Hiking the Rockpile Trail at Moraine Lake

The Rockpile Trail is the most famous and popular “hike” at Moraine Lake. Though don’t let the word hike deter you, as it’s more of a walk that most visitors to Banff should be able to achieve. The Rockpile Trail brings you to the aptly named “Twenty Dollar View” because it is the scene once used on the former Canadian twenty-dollar bill .

We’ve seen many grand views in the world, and we still consider the view of Moraine Lake and the Ten Peaks from the Rockpile Trail one of the best we’ve ever seen. From the top of the Rockpile Trail, you can see Moraine Lake’s deep blue and truly appreciate the area’s natural beauty.

• Trailhead: Begins from the parking lot.
• Distance: 0.8 km return
• Elevation Gain: 30m
• Time: 30-45 minutes (return)

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Finding the Rockpile Trail

Starting from the parking lot, look for the Rockpile Trail on your left-hand side (if facing Moraine Lake). Once you find the trail, it’s extremely straightforward to follow, and there are even a few signs to guide you.

The trail switchbacks along the backside of the rocky moraine and takes just five to ten minutes to reach the top. There’s a short stair section that makes it easily accessible to most able-bodied people. Watch for pikas and chipmunks frequently darting in and out of the rocks, but please do not feed them!

After about 10 minutes, you will reach the top, where there are plenty of viewpoints around! However, we find the left side is typically less frequented. The right side of the Rockpile Trail always seems to draw more of a crowd. Stay up here for as long as you want, enjoying the view before returning the same way you came.

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The Rockpile Trail at Sunrise

Many visitors dream of seeing Moraine Lake at sunrise. If this is you, know that the top thing to do at sunrise is head up the Rockpile Trail to grab a photo. While you won’t be the only one at the top of the Rockpile at sunrise, it’s still a very serene experience.

Be sure to dress warmly and bring a hot thermos of coffee or tea. Even in the middle of July, it’s very chilly before the sun comes up at Moraine Lake!

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Every Visitor Should Head Up the Rockpile Trail!

The Rockpile Trail is a very easy walk that any able-bodied person should be able to complete. It is less than .5km in length and has just 30 meters of elevation gain. You can reach the top of the Rockpile in 5-15 minutes.

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Accessibility

There are quite a few steps to climb to reach the top of the Rockpile Trail, and because of this, it is not wheelchair accessible. We counted once, and it was 120 steps to reach the top. If you have limited mobility, we recommend walking the Moraine Lake Lakeshore Trail or enjoying the views from one of the benches near the canoe docks.

While personal vehicles are not allowed to drive to Moraine Lake, those with a handicap placard can still park their cars there.

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Getting to Moraine Lake

There are a few ways to get to Moraine Lake, including the Parks Canada shuttle (cheapest option). If you want to see Moraine Lake at sunrise we recommend booking with Moraine Lake Bus Company. If you want to get to Moraine Lake and depart from Banff or Canmore, book with Via Via!

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Other Moraine Lake Hikes

There are so many hikes around Moraine Lake that you can enjoy beyond the short Rockpile Trail. Some of our favorites are Consolation Lakes, Tower of Babel, and Sentinel Pass. See all our favorites here. If you don’t fancy more hiking, we recommend going for a canoe on Moraine Lake after your walk up the Rockpile Trail.