Lake Agnes Tea House: It’s Harder Than You Think (What To Expect!)

Lake Agnes tea house is a true Lake Louise gem… if you can make it there that is!

Hidden among the mountains is an old log cabin where they serve tea made from glacier water, sweets, and sandwiches. The only catch?

You have to hike to get to it… and it’s not exactly an easy one (despite the fact that it’s a VERY popular hike!).

I’m not in the best shape I can be in, but I do hike in the summer from time to time, and this hike was harder than I thought.

Here’s an overview of the Lake Agnes trail and whether or not you should just opt for tea at the Chateau Lake Louise instead!

Psst! This blog post contains affiliate links in it which sends me a bit of extra money if you use them… at no extra cost to you!

The History Of Lake Agnes Tea House

Lake Agnes is considered to be one of the first tea houses in Canada.

The original log cabin was built by the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1901 and started serving tea in 1905.

Both the trail and the teahouse were built for tourism, to promote the beauty of the rockies in comfort!

The lake was always there, originally known as the Goats Looking Glass to the Nakoda people (Stoney Indians). They were also the ones who carved out the trail for tourists staying at Lake Louise.

The only difference? Those tourists didn’t need to hike it, they took horses to get there instead!

Lake Agnes Tea House Today

The current log cabin that you see is not the original. It was rebuilt in 1981 by Cynthia Magee and remains a family business ran by her grand children!

There’s still no electricity in the tea house but they still manage to bake desserts by scratch!

Opening Hours Of Lake Agnes Tea House

The Lake Agnes tea house isn’t open all year round. The tea house is only open from June to October – and there are a few exceptions.

It is weather and bear dependant (more on bears in a bit!). When I visited, the tea house opened two weeks late because a bear was spotted in the area in April. So they closed the Lake Agnes trail until June 15 just to be safe.

The tea house itself opens from 8:00 A.M. until 4:00 P.M. everyday during those months.

What Should You Expect From The Lake Agnes Trail?

Here’s what you can expect from the Lake Agnes trail, so you can decide if it’s actually appropriate and worth it for you to do.

Be Vigilant, You’re In Bear Country!

As I said, you’re in bear country here so you have to be careful and prepared!

We spoked to a few Parks Canada staff who all said the same thing: The best thing you can do is talk while you’re hiking to keep the bears away. Our voices are not predictable sounds to bears… unlike bear bells (which can also sound like birds to them and act as a dinner bell instead!).

Plus, this way they will most likely hear us coming and leave way before we ever even see them.

On the Lake Agnes trail, you don’t really have to worry about making noise… there are so many people. We started the hike early (before 8:00 A.M. in June and we were walking with a huge crowd.

For extra protection, you can also have bear spray on you. But, this is only used if you see a bear and they come close enough to you.

Expect Crowds Even If You Start Early

This is one of the most popular hikes in Lake Louise, and for good reason.

So, expect the Lake Agnes trail to be packed!

Like I said, we tried starting early (around 7:45 A.M.) but the crowds were already there, and there was already a line once we arrived at the top. So, I don’t know if starting earlier really helps – I think everyone is thinking the same way.

In fact, when we left the tea house (just before 10:00 A.M.), it was actually the quietest it had been, with hardly any line.

You can try to go even earlier to be one of the first people at the top for when the tea house opens. But, I don’t even know if that will be better.

How Long Is The Lake Agnes Trail?

The Lake Agnes trail is 3.5 km each way (totalling 7 km round trip!). On their website, they say it usually takes about 2-3 hours total to complete the hike, and I’d have to agree with this.

We completed the hike up in just under an hour, let’s just say we kind of bee lined it to the top. We didn’t really stop, not even for pictures. But it was hard, we felt it in our legs and we were out of breath.

To make the hike easier, just slow down and take your time!

In total, we spent 3 hours. Spending an hour to get up, an hour at the tea house, and then another hour to get down (this time stopping for pictures!).

We were also on a schedule to make the Moraine Lake shuttle in the afternoon. But, if you have time, take your time and it will be a lot easier to finish the hike.

The Lake Agnes Trail Is Separated Into 20 Minute Intervals

The first stage of the Lake Agnes trail is the hardest. It’s both the steepest and the longest straight uphill section.

It will last about 20 minutes and then you’ll reach a turn (with a small viewpoint of Lake Louise – make sure not to miss it!).

From the sharp turn, it’s another 20 minutes to Mirror Lake Banff. This is a good spot to rest. There are some rocks you can sit on and it’s not a bad view of the Beehive mountain either!

After you’ve rested a bit at Mirror Lake, it’s another 20 minutes to the top! And then you’re there – easy right!

P.S. Make sure to spot the waterfall before reaching the top!

Reaching The Stairs!

The stairs are the final step to the Lake Agnes tea house! I read in a travel book that the stairs are a near vertical climb to the top – THIS IS NOT THE CASE!

This actually deterred my parents from doing the Lake Agnes hike. And, although it’s not that easy of a hike, the stairs are the easiest part.

These are very normal stairs to climb up! Plus, it’s so much easier because you can use the railings to pull yourself up.

And you can see the tea house at this point, so you’re motivated.

It Was Harder Than I Thought…

When I was researching Lake Agnes, I thought it was an easy hike, because well, everyone does it! Their website says that you don’t even need hiking boots!

As I said, I’m not a serious hiker but I enjoy going on hikes in the summer. I’m not in perfect shape but I’m also not in the worst. I also did the hike with my hiking boots (and I’m very happy I wore them).

This hike was one of the harder ones I’ve done…

It’s the length of the uphills without any flat terrain, or downhill to give yourself a break. It’s not a long hike, but it’s exhausting.

And I would recommend wearing hiking shoes for the hike. The path is pretty well maintained but it’s not perfect. It’s still uneven with rocks and tree roots in the way. And, it’s more for the downhill where your big toe will be quite sore without proper hiking shoes (trust me, I’ve been there).

But If You’re Determined, You’ll Make It!

If you’re determined to get to Lake Agnes tea house, then you’ll make it up!

It’s very easy to get discouraged by the straight uphill and we saw a lot of people turning back. But just keep thinking about that reward and you’ll be fine, that’s what got us to the top!

If you want to get to the tea house, then you will! Just know, it’s not as easy as they said it would be, take your time, and you’ll be fine!

Watch Out For The Horse Poop On The Trail!

Most of the Lake Agnes trail is for pedestrians only. But, about halfway up, your trail combines with the horseback riding trail.

After this point, you better watch your step for horse poop on the way.

The worry of stepping in the poop wasn’t even the worst part though. It was inhaling it when you were already out of breath from hiking up! Instead of inhaling good fresh air to breath, you just inhale the poop… that was less enjoyable!

You Made It To The Tea House At Lake Agnes!

Congratulations! You made it to Lake Agnes tea house! It’s the perfect reward after an exhausting hike. It’s safe to say that I’ve never experienced anything like this before.

It feels like such an oasis with this private log cabin tea house! You feel like you’re on top of the world in the safety of the mountains!

Now it’s time to rest your legs, have a cup of tea, and enjoy nature before you begin your hike back down!

What To Expect From The Line At The Teahouse

We rushed to get to the teahouse as early as possible because we heard about how crowded it was at the top. And they’re not wrong, there are a lot of people. But, I don’t think you have to rush here to beat the lines.

We started the hike at 7:45 and made it to the top just before 9:00 A.M… there was already a line (p.s. the teahouse opens at 8:00 AM).

By the time we left, just before 10:00 A.M., there was no line. So I don’t think you can really plan to miss the line. Just enjoy being outside, and expect to wait!

I imagine the line might be even worse around lunch time because people start ordering sandwiches and hanging around longer. In the morning, everyone was very quick ordering mostly desserts and tea.

Eat In Or Take Out?

It was recommended that we take out because the line moves much faster.

Again, just go in whichever line is shorter. For use, the take out line was twice as long as the line to eat in. We were sitting within 2 minutes.

This was mainly because we were okay eating inside the cabin. If you want to eat outside though, it will most likely be a much longer wait.

I loved eating in the cabin. For starters, it was quite the cozy atmosphere, and we got to peak into the kitchen!

If you decide to take out, there are a few picnic tables, benches, and even rocks to set up on around the lake.

Enjoy The Delicious Tea!

The tea is steeped using filtered glacier water! You don’t get to drink that every day!

It doesn’t get more fresh than that. And, I’m not going to lie, it was some of the smoothest tea I’ve tasted!

They serve all types of teas from caffeinated to herbal blends! I tried the Lake Agnes Breakfast blend (of course) and highly recommend it if you like breakfast teas.

Are There Bathrooms At Lake Agnes Tea House?

There are lovely outhouses for you to use when reach the top!

It’s another hike up to them though! But don’t worry, this time it’s only about a minute or two… but it is all uphill!

Help The Lake Agnes Tea House: Offer To Bring Down Some Garbage

I know carrying garbage doesn’t sound like something you’d want to do, but it’s always nice to offer to help out in any way you can!

It turns out, the staff does the same hike as you do before and after their days off.

On their way up to the Lake Louise tea house, they bring up supplies the teahouse needs, and on their way down, they bring back garbage.

No Electricity But There’s Data At The Top

I was shocked that I actually had service at the top of Lake Agnes trail. Of course, there’s no wifi but having the data was surely nice!

Do You Need To Bring Cash To The Teahouse?

You can actually use card to pay for your tea, although there’s a small additional fee.

If you don’t want to pay the fee, you can also just bring cash. They accept CAD and USD.

Continue Your Hike: Connecting Trails

The Lake Agnes trail is just the start of the hiking trails around Lake Louise.

From this trail, you can actually continue your hike to make it longer, and even reach a second tea house!

The Beehives (Little Or Big!)

You can extend your hike by adding a hike around the Little Beehive (.9 km one way). You’ll see a sign after Mirror Lake that will take you there, so you can add it in before reaching Lake Agnes.

The Big Beehive is the mountain you’re looking at from the teahouse. You can hike to the top after your tea, although it’s known as a harder hike adding 1.6 km each way.

These trails don’t bring you to a tea house, just lookout points (so basically not worth it..!).

Plain of Six Glaciers (Tea House Banff National Park)

You can actually continue your hike and head to a second Lake Louise tea house – the Plain of Six Glaciers tea house. It’s another 5 km to the Plain of Six Glaciers from Lake Agnes.

From the Plain of Six Glaciers tea house, you can head straight back to Lake Louise, turning it into a loop! This is actually known as the Highline trail and ends up being a 14.6 km loop!

It’s quite a bit longer of a hike, and will take you the whole day complete. But, the tea houses give you a nice break between each hike.

Easier Lake Louise Tea House Alternatives

If you love the idea of tea in the Canadian Rockies, but don’t know how you’ll fair the steep way up to Lake Agnes tea house, there are a few alternatives.

Horseback Riding To Lake Agnes Teahouse

You can actually go horseback riding to Lake Agnes teahouse and skip the worst uphills. It doesn’t get much easier than that!

The only thing you’ll have to do is a short hike to the stairs, but, like I said, you’ll skip the hard part of the hike. You’ll get the experience of horseback riding with the reward of tea in the mountains at the top!

Check out Brewster Stables here.

Relax With Tea & A View Of Lake Louise

If hiking or horseback riding isn’t your thing, you can enjoy tea by the lake without ever breaking a sweat!

Book afternoon tea at the The Chateau Lake Louise at the Fairview restaurant. It’s definitely a lot more expensive than tea at Lake Agnes, but it’s still a lovely experience.

A bit more of a budget friendly option is to sit on the terrace of the Lakeview Restaurant at the hotel. You can even order tea here (for a fraction of the price!).

The only catch is that it’s a first come first serve basis. The restaurant opens at 11:00 A.M., so if you get there a bit before then, you’ll be first in line to get the best seat on the terrace. We arrived at 10:40 A.M. and were the second people in the line (but this was also in June during the week).

Need A Place To Stay In Lake Louise?

Hotels in Lake Louise book fast and are expensive and there aren’t that many options! We booked our hotel for June in February of that year and we were already late.

The place to stay is the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise – but it will cost you (see current rates). Instead of staying the night, we opted to enjoy an afternoon tea at the hotel.

We stayed at the Deer Lodge which was a 5 minute walk to Lake Louise . Despite the lower reviews, it is in the middle of renovations so we booked a newly renovated rooms and it was perfect! They provide breakfast and pre-made sandwiches that we bought for lunch before we headed out every day! See it on Booking.com.

For a more budget friendly option, in the town of Lake Louise, stay at HI Lake Louise Alpine Hostel. The common room screams cozy cabin vibes! View updated room rates and availability on Booking.com.

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Last update on 2024-05-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API