloud the way it was for me.
Note that when driving westbound to the trailhead from Golden, you need to do a well-signed U-turn. The trailhead is only accessible to east bound vehicles. (See the location map for the exact spot.)
Waterfalls and mist on the Great Glacier Trail hike – one of the easy fall hikes near Golden
Gorgeous hiking on a moss-lined trails beside towering hemlocks
Local fall hikes in Golden, BC
Meet Boo the Grizzly Bear in Golden
Looking for a few hours’ break from doing one of Golden’s fall hikes?
Start your morning at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort with the Ranger Assist program. Learn the backstory of how Boo came to call a 20-acre ecologically diverse piece of land beneath the gondola home.
It’s a fascinating few hours with our guide Stephanie Wiggins. We learn that Boo and his brother Cari, named after BC’s Cariboo Mountains, were orphaned at just five months after their mother was illegally shot from a road. Their journey from Grouse Mountain to Kicking Horse is described along with what they do to keep Boo as wild as possible.
While Boo may live in captivity, his presence at Kicking Horse has provided researchers with insight into grizzly bear behaviour. And thanks to the study of Boo, efforts through Re:wild have helped with the release of at least 37 bears into the wild.
We did the Ranger Assist program and learned so much about Boo and what goes on behind the scenes
The trails off the top of Kicking Horse Resort
There are six hiking trails of various lengths and difficulties along with a Via Ferrata experience at the top of Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. Simply riding the gondola to the mountaintop to access the trails is amazing in late September – with the fall colours exploding the higher you go.
The summit area reached by the gondola exceeded all expectations. I’ve been here in winter – but never without snow on the ground. It feels untamed at the top – wild, rugged and very beautiful. In hindsight, I wish we’d had time to hike many more of the Kicking Horse trails.
After lunch at the beautifully situated Eagle’s Eye Restaurant, we hiked on the nearest trail that met up with the T2 Peak trail. It’s one of the harder ones, but it delivers wonderful vistas. And while trees were lacking in colour, the mountains themselves were not.
Some of the best fall hikes in Golden are off the top of Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
Warming up with coffee and lunch at Eagle’s Eye Restaurant before tackling another one of the fall hikes in Golden
The fall hikes in Golden accessed from the top of Kicking Horse Mountain Resort may not be a study in yellow but they are very beautiful
On the T2 Trail at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort – one of the quiet fall hikes in Golden
An easy fall hike across the Golden BC Skybridge
If you’re in the mood for adventure, one of the physically easy – but possibly mentally challenging fall hikes in Golden, takes you across not one but two suspension bridges at Golden Skybridge. The suspension bridges live up to their name, soaring 130 metres above an expansive canyon, conferring the title the highest in Canada.
I’ve crossed a lot of suspension bridges in my time – and this one more than any other, got my attention. Looking down for more than a brief instant was out of the question, especially when swaying. But it is a very cool experience – and just one of many adventurous things you can experience at the Golden Skybridge.
This photo of he Golden Skybridge should give you a sense of how high off the ground you are – 130 m or 426 feet but it doesn’t show the swaying
I’ve walked across many a suspension bridge – and I have to say the Golden Skybridge one got my attention!
Pre and post hike stops
Some of the fall hikes in Golden described are short and easy and don’t require a lot of energy. Others will give you an appetite. It’s better to be prepared.
For coffee and baked goods checkout Bluebird Café or Wandering Fern Café. The Double Black Café at the base of Kicking Horse Mountain is usually a great choice – but it had just closed when we were there at the end of September.
For dinner, Reposados Tacos Y Tequila is a local favourite. Portions are large – and you may be able to use some for lunch the next day. Their roadside patio is a bonus.
Whitetooth Bistro is another favourite for breakfast, lunch and dinner. You’ll find lots of favourites like poutine, burgers, bowls, and salads.
Where to stay in Golden, BC
Plan a stay in Golden for a couple of nights to take advantage of all the amazing fall hikes. The town has everything from cute B&Bs to chain hotels to a wide variety of lodging options (condos to seven bedroom houses) on the slopes.
I stayed at one of the Whispering Pines units offered by Lush Accommodations. It’s just a few minutes’ drive from the base of Kicking Horse Mountain Resort.
In town, I’ve stayed at the Prestige Hotel and while not fancy, it’s serviceable.
On another occasion I stayed at the fabulous Home Lodge – where you can enjoy an outdoor hot tub and a delicious breakfast with great conversation.
View from our Whispering Pines, Lush Mountain Accommodation unit
More fall hikes in Alberta and British Columbia I recommend
Old Glory Mountain Hike Near Rossland, BC
5 Winning Day Hikes from Calgary to See the Larches
A Guide to the Best Places for Larch Hikes in Alberta
Monica Meadows Trail Near Kaslo, BC
The Larch Valley Hike – Sentinel Pass Hike in Fall
A big thank you to Tourism Golden for hosting my stay. All thoughts and opinions, as always, are mine alone.
Click on the photo to bookmark to your Pinterest boards.
The post Best Fall Hikes in Golden, BC & Nearby appeared first on Hike Bike Travel.