After hiking this trail for a second time on our latest trip to Banff, we were hiking back along the shore of Lake Louise when the topic of what the best hike around Lake Louise came up. I, Matt, asked Alysha which route – the Plain of Six Glaciers trail or the Lake Agnes and Big Beehive Trail – she would opt for if she only had time for one, knowing my answer already.
For both of us, exploring the Plain of Six Glaciers is truly a tremendous excursion around Lake Louise. The vivid landscapes encountered, particularly at the concluding viewpoint, are unlike anything one may experience in their home location (unless dwelling in the Rockies, Patagonia, or New Zealand potentially).
If you’re looking for an idea of what to do in Jasper, we’d point you to our Canadian Rockies itinerary, which has a breakdown of how to spend two days in Jasper.
In this guide, we’re going to go through everything we think you need to understand to safely and smoothly hike the Plain of Six Glaciers trail in Banff, comprising how to control the crowds that inevitably descend on this trail between the hours of about 10am and 3pm.
We’ll start with the logistical details – where to park and other useful information for a smooth outing – then provide a trail report based on our own experiences on the route.
Sound good to you? Let’s get into it.
P.S. As Americans write this guide, and most readers also come from America, distances are described in feet and miles in the guide below. Attempts were made beforehand to include both measurements in the guides, however they ended up very confusing with too much detail, so miles and feet are used especially as they are most familiar. Converting to kilometers and meters using an online calculator is straightforward if needed.
Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post, like hotel links, are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, we make a little bit of money if you click through and book. That being said, we would never recommend something to you that we don’t stand behind 100%.
Table of Contents
Hiking the Plain of Six Glaciers Trail: Trail Details
- Length: 9 miles
- Elevation Gain: 1,900 ft.
- Season: July – October
- Trail Type: Out and Back
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Dog Friendly? Yes, on a leash
- Pass Required: Parks Canada Admission OR Parks Canada Discovery Pass
- Trailhead Site
The Route for Hiking the Plain of Six Glaciers
The Plain of the Six Glaciers Trail is a fairly straightforward route. It’s an out and back hike that follows the Lake Louise lakeshore around the right side of the lake (if you’re facing the lake from the parking lot).
At the far end of the lake, the ascent begins relatively gently through forested terrain along the creek. You’ll emerge from the treeline into a rockier section with great exposure, but the views along this stretch of trail are the finest of the hike.
You’ll climb up a rocky ridge, hit some switchbacks, and arrive at the Plain of Six Glaciers teahouse, which has bathrooms, toilets, tea, and snacks for you (though we’d hit it on your way back down to get to the glaciers ASAP to beat the crowds).
From there, a moderately steep 0.7 mile hike leads to the endpoint view offering quite a spectacular scene up the chasm lined with glaciers.
To return to the parking area, you simply retrace your steps, making a brief stop at the teahouse along the way to indulge in a well-earned snack and cup of Earl Grey tea (Cream of Earl Grey is our top choice, we believe) on the return journey.
How Difficult is the Hike to the Plain of Six Glaciers?
Based on our experience hiking all across the Pacific Northwest and beyond, we would categorize this trail as moderately challenging.
The elevation gain (nearly 2,000 feet) is reasonably easy to handle when spread over the 9 mile journey. It`s a very steady climb.
Two factors that contribute to the perceived difficulty are the exposed terrain over the last third and the total distance covered.
Traversing 9 miles through a Rocky landscape with minimal tree cover and switching back paths before reaching the teahouse proves fairly demanding, accounting for about a third of the journey, arguably the most strenuous section. The teahouse serves as a welcome refuge from the intense summer sun experienced more prominently in the mountainous Rockies.
However, that teahouse provides a good resting point midway through the most challenging section of the hiking trail, which is also beneficial (though, if you visit early, we`d proceed straight through to reach the end of the route before large crowds arrive).
Come prepared with plenty of water, snacks, and sun protection (reapply sunscreen!), and wear sturdy shoes (hiking boots are recommended given the rocky and uneven terrain).
Getting to the Plain of Six Glaciers Trailhead
This section is, perhaps, the most significant section of them all. The Plain of Six Glaciers trail leaves from Lake Louise, which implies that the parking situation is somewhere between irritating and downright nightmarish.
In terms of getting to the starting point for this hike, you have a few options; dealing with the parking situation by arriving very early, or avoiding the parking issues and taking public transportation to the trailhead.
Driving Yourself to Lake Louise
There are two parking lot options by the lake. The lots are sizable, but there are a few things to know about the self-drive choice.
In summary, we advise only attempting this if planning to reach the trailhead by 7am at the latest (6:30am on summer weekends).
Lake Louise in Banff National Park, and all of Canada, attracts many visitors. A constant stream of tourists admires the lake`s vibrant turquoise color framed by tall rocky peaks from dawn until dusk.
The primary thing to understand here is that, while there are two parking lots – the lower lot and the upper lot – both of the parking areas will fill up early in the morning (usually by 7am). We arrived at 6:15am, and the lower area was complete.
By the time we had fed our dog, used the bathroom, and secured all our gear, the upper lot was filling quickly (around 6:45am).
The second thing you should be aware of is that once the lot is full, there is no waiting around for a space to become available. Parking attendants will wave you along, and you basically have to drive all the way down to Lake Louise Village before you can turn around and try again.
It`s important to arrive no later than 7am if you want a good chance of finding parking at the lake.
One important fact to note is that, as of this writing, parking at Lake Louise between 7am and 7pm for ANY duration incurs a cost of $21 CAD. This represents a noticeably steep fee.
The primary advantage of self-driving is that it allows you to get an early beginning on the trail. Like the lake itself, this trail is one of the most popular hikes in Banff, which implies it becomes very, very busy between 10am and 3pm (ish). Hitting the trail at 7am is a great way to enjoy at minimum a little bit of solitude.
Taking the Bus or Shuttle to Lake Louise
If you wish to avoid navigating the crowded vehicle area at Lake Louise (or do not want to wake up early), what alternatives exist?
Luckily for you, Banff has done a pretty good job at creating options for people to get around via public transportation, which reduces congestion on roads and in parking lots because one bus can hold as many people as 20-25 cars.
There are two options here – the Parks Canada Shuttle, and public transportation known as ROAM Transit 8x bus. Which one you choose mostly depends on your point of origin. Let me quickly discuss them so that you can determine which option is best for your needs.
The Parks Canada Shuttle (From Lake Louise Ski Resort)
The initial choice is the Lake Louise Shuttle, which is operated by Parks Canada. This alternative departs from the Lake Louise Park & Ride ( here on Google Maps), meaning that you would require to operate most of the distance if you’re arriving from Banff or Canmore.
This shuttle runs directly from the park and ride out to the lake every 20 minutes between 6:30am and 6pm (the last return shuttle from the lake is 7:30pm), and there are some other useful routes (the connector between Lake Louise and Moraine Lake and the connector from the Lake Louise Campground) that might be useful, and are included with your reservation.
The shuttle costs $8 per adult, $4 per senior (65+), and is free for kids under 17.
Reservations are released in two periods – in the spring, and two days in advance at 8am in the Mountain Time zone. Advance reservations are required – walk-in visits are not available.
Since details can change, we strongly advise checking the Parks Canada website for additional information.
ROAM Transit (From the Town of Banff)
If you’re lodging in Banff and do not wish to drive the approximate 45 minutes to Lake Louise to catch the Parks Canada Shuttle, ROAM Transit has a bus that travels directly from Banff to Lake Louise (there’s a stop in Lake Louise Village).
The scheduled bus is the route 8x express, departing from the stop located directly outside of Banff High School ( viewable here on Google Maps).
The first bus departs Banff at 7am daily, taking approximately one hour to reach Lake Louise, putting visitors there around 8am. The last return bus leaves the lake at 11pm, arriving back in Banff around midnight.
This route costs $10 each direction ($5 for seniors, children 17 and under go free), and walkers do need to make a booking beforehand (which can be learned about here).
Advance reservations for this shuttle, similar to the option above, are important as spots can fill, especially for earlier departure times.
While this is more expensive than the Parks Canada Shuttle, it does mean that you can go directly from Banff, which makes it rather useful if you’re staying in Banff and don’t want to drive to Lake Louise, or if you don’t have access to a vehicle.
The Best Time to Hike the Plain of Six Glaciers Trail
Comparable to various climbs in the mountains, the most ideal time to traverse the Plain of Six Glaciers trail is without a doubt between mid-summer and early fall, roughly from mid-June to mid-October.
In winter and spring, higher elevation sections of this trail can be covered in snow and ice, and pose greater avalanche risks than the area around Lake Louise. It wouldn’t be recommended – there are substantially better options with lower avalanche dangers in Banff.
We’d only advise this hike during the summer and fall seasons, but crowds should be anticipated. This trail is one of the most popular and heavily trafficked routes in the park, so be prepared to encounter NUMEROUS other individuals along the journey.
When visiting the western United States and Canada in the summer and fall, there is one factor that has become all too familiar in recent years, specifically, smoke blown in from nearby wildfires.
Both in 2017 and 2023, we had significant portions of our trips where wildfire smoke was thick in Banff and Jasper. One was in July and one was in September, so planning your trip at a specific time doesn’t truly assist all that much.
It’s an unavoidable truth of life on a planet with a swiftly altering climate, and there’s little one can do to work around it if time in the Canadian Rockies is finite.
We prefer using IQAir to track air quality, and they have a relatively accurate (as accurate as something like this could be) forecast feature that helped us plan around particularly poor air quality days.
It`s important to remember that conditions can transform quickly, even within just a few hours, depending on wind and precipitation.
For example, we hiked the Wilcox Pass trail in the morning with some smoke obscuring sections of the views. Then, when we checked a webcam later that day after returning home, it was fully clear.
Are Dogs Allowed on the Plain of Six Glaciers Trail?
Yes! Part of the reason we found ourselves in the Canadian Rockies on our last trip is that we had recently welcomed our dog, Lupine, into our family and were seeking an enjoyable, dog-friendly hiking excursion.
We loved our first trip to Banff and Jasper, so we decided to spend three weeks making our way from home to Banff and back again.
While dogs are permitted, they must remain leashed at all times within the park, and you need to pack out any trash (read: dog waste) with you. We have saddle bags for Lupine so that she can carry her own water, snacks, and waste products.
Another thing to know is that canines are not permitted inside the Plain of Six Glaciers tea house, though they are allowed on the patio.
Things to Know Before You Hike the Plain of Six Glaciers Trail
Here are a couple things worth considering before hiking the Plain of Six Glaciers trail.
You need a Parks Canada Pass while within the park. You have two options – purchase a pass for the number of days required or buy a Discovery Pass, which provides access to all national parks in Canada for a full year. At a high level, the mathematics for the Discovery Pass works out if you’re expending 7 days or more within the parks, though there are some variations regarding family passes that may change the calculations in your specific situation. You can obtain both versions at the park entrance stations, or online in advance.
Teahouse hours. The Plain of Six Glaciers teahouse, which can be found at p6teahouse.com, is open seasonally during the summer and early fall, operating from 9am to 4pm each day. That means that if you get a very early start on the hiking trail, you’ll likely arrive at the teahouse before the opening time. We’d suggest that you just continue up to the Plain of Six Glaciers viewpoint, then come back down and enjoy the teahouse on your way back down the mountain.
The hiking trail offers scant refuge from the sun. Most especially from where it intersects with the Highline Trail through the endpoint. Except for a short forested section at the tearoom, virtually no shade for the remaining two miles or so. Come prepared with plentiful water and sun protection like lotion, glasses and a hat.
Layered apparel is advantageous. As temperatures decrease at higher elevations, you’ll experience cooling, providing relief from perspiration due to exertion during the climb. Nevertheless, stopping to take in scenic vistas means exposure to the chill, emphasizing the importance of prepared attire. We began our ascent earlier when conditions were frigid, with multiple protective garments – undershirt, fleece, puffer coat – both preferring our Patagonia micro insulation layers. During the peak of exertion, outer layers were removed, donned again once halting on the glacier to thaw.
You’re hiking at elevation. Remember that you`re in the high elevations of the Rocky Mountains (Lake Louise is over 5,250 feet above sea level, and your hike will pass over 7,000 feet) so if you`re coming from sea level, the hike may feel more difficult than usual. That`s why we suggest starting with an easier trail to adjust, and saving the harder routes for later in your trip. You can find out more in our Banff itinerary or Canadian Rockies itinerary (which includes Jasper and Yoho).
You’re in bear territory. Both black and Grizzly bears inhabit Banff National Park, and we saw both (though never up close on a hiking trail, thankfully). Our biggest recommendation is to make plenty of noise on the trail – Matt is known for improvised singing as we hike – so that you avoid any surprise encounters. You’ll also want to have bear spray, which you can obtain in town if you’re flying in (you can’t bring bear spray on a plane or across the border if you’re coming from the US by car). You should check with your hotel or lodge because numerous of the best places to stay in Banff will lend it to you.
Thunderstorms are common in summer afternoons. As if another motive was needed to begin hikes early, we encountered thunderstorms nearly daily between noon and 4pm. Hiking above the tree line, you`ll want to start descending by the time they arrive.
Trail closures are quite common in Banff. Mostly due to bear activity or weather conditions. Verify here for current situations.
The Plain of Six Glaciers Trail: A Complete Trail Guide
Now that we’ve covered all the logistics and trail tips, on to the detailed trail guide.
Below we`ll offer a rough play-by-play of what the hike along this trail entails by splitting it into four distinct sections to give a sense of its flow and progression as you journey along. Those intervals are:
- The Lake Louise Lakeshore
- The Climb to the Teahouse
- The Final Path to the Glaciers
For each, we’ll give you the distance and elevation gain you’ll cover, a trail description to help you understand what to anticipate, and, of course, some images we’ve taken.
The Lake Louise Lakeshore Trail
Length: 1.8 miles // Elevation Gained: 100 feet
The largest section of this hike (as we’ve split it up, anyway) is the Lake Louise Lakeshore trail, which is a nice easy (and mostly flat) walk along the shore of the lake.
Roughly 3.6 of the total 9 miles follows this paved route, contributing to why we view this as firmly in the moderate category.
Notably, expect this section to be quite crowded, especially later in the day on the return journey if taking our suggestion to get an early start for optimal experience.”
The scenery will also be gorgeous, with panoramic perspectives facing the valley and across the turquoise waters of the lake towards Fairview Mountain.
At the lake`s farthest end from the parking area, pleasing perspectives return across the water to the eminent Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, and you can get down to the beach for a view at water-level.
The Climb to the Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse
Distance: 2.0 miles // Elevation Gain: 1,250 feet
From that beach, the trail starts with a fairly gentle climb all the way to the Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse.
We considered separating this hike into two sections since the first mile has tree cover while the next mile on an exposed rocky ridge involves quick switchbacks, making the second section feel significantly harder, especially on a hot summer afternoon near midday.
Gaining 1,250 feet over the course of two miles is squarely in the “moderate” category, but the exposure on the second half of this stretch should not be underestimated, and ensuring adequate water, sun protection, and snacks will be important to maintaining energy.
Another thing to note is that the terrain is not exactly level – there are some sizeable rocky steps, some sloping rocky areas, and even a strip along a narrow ledge with a drop off on one side. Footwear with strong traction, such as hiking boots, will serve you best here.
Like we alluded to above, the first piece of this middle stretch of the Plain of Six Glaciers hike climbs, alternating between forested and exposed and following a small creek that runs from the glaciers down into Lake Louise.
At about the halfway point, the trail intersects with the Highline Trail (which will connect you to the Big Beehive Trail if completing both routes), where the path undergoes some changes.
It gets more rocky, more steep in places, and more exposed, with little to no shade accessible between here and the teahouse.
From that trail junction, it`s a mile to the teahouse. Over the course of that distance, you`ll encounter the narrow cliffside portion of the path, the climb up the rocky slope, and a set of switchbacks before briefly entering the forest before arriving at the teahouse.
The latter half of this central area of the trail, in our view, is the most lively portion, and similarly has a portion of the best perspectives both up the trail towards the snowcaps and looming rocky pinnacles, and back down the trail towards Lake Louise.
The Final Ascent From the Teahouse to the Glaciers
Length: 0.7 miles // Elevation Gained: 450 feet
This last section of trail takes you from the Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse up to the… Plain of Six Glaciers. It’s the rockiest and steepest section of the trail, but it’s worth it for the view up to Abbot Pass and the hut that sits at the top of it.
Before starting the trail, the teahouses are worth discussing. These remote teahouses fascinated us during our first trip since it’s an unusual experience. They serve tea and food, which is all prepared on propane stoves at the teahouse.
Firstly, how do they get all the provisions? The staff at the mountain huts receive a single massive shipment of food, tea and supplies at the start of the season (delivered by helicopter) and then carry everything else in.
Staff work in four or five day increments, where they hike the same trail as you to get to the teahouse with any supplies they or the teahouse need, and then head back down to Lake Louise once their stint is over.
Our recommendation, especially if you’re up here early when the teahouse opens from 9am to 4pm, is to head straight through to the Plain of Six Glaciers first to beat the crowds, then stop at the teahouse on the way back down for a well-earned snack and cup of tea (cream of earl grey is truly outstanding).
The trail at first follows closely to the path before arriving at the teahouse, but then transforms into a series of rocky switchbacks mixed with large rock steps. Ultimately, you reach the viewpoint at the base of the valley.
The most intriguing part, at least to us, is being able to see so far up that huge fracture to the shelter at the top of the pass, which someone has ACTUALLY climbed at one point (terrifying).
It’s called Abbot Hut, named after climber Philip Abbot (we later learned that he actually perished free climbing Mount Lefroy, which is on the left side of Abbot Pass, which is also named after him).
As you approach, it’s likely you’ll hear loud cracking and booming noises as snow melts and ice shifts beneath. My furry companion Lupine was clearly uneasy with the dramatic sounds, to say the least.”
While breathtaking views abound throughout, the finest perspective involves a brief scramble up the rocky incline to your right, where you’ll gain a better vantage point of Abbot Pass from above.
Extending Your Hike: The Full Glaciers/Beehives Loop
If you’re looking to extend your hike, there really is one option that we’d advise, and it’s the one we did on our last trip to Banff – the Big Beehive/Plain of Six Glaciers loop.
This hike takes you up to the Plain of the Six Glaciers initially, following the above route, when the sun is marginally less intense. On the return trip down, you’ll connect with the Highline Trail to guide you up to the Big Beehive and its excellent views over Lake Louise and the valley beyond.
From there, you descend to Lake Agnes and the Lake Agnes Teahouse before making the final forested descent back to Lake Louise.
Now, this is a lengthy hike – 12 miles with 3,300 feet of elevation gain – and you need to prepare for a 5-8 hour excursion, depending on how frequently you stop along the route.
That refers to bringing sizable amounts of drinking water (we carry at minimum 2L per individual), some snack foods, additional sunscreen, many layers of clothing, and rugged hiking boots (Alysha prefers her Columbia Newton Ridge boots, which represent an excellent initial pair of hiking boots).
Hiking poles may also be handy for the steep downhill sections to protect your knees – we`ve found hiking poles very useful now, after years of thinking they weren`t practical.
The advantages of doing this more extended route are being able to do both teahouses and the two main hikes near Lake Louise in a single day, and only having to deal with parking or the shuttle once if wanting to do both the Plain of the Six Glaciers and the Big Beehive/Lake Agnes Trail.
