Tower of Babel SUNRISE SCRAMBLE TIPS + Moraine Lake Info
Tower of Babel for sunrise is one of my all-time favourite Banff adventures. I spent a few years living in Banff and during that time I hiked a lot of trails, saw a lot of sunrises, and went on a lot of epic adventures – so that’s saying something. In this post I’m going to give you all my best tips for scrambling up Tower of Babel at sunrise + info for how to get to Moraine Lake with the road closure.
A word of caution – the Tower of Babel trail is actively a scramble. The trail is step, loose, unmarked, and can be very challenging depending on your abilities. For this reason I only recommend the Tower of Babel scramble for experienced hikers – especially if you’ll be ascending in the dark for sunrise.
If you’re new to hiking and want to find some easier (yet equally beautiful) hikes to do around Moraine Lake I recommend checking out this post I wrote which outlines 10+ hikes around Moraine Lake. I’ve done all these hikes so the info in this post is personal and first hand.
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Interactive Banff Map – from a LOCAL
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I lived in Banff for years & know all the best spots!
Outdoors: 100+ hiking trails, scrambles, backcountry routes, waterfalls & lakes
Planning: lodging, parking, restaurants, public washrooms, transit hubs, shopping & services
Things to do: tours, viewpoints, unique activities, & local secrets
Tower of Babel Trailhead Access (Moraine Lake)
The Moraine Lake road is only open June 1 – mid October, meaning you can only summit the Tower of Babel during this timeframe
The Tower of Babel scramble starts at Moraine Lake, however in 2023 Park’s Canada officially closed the Moraine Lake road to personal vehicles. This means you now need to book a shuttle to access both Moraine Lake and the Tower of Babel trailhead. There are various shuttle companies and methods of accessing the lake, most of which require advance booking. The post I have linked in the button below explains each of these methods in detail.
My top recommendation for how to access the Tower of Babel trailhead is to ride with the Moraine Lake Bus Company. Unlike the other tour buses, the Moraine Lake Bus Company’s shuttle is easier to book last minute AND does not set a strict time limit for your return shuttle. This means you can hike stress-free. I always book with the Moraine Lake Bus Company when I want to hike around Moraine Lake.
Best Banff Car Rentals
Most of Banff’s remote trailheads and attractions are inaccessible via public transportation. I 100% recommend renting a car to make the most of your time in the Rockies.
My favourite rental tool is this site as it compares all the local car rental shops to find you the best rate.
Once you arrive at the lake, head toward the Rockpile – which is exactly what it sounds like. The Rockpile is a large pile of rocks that sits at the lake’s outlet. Rather than hiking up the stone stairs, hike around toward the left toward Consolation Lakes.
Along this trail the Tower of Babel scramble will start on your right. There’s no official trailhead, but you’ll want to start hiking up the rocky slope slightly after the trees begin to form around the trail. I recommend having the Alltrails map downloaded to make sure you start your hike around the right area.
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Where to Stay at Moraine & Lake Louise
If you plan to hike at Lake Louise or Moraine Lake, there are plenty of lodging options available nearby. Staying directly in Lake Louise will save you driving the 1.5hrs to and from Banff each day.
Luxury Stays – the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is the most iconic hotel in Banff. Staying here gives you direct access to Lake Louise, local hiking trails, and on-site parking. The Moraine Lake Lodge is a hard-to-book, but beautiful cabin stay located directly next to Moraine Lake. Staying here gives you the ability to drive your own car to the lake, meals are included and so are the pricey canoe rentals. Book this hotel as far in advance as possible.
Mid-range stays – Paradise Lodge & Bungalows is located a mere 500m from Lake Louise, but it comes in at a much lower price point than the Fairmont Chateau. Alternatively, the Lake Louise Inn offers the best value stay in town.
Budget stays – HI Lake Louise is the only hostel in Lake Louise.
Camp – reservation info.
Where to Lodge in Nearby Banff
Budget Hostels – HI Banff, Banff International, and the Samesun Banff (my top pick).
Budget stay – Bow View Lodge and Irwin’s Mountain Inn.
Mid-range stay – Banff Park Lodge, Banff Caribou Lodge & Spa, and the High Country Inn.
Luxury stay – the Fairmont Banff Springs and the RimRock Resort.
Here’s my breakdown of the best Banff hotels, organized by category
About the Tower of Babel Trail
To repeat what I wrote earlier – Tower of Babel is not a beginner friendly hike. The terrain is steep, loose, unmarked, and relatively dangerous for unexperienced hikers.
- Distance: 2.9km
- Elevation gain: 518m
- Rated: hard
- Type of trail: out & back
- Estimated time: 2-3hrs
Only attempt Tower of Babel during the summer season once the snow has melted, otherwise you’re hiking up directly toward an avalanche route. You can typically hike Tower of Babel from mid-late July – early October (seasonally dependant).
The Tower of Babel “trail” ascends a steep, rocky slope made of a mix of small scree and small/medium talus. Proper shoes are recommended as well as hiking in a scattered fashion. Keep a distance between individual hikers as well as other groups in case of rockfall. Helmets are highly recommended too (you can rent these at Backtrax in Banff).
It’s important you have the Alltrails map downloaded to ensure you’re hiking up the rocky slope toward the right gully. There are 2 gullies (aim for the left gully) and if you’re hiking Tower of Babel for sunrise in the dark it can be difficult to locate the correct one without maps. On my second Babel summit I did not reference maps and ended up in the wrong gully. I had to do a very exposed scramble to traverse to the correct gully to make it to the summit in time for sunrise. Don’t make this mistake!
Once you reach the top of the loose rock section the terrain will transition to natural stone steps. I found it easier to stick closer to the side walls during this section.
The last push to the Tower of Babel summit curves left where you’ll need to use a few handholds. This section is short-lived and then you’ll find yourself at the top with a birds-eye view over Moraine Lake as well as the Consolation Lakes which are located on the opposite side of the Valley of the Ten Peaks.
My Favourite Activities in Banff
Banff Gondola – epic views from the top of Sulphur Mountain.
Banff Hop on Hop off – explore the park at your own pace.
Lake Minnewanka Cruise – take a scenic boat ride down the largest lake in Banff.
Moraine Lake sunrise – chartered bus to see alpenglow on Canada’s most beautiful lake.
Norquay via ferrata – epic beginner friendly climbing route across iron bars on Mt Norquay.
Sunshine Meadows Gondola – find wild alpine flowers and hike around pristine alpine lakes.
Click here for a complete list of the Banff tours I recommend:
Tips for Hiking Tower Of Babel: Sunrise
In order to have a successful sunrise hike up Tower of Babel I’ve summarized my top tips here.
Accessing the Tower of Babel Trailhead
The Moraine Lake road is only open June 1 – mid October, meaning you can only summit Tower of Babel during this time.
Book the earliest shuttle with the Moraine Lake Bus Company to access the Tower of Babel trailhead for sunrise. This is my personal preferred company to use as they’re easy to book last minute with + they’re super flexible with return times, meaning your day of hiking is stress free.
You can reference this post for more information regarding how to access Moraine Lake and the Tower of Babel.
Recommended Equipment for Tower of Babel
- Pack warm layers, the summit is often windy and cold
- Bring your own headlamp for Tower of Babel at sunrise – my all-time favourite headlamp is this one
- I like to use durable work gloves for scrambling
- Wear sturdy footwear. Boots are my preferred footwear choice for Tower of Babel
- Rent a climbing helmet from Backtrax in Banff for the ascent
Safety Tips for Tower of Babel
- Only attempt Tower of Babel once the snow is completely gone to avoid avalanche danger (typically mid July to early October)
- Do not attempt the Tower of Babel scramble if you’re an inexperienced hiker. It is technical and can be dangerous
- Hike in a scattered fashion and put space in between groups in case of rockfall
- Have the Alltrails map downloaded to ensure you’re ascending toward the correct (left) gully. It’s easy to hike up the wrong gully
- Only attempt Tower of Babel in good weather. The rocks get extremely slippery and treacherous in rainy or snowy weather
- Unlike at the shore of Moraine Lake, you will have (spotty) cell reception at the Tower of Babel summit
Interactive Banff Map – from a LOCAL
Get my 600+ local Banff recommendations saved to your Google Maps app
I lived in Banff for years & know all the best spots!
Outdoors: 100+ hiking trails, scrambles, backcountry routes, waterfalls & lakes
Planning: lodging, parking, restaurants, public washrooms, transit hubs, shopping & services
Things to do: tours, viewpoints, unique activities, & local secrets
Recommended Hiking Gear for the Rockies
Below are my personal recommendations and favourite products for Canadian Rockies specific hiking gear.
Backpack: I use the Osprey Sirrus 24L (men’s edition) for quick day hikes and the Osprey Sirrus 36L (men’s edition) for longer hikes requiring more gear.
Hydration: I use the 3L Hydrapak to carry water and always have aquatabs on-hand if I need to filter water.
Footwear: I currently use the Scarpa Kailesh (men’s version) and full cushion crew Smartwool socks.
Safety: I always carry the Garmin Inreach Mini 2 as my satellite device.
Here are my detailed posts for Canadian Rockies hiking gear
Rockies Hiking Gear: Winter
If you’re planning to hike the Rockies in winter, you’ll need to add a few more items to your gear arsenal.
The items below are what I use.
Spikes: I love Hillsound’s trail crampon which provides killer traction and long-lasting durability.
Snowshoes: I use TSL’s sustainable Symbioz Hyperflex snowshoe, however any snowshoe from TSL is top of the line. This one is their midrange model which offers similar features at a light weight and better price point.
Gaiters: this is my top pick for gaiters which are great for keeping water and snow out of your boots. If you’re on a budget, these ones are a little more cost effective and have plenty of great reviews.
Warmth: I use Aurora Heat’s reusable hand + ultra foot warmers for both hiking and skiing. They’re made of beaver pelt by Indigenous women in Canada’s Yukon.
Softshell Pants: these are my favourite pants (men’s sizing) for cold weather hiking. They’re water resistant, wind resistant, and warm. If you’re reading from the USA, these REI pants are equivalent: women’s sizing | men’s sizing.
Canadian Rockies Hiking Tips
Guides for hikes in: Banff | Jasper | Kananaskis | Kootenay | Waterton | Yoho
Approach: take a conservative approach if you’re new to hiking and ensure you have lots of daylight. Trails here are steep, long, and can have challenging terrain.
Best Time of Year: July to early September is the most reliable for weather and minimal snow. This post outlines each month in Banff.
- Hiking in winter? Stick to easy, well-trafficked trails unless you’re knowledgeable about avalanche terrain. I always check the avalanche bulletin and use both Caltopo and Google Maps satellite view to survey terrain before hiking.
Pets: leashed dogs are allowed on all trails in the Rockies unless otherwise stated.
Safety: tell someone where you’re going and when you plan to return. I always carry the Garmin InReach Mini for additional safety as there’s minimal cell service in the Rockies.
Wildlife: carry bear spray and know how to use it. Here are bear safety tips from Parks Canada.
Maps: I purchase the Alltrails+ membership and download my maps before hiking so I always know where I am.
Helpful Canadian Rockies Hiking Posts:
More of my detailed hiking tips can be found here
Canadian Rockies Camping Tips
Plan to go camping in Banff and the Canadian Rockies? Here are some useful things to know.
Unless you’re on some form of public land – random camping and free car camping is not permitted in the Canadian Rockies. If you do plan to “free” camp in the designated areas, you must purchase the Public Lands Camping Pass.
Camping Reservations: reservation day (when bookings go live) usually occurs in January. Most summer camping reservations must be made then as sites fill up instantly.
- National park camping reservations can be made here and Kananaskis reservations can be made here: backcountry | front country.
- Can’t get a reservation? Sign up for cancellation notifications via Schnerp. I use this resource frequently and have found cancellations at the most popular spots in the Rockies like Lake O’Hara.
When to Camp: most campgrounds close for the winter, however a few remain open year round. July-August is best for backcountry camping. Keep in mind, temperatures are typically very cold at night even during peak summer.
Hut Camping: the Alpine Club of Canada has established alpine huts scattered around the Rockies and beyond. These huts must be booked in advance and cater to backcountry skiers, hikers, and climbers.
Packing advice and my personal gear recommendations can be found in my Backcountry Gear Guide.
Interactive Banff Map – from a LOCAL
Get my 600+ local Banff recommendations saved to your Google Maps app
I lived in Banff for years & know all the best spots!
Outdoors: 100+ hiking trails, scrambles, backcountry routes, waterfalls & lakes
Planning: lodging, parking, restaurants, public washrooms, transit hubs, shopping & services
Things to do: tours, viewpoints, unique activities, & local secrets
Quick Banff Guide
RENT A CAR: I highly recommend renting a car to explore Banff’s remote trailheads and attractions not accessible by public transport. My favourite site to find the best local rental deals is this one.
How to get to Banff: fly into Calgary International Airport. From here, rent a car (what I recommend) or take one of the following shuttles to Banff: On-It (budget) runs during the summer months | Pop-a-Ride is a ride-share program – you can use my Poparide link to save $5 on your first trip | Banff Airporter and Brewster are professional services.
Moraine Lake & Lake Louise: read my guide for how to get there with the new road closures. If you want to see Moraine Lake at sunrise, you can book a shuttle here.
Best Activities in Banff: here are all my recommendations for the best tours, activities, and unique experiences in Banff & beyond.
Lodging & Camping: see my guide which outlines the best hotels in Banff by category. Summer and peak winter visits require advance bookings. Camping reservations must be made on the Parks Canada reservation system which typically opens in January – make your reservations then.
First time visiting Canada? This page outlines all my travel tips for those new to Canada.
When to visit: this post breaks down each month in Banff with average temps and corresponding activities.
Reservations: for activities and restaurants, reservations should be made in advance during summer and holidays. Get Your Guide and Viator are popular tour booking platforms whereas OpenTable is used for restaurants.
Parks Pass: your vehicle needs a parks pass which can be purchased from the East Parks Gates, the Visitor Centre, or online. An annual Discovery Pass is more economical if you’ll be in Canada’s National Parks for more than 7 days in 1 year.
Roam Transit: in Banff, use the local transit service, as much as possible to avoid parking issues in popular places like Lake Louise and Johnston Canyon.
Parking: use the large free lot next to the train station. More town parking info can be found here and parking fees can be paid here.
Wildlife Safety: 11 ways to stay safe from wildlife, bear safety, & bear basics.
My Featured Banff Blogs
Travel Guides
Banff Activities
Happy adventuring!
Taylor ♡
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About the Author
HI, I’m Taylor – the voice behind The Holistic Backpacker.
After moving to Banff National Park in 2020 I became an outdoor adventure enthusiast and vowed to never stop exploring.
I now spend my days travelling the world, climbing mountains, and spending nights under the stars in the Canadian Rockies backcountry.
I created The Holistic Backpacker so I could share my adventures and help connect people like you with the same amazing experiences.
