Plain of Six Glaciers Out-and-Back

The Plain of Six Glaciers Out-and-Back is an 8.2-mile (13.2 km) trail near Lake Louise in Banff National Park, offering a classic alpine trek with views of Mount Victoria, Mount Lefroy, and the surrounding glaciers. Beginning along the flat Lake Louise Lakeshore Trail, the route transitions into a steady climb at the back of the lake. It winds through a subalpine forest before emerging into an active glacial valley shaped by lateral moraines, scree slopes, and towering rock faces. Approximately 3.3 miles (5.3 km) into the hike, the trail reaches the historic Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House, built in 1927. The rustic tea house operates without electricity, serving tea and fresh-baked goods. Beyond the tea house, the trail continues for another 0.9 miles (1.5 km) along a narrow moraine ridge to the Abbot Pass viewpoint. This final stretch provides close-up views of the crevasses of the lower Victoria Glacier and Abbot Pass, with frequent opportunities to hear and see distant avalanches rumbling down the surrounding peaks.