Lake Agnes Tea House Hike: Mirror Lake, Waterfalls & One of Our All Time Top 10 Hikes

Kim Martinez

Jul 13

5 min read

Some hikes are beautiful.

Others become the ones you compare every future hike to.

The Lake Agnes Trail is one of those hikes.

In all of our travels, this has earned a place among our Top 10 hikes ever. Starting at the famous turquoise waters of Lake Louise, the trail climbs nearly 1,200 feet through evergreen forest, passes the peaceful Mirror Lake, follows a roaring waterfall, and finally opens to the snow-covered beauty of Lake Agnes and its historic Tea House.

By the time we reached the top, it felt as though we'd climbed into an entirely different season.

Quick Hike Snapshot

Trail: Lake Agnes Trail (via Mirror Lake)

Distance: Approximately 5 miles round trip

Elevation Gain: About 1,200 feet

Time: Around 3 hours

Difficulty: Moderate (steady uphill almost the entire way)

Best Time: Early morning or early evening to avoid crowds

Bonus: Historic Lake Agnes Tea House

Leaving the Crowds Behind

The trail begins near the shoreline of Lake Louise.

Within minutes you're climbing into the forest while occasional openings reveal that unbelievable turquoise water below.

Although we'd loved hiking the Plain of Six Glaciers Trail just a couple of days earlier, this hike had a completely different personality.

Instead of following the shoreline for miles, the Lake Agnes Trail heads uphill almost immediately.

And I do mean...

uphill.

Straight Up...With Plenty of Company

There isn't much easing into this hike.

It begins climbing almost immediately and continues climbing for most of the journey.

Unlike our evening hike to the Plain of Six Glaciers, we had to hike this one during the middle of the day.

Translation...

Lots and lots of people.

It also reminded me that trail etiquette is definitely a real thing.

At one point we found ourselves hiking behind a couple who spent a good portion of the climb arguing before finally storming off in opposite directions.

Not exactly the peaceful mountain soundtrack we'd been hoping for...

…but definitely memorable.

Every now and then the trees opened just enough to reveal Lake Louise glowing below us like an unreal turquoise jewel.

Those glimpses made every uphill step worthwhile.

Mirror Lake: The Reward You Didn't Know You Needed

After what felt like a long steady climb, the trail suddenly opened to Mirror Lake.

It isn't nearly as famous as Lake Louise or Lake Agnes, but that's part of its charm.

Nestled beneath towering cliffs and surrounded by evergreens, it feels wonderfully peaceful.

We wandered around until we found our own quiet spot and simply enjoyed the stillness.

Long before we could actually see the waterfall, we could hear it.

That only made us more curious about what waited farther up the trail.

Following the Sound of the Waterfalls

Continuing upward...

always upward...

the sound grew louder with every switchback.

Then suddenly the Lake Agnes waterfalls burst into view.

Powerful glacier-fed water thundered down the mountainside while the trail climbed alongside it.

It was one of those places where you instinctively stop walking just to watch nature at work.

Of course, the trail also played its favorite little game.

You keep thinking:

"Lake Agnes has to be just around the next corner..."

Until you discover...

it's still another corner away.

Why This Hike is so Special

Then finally we reached the top - turned the corner and the forest disappeared.

Lake Agnes stretched out before us.

The entire landscape felt completely different.

It honestly felt like we'd been transported somewhere else.

One moment earlier we'd been hiking through green forest in shirtsleeves.

Now we were surrounded by snowbanks.

Sheets of ice still floated near the shoreline.

The mountains towered above us, still holding enormous amounts of snow despite it being late June.

Mirror Lake had been beautiful.

Lake Agnes was wild and so removed from everything else on the entire hike.

The glacier-colored water, the snow, the dark rock cliffs, and the crisp mountain air combined to create one of the most unforgettable alpine settings we've ever experienced.

The Historic Tea House

Sitting along the shoreline is the famous Lake Agnes Tea House - to be clear it is a different Tea House than the one on our 6 Glaciers Hike - they love their Tea Houses apparently.

As expected...

it was packed.

We skipped the crowds and did what has become our favorite strategy.

Walk away from everyone.

We continued exploring the quieter side of the lake, where the snow became even deeper and the scenery somehow became even more dramatic.

Even though it was late June, winter was still holding on.

Trevor Had Other Plans

Of course...

Trevor wasn't quite finished hiking.

Being seventeen—and apparently powered by unlimited energy—he decided the optional climb to Little Beehive wasn't optional at all.

Manny and I continued back down while Trevor disappeared uphill at a jog.

Somehow...

he still caught us before we reached the bottom.

Youth really is an unfair advantage.

Appreciating Every Downhill Step

The return hike gave us another chance to admire the waterfalls and spend a few more quiet moments at Mirror Lake.

And I'll admit...

after climbing nearly 1,200 feet...

every downhill step felt wonderful.

When we finally reached Lake Louise again, we stood for a few minutes simply admiring its incredible color.

The beauty of the lake is breathtaking.

The crowds...

well...

not quite as breathtaking.

Fortunately the shuttle was waiting to take us back.

What I'd Do Differently Next Time

If I hike Lake Agnes again—and I absolutely will—here's what I'd recommend:

Start around 7:00 AM or later in the evening to avoid the crowds.
Bring hiking poles. They made both the climb and descent much easier.
Dress in layers. It may be warm at Lake Louise but feel like winter at Lake Agnes.
Consider bringing microspikes if hiking in late June or early July when snow still lingers near the top.