He said there would be tea.

That’s how my brother, Sir Campsalot, convinced us to make the trek up to Lake Agnes Tea House in Banff National Park. He’d been living in Calgary for nearly a year now, and our family had ventured up to the Great White North to see what his new life was all about: the digs, the poutine, and — of course — the mountains.

It’s no secret that my usual vibe is cocktails in a New York City bar or craft beer in Belgium instead of contemplating the wonders of the universe surrounded by trees. But in the spirit (ha!) of getting healthier this year, I hoped to change all of that in Banff this past June.

Having tea as a reward was the motivator I needed to turn this rusty pair of legs into an actual hiker. But what’s the deal with the Lake Agnes Tea House trail, and why should it be on your list of hikes to do in Banff? Here’s the scoop for all of you non-hikers out there.

What’s the Deal with the Lake Agnes Tea House Trail?

The Canadian Pacific Railway built the Lake Agnes Tea House in 1901 as a refuge for hikers, and they’ve been serving tea for over a hundred years (since 1905). To get to the tea house, thirsty travelers must put in the work first by hiking up a 3.5-kilometer trail before sipping on a cuppa. This doesn’t deter the masses, however: the Lake Agnes Tea House trail is one of the most popular hikes in Banff.

The FAQ section of the Lake Agnes Tea House website can answer all the questions you’ve ever wanted to know — and then some. It’s how I learned that staff members hike up to the tea house to get to work just like the rest of us — two to four times a week. Man, those jobs will get you into shape real quick!

Where is the Lake Agnes Tea House Trail?

The Lake Agnes Tea House trail is located in Banff National Park, which is in Alberta, Canada. Zoom in or out on the map below to see more details.

If you’re an avid hiker, love numbers more than the Count on Sesame Street, or you’re just simply curious, here are the stats you need to know about the Lake Agnes Tea House trail.

Lake Agnes Tea House Trail Stats:
Distance: One way from Lake Louise to the tea house is 3.5 km (2.2 miles).
Elevation Gain: 400 m (1,312 ft).
Elevation: Lake Agnes Tea House is up at 2,135 m (7,005 ft).
Time: Normal people take 1-2 hours; if you’re a newbie hiker, give yourself extra time just in case (3+ hours).

What You Need to Know About Hiking the Lake Agnes Tea House Trail in Banff National Park

For the best chance of scoring a seat at the tea house, go early in the morning (like 8 AM). Otherwise, you’ll encounter this:

So technically, your ambulatory adventure begins not on the trail… not at the Lake Louise waterfront… but in the parking lot.

By the time we’d downed a leisurely breakfast, slathered on sunscreen, and made our way over to Lake Louise, it was noon. We were in for a rude awakening: with the main parking lot at full capacity, we had to park in the overflow parking lot and wait in line for the shuttle, like all of the other suckers you see here.

When we first stepped in line, the estimate to get a shuttle was 45 minutes. Fortunately, the line moved quicker than expected (similar to lines for rides in Disneyland), but it could’ve been worse. Moral of the story: go early in the morning to avoid cranky crowds.

Take your photos of Lake Louise before you start the hike.

Take your pictures at the Lake Louise waterfront first, while you look bright, shiny, and new. If you’re anything like me, you’ll look like your face melted off by the time you get back, and your arms will be too tired to lift your camera. So take those candids and selfies before you set off on the hike.

Once you’re done taking photos, walk along the paved promenade with Lake Louise on your left. After about 200 meters (0.1 miles), you’ll see this sign, which marks the start of your hike.

Bring lots of water and trail snacks for your hike.

Hydration is key for a successful hike. (Nobody knows this better than my brother, Sir Campsalot, who has a daily alert on his phone to drink more water. We should follow suit.)

Having a full water bottle with you can be the difference between a pleasant experience and a more dire one. In fact, my super smart mom brought extra water bottles, which she gave to another couple who looked ready to pass out from dehydration. Trail snacks are also good to have to keep your energy up (and to keep a certain someone — me, *cough cough* — from getting hangry when we couldn’t get seats at the tea house right away).

It’s totally fine to take a thousand breaks — especially when you’re surrounded by views like these.

Look, the last time I was in the gym was one week one month three months ago, and I haven’t done anything that would classify as a “hike” since summiting Masada in Israel and trekking to see lava in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park two years ago. So to say I’m out of shape would be the understatement of the year.

In the beginning of our hike, we were stopping every five minutes or so to catch our breath. And you know what? That’s fine. I’d rather take my time and get used to moving again, rather than kill myself trying to keep up with my brother. (Though he does have a slight advantage, given that he can come up to Lake Louise every weekend. Lucky duck!)

You get to see three lakes in one, so be sure to stop at all of them.

In addition glimpses of Lake Louise during the first part of the hike, you owe it to yourself to stop at Mirror Lake. Not only can you rest and refuel, but the lake itself will whet your appetite for what you’ll see up at the top.

If you ask people how much farther it is to the top, you’ll get a different answer every time…

First it was twenty minutes, then ten, then thirty. Come on, people, what’s up with this? We soon realized (after asking the seventh person, “Are we there yet?”) that everyone had different ability levels and people can’t estimate distances well — especially if it’s their first time. So save yourself the trouble, and know that you’ll get to your destination eventually.

…But people are very encouraging.

The hikers on the trail were quite an international bunch; we heard lots of accents on the trail, from French and German to Chinese, Spanish, and Japanese. Several people, regardless of background, smiled at us and said “You’re almost there!” as we climbed up and they climbed down. Oftentimes, it was just the boost we needed to keep going.

The last part from Mirror Lake to the tea house is the hardest.

Probably because you’re going to be really freakin’ tired at this point. Also, horse poop makes special appearances along this part, so watch where you step or your hiking boots will smell like doodoo. You’ve been warned.

Pause at the waterfall if you want, then head up the stairs… et voilà! You’ve arrived!

A hiker we encountered on the trail sniffed, “Don’t waste your time at the waterfall — get your booty up to Lake Agnes!” But hey, Hiker Lady, we’ll do what we want. We spent some time admiring the waterfall before ascending the stairs to the tea house. And then we discovered…

Be sure to have cash on hand: Lake Agnes Tea House is cash only, folks.

Don’t be that person who hikes all the way up to the tea house, only to curse the gods that you brought plastic and nothing else. The good news, though, is that they accept Canadian dollars and U.S. dollars.

Don’t worry if you can’t get a seat at the tea house right away. Use the time to study the menu, walk around the lake, or breathe in the fresh mountain air.

Unless you’re an early bird, odds are you’ll have to wait your turn to sit down at the tea house. It’s worth the wait, however: Lake Agnes Tea House boasts 100 different types of loose leaf tea! Take your time and study the list so you can order right away once you’re seated.

We eventually scored seats after ten minutes because I happened to be shooting the above photograph. Karma for sharing our water bottles, perhaps? The world may never know.

Going back down always seems faster.

Time seemed to speed up on the way down, I tell you. I felt like I’d fallen into a Hiker Time Vortex where we somehow accelerated to the bottom of the trail (or teleported, maybe?). This is probably because we recognized all of the landmarks and had regained some much needed energy, but still.

Don’t forget to congratulate yourself when you make it back to Lake Louise — you’re one BAMF.

Congratulations — you did it! You’re a rock star! If you’re a newbie hiker, give yourself a pat on the back and go grab a cold beer in downtown Banff. You deserve it!

Know Before You Go: Lake Agnes Tea House 101

Current Hours of Operation

Lake Agnes Tea House is currently open from June 4 to October 10, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. It’s closed from Thanksgiving to early June.

Check out the Lake Agnes Tea House website for more information at www.lakeagnesteahouse.com.

Use the AllTrails App for More Info

A fellow hiker mentioned the AllTrails app to us while we were hiking up Tunnel Mountain, and it proved to be super helpful when planning our hiking time in Banff National Park. Not only does it provide descriptions of the trails and maps, but also reviews and photos from your fellow hikers. You can also filter by level of difficulty, length, trail traffic, and more.

You can download the mobile app here and check out the full website here.

Essential Packing List

If you’re a newbie hiker, here’s a helpful list of what to pack before you set out on the Lake Agnes Tea House Trail:

• Water Bottle
• Sunscreen
• Lip Balm
• Bug Spray
• Trail Snacks
• Sunglasses
• Facial Wipes
• Hand Sanitizer
• Trail map (or GPS on phone)
• Clothing:
  • Hiking Boots
  • Hiking Pants
  • Hiking Shirt
  • Socks
  • Jacket (Layers are key!)
• Camera & Camera Bag
• Something in case it rains (poncho, umbrella, etc.)

Essential Info:
Where should you stay in Banff? Check out options here.
Where did I personally stay in Banff? This hotel in Banff National Park.
Want a guidebook for Banff? I use Lonely Planet and Moon.
What else have I written about Canada? Check out these posts!
Have questions for me? Hit me up on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Pinterest!

Did you like this post? Pin it! ↓↓