Plain of Six Glaciers Hike in Lake Louise: A Local’s Guide

The Plain of Six Glaciers hike is a popular Lake Louise trail in Banff National Park. It starts along the Lake Louise shoreline, then climbs to a historic teahouse and glacier-filled valley, making it one of the most scenic moderate hikes in the area.

Lake Louise is a magical place within Banff National Park. The mountains and the brilliant turquoise color of Lake Louise must be seen to be believed. With such a landscape, it’s no surprise that you can enjoy many scenic Lake Louise hikes in the area. We have been hiking in Banff for decades, and the Plain of Six Glaciers trail is not only one of our favorite hikes in Lake Louise, but in all of Banff National Park!

You’ll begin along the shores of Lake Louise, then the Plain of Six Glaciers hike continues upwards into a stunning natural mountain amphitheater. The Rocky Mountain scenery alone would make this leg of the hike worth it, but you’ll also enjoy the rare opportunity to see some massive Lake Louise glaciers up close.

Be sure to stop at the Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse to marvel at the Lake Louise glaciers while enjoying some coffee and chocolate cake.

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Plain of Six Glaciers Stats

How Long is the Plain of Six Glaciers Hike?

The round-trip distance of the Plain of Six Glaciers trail is 14.2 km (one-way distance of 7.1 km).

How Steep is the Plain of Six Glaciers Hike?

The total elevation gain you’ll encounter along the Six Glaciers Trail is 591 m. There is virtually no elevation gain for the first part of the hike. Most of the climbing happens in the second half, where the hiking trail gains roughly 500 m over about 4 km. The hike starts at 1,734 m above sea level and the elevation of the final viewpoint is 2,202 m.

How Hard is the Plain of Six Glaciers Hike?

The first 3.3 km of the Plain of Six Glaciers hike is almost perfectly flat along the beautiful shores of Lake Louise. Once you reach the end of Lake Louise, the trail starts a slow, but steady incline for the final 4 km.

Due to the length and incline, we rate the Plain of Six Glaciers hike as a “moderate Banff hiking trail”.

How Long Does it Take to Hike Plain of Six Glaciers Trail?

It should take most adults between 4 – 6 hours to hike the full round-trip distance of the Plain of Six Glaciers trail. We’ve done it in as little as 3.5 hours, but if it’s your first time on this scenic trail, expect to stop a lot for photos.

Plain of Six Glaciers Trail Map

The Plain of the Six Glaciers hike is pretty easy to follow; simply begin the Lake Louise Lakefront Trail and don’t stop walking until you reach the lookout at end. We always use the AllTrails app while hiking in Banff National Park, but to be honest, it’s not necessary for navigation purposes.

We use AllTrails for all our hiking and biking in the Canadian Rockies and around the world. In addition to helping stay on the trails, we like the ability to track our stats (distance, elevation gain, etc.). To find the Plain of Six Glaciers trail map in AllTrails, simply search for “Plain of Six Glaciers Trail”.

You are close enough to Lake Louise village that you should get intermittent cell service while hiking the Plain of Six Glaciers trail, but just to be safe, download your hiking maps when you have good Wi-Fi.

How to Get to the Plain of Six Glaciers Hike

Parking at Lake Louise

The nearest parking lot to the Plain of Six Glaciers trailhead is the Lake Louise lakeshore parking lot near the Chateau Lake Louise. This parking lot requires payment of $42 per day for parking in the summer and is often full by sunrise.

We do not recommend you attempt to find parking at Lake Louise, but the fastest way to get to the Lake Louise parking lot from Banff is to drive west along the Trans-Canada Highway to the Lake Louise interchange. This very scenic drive should take you approximately 45 minutes from the Town of Banff.

Note that parking is expensive and very competitive at Lake Louise and access to the entire area is often completely shut down due to overcrowding.

Shuttle and Transit Options

A better way of getting to Lake Louise is to book a spot on one of the Parks Canada shuttle buses. We have a full post about the Lake Louise shuttle bus with everything you need to know.

Plain of Six Glaciers Trailhead

The Plain of Six Glaciers hike shares the same trailhead as the Lake Louise lakeshore trail. From the parking lot, simply walk towards the Chateau Lake Louise, then continue along the flat trail that follows the lakeshore.

What to Expect on the Plain of Six Glaciers Trail

Whether it’s your first time seeing Lake Louise, or your hundredth, the sight of it will take your breath away, the sight of it will take your breath away every time. On your way to the Six Glaciers trailhead, take a moment to stop at the Lake Louise viewing platform to soak in the turquoise waters and majestic mountains which make this place so special.

Lake Louise Lakeshore Section

Your journey begins near the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. The first stretch of the 6 Glaciers hike follows the Lake Louise Lakeshore Trail, one of the best easy hikes in Banff National Park.

Take your time to enjoy the scenery and read the interpretive signs along this flat, crushed gravel trail. The Lake Louise Lakeshore trail could quite possibly be the most beautiful easy walk in Canada.

If you’re curious about the famous Lake Louise hotel, why not check out our review of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise?

Boardwalk and Climb

Towards the end of the lakeshore, the trail turns into a wooden boardwalk. The rushing water beside it comes from the glaciers you’re hiking towards. If you can peel your eyes off the scenery, keep an eye open for rock climbers on the cliffs to the right of the trail.

Shortly after the boardwalk, you begin your ascent into the Plain of Six Glaciers, one of the very best hiking trails in Banff. Here you’ll enjoy the sights and sounds of the rushing glacial river to your left. The hiking trail is no longer groomed and you will start to encounter rocks, tree roots and piles of horse poop.

When your footing feels steady, take a moment to look around and enjoy the scenery. You’ll be excited to see your first glimpses of the glaciers near Lake Louise on the upper slopes of Mount Victoria ahead. It’s a sight of incredible beauty, which only gets better with each step you take.

The Plain of Six Glaciers trail gets really fun at the 4.9 km mark, where you need to walk along a narrow rock path on the side of a cliff. The drop-off is significant, but the path is several feet wide, so even those with a fear of heights (like me) should be able to cross without issue.

If you look carefully, you may get lucky and see one of the rare Rocky Mountain Goats who call these rocky slopes home. If you are interested in Banff wildlife, check out these great wildlife spotting tips from an excellent local photographer.

Beyond the rocky ledge, the Plain of Six Glaciers hike just keeps getting better. Here, the Six Glaciers trail transitions to a rocky berm, heading straight towards the massive Lake Louise glaciers. Take a moment to appreciate the 360 degrees of beauty which surround you.

To your left, the tip of a massive glacier rests below you, while waterfalls flow down mountain slopes on your right. Behind you, the views of Lake Louise are stunning. This is one of my favourite spots on the entire hike.

If you are lucky, you may even hear the astounding sound of ice cracking as the glacial ice continues to slide ever-so-slowly down the mountain.

The hike becomes a little steeper at 5.5 km as you climb up a series of switchbacks. Watch your feet here as the ground gets wet from streams running across the trail.

Teahouse to Viewpoint

Then the rocky trail suddenly gives way to smooth stone steps, a sure sign you’ve reached the historic Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House.

The area around the Six Glaciers Teahouse is amazing. There are benches thoughtfully placed next to a charming little mountain stream. Stop and enjoy the views and a snack or beverage from this historic Lake Louise teahouse before the final push to the end of the Six Glaciers trail.

As you leave the Plains of Six Glaciers Teahouse, you’ll walk through a small forest of larch trees, whose needles turn golden for a few weeks every September. If you are looking for a great larch tree hike, check out our list of larch tree hikes in Alberta.

Beyond the larch trees is a huge rock field from a landslide down the slopes of Pope’s Peak. Listen for the distinctive “Eeeeek” sound of the cute little pikas who call these rocks home.

The Plain of Six Glaciers hike is not maintained past the 6.3 km mark. The trail becomes single track with many large rocks and tree roots to manage.

The final leg of the hike enters an incredible natural amphitheater, with massive glaciers resting on the slopes and valleys of the mountains they call home. Watch for glacial waterfalls streaming off the most impressive glacier on Mount Victoria, straight ahead.

At 6.9 km, the Plain of Six Glaciers Trail comes to a rocky clearing, with stunning views of Lake Louise and the many glaciers in this valley. This is a popular spot to stop and sit on a rock to soak in the majesty of this special place.

But you’re not quite done yet as the Six Glaciers hike continues for another 500 m along a raised berm. This final push is quite steep, but you’ll be so wowed by the glaciers you’ll barely notice.

The Plain of Six Glaciers trail concludes at the end of the berm. The majesty of Lake Louise, Banff National Park and its incredible glaciers are on full display here. Enjoy it, you’ve earned it!

Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse

Built in 1927 for the Canadian Pacific Railway, the Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse is one of the most historic buildings in Banff National Park. Enjoy home baking with amazing views of the glaciers. There are many tables to sit at near this Lake Louise teahouse, but if these are full, there are also many benches located along a relaxing little babbling brook.  

For more information, or to see their menu, visit the Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse website.

Hiking Plain of Six Glaciers Trail with Kids

Our kids have grown up in the Canadian Rockies and are pretty capable little hikers. We first hiked the Plain of Six Glaciers trail with our kids when they were 9 and 11, although I expect they could have completed it several years earlier.

Before attempting to hike the Plain of Six Glaciers with kids, we recommend looking at the stats above and making sure your kids are capable of the physical exertion. The second half of the hike has 125 m of elevation gain per km hiked, so it’s not super steep, but it’s a pretty long hike.

If you are unsure of whether or not you should hike the Plain of Six Glaciers with your kids, a good strategy would be to begin with the Lake Louise Lakeshore trail. This time won’t be wasted, as it’s one of the most scenic easy hikes in Banff.

If everyone in your family still feels good and energetic at the end of the lake, continue on to the Six Glaciers trail. If at any point, you feel like it may be too much, simply turn around and head back.

Where to Stop for Lunch or a Break

The Plain of Six Glaciers trail is incredibly scenic from start to end, so you can plop down for a break nearly anywhere and enjoy the views. That said, the best spot to stop for lunch is the Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse, roughly 6 km from the trailhead.

Other excellent options for a break are:

Grab a large rock in the landslide field just minutes beyond the Six Glaciers teahouse. Keep your eyes peeled for the cute little pikas which call these rocks home. They are so small, they are hard to see, but listen for their distinctive “Eeeeeeek” call.

The Abbot Pass Viewpoint is about 1-1.5 km beyond the Six Glaciers teahouse. It’s a wide-open area with lots of places to sit on rocks and enjoy the incredible views of the Six Glaciers and of Lake Louise in the distance.

The Plain of Six Glaciers trail is very close to Lake Louise village, so be sure to reward yourself after this difficult hike at one of the excellent restaurants in Lake Louise.

Plain of the Six Glaciers Hiking Safety

There are relatively few hiking hazards along the Six Glaciers trail. The trail is not maintained beyond the Plains of Six Glaciers Teahouse and the conditions become a little more risky.

You’ll walk along sections of raised berms on loose rocks with steep drop-offs. It’s easy to be distracted by the beauty of the Lake Louise glaciers, so be careful to watch your step. These rocks can be slippery on the descent.

The Plain of Six Glaciers trail is exposed to avalanche hazard, and is not recommended from mid-October through mid-June. Check the current trail report before you go.

What to Bring While Hiking the Six Glaciers Trail

The Plain of Six Glaciers trail is a long Banff day-hike, so you need to be properly prepared for a day of safe hiking in the mountains. Before hitting the trail, please take the time to review our recommended Banff hiking gear and what to wear while hiking in Banff.