Banff 
There are many reasons to visit Lake Louise in the summer. The iconic Rocky Mountain Lake, its shores, and the resort area all offer ways to relax, sightsee, or find adventure.
Beyond the lake are a couple of hidden reasons to visit Lake Louise this summer. Beyond the forests surrounding Lake Louise, hikers can find a wonderful surprise on two separate trails: Banff’s Mountain Tea Houses.
Banff’s Mountain Tea Houses
The trek to Banff’s mountain tea houses both depart from Lake Louise.
From the Chateau, hikers can follow beautiful, forested trails to either the Plain of Six Glaciers tea house or the Lake Agnes tea house.
The tea houses are only open in the summer and are hike-in and hike-out attractions. And if you’re not a tea fan, that is no problem. Both locations offer full food menus and other hot or cold drinks for hikers. While it may be nice to have these refreshments at your hike’s halfway point, the real reason to visit is the views.
The Lake Agnes and Plain of Six Glaciers tea houses are nestled in the secluded wilderness with patios and dining areas that offer unbeatable views. Plus, both hiking trails enable you to get overhead views of Lake Louise.
The tea houses are different in terms of menus, views, and hiking experiences. Both, however, are “steeped” in European and Canadian traditions.
Lake Agnes Tea House
The Lake Agnes Tea House sits on the shore of Lake Agnes and has been for over 100 years.
The original Tea House was built in 1905 by the CN Rail and served the same use as it does today: a refuge for hikers. The house is now owned by the Magee family, who operate the Tea House from late Spring to late Fall each year.
When you arrive, you are greeted with options for hot drinks, cold drinks, soups, sandwiches, and sweets. All of the food is homemade daily. And, of course, visitors can pick from over 100 types of loose-leaf tea.
The hike to Lake Agnes is an incline almost the entire way. However, the trail brings you up and above Lake Louise at a steady pace.
From the Chateau’s parking lot, walk along the lakeshore trail for 200m, then look for the Lake Agnes trail near the Swiss mountain guide statue. Follow the paved trail uphill, passing through the forest and a switchback with a view of Lake Louise. Continue uphill, passing Mirror Lake, and finally reach the Tea House via a trail to the right, conquering the stairs at the end. It will take 1.5-2 hours to arrive at the tea house, depending on your overall pace.
Distance/time: 3.4km one way; about a 3-hour round trip
Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House
It takes about 2-2.5 hours to hike from Lake Louise to the Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House, which follows the main paved trail around the lake for about 2km. From there, it ascends for 3.6km, gaining about 360m in elevation. Along the way, hikers enjoy stunning views of the glacial valley, a unique vantage point of Lake Louise, and traverse through forests, meadows with wildflowers, and rocky switchbacks.
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Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House structure was originally built by the CP Rail in 1927 for guests of the Chateau. The Tea House has been with the Kimball family since 1959 and remains in the family as of 2024! While this and the second tea house share some similarities, there are differences in the hikes and the views from the tea house. The Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House is atop a slope that overlooks glaciers, massive mountain peaks, and the lakes below. When you arrive, you’ll be greeted by the smells of brewing tea, fresh coffee, and homemade goods. The menu includes snacks, hot or cold drinks, and sweet treats.
Distance/time: 5.3km one way; about 4-hour round trip
More to do at Lake Louise
You might have more time at Lake Louise after the 2-3 hour hikes to the Tea Houses. If so, there’s a lot to do on the shores of the lake. Tour the beautiful Chateau’s public areas and stop for more mountain dining and gift shops. If you plan accordingly, you could also make time for a paddle on the bright blue waters: the Chateau operates a boathouse.
Planning Your Trip
What: European and Swiss-inspired mountain tea houses open seasonally. Both tea houses were originally built by the Canadian Pacific Railway when the Rail offered passenger travel to Lake Louise. Today, both mountain tea houses beyond Lake Louise are family-run businesses. The tea houses both serve their original function: to serve as resting stops for hikers and those who want to see the best Rocky Mountain views.
Best time to go:
- June to Thanksgiving Weekend
Location and how to get there: both trails depart from the Lake Louise shoreline trial in front of the Chateau.
Access Lake Louise from Banff with Roam Route 8S (scenic route) & 8X (express route), HoponBanff, Brewster Express, or Parks Canada Shuttles by car or bike.
Public Transit is highly recommended.
Lake Louise is about a 45-minute drive from the town of Banff.
How much: the cost of a National Park Pass
For more information:
Lake Agnes Tea House (Trail Map)
Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House (Trail Map)
