Attractive little Lake Agnes, gathered beneath a series of craggy peaks, makes a great destination for a circular hike that can include a tramp up Plain of the Six Glaciers, a valley with superb views of the impressive peaks and glaciers that cradle Lake Louise. The trip also allows several side-trips to viewpoints before looping back along the shores of the pretty Lake Louise (lake).

The presence of a couple of seasonal European-style tea-houses along the way is a rare bonus.

The trails are well-signposted and maintained and start out just west of Chateau Lake Louise. See this entry’s pics for a sketch map – the full suggested hike goes to Lake Agnes then to the Plain of the Six Glaciers teahouse before turning back for a lakeside walk back to the start (5hrs • moderate • 14km), but you can shorten this by 1.5hrs and 4km if you take the labelled shortcut.

Possible side-trips

• Big Beehive, a 1.6km (1hr return) switchback trail that offers great views of Lake Louse.
• Little Beehive, a 1km (45min return) trek up to a fire lookout that has commanding views of the Bow Valley.
• Abbott Pass Viewpoint, a 1.5km trail (1hr return) that provides views into the crevasses of Lower Victoria Glacier.