Eiffel Peak - Lake Louise Area
Newly announced for 2023 Moraine Lake Road closed to private vehicles. You can access Moraine Lake via public shuttles, bus or taxi. Walking or riding a bike still possible Lol. See transit/shuttles link below for the latest info.
New in 2021: Parks Canada is offering daily shuttles from the Lake Louise Park and Ride (6km east of Lake Louise village on the south side of the TransCanada) to the Lake Louise Lakeshore and Moraine Lake. Available from May 21 - October 11, 2021. Shuttles must be reserved ahead of time to guarantee a seat. Walk up seats are not available.
Banff Lake Louise Transit and Shuttles Link
Eiffel Peak viewed from Larch Valley
Eiffel Peak ridge route as viewed from Larch Valley
Forest fires made it difficult to get a decent picture
Bit of hands on near the top
Eiffel Peak – Lake Louise Area
Scramble: Class 2 – Steep Hiking, Use of hands, Route finding
Altitude: 3,084m (10,116 ft)
Elevation Gain: 1,230m (4,034 ft)
Ascent Time: 2 3/4 – 4 Hours
Best Season to Scramble: Mid-July to Mid-September
Highlights
This scramble offers an alternative to the Classic Scramble Mt. Temple. It is accessed from Larch Valley also and offers outstanding views of the valley of the Ten Peaks. In the past couple of seasons the whole area has been closed or limited to group sizes of 4 for major portions of the scrambling season. This has been due to bear activity and park impact policy. So check with the Lake Louise information center as to accessibility.
Getting There
See road closure for private vehicles above effective 2023 year. Lake Louise shuttle is 6 km east of the Lake Louise turnoff on the south side of the TransCanada. You can still walk or bike the Moraine Lake road Lol!
Head west out of Calgary on the TransCanada highway # 1 to the Lake Louise town-site 187km (116.9 miles). If your base is Banff head west on the TransCanada for 56km (35.0 miles) to the Lake Louise town-site. There is only one exit so keep your eye out for it. Go straight through the town-site and up the hill; watch for the Moraine Lake turnoff to the left. Drive to the Moraine Lake parking lot (approx. 12km). Washrooms are at the parking lot.
Route Description
From the parking lot walk along the right side of the lake walk past the lodge watching for the Larch Valley trail. Follow this switch-backing trail as it takes you high above Moraine Lake. As the trail levels off in the upper valley it heads around to the right. At this point observe the open slope over to your left where you can access the ridge for Eiffel Peak. See photo also. At this point you need to head left, off trail across the meadow, heading downwards to cross a small creek, then begin to climb the open slope to the ridge above. Once you gain the ridge its time to just follow your nose generally keeping right of centre on the slope. There’s a bit of route finding involved and some use of hands. At the summit you are given magnificent views of the area and a very good view of the scramble route on the upper slopes of Mt. Temple.