Lake Louise is one of those places that has been photographed millions of times and still manages to take your breath away the moment you see it in person. Named after Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, the lake is fed by meltwater from the Victoria Glacier visible at its far end, and its striking emerald-green color comes from glacial rock flour suspended in the water. The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise sits right on the shoreline, its grand stone facade reflected in the water with the glacier looming behind it — it is one of the most iconic hotel settings in the world. Whether you stay there or just stop in for tea, walking into the Chateau and stepping out to the lakeshore for the first time is a genuinely memorable moment. As part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lake Louise represents one of the most photographed destinations in the world, and for good reason — it earns every single one of those photographs.
There is more to do here than just stand and stare, though staring is completely acceptable. Canoeing on the lake is one of the signature experiences — rentals are available at the Lake Louise Boathouse on a first-come, first-served basis, with hours running daily from 8:30 AM to 8 PM — and gliding across those emerald waters with the glacier ahead of you and the Chateau behind is about as good as it gets. For hikers, the options are exceptional. The Plain of Six Glaciers trail is one of the most rewarding in the entire park, leading to a historic teahouse perched in the alpine above the lake with views back down that will stop you mid-step. The Big Beehive lookout offers a bird’s-eye aerial view of the full lake far below. In September, the surrounding area lights up with golden larches and the whole landscape looks like a painting.
Lake Agnes & the Lake Agnes Teahouse
Lake Agnes sits about 365 meters above Lake Louise and the hike to get there is one of the most rewarding in Banff. The trail climbs steadily through forest, passes Mirror Lake, and arrives at a dramatic cirque where the teahouse has been welcoming hikers since 1905. The teahouse serves homemade soups, baked goods, and over 100 varieties of loose-leaf tea — all carried up by hand or packhorses since there is no road access. It is cash only, so come prepared. The lake itself is a stunning dark blue tucked beneath towering cliff walls with a small waterfall cascading down the rock face above. It is one of those places that feels earned in the best possible way.
Little Beehive
Little Beehive is a short extension from the Lake Agnes trail that most hikers skip, which means it tends to be quiet even when the main trail is busy. The summit sits at 2,270 meters and offers sweeping views down the Bow Valley with Lake Louise a vivid turquoise speck far below. It is one of the better aerial perspectives of the lake in the entire area and takes only about 20 minutes extra from Lake Agnes. If you are already making the effort to hike up to Lake Agnes and the teahouse, adding Little Beehive is a no-brainer. We did the little beehive before the teahouse.
Mirror Lake
Mirror Lake is a small, peaceful lake that sits along the trail between Lake Louise and Lake Agnes, about halfway up. On a calm morning it does exactly what its name suggests — reflecting the surrounding peaks in still, dark water. Most hikers pass through it quickly on the way to Lake Agnes, but it is worth pausing here for a few minutes, especially early in the day before the wind picks up and the surface goes glassy. It is a beautiful reminder that in the Canadian Rockies, even the stops between the stops are worth your full attention.
Plain of Six Glaciers
This is one of the great hikes of the Canadian Rockies. The trail begins at the Lake Louise lakeshore and follows the water’s edge before climbing into the high alpine above the tree line, where six glaciers come into full view and the scale of the landscape becomes genuinely humbling. A historic teahouse built in 1927 sits at the halfway point and serves hot drinks and hearty food against a backdrop that belongs on a postcard. Keep going past the teahouse if you can — the views only get better as you climb toward the toe of the Victoria Glacier. Round trip is about 14 km with 365 meters of elevation gain, and worth every step.
We didn’t get to big beehive, as we were too tired and there was still snow and ice on that part of the trail. But here are some views taken by my son.
