Distance: 14.6km roundtrip
Elevation gain: (385m for Lake Agnes, 135m for the Big Beehive, 365m for Plain of Six Glaciers, and 50m for the Abbot Pass Viewpoint)
Rating: Moderate
Location: Banff National Park, Alberta
We visited Banff National Park for four days in July 2019. We saved our most ambitious day of hiking for our final day of our trip. Our game plan was to hike to the two teahouses – one at Lake Agnes and the other at the Plain of Six Glaciers, with a couple of additional side trips along the way.
The trailhead starts at the incredibly scenic Lake Louise. We briefly walked along the paved path along the shoreline until we reached a junction. The signpost indicated that Lake Agnes (3.4km one way) was upwards and onwards.
Upwards was right. The trail to Lake Agnes consisted of a series of switchbacks up the mountain. Midway through there’s a turnoff with a nice viewpoint of Mirror Lake with Big Beehive in the background (we would be climbing this later).
The trail eventually levels off and features a European-style teahouse next to Lake Agnes. The tea house looked a bit overcrowded, so we sat on a bench beside the lake to eat a snack and re-fuel for the journey still to come.
We then walked along the lake and started our ascent up Big Beehive (1.6km one way). The path up was a bit steep, but it was well worth the effort. Especially since the views from the top provide amazing views overlooking Lake Louise.
We were a bit confused as to where the path connects to the HighLine trail. After some trial and error, we found the junction sign and continued onwards. The path eventually intersects with the Plain of Six Glaciers, which (as the name suggests) features views of six various glaciers.
We followed this up to the second Swiss teahouse. And this time when we arrived it was nearly empty. We rested here and ordered a late lunch / early dinner.
From here there is a short side trip to the Abbot Pass Viewpoint (1.5km one way). We were a bit concerned around timing, but decided to risk it and make the detour. We’re sure glad that we did as the view of the Lower Victoria Glacier was hands down one of the most impressive that we’ve seen on this trip. We also heard (and saw!) an avalanche while hiking up to the viewpoint.
From here it was mostly downhill. We walked back to the teahouse and along the Plain of Six Glaciers (5.3km one way). The views into the valley were particularly scenic with Lake Louise in the background.
The path eventually turns into the Lake Louise Lakeshore path (2km one way, rated easy), which has minimal elevation gain, and leads back to the Fairmont Chateau and parking area.
What a day.
L
To read more about my adventures in Banff National Park, click here.
This is such a great hike. We haven’t done it in a few years but this is a good reminder for the spring.
There are many great hikes in Banff, but this was probably my favourite. I bet this trail is lovely in the spring as the mountains are full of snow. You are probably more likely to hear an avalanche in the valley too.
That’s the great thing about the mountains, each sesason has something else to offer.
What a fantastic place to go for a hike and just look at those beautiful mountain views, having grown up in a country where the highest peak is 300m ( yes, you read that right) I don’t think I could ever get tired of mountains. Thanks for sharing 😊
I’m surprised I didn’t trip all over the place on this hike because it was hard to peel my eyes away from the incredible sights: mountains, glaciers, turquoise lakes. Unreal. And yes, the views of the mountains never get old. Thanks for reading 🙂
Absolutely beautiful. (I think I’ll start working on my husband to take me there.) 😉
Haha, yes! Banff is definitely worth visiting, especially if you enjoy the mountains and hiking. The whole area is absolutely breathtaking.
Your lovely pictures bring back memories our previous visit to Banff/Lake Louise. A couple questions. Where did you stay? What’s the earliest date in the year to get in to this area by car.
Aw thanks. I’ve actually been to Banff twice. The first time we stayed one night at the Johnston Canyon Campground and the other three nights at the Lake Louise Campground (the one with an electric fence around it). The second time we stayed two nights at the Tunnel Mountain Campground and splurged for one night at the Paradise Lodge & Bungalows near Lake Louise.
Lake Louise is typically accessible all year round, but the road to Moraine Lake is usually closed from October to May. Parks Canada has a list of the seasonal closures and restrictions in Banff on their website: https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ab/banff/visit/installations-facilities/fermetures-closures