Banff Tea House Trail
The hike to the tea house starts on the shores of lake louise near the fairmont chateau hotel and climbs uphill on a wide switch backed path for 3 6 kilometres 2 2 miles.
Banff tea house trail. This post contains affiliate links. The teahouses trail is a 12 3 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near lake louise alberta canada that features a lake and is rated as moderate. Length 12 3 mi elevation gain 3 530 ft route type loop. This doesn t deter the masses however.
The trail to the plain of six glaciers tea house takes you up close to the heart of mount lefroy mount victoria and the victoria glacier. It is a moderately challenging hike that can be accomplished by people of average fitness. Visit parks canada s banff now page to check the current parking capacity of many destinations within banff national park. The plain of six glaciers tea house trail begins from the trail in front of the fairmont chateau lake louise a 50 minute drive northwest of the town of banff.
A full day hike 14 km 8 5 mile return trip connects the teahouse at lake agnes to one at the plain of six glaciers. The trail is primarily used for hiking walking and nature trips. Eventually it emerges into a landscape scoured by the victoria glacier where views open to. The first section of the trail follows the busy lakeshore trail to the far end of lake louise.
Little and big beehive trails continue from the teahouse 1 1 6 km. Hiking the summit of the little. It s how i learned that staff members hike up to the tea house to get to work just like the rest of us two to four times a week. It is rated as a moderate trail and takes most people around 1 to 2 hours more or less depending on fitness level.
Typical hours are 8 00 am to 5 00 pm. The distance from the tea house to the little beehive is just under 1km 6 miles the trail branches uphill on some steep switchbacks it starts at the shore of lake agnes just behind the tea house. It can vary from year to year but generally in the last two weeks of september the larch trees needles have turned their golden colour. I truly hope you get the opportunity soon to experience the wonder and serenity of the plain of six glaciers trail in banff national park.
The faq section of the lake agnes tea house website can answer all the questions you ve ever wanted to know and then some. For a list of both summer and winter activities be sure to check out this post from must do canada titled best. This is one of our favorite hikes in the lake louise area. There is a shortcut from the little beehive that goes back to mirror lake so that you don t have to return to the tea house.
Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. In addition to the lake agnes tea house the plain of six glaciers tea house is also accessible via the lake louise shoreline and is 9 miles 15 km round trip. There are two historic tea house hikes that you can do in alberta s banff national park and both start at the beautiful blue waters of lake louise. It offers incredible views opportunities to see wildlife and best of all the option to relax with a cup of hot tea.
For those hikers with a bit of extra energy either trail is a worthy excursion as the views are outstanding. Hiking isn t the only activity to do in banff. The elevation gain is 400 metres 1 312 feet. You ll never forget the tiny tea house and the awareness that awaits you at the top.
Sit back with a cup of tea and read on for the inside scoop on the who what where when and why of these classic climbs. Beyond the lake s silty inlet the crowds thin as the trail climbs steadily through subalpine forest and across the occasional avalanche path.