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Canada🇨🇦 | hikesPlain of Six Glaciers TrailLake Louise shore, glacier teahouse, Victoria Glacier, pika moraine | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Plain of Six Glaciers Trail
👀 For curious travelershike ranked #12
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 23, 2026

The Plain of Six Glaciers Trail starts from the Lake Louise shoreline and ends at a teahouse with a view, so you can hike a big glacier valley without a tent. It runs in Banff National Park in the Alberta Rockies of Canada, west of Banff town. Expect about 14 kilometers round trip, a steady climb, and a final ridge with drop-offs. Parking at the lake fills early, and the Parks Canada shuttle or Roam bus is the easier way in. I paid roughly US$9 for a pot of tea and a slab of cake at the teahouse, and the woodsmoke and hot ceramic were worth every cent. Fit walkers and photographers will love it; anyone wanting solitude or an empty trail should skip it.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Canada Travel Guide.
Best time to go: June - September
Duration: 5 hours
Distance: 14 kilometers
Total ascent: 400 meters


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✨ Why go?
Ranked #12 hike in CanadaReasons people choose to hike the here

Plain of Six Glaciers Trail gives you a hanging-glacier amphitheater for a day's effort and no overnight gear. The lakeside start means you walk straight from turquoise water into moraine rubble beneath Mount Victoria, with avalanche rumbles often audible from the ice above. The route ends at the Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse, a log building where hikers rest on the terrace before the final push. Distance is flexible too: stop at the teahouse, or continue along the ridge to the Abbot Pass viewpoint for a close look at the glacier-draped pass. It also links with the Lake Agnes loop, so a longer day is easy. For backpackers working through the Rockies, it is the one hike here that justifies an early alarm.

💡 HighlightsKey sights and experiences for travelers

  1. Lake Louise Shoreline: The trail begins along the lake's north edge, where the water shows a milky blue-green from glacial rock flour, with Victoria Glacier hanging above the far end.
  2. Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse: A rustic log building about 5.5 kilometers in, serving tea, soup and baked goods. It opens in summer only and takes cash only.
  3. Victoria Glacier Viewpoint: The ridge past the teahouse faces the ice head-on, with crevasses, blue seracs and the sound of falling ice.
  4. Lower Moraine Valley: The middle stretch crosses gray boulders and gravel, where pikas squeak and the lake falls away behind you.
  5. Abbot Pass Viewpoint: The trail ends at a spot overlooking the pass between Mounts Victoria and Lefroy.
For a first visit, the glacier viewpoint beyond the teahouse is the one to reach.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do around Plain of Six Glaciers Trail

Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Banff Tour from Calgary/Canmore/Banff

Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Banff Tour from Calgary/Canmore/Banff

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8 Iconic Stops. 12 Comfy Seats. See Banff's Best in First Class.

8 Iconic Stops. 12 Comfy Seats. See Banff's Best in First Class.

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Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and the Icefields Parkway Full-Day Tour

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Lake Louise and Moraine Lake Guaranteed Access

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Lake Louise Moraine Lake Emerald Lake Yoho Banff National Park

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Lake Louise, Moraine/Bow Lake, Emerald & Peyto - 4 Lakes in Banff

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Lake Louise, Moraine, Emerald Lake, Johnston Canyon, Banff Town

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Banff Moraine Lake and Lake Louise Shuttle Limited Time Offer

Banff Moraine Lake and Lake Louise Shuttle Limited Time Offer

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Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?Seasonal considerations and timing

  • Late June to mid-September: The trail is reliably snow-free to the Abbot Pass viewpoint and the teahouse is open (roughly June to early October). Valley highs run 15 to 24°C (59 to 75°F), mornings near freezing at 2,100 meters. Long daylight, biggest crowds, and Lake Louise parking fills before 8 a.m.
  • Late September to early October: Larch color elsewhere draws crowds, but this trail is quieter. Highs 5 to 12°C (41 to 54°F), first snow possible, and teahouse closing dates vary.
  • October to May: Snow and avalanche terrain above the lake make the upper trail risky, daylight is short, highs sit between -10 and 5°C (14 to 41°F). Lodging in Lake Louise costs far less than in summer.
Start at first light on a weekday in July or August to beat both the crowds and afternoon cloud.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: below average for travelingFEBFebruary: below average for travelingMARMarch: below average for travelingAPRApril: fair for travelingMAYMay: fair for travelingJUNJune: highly recommended for travelingJULJuly: excellent for travelingAUGAugust: excellent for travelingSEPSeptember: highly recommended for travelingOCTOctober: fair for travelingNOVNovember: below average for travelingDECDecember: below average for traveling
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If you enjoy meeting fellow travelers, consider choosing hostels with high ratings for atmosphere. On the other hand, if you prefer having your own space, a hotel might be a better option.

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🥾 Hike detailsRoute, distance, and difficulty explained

Total Distance: Plain of Six Glaciers Trail is about 14 kilometers round trip from the lakeshore, or roughly 11 kilometers if you turn back at the teahouse.
Duration: Plan 4 to 5 hours with stops.
Difficulty: Moderate, with a steep final section and a narrow ridge with exposed edges.
Starting Point: The Lake Louise lakeshore, reached by Parks Canada shuttle or Roam bus from the Lake Louise area, since the lot fills early.
Major Landmarks:
  • Lake Louise: Start of the walk along the north shore.
  • Teahouse: The midpoint rest stop.
  • Viewpoint: The ridge end facing Victoria Glacier and Abbot Pass.
Terrain and
… read more 👉
Total Distance: Plain of Six Glaciers Trail is about 14 kilometers round trip from the lakeshore, or roughly 11 kilometers if you turn back at the teahouse.
Duration: Plan 4 to 5 hours with stops.
Difficulty: Moderate, with a steep final section and a narrow ridge with exposed edges.
Starting Point: The Lake Louise lakeshore, reached by Parks Canada shuttle or Roam bus from the Lake Louise area, since the lot fills early.
Major Landmarks:
  • Lake Louise: Start of the walk along the north shore.
  • Teahouse: The midpoint rest stop.
  • Viewpoint: The ridge end facing Victoria Glacier and Abbot Pass.
Terrain and Scenery: Flat lakeside gravel gives way to forest, then switchbacks and loose moraine with cliff views and glacier walls.
Vegetation: Subalpine spruce and fir thin out into alpine rock and hardy flowers.
Wildlife: Pikas, ground squirrels and marmots are common, and grizzly and black bears live in the area, so carry bear spray and make noise.
⚠️ Hiking info can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate. Before you hit the trail, check the latest conditions with locals. If you do spot anything that's off, I'd love to hear from you, so I can update it for fellow travelers.

🛡️ SafetySafety Tips and Common Scams in Plain of Six Glaciers Trail

The Plain of Six Glaciers Trail is a well-used, well-marked route, and most problems come from underestimating it. Weather turns fast at 2,100 meters, so carry a rain shell and warm layer even on sunny mornings. The final stretch past the teahouse has exposed, loose ledges with steep drop-offs, so slow down and keep children close. Early season snow can linger and hide the path. Rockfall and avalanche noise from Victoria Glacier is normal, but stay behind the signed barriers. Black and grizzly bears live in the valley, so carry bear spray where you can reach it, hike in a group, make noise on blind corners, and give any animal at least 100 meters. Pack water and snacks.
Check Country Safety

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Plain of Six Glaciers Trail takes most hikers 4 to 5 hours return, covering about 13 to 14 kilometers round trip from the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. The teahouse sits roughly 5.3 kilometers in, a good lunch stop at around 2 to 2.5 hours. Adding the Agnes Lake loop can stretch the day to 6 to 7 hours.
The Plain of Six Glaciers Trail is rated moderate. It climbs about 400 meters in elevation, with a gentle lakeside start, steady switchbacks, and a narrow, exposed final stretch beyond the teahouse. Most reasonably fit hikers with sturdy shoes manage it, and the pace can be slow without trouble.
No guide or permit is needed for the Plain of Six Glaciers Trail, though you must hold a Parks Canada pass for Banff National Park (about US$7 to 8 per adult per day, or an annual Discovery Pass near US$54). Parking at Lake Louise requires reservations or a shuttle in summer, with shuttle tickets around US$10 to 12. The teahouse takes cash only and is closed in winter.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

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We 💚 feedbackKey takeaways before you go

Plain of Six Glaciers Trail trips up people who arrive at midday and stall in the parking lot. Go at first light or take the shuttle, and do not turn around at the teahouse. The ridge beyond is the best part.

✈️ When did I visit Canada?
As part of my 1.5 year travel around the world trip, I visited Canada in 2016.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Canada, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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