Lake Agnes Tea House — Local services in Alberta

Lake Agnes Tea House Hike!

If you're craving a quintessential Rockies adventure, the Lake Agnes Tea House Hike is a must-do! Starting from the iconic Lake Louise Hotel, the journey unveils a progressive experience of natural wonders, rustic charm, and a true taste of mountain life. Hiking Info: The hike kicks off at the iconic Lake Louise Hotel and takes you on a scenic journey to Mirror Lake, about 2.5 kilometers in. Don't forget to capture the mirror-like reflection of the surrounding peaks in this tranquil spot.

Mirror Lake: Mirror Lake serves as a captivating pitstop along the trail, offering stunning photo opportunities and a taste of the Rockies' serene beauty. It's the perfect teaser for what lies ahead.

Lake Agnes Tea House: Continuing your hike for approximately 3.4 kilometers (2.1 miles) from Mirror Lake, you'll reach the enchanting Lake Agnes Tea House, a rustic gem tucked beside Lake Agnes. Staffed mainly by students and outdoor enthusiasts, they call this place home for the summer. They hike supplies up multiple times a week and even have a thrilling helicopter supply run once a year. Off-Duty Adventures: After their hard work, the staff enjoys the Rockies, from short hikes to summiting nearby peaks like Devils Thumb and Mt. Saint Piran. Even rainy days become adventures with trips to Banff for supplies or a movie.

Overall Experience: The Lake Agnes Tea House Hike isn't just about the destination; it's about the entire journey. From the awe-inspiring Lake Louise to the tranquil Mirror Lake and the charming Tea House, this hike is a progressive adventure that immerses you in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. Pro Tip: Start early to beat the crowds and take your time to soak in the stunning landscapes. And don't leave without trying their exquisite teas and pastries. Food & Beverage: The Tea House offers a delightful selection of teas, homemade soups, pastries, and their famous "Plain of Six Glaciers" tea. The catch? Everything is made without electricity, so it's a true labor of love. The baker starts at 6:30 am, ensuring delicious treats for your visit.

Sustainable Practices: Impressively, they carry out all garbage and recycling on their backs, showing their dedication to preserving this pristine wilderness. They source their water from the lake and boil it for...

The only way to get here is through a hike that starts at Lake Louise. Half way up the hike there’s a pit stop at Mirror Lake. And finally, you get to Lake Ages at the top of the mountain at the end of the trail 🏔️

Hands down the most scenic, beautiful, peaceful, and cozy little cafe I’ve ever been to! And has absolutely the most breathtaking and wonderful views in all directions!

It’s nestled at the end of a long hiking trail, takes about 1-3 hours to get to the top, depending on your level of experience, speed, agility, and health.

Be careful, and plan ahead, before deciding to make the trek up here. It’s almost entirely an upward hike so bring water, wear good grippy shoes, and stay safe. We went after winter was “over” and they reopened the trails, but there was still a lot of ice/snow especially during the tail end of the hike, so be sure to keep yourself warm and safe!

The food and drinks are good, nothing too fancy, but when you’ve been hiking that long and are hungry, everything tastes amazing at that point😂💯

Tbh tho, their tea selection is amazing and they have over 100 different kinds to choose from! Some are seasonal/rare and some are specific to this mountain top cafe only. Have a good selection of soup and sandwich options too. All the food is on the pricey side but that’s a given when factoring in the experience, location, and difficulty of getting supplies up there, plus staff making everything by hand every day. Hot chocolate was watered down a bit, but nice flavor.

Overall amazing views, good variety and selection of foods/drinks to choose from on the menu, and great ambience + cozy atmosphere.

The staff was very helpful, knowledgeable, and friendly!

PS: They take all the supplies and trash up and down the trail themselves multiple times a week, so BE NICE and if you can, offer to take some down with you when you are leaving!

It’s a very small cabin and lines can get really long depending, so be prepared for a bit of a wait if you want to get seated!

Overall, a must visit spot, with amazing scenic views all around this little...

Firstly, they accept credit cards now (with $1 fee). Secondly, honest opinion? Great location. Stunning lake. Wonderful views. But...underwhelming tea. It's important to set the right expectations. Although they are a "teahouse" with a "hundred varieties of tea", it's mostly basic stuff with mild flavoring. Do not go in expecting some strong Himalayanesque chai that rejuvenates your insides. When I asked for the "Mountain Masala Chai", I was disappointed to receive a kettle of black tea with no ginger or cardamom or cinnamon...and a separate pot of milk. My expectation of a masala chai was spices and milk boiled together with strong tea leaves. If I hadn't overhyped the tea in my mind, I'd have enjoyed the experience much more. As I mentioned, the location is just exquisite and the idea of sipping hot beverage at the end of a hike in cold weather is enticing. Maybe you'll make a more informed decision on your tea (I also felt a tad rushed to place my order). The biscuits and sandwiches were quite decent. There is a queue to get a seat. Should you go to the tea house? Absolutely. The views along the way are great once you get higher. It is a constant climb though (1.5...2 hrs if you're taking lots of photos) but 45-60 mins to decend without stopping. The last section of the trail though, was unpleasant because of all the horse poop. Anyway, hike light but bring a warm jacket for the top (it's much colder). Definitely visit the tea house as a "reward" but manage your expectations. Outhouse restrooms available in the area. If you do this hike first, you may find the hike to Larch Valley more manageable after the first...