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Plain of Six Glaciers/Victoria Glacier

Plain of Six Glaciers/Victoria Glacier near Banff, AB


This trail was given a rating of 4 out of 5 stars This trail was given a rating of 4 out of 5 stars This trail was given a rating of 4 out of 5 stars This trail was given a rating of 4 out of 5 stars This trail was given a rating of 4 out of 5 stars
14 kms
7hours
moderate
Hiking
Summer
Banff, AB
User Trevbo
Trevbo

The hike to the Plain of Six Glaciers is one of Banff National Park's classic hikes. There may be huge crowds at the start of the trail but the scenery is so good that if you can bear it, I think it's something you can be forgiven for hiking just once in your life.

The hike begins at Chateau Lake Louise, amidst the hundreds and thousands of people streaming off of the tour buses to snap the Lake and the mountains behind.

Follow the lakeshore trail to the far end of Lake Louise. There will likely be far less people at this point! We hit this trail fairly early in the day, and in contrast to the hike we did to Larch Valley the previous day, we saw practically no one on the trail all morning. From the parking lot, it's 5.5 kms to the Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse. Continue another 1.6 kms along the trail to the viewpoint for a closer view of the glaciers.

On the morning of our hike it was a bit foggy, and we couldn't see the tops of the mountains. But we sure could hear the avalanche! No one warned us and it scared the crap out of us. From the viewpoint we returned to the teahouse for a lunch break and learned that avalanches are a normal occurrence and that some days they hear them from the teahouse every hour or so! I'm not sure where exactly they are taking place, but the hike itself to the Plain of Six Glaciers is secure in the summer, so enjoy the distant rumble (if avalanches can possibly be enjoyedÂ…) but don't go beyond the viewpoint where the trail ends.

For those wishing for a close up view of Victoria Glacier, there is an unmarked trail not far from the teahouse. About 100 m past the footbridge look for a not-so-apparent trail just beyond an avalanche chute leading up. The trail goes up 2115 feet in just 2 kms! After numerous switchbacks the trail sort of peters out in a field of softball sized scree. We heard another avalanche at this point and paused to pray. Not very pleasant walking over the scree, but the glacier itself is less than a km away. Continue over the scree and take a close look at the deep crevasses and the true size of the Victoria Glacier. Don't be stupid and hike onto the glacier unless you have the appropriate gear and know what to do if you fall into a hidden crevasse!!! Glacier fields are dangerous and should not be taken lightly.

In winter please check the Avaluator(Online Trip Planner) rating is: Complex. See more trip planner route details here.

Current conditions:

NTS Map: 082N08

Elevation gain: 1380 ft / 420 m (+2115 ft / 645 m to Victoria Glacier)

Distance: 14.2 kms round trip (an additional 4 kms round trip to Victoria Glacier)

Directions:

Follow Lake Louise shoreline to the far end and look for a trail marker.

Sorry directions weren't available. Please check the bottom of the description.

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By TrevboPosted By: Trevbo  - Mon Feb 08 09:38:17 EST 2010 Not Rated Comment No, the comments about scones and tea weren't tongue in cheek, there is an actually teahouse that serves tea, coffee, sandwiches and lunch etc. (only open in the summer months... May 31st, it will most likely be open, but I'm not 100%)
By MAFAv8rPosted By: MAFAv8r  - Sat Feb 06 23:20:45 EST 2010 Not Rated Question Tea House Plain of Six GlaciersHi, we intend to do this walk 31st May. Mention is made of the Teahouse and I am a little unsure as people talk about tea and scones. Is this tongue in cheek or can you actually buy stuff there
By higgyPosted By: higgy  - Sun Sep 06 16:20:07 EDT 2009 This trail was given a rating of 5 out of 5 stars This trail was given a rating of 5 out of 5 stars This trail was given a rating of 5 out of 5 stars This trail was given a rating of 5 out of 5 stars This trail was given a rating of 5 out of 5 stars Upside Easy hike even for those not experienced, but well worth the effort to get to the tea house to have scones and tea! Downside Very popular expect large number of hiker during peak season and can be hot as most of the trail is in the open.
By jhikerPosted By: jhiker  - Wed Jul 29 20:10:58 EDT 2009 This trail was given a rating of 5 out of 5 stars This trail was given a rating of 5 out of 5 stars This trail was given a rating of 5 out of 5 stars This trail was given a rating of 5 out of 5 stars This trail was given a rating of 5 out of 5 stars Upside the scenery was very beautiful. A great view from Abbot Pass Lookout back towards Lake Louise.We heard a number of avalanches,some were loud. Downside No downside except for the sharing of parts of the trail with horses. Comment A hiking trail well worth hiking.
By canomadPosted By: canomad  - Fri Jul 07 01:12:08 EDT 2006 Not Rated Upside An about face view of the famous Lake Louise photograph. Downside Crowds. No longer being able to call Lake Louise home. Comment I prefer making this trip a loop by first hiking to Mirror Lake,(near the other teahouse) beneath the Big Beehive, (another good hike) and then on to the Plain of Six Glaciers, returning along the lakeshore. Check out the gps coords above
By KmarshallPosted By: Kmarshall  - Fri Jan 27 18:03:14 EST 2006 This trail was given a rating of 5 out of 5 stars This trail was given a rating of 5 out of 5 stars This trail was given a rating of 5 out of 5 stars This trail was given a rating of 5 out of 5 stars This trail was given a rating of 5 out of 5 stars Upside The dogs again will love you. Spectacular view of Chateau Lake Louise. We did this in July 2005 a bit of a blustery day. We started in the afternoon around 2pm and got down the mountain by 6pm.I would suggest doing this earlier. It was a wonderful hike. Bring you trekking poles you are going to need them. A bit rough in places as you can see by the pics. Boulders and you have to walk across a mountian and hold onto the chain that is provided as it is a few hundred feet drop. The dogs did just fine. We ran into a few people here and there but they were comming down as we were going up. This is a great view of those giant mountians Glaciers that are threatening to topple on you but somehow they hold on. My advise take a pic standing right in the middle of the boulders as you are comming down a fantastic view of the Lake and the hotel. I would then take a pic of the Overhanging glacier threatening to slide in front of the hotel Lake Louise and the Glacier you won't be disappointed. This was a wonderful hike. We did not get to the Tea house as this was not very exciting hike. But if you have to go for it. Downside NO real downside. Your in the middle of greatness and the view is stunning. Have your camera ready Comment Pack to hike wear appropriate attire. Have water on hand. Bring food Bundle up a whee bit as it does get chilly layering.
By ratgurlPosted By: ratgurl  - Thu May 26 13:55:43 EDT 2005 This trail was given a rating of 5 out of 5 stars This trail was given a rating of 5 out of 5 stars This trail was given a rating of 5 out of 5 stars This trail was given a rating of 5 out of 5 stars This trail was given a rating of 5 out of 5 stars Upside Absolutely incredible view and the teahouse is just fun. Downside A lot of people on the trail when you start but this thins out as you go on. And it does feel like you've been going forever towards the end. Comment The view is amazing - it can make you feel so small. You just have to go to even fathom it. Wow.


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