Valley of the Ten Peaks facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Valley of the Ten Peaks |
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The reflections of some of the Ten Peaks on Moraine Lake.
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 Location in Alberta
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| Geography | |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Alberta |
| Borders on | Wenkchemna Peaks |
| Topo map | NTS 82N8 Lake Louise |
| Traversed by | Moraine Lake Road, Larch Valley Trail |
| River | Moraine Creek |
The Valley of the Ten Peaks (in French, Vallée des Dix Pics) is a stunning valley located in Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. It's famous for being surrounded by ten impressive mountain peaks and also for the beautiful Moraine Lake. You can reach this amazing valley by following the Moraine Lake road, which is close to Lake Louise.
The ten peaks were first named by Samuel Allen, an early explorer of this area. He simply used numbers from one to ten in the language of the Stoney First Nations people. He likely learned these names from his Native American guides, who helped him with horses during his explorations. The Nakoda, also known as the Stoney Indians, are a First Nations tribe whose culture and language are similar to the Assiniboine First Nation. They once lived across large parts of western Alberta's prairies and mountains, even reaching into British Columbia. The quiet Valley of the Ten Peaks was part of their traditional homeland. Over time, most of these mountains were given new names to honor important people, including Samuel Allen himself. However, three of the original Stoney names remain.
Interestingly, Mount Hungabee was not part of Allen's original list of ten peaks. Even though it is taller than Wenkchemna Peak, which is considered an extension of Hungabee, it wasn't included in the famous "Ten Peaks" group.
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Discovering the Majestic Ten Peaks
The Valley of the Ten Peaks is a truly special place. It's known for its incredible scenery, with towering mountains and a sparkling blue lake. This area is a popular spot for visitors who love nature and outdoor adventures.
Meet the Ten Peaks
Here are the ten famous peaks, listed from east to west. They are all very tall and offer amazing views!
| # | Peak | metres | feet |
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| 1 | Mount Fay | 3,235 | 10,613 |
| 2 | Mount Little | 3,088 | 10,131 |
| 3 | Mount Bowlen | 3,072 | 10,079 |
| 4 | Tonsa | 3,057 | 10,030 |
| 5 | Mount Perren | 3,051 | 10,010 |
| 6 | Mount Allen | 3,310 | 10,860 |
| 7 | Mount Tuzo | 3,246 | 10,650 |
| 8 | Deltaform Mountain | 3,424 | 11,234 |
| 9 | Neptuak Mountain | 3,233 | 10,607 |
| 10 | Wenkchemna Peak | 3,170 | 10,401 |
More Mountains to Explore
Besides the famous ten, you can also see other impressive peaks from the valley. These include Mount Temple, Mount Babel, and Eiffel Peak. The Fay Glacier, a large body of ice, is found between Mount Babel, Mount Fay, Mount Little, and Mount Bowlen.
A Famous View on Money
The beautiful scene of the Valley of the Ten Peaks was once featured on the back of the Canadian twenty dollar bill. You could see this stunning landscape on the twenty-dollar notes issued in 1969 and 1979 as part of the "Scenes of Canada" series.
The Neil Colgan Hut: A High Adventure Spot
For experienced mountaineers, the Neil Colgan Hut is a special destination. It's the highest permanent building in Canada! Reaching it involves an 8 to 12-hour climb along the Perren Route, starting from Moraine Lake. It's a challenging but rewarding adventure for those who love high-altitude exploration.
See also
In Spanish: Valle de los Diez Picos para niños
