Teahouse Highline Circuit

This is Lake Louise’s full teahouse circuit: climb the Lake Agnes Trail to the historic Lake Agnes Tea House, cross the Highline beneath the Beehive ridge, visit the seasonal Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House, then return to the Highline junction and descend the Plain of Six Glaciers route to Lake Louise. The Highline connection and the Plain Tea House spur are part of this specific visitor experience; Big Beehive, Little Beehive, Devil’s Thumb, and the glacier viewpoint beyond the tea house are separate extensions.

Plan on about 14.3 km (8.9 miles) for the signed loop and roughly 5–7 hours, depending on pace, crowds, footing, and time at the tea houses. Expect sustained climbing, rocky and uneven trail, and a high-elevation route with exposed sections. The corrected map line includes the short lakeshore access connection between the parking area and the mapped Lake Agnes/Plain trail junctions, while the published visitor distance remains the Parks Canada 14.3 km convention.

Start at the Lake Louise lakeshore parking area and follow the Lake Agnes Trail past Mirror Lake to Lake Agnes and its seasonal tea house. Continue on the signed Highline toward the Plain of Six Glaciers valley. The Highline meets the Plain trail before the Plain Tea House, so follow that spur to the tea house, return to the junction, and descend via the Plain of Six Glaciers route along Lake Louise to close the circuit.

This is a demanding day hike rather than a technical climb. Expect roots, steps, loose rock, wet or icy footing, and exposed or rocky terrain near the Highline and Plain of Six Glaciers sections. Mountain weather changes quickly. The tea houses are seasonal and should not be your only food or water source. Lake Louise is bear country: carry bear spray where permitted, give wildlife space, and keep dogs under control. Check current Parks Canada access, trail, and avalanche information before setting out; the upper teahouse trails are not a winter route for ordinary hikers.