Hiking to the Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse from Lake Louise

June 2025

Hike to a picturesque log cabin teahouse located right below towering Mt Victoria.
Distance: 11km (7 miles) round-trip
Elevation Gain: 340m (1,115 ft)
Time Required: 3.5 – 5.5 hours for a round-trip hike.

Hike Overview

The Plain of Six Glaciers Trail is one of our absolute favorite hikes at Lake Louise. As you trek along, you’ll get a striking, close-up view of Mt. Lefroy, Mt. Victoria, the impressive glacier-filled canyons between the mountains, and sweeping views of Lake Louise below.

This moderately challenging route covers diverse terrain, but you’ll be rewarded with a visit to the alpine log cabin, Plain Of Six Glaciers Teahouse, at the end of the trail.

What is the Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse and Trail?

Located roughly 5.5km (3.4 miles) from the trailhead at Lake Louise, at an elevation of 2,080m (6,824 ft), the Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse was built in 1927 and has been owned and operated by the same family since 1959.

The teahouse is still in its original form, operating without electricity and serving tea and homely, fresh-to-order food and baked goods.

The Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse is easily accessed from Lake Louise via the Plain of Six Glaciers Trail. The trail is 11 km (7 miles) out-and-back with 340 m (1,115 ft.) of elevation gain. The trail begins at the Lake Louise lakeshore before progressing up the glacial valley toward Mt. Victoria. It passes through forested areas, meadows, and rocky switchbacks before reaching the Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse. Continue past the Teahouse for another 1.2 km and 137 m elevation gain to the Plain of Six Glaciers viewpoint, offering even better views of the glaciers on the north face of Mt. Victoria.

The trail is clearly marked and will take anywhere between 3.5 – 5 hours round-trip (not including the time you’ll spend tucked away at the teahouse). This trail connects to the Lake Louise Highline Trail, which links to the Big Beehive Trail and Mirror Lake.

How Do I Get to the Plain of Six Glaciers Trailhead?

Getting to Lake Louise: The Plain of Six Glaciers Trail begins at the Lake Louise lakeshore.

Moraine Lake Bus Company offers shuttles to Lake Louise with convenient pick-up locations, plenty of departure times, and friendly, helpful drivers. Learn more about booking a shuttle.

When Is the Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse Open?

Tea times: The teahouse opens in mid-June, depending on the spring snowmelt. It stays open all the way through the summer season until mid-October. The teahouse is staffed from 9 am to 5 pm, seven days a week.

Know Before You Visit The Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse

Bring cash: Due to limited cell service, Canadian cash is the best payment option. That said, credit card payments are sometimes possible with a $4 processing charge, just don’t count on it.

Worth the wait: Part of the charm of the Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse is that it operates the same way it did in 1959. The teahouse doesn’t have electricity and uses propane stoves to bake pastries, breads, and light lunches. This takes time, so you might have to wait a little bit for your meal. The staff is incredibly cheerful, so follow their lead and enjoy your time on the mountain while waiting for your food.

Respect the locals: Banff National Park is home to creatures big and small. Due to the trail’s relative remoteness, you have a good chance to spot anything from mountain goats, pikas, porcupines, marmots, and, yes, bears. To maintain the well-being of these creatures, it’s important to leave no trace while trekking, only observe wildlife from a distance (ensuring you never feed them), and make sure you’re up-to-date with Bear Safety.

“The Lake of the Little Fishes:” For millennia, Canada’s First Nations people have lived in the area surrounding Lake Louise, with the Stoney Nakoda people naming the lake itself Horâ Juthin Îmne (pronounced Ho-run-num-nay) or “the Lake of the Little Fishes.”

Saddle Up: The Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse is also a popular horse trail. If you’re not as excited to hike, and fancy riding into the backcountry on horseback sounds ideal, there are multiple stables to book a ride with around the Lake Louise lakeshore.

Trail Overview & Photos

Distance: 11 km (7 miles) round-trip
Elevation Gain: 340 m (1,115 ft)
Duration: 3.5 – 5.5 hours return (excluding tea time)

On the Trail

Teahouse Takeoff: Take a right at the Lake Louise Lakeshore and follow the trail for 2km (1.2 miles). The Lakeshore Trail is packed gravel, usually very populated, and well-marked by signage. Walk past Chateau Lake Louise, right around the lakeshore until you reach the signage at the back of the lake marking the Plain of Six Glaciers Trail.
Plain of Six Glaciers Trail: From the trailhead signage, the trail moves around the back of the lake onto a river delta, where the rock flour from the glaciers above slowly flows into Lake Louise, giving it that famous turquoise hue. This section of the trail is also right below a cliff face that is popular for climbers. If you’d like a quick break, gaze up and take a moment to admire the climbers.
Over the Boardwalk: Once you get to the back of the lake, cross a wooden boardwalk over the water and enter a partially forested area. From here, the trail rises 340 m (1,115 ft) over the next 3.5 km (2.2 miles) as you progress through the glacial valley to the teahouse.
Up the Valley: The trail is very straightforward from here, essentially winding straight up the valley towards the teahouse. However, there are two turns to be aware of, both of which switch back against the path onto the Lake Louise Highline Trail. They are both marked, so simply avoid these and continue up the valley. Don’t forget to turn around now and then and enjoy the view of Lake Louise as it fades into the distance behind you.
Rocky Traverses: Along the way, there are options to divert slightly off the main trail and climb along a scree pile beside it. This section, where the two trails run parallel to each other, makes for a great photo opportunity. Closer to the teahouse, another exciting part of the trail runs alongside a rock ledge, with a sheer drop to the left. However, the path here is wide enough that it’s accessible for any visitor.
Switchback: Once you reach a hard switchback, you’re only moments from the teahouse. You might even be able to smell fresh bread baking.
Time for Tea: Tea and treats probably sound pretty good at this point, so you’ll be glad when the beautiful Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse emerges from the larch trees.
Place your Order: The teahouse has two levels. The line to be served and the kitchen are on the bottom level, while the top level has indoor and outdoor seating. There is also plenty of shaded seating scattered around the teahouse in the form of picnic tables and tree stumps. Menus are available onsite, but if you can also view the menu online. If needed, there are washrooms (outhouses) located slightly further along the trail that are visible from the teahouse.
Teahouse Helpers: Shocking, but there is no waste disposal facility at this remote teahouse. All rubbish must be hiked down the hill. So, it’s a huge help to the staff if you offer to carry a bag or two down to Lake Louise after your visit.
Up to the Viewpoint: After visiting the teahouse, you can opt to continue along the trail for just over 1 km to the Plain of Six Glaciers viewpoint. The path is steep and includes a rocky ridge that brings you right under Mt. Victoria and across from the glacier-filled canyon called “The Death Trap” (very ominous) that separates Mt. Victoria from Mt. Lefroy. It’s a remarkable sight and worth the extra hike.