The Lake Agnes Tea House Hike near Lake Louise
Yesterday did not start well. Chock that up to a longer than anticipated drive to Lake Louise from Calgary, the longest lines I’ve ever seen to get into Banff National Park (I have a yearly pass but our guests did not and spent 30 minutes waiting for one), unbelievable crowds at Lake Louise and parking nightmares. But there was a reward for our troubles – the Lake Agnes Tea House hike above Lake Louise.
You’ll have company on the Lake Agnes Tea House hike unless you do it really early or late in the day. But I love it for the lake itself and the additional hikes you can do in the area (Little Beehive, Big Beehive, Mt Saint Piran, Devil’s Thumb)
The Lake Agnes Tea House hike
It’s an easy to moderate three and a half to four kilometre hike (depending on your fitness level) one way starting right from Lake Louise itself. The elevation gain is 396 metres or 1,300 feet.
There is another option to get to the Tea House – via a horseback ride. Book a ride through Brewster or Timberline Stables in Lake Louise.
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The trail is wide and well signed and after just a few kilometres of mostly easy hiking the views begin – first of the turquoise waters of Lake Louise hundreds of feet below, and then of the distant mountain peaks and glaciers.
Mirror Lake on route to the Lake Agnes Teahouse
At about the three kilometre mark you reach the small but very beautiful Mirror Lake. Skimpily clad girls were busy screaming and making much ado about their swim. This is frigid water and despite the 27°C temperatures I’m not sure I would want to make the dive in. But then again I’m not trying to impress the cute guy either.
It’s only 0.8 kilometres from here to the Lake Agnes Tea House and in fact if you look up you can see it.
Lake Agnes
Lake Agnes is breathtakingly beautiful – even with summer crowds. And if you’re still keen to hike you can continue along the trail that takes you to the far end of the lake and then steeply switchbacks its way up to the Big Beehive Hut – about 1.7 kilometres away. You’ll lose the crowds once you’re past the Tea House.
The Lake Agnes Tea House
Lake Agnes Tea House was named for Canada’s original first lady – Lady Agnes MacDonald. She was the wife of Canada’s first Prime Minister – John A. MacDonald. She was wowed by the beauty of the lake way back in 1886.
The Tea House was built for the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1901 and in 1905 it began serving tea. Now it serves food – sandwiches, teas and more but as a sit down service only.
I’m not sure why you can’t just get a drink to go – perhaps a garbage issue – so as an alternative be sure to bring your own food and drink and sit by the lake. Lake Agnes Tea House is open until Canadian Thanksgiving. They take Canadian and US cash but no credit cards.
The return hike
The hike down from the Lake Agnes Tea House is equally delightful and goes by quickly. Once back at Lake Louise you can always take the trail that wanders all the way around the lake or rent a canoe and extend your visit.
You could also hike to the Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse starting from the far end of Lake Louise.
This is a terrific hike and one I highly recommend. It’s a rare hike that delivers this calibre of scenery for the time and effort required. But if you can, hike it on a weekday or early in the day.
Where to stay in Lake Louise
For a spurge the Post Hotel and Spa is lovely but it’s in the village and not on the lake. Excellent food.
The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise enjoys the best views of the lake and you’re just a few minute’s walk from the trails. A stay here comes with a price.
Deer Lodge is a short walk away from Lake Louise – is more affordable, has great food and their updated rooms are great.
Baker Creek Mountain Resort offers cozy log cabins. Or check out the reasonably-priced hostel option in Lake Louise.
Further reading on hikes in Banff National Park
- The Lake Agnes – Little Beehive Hike
- The Taylor Lake hike in Banff National Park
- An Outstanding Hike to the Summit of Fairview Mountain
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I’m super impressed at the pics of people in their bathing suits venturing into that water, which I imagine is pretty frosty indeed. Your photos are magnificent. This looks like an AMAZING hike! Would for sure love to see Lake Louise period, and then to do the tea house on top of it? YES!
@Courtney It always helps when you have the great body too!! For a short, relatively easy hike it was amazing!
Whoah! Swimming in that icy cold water is really something I would do if I were 35 years younger and, yes, only to impress a cute girl. Lovely vista for an easy hike though.
We have always wanted to visit Lake Louise and Banff and your pictures keep enticing me =) It looks like the summer crowds are in full force. You’re so lucky to live within driving distance of such majestic scenery. I like that the hike is short yet you’re rewarded with so much beautiful scenery.
I really like that Mirror Lake, looks amazing, albeit a bit cold for swimming.
It looks lovely, but I’m not sure I’d go for a dive in that lake. I prefer to go swimming when the water temperature has reached at least 20 C.
I can see why Lady Agnes was wowed, Leigh. This is an amazingly beautiful place, despite the crowds.
I didn’t realize they had Swiss guards here.
Oh, that looked like a cold swim — cute guy or not. Nice to have a yearly pass for such a glorious place on earth, Leigh. Haven’t been there yet, but eager to see it in person. In the meantime, love your pics!
@Cathy Maybe if I was 16 and after a cute guy I’d do it – but definitely don’t need to prove anything now. It is glorious isn’t it!
@Marcia Swiss guides used to work here – I believe as early as the early 1900’s!
Did you try the chocolate cake? Awesome stuff, and well worth the climb to Agnes for it!
@James I missed that but would be happy to make a return trip for chocolate cake.
You are a brave women hiking this trail on a weekend in July! Agree it is beautiful though. I love the hiking around Lake Louise. Can’t believe people were swimming either, brrr. Love your comment “But then again I’m not trying to impress the cute guy either.” Don’t think I would swim in those frigid temperatures no matter how cute the guy was.
@Laurel Lesson has been learned with regards to crowds – unbelievable but such a pretty hike.
I have wanted to visit this area for a very long time and your pictures explain why perfectly! Breathtaking beauty is everywhere. Simply beautiful and I can’t wait to see it all someday soon.
@Debbie I think visitors will be very pleasantly surprised at the beauty of the area – and if they’re lucky seeing wildlife!
We had several locals recommend that hike to us when we were recently in Banff. We ran out of time to do it, but glad to see it through your eyes!
Did you know Lady Agnes rode a Canadian Pacific Railway locomotive’s cowcatcher from Lake Louise to Vancouver? Quite a daredevil First Lady!
@Keri It’s a popular hike so if you’re ever make try to find time to do it. You don’t need more than half a day. Thanks for the Lady Agnes info.
Your photos are always so incredible. And there’s no way I’d be diving in that water:)
Wow, spectacular. What a place to go for a swim and have a meal/drink.
I have swam in some very cool lakes and rivers in my time, but this one looks especially frigid. Beautiful pictures of an amazing Provincial Park.
@Ted Obviously you’re not trying to impress a member of the opposite sex!
Hi Leigh, You should have let me know you were coming to the lake, I could have come said hello. We live just a few hundred meters from the hotel. Glad you got a nice sunny day for your hike, we have been experiencing a lot of rain and thunderstorms latey. If you haven’t done it yet, do the hike to the other tea house at the Plain of Six Glacier next time, the views are incredible.
@Audrey I’ll be up again this summer. We had two carloads of out of town guests so probably not a great idea. I do like the sound of the other teahouse! on a weekday.
Must admit arriving at a tea house in the mountains on a horse sounds even more wonderful than hiking there. Could be because I’m sitting next to a paddock right now, watching the sun rise behind three gorgeous horses. Your photos are beautiful, as usual! Practically a Canadian ambassador, you are 🙂
@Sophie I have yet to be contacted by the Canadian Tourism folks – perhaps one day when they see how much I promote Canada.
Brrrr! sure looked chilly plunging into the lake! What a hike.. so beautiful and to end up at the tea house must be so heavenly! Great shots leigh:)
@Ciki I have no interested in plunging into a freezing cold lake – but nor am I trying to woo the guy.
A bit icy… But only a bit… I am joking…
Ice only high up on the glaciers though the lakes were certainly icy temperature wise.
Have been on this hike several times (went in 2013 on a warm, rainy day, made for some beautiful photos with mist on Lake Agnes). The Lake Louise area is one of my favorite areas to hike in and around – usually get up there every other year or so. Been going since 1980. Love Six Glaciers too.
@Sue Thanks for sharing. Even with the crowds the landscape always plays the starring role. I’d like to do some more hiking above the Lake Agnes Teahouse where the views are reportedly superlative.