There was a light mist coming down, so we were given long slickers to wear to keep us dry. In East Glacier, steps from Glacier Park Lodge, enjoy a guided horseback trip with Glacier Gateway Outfitters along the western border of Glacier National Park into the heart of Native American Land. For that reason, I couldn’t think of a better place to have tried horseback riding for the first time than in lovely Lake Louise. For more information on trail rides please visit Brewster Adventures. But it's also one of the most popular hikes in the country! Start the hike at Lake Louise You can visit the Teahouse via horseback The hike to the Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse. The mountain trail ride to the Plain of Six Glaciers is a continuation of the trail that takes you to the end of Lake Louise. You can always do one by horse and one by foot, because both destinations merit a trip. Hike or horseback ride your way to the tea houses of Lake Agnes and the Plain of Six Glaciers. The Plains of Six features views of glaciers at a glacier level. Your email is never published or shared. There are some additional cabins they can use as sleeping quarters. Required fields are marked *. The Plain of Six Glaciers horseback ride departs at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm. And for you non-hikers, it seems you can climb up to the Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse on horseback. As our horses trotted along towards the base of Victoria Glacier, we passed by numerous glacial fields where we could see a clear path of rocks deposited by the glaciers. In Banff National Park, take the Plain of the Six Glaciers Trail around the shoreline of Lake Louise and follow it into a narrow valley that leads toward Mount Lefroy and Mount Victoria on your way to the Plain of the Six Glaciers Tea House. It explores along the shores of Lake Louise, along the high rocky banks of Louise Creek and through a mountain moraine left behind by the Lower Victoria Glacier … I had always been a bit afraid of them, untrusting. While short by the standards of a Rockies hike, it is plenty long enough for folks looking to just get a taste of the area. These cabins are now used for sleeping quarters for teahouse staff. We even got to see some golden larch trees higher up on the mountainside. We’d like to thank Banff Lake Louise Tourism for hosting us in order to bring you this story. I felt like a legitimate cowgirl, discovering new and exciting frontiers! The route was the same as on the way up, but the views were surprisingly different. We travel to the base of Victoria Glacier where you can view numerous breathtaking glacial fields as well as Mount Victoria. The name Plain of Six Glaciers comes from the hanging glaciers of Mount Aberdeen, Lefroy and Victoria, as well as the Lower Victoria and Lefroy glaciers and the hanging glacier on Popes Peak. We travel to the base of Victoria Glacier where you can view numerous breathtaking glacial fields as well as Mount Victoria. Horseback ride to Plain of Six Glaciers and Tea House. This was the first time I noticed that the roof of the Chateau almost perfectly matches the colour of the glacial waters! The horseback ride to the Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House is truly a unique activity, one that has been selected by the Canadian Tourism Commission as a Canadian Signature Experience. horses@brewsteradventures.com. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, running, nature trips, and horses and is best used from June until August. It's a well-marked and very clear trail, so for entry-level hikers it's perfect. Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House Horseback Riding Tour The mountain trail ride to the Plain of Six Glaciers is a continuation of the trail that takes you to the end of Lake Louise. The trail to the Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House is well signed. The staff also have to hike in and out for their shift, but at least not everyday! If you choose the Lake Agnes ride, make sure you go on the slightly longer ride that continues to the Beehive. I swear I even saw a fossil of a spiral-shaped shell in one of the rocks! Yet secretly, I wanted to try riding one. Please consider booking your Lake Louise accommodations through the included link. It was our quest for new adventures in Lake Louise that led us try horseback riding for the first time, going all the way up to the historic Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House nestled high in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. We are Rhonda and Mike, a Canadian couple who make it a priority to travel every chance we get! Book direct and join us on a guided hike on the most iconic trails in Banff and Lake Louise including Larch Valley and the Plain of Six Glaciers. It was an incredible trail ride, one that we will remember for years to come! Tel: 403-762-5454 Fax: 403-673-2100 We describe our travel style as "laid back luxe" and enjoy a mix of outdoor adventures and historic sites. After taking a few quick photos, we continued up the trail, enjoying the colourful fall foliage that lined the path. The teahouse offers a variety of homemade treats and light meals, all cooked with propane stoves because there is no electricity. Reviewed August 6, 2017 via mobile . The tour does not operate in the winter. Plain of Six Glaciers is a classic hike in Banff National Park, which guides you alongside Lake Louise, ascends past a lovely Tea House, and finishes with stunning glacier views. For your convenience, here is a list of hotels in Lake Louise. It was a pleasure to take a rest in such a historic building. I went on a trail ride to the Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House, and I decided to take you with me! We had about 30 minutes to enjoy the tea house before we had to begin our ride back down to Lake Louise. This experience reminded us not only of the importance of trying new things, but in seeing a familiar destination from a new perspective. My favourite view was when we came over a ridge of moraine and could see Lake Louise off in the distance. A ride of a lifetime. The staff had us walk up a small platform so that we could easily get onto our horse when it was brought over to us. The horseback ride to the Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House is truly a unique activity, one that has been selected by the Canadian Tourism Commission as a Canadian Signature Experience. We travel to the base of Victoria Glacier where you can view numerous breathtaking glacial fields and Mount Victoria. by booking through the sites we use and love! $230.00 per person – Approximately 4 Hour Ride The mountain trail ride to the Plain of Six Glaciers is a continuation of the trail that takes you to the end of Lake Louise. Discover some of the most scenic trails in Lake Louise on horseback, including Lake Agnes, Plain of Six Glaciers and Paradise Valley. The splendour that is Lake Louise was created by the flow of these glaciers millions of years ago. The materials for the building were pack-horsed in and sourced from the area. PO Box 370, Banff, Alberta, Canada T1L 1A5. To book any of our activities please email our Concierge or call +1 403 522 1601. Review of Brewster Adventures. It was a very peaceful experience, especially on a misty autumn morning. Three additional cabins were built in 1927 to house hikers overnight. PLAIN OF SIX GLACIERS TEA HOUSE RIDE Approximately 4 Hours Riding The mountain trail ride to the Plain of Six Glaciers is a continuation of the trail that takes you to the end of Lake Louise. My husband, 9-year-old daughter, and I did this horseback ride up to the Plain of Six Glaciers through Brewster and it was incredible. It was such a remarkable and serene sight, I could have stared at it for hours. The Plains of Six features views of glaciers at a glacier level. I was amazed at the amount of rock and sediment left behind from the constant “flow” of the glaciers. The Plain of Six Glaciers is longer of the three classic routes around Lake Louise. Neither one of us had been on a horse before. We very much enjoyed our horseback ride to the Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House and would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a unique experience in Lake Louise. The Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House trail begins from the trail in front of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, a 50-minute drive northwest of the town of Banff. Traveling the last leg of your trip your guide will take you to the Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse, built in 1924, at 7000 feet as a base for Swiss Guide mountaineers. Mike and I had never ventured beyond the main shore of Lake Louise, so we had no idea what awaited us at the far end of the lake. When we returned to Brewster Stables, Mike and I realized just how much of Lake Louise we’ve yet to explore. During this trail ride, we really got a sense of how powerful glaciers are. Riding through the forest and up into the heart of the mountains made me feel like I had gone back in time, to the days when explorers first mapped out the Rocky Mountains. The Plain of Six Glaciers Trail is a challenging hiking adventure leading up to an alpine teahouse and surreal views of 6 glaciers. Plain of Six Glaciers Trail Map The tea house accepts cash only. Especially when travelling in front of a backdrop of beautiful scenery. We also share a very special alternative route back, which goes along The Highline trail, up to Big Beehive and down to Lake Agnes. Hours of operation are from 9:00 am- 6:00 pm in July and August and 9:00 am-5:00 pm in June, September and October. No wonder that it's less visited than the Lake Agnes Tea House because it's harder to get there. The first part of our ride took us through a forested area near the shore of Lake Louise. Visiting Lake Louise is a special experience no matter how you choose to spend your time here, but something about seeing it on horseback took it over the top. We each had a hot chocolate and some scones- warm and delicious! And then we were off! Canada ; ... see where the Kicking Horse River punched through rock to create a natural bridge, and fill your camera with postcard-worthy shots of Moraine Lake's brilliant color before you return to your ride and catch a lift back to Calgary. I was surprised at just how relaxing riding a horse was. PLAIN OF SIX GLACIERS TEA HOUSE. Brewster Adventures. Some of the boulders were huge! The trail was densely surrounded by trees, so we didn’t get much of a view of Lake Louise. There are definitely narrow sections of drop-away trail on the Plains of Six Trail, the Lake Agnes Ride would be a better choice for you. Next, we travelled across a large avalanche path where we could see six other glaciers: Lower Victoria, Upper Victoria, Aberdeen, Lefroy, Upper Lefroy and Popes. Additional supplies are brought up by horseback as needed. Brewster Adventures: PLAIN OF SIX GLACIERS TEA HOUSE RIDE Great experince however be aware of manager,s business ethics - See 105 traveler reviews, 65 candid photos, and great deals for Banff, Canada, at Tripadvisor. This is a long glacier at the base of the lower Victoria Glacier. For the final leg of our ride to the Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House, the trail hugged a gigantic pile of moraine. Glacier National Park is one of the most precious resources in the country and there is no better way to view the “Jewel of the Continent” than to see the sites while horseback riding. Our horseback adventure in Lake Louise started at Brewster Stables, where we were warmly welcomed by the staff of Brewster Adventures. Support Travel? The Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House hike is 5.3 kilometres (3.4 miles) one way, with a 370 metre (1,215 feet) elevation gain. As we descended in elevation, Lake Louise came more and more into view, until we once again found ourselves back at the shoreline. Plain of the Six Glaciers Trail is a 9.1 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada that features a lake and is rated as moderate. The scenery is world class- soaring mountains, pristine forests, ancient glaciers and shimmering green-blue lakes. Rocky and Chocolate faithfully followed behind our guide and responded well when we had to give them a little direction. This Tea House is open seasonally. There was one last steep climb up the trail and then we finally arrived to the teahouse, at 7,000 ft. Both the Lake Agnes Teahouse/Little Beehive AND Plains of Six Glaciers are also accessible by foot - where you would be closer to the ground. Toll Free: +1 877-565 … After tracing the north shore of Lake Louise you pass beneath the quartzite cliffs of the “Back of the Lake,” with a variety of challenging rockclimbing routes (for roped technical climbers only). We passed by steep rock faces, hanging glaciers and even traversed across large avalanche paths on our way to the historic Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House. On the way up, you will encounter a perfect place for rest, the Plain of Six Glacier Tea House. Rocky and Chocolate were well trained and responsive to the reins, allowing me to get over most of my long-held fear of horses. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. In a way, we were discovering new lands. With glaciers, a world-famous alpine lake and an historic chalet as your destination, the Plain of the Six Glaciers is one of Banff's premiere hikes for a reason. We left with a newfound appreciation of Lake Louise, a place we visit regularly, and a desire to break from our usual routine and explore new facets of this wonderful location. There is a teahouse toward the end of the trail that makes for a natural turnaround and rest stop. Once comfortably on our horses, we were given a brief one-on-one lesson on how to use the reins to handle the horse. © 2020 Travel? Turns out, some of the most incredible landscapes were hidden behind the mountains we had gazed adoringly at from the shores of Lake Louise, for so many years. When I got off the horse I had a hard time walking until my knees loosened up. My horse was named Rocky and Mike’s was Chocolate. Once we were all outfitted for rain, our small group of four was taken over to the stable where we met our horse for the day. This trail gives you grand views of Lake Louise and the lower valley floor as you descend in elevation. Purchases made through links may earn us a small commission, at no extra cost to you. It was a fun way to explore and enjoy the scenery, sore knees and all! In the winter, it’s great to ski or skate. We next travel to a viewpoint where the ‘Plain’ can be observed. There was one horse that was a bit of a rascal (he liked to stop and eat the leaves along the trail), but our guide helped his rider get him back on track. INSPIRATION & EXPERT ADVICE FOR INDEPENDENT TRAVELLERS. It usually opens in mid-June, depending on weather conditions, and closes in mid-October. I was a little nervous at first, since I had never been on a horse before, but quickly relaxed once I saw how well the horses were trained. To be able to carve out such a dramatic landscape is incredible! The first section of the trail follows the busy lakeshore trail to the far end of Lake Louise. Swiss guides built the Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse in 1924, as a rest stop for mountaineers. The Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse was built by the Canadian Pacific Railway, for the enjoyment of their guests at the Chateau Lake Louise. Once we came to the end of the lake, the trail opened up and we had wonderful vantage point of Lake Louise and the elegant Chateau. Yes Please!|ProPhoto Blogsite, Larch Valley Hike- Banff National Park’s Most Beautiful Autumn Hike. Plain of Six Glaciers, Lake Louise: Address, Plain of Six Glaciers Reviews: 5/5. Food supplies were brought in by pack-horse, with staff riding in everyday. Yes Please! Plain of Six Glaciers: So Amazing! Our guide also frequently looked back, making sure we weren’t having any difficulty. If you choose the Lake Agnes ride, make sure you go on the slightly longer ride that continues to the Beehive. Here’s a brief outline of our horseback trip and a look at some of the sights we saw during our Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House Ride. It costs nothing extra and helps support this website. You can always do one by horse and one by foot, because both destinations merit a trip. The Plain of Six Glaciers is a long and challenging hike that passes through a variety of unique and absolutely gorgeous landscapes including rocky, barren terrain and pine-tree forests while also passing on a narrow ledge along the side of a mountain and takes you right up to the Victoria Glacier. The Famous Lake Louise Stand in awe at the sparkling blue waters of Lake Louise or paddle the shoreline. I’m sure this won’t be the last time I ride a horse. Weather can change quickly in the mountains, so dress in layers. Climber on the Plain of Six Glaciers trail The first 2.5 km of this hike serve as a good warm-up for the outing: this stretch is essentially flat. Overview. The trail travels beneath spectacular rock faces, and through sub-alpine forest, and across large avalanche paths along the slopes of Mount Whyte. About 15kms return to the end of the trail and back. The Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House is generally open from mid/late June until mid-October, weather permitting. It costs $185/person and takes roughly 4 hours. Instead, take the path less travelled and try the Fairview Lookout trail … It takes most people around 4 to 6 hours for the round trip. From horseback you will view six other glaciers: Lower Victoria, Upper Victoria, Aberdeen, Lefroy, Upper Lefroy, and Popes. PO Box 370, Banff, Alberta, Canada T1L 1A5. Plain of 6 Glaciers hike at #LakeLouise. Book your tickets online for Plain of Six Glaciers, Lake Louise: See 413 reviews, articles, and 405 photos of Plain of Six Glaciers, ranked No.3 on Tripadvisor among 26 attractions in Lake Louise. Thank you! It’s well worth making a short side trip from the Tea House to the Abbot Pass viewpoint, to take a look down into crevasses on the Lower Victoria Glacier. - See 413 traveller reviews, 405 candid photos, and great deals for Lake Louise, Canada, at Tripadvisor. As always we speak the whole truth and nothing but the truth! The only downfall was that our knees got quite sore by the end of it. 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