Lake Agnes Trail

Lake Agnes Trail is the classic out-and-back day hike out of the Lake Louise area in Banff National Park, ending at Lake Agnes and the historic Lake Agnes Tea House.

The route is about 6.53 km total (out-and-back). Expect roughly 400 m of elevation gain and a typical completion time around 3 to 4 hours depending on pace and how long you linger at Mirror Lake and at the tea house.

From the Lake Louise lakeshore, the climb starts through evergreen forest on a sustained gradient with switchbacks, gradually pulling you away from the lake’s surface and toward the viewpoint areas on the upper slopes.

Mirror Lake is the first major landmark on the way up; it’s a common turnaround/recharge stop before you continue higher toward Lake Agnes.

Near the top, the last push includes short steeper sections, a junction for the Little Beehive trail, and an approach that puts you close to the Lake Agnes waterfall area before reaching Lake Agnes and the tea house.

The Tea House sits on the shore of Lake Agnes at an elevation around 2,134 m and is open seasonally in summer (early June through Canadian Thanksgiving). Plan on bringing cash for treats, and pack out your own garbage.

For those extending beyond Lake Agnes, the route system from the tea house area commonly supports detours to the Little Beehive and Big Beehive; the extra climb adds worthwhile high viewpoints over the Lake Louise/Bow Valley area.

More information: How to Hike The Lake Agnes Tea House Trail, How to Hike to Lake Agnes Tea House, Lake Agnes Trail to Mirror Lake on Snowshoes