Plain of Six Glaciers

From the car park walk past the Chateau along the wide trail on the north-west shore of Lake Louise. At the head of the lake the Plain of Six Glaciers Trail climbs through forest and over rubble below the cliffs; keep to the lower, main trail where the connector and the Highline Trail join from the right. A last climb leads to the tea house, below Mount Victoria, Mount Lefroy and Abbot Pass. Return the same way. The narrow moraine path beyond the tea house is not part of this walk.

It is 12.1 km there and back with 652 m of ascent; allow about 5 hours. The grade is Moderate: a level lakeshore path, then a steady climb on a rocky trail.

Beyond the lake the trail crosses rockfall ground and avalanche paths. Parks Canada advises against it from mid-October to mid-June, and reported icy sections on 3 to 4 October 2026. Keep off the moraines and the glacier. The tea house closes by 12 October 2026, sometimes earlier, and takes cash only. Carry bear spray. A Parks Canada pass is needed.

Lakeshore parking costs $42 a day until 12 October 2026 and is full by sunrise in summer. The Parks Canada shuttle from the Lake Louise Park and Ride runs until then and must be booked. Roam bus 8X from Banff runs all year.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.