Lake Agnes Tea House

"The Lake Agnes Tea House in Alberta’s Banff National Park opened to hungry and thirsty hikers in 1905. This is no simple rest stop with only Lipton on hand. Instead, expect everything from 100 Monkeys white tea to Bora Bora mango rooibos. When it’s open during the warmer months of the year, the Lake Agnes Tea House offers 100 types of tea and a full snack menu, with everything prepared on propane. Up this high in the mountains, there’s no electricity, road, or running water. Staff have to hike supplies up from town, and trek trash back down. But why is tea the drink of choice here, and not, say, coffee? Well, in the early 1900s, the Canadian Pacific Railway sought to make this neck of the woods a popular tourist stop. So they imported Swiss mountain guides to lead tourists up the slopes. The Swiss guides, in turn, brought along their tradition of mountain huts that served tea, which remains the customary hot drink in lodges and hotels in the area, as well as at Lake Agnes. While the tea is excellent, it’s all the better enjoyed amongst the glorious mountains and the shining water below." - ATLAS_OBSCURA

"Alternatively, hike 2.2 miles of stunning woodland trails to the family-owned Saint Agnes Tea House, which serves more than 100 teas and sandwiches on homemade oatmeal bread."

"Lake Louise Tea House Not actually on Lake Louise, but atop a nearby mountain, is a small wooden tea house overlooking another, much smaller lake. With a week still to go before it opened for the summer months, the views outside were still impressive. By Ed Gabrys"

"The Lake Agnes Tea House in Alberta’s Banff National Park opened to hungry and thirsty hikers in 1905. This is no simple rest stop with only Lipton on hand. Instead, expect everything from 100 Monkeys white tea to Bora Bora mango rooibos. When it’s open during the warmer months of the year, the Lake Agnes Tea House offers 100 types of tea and a full snack menu, with everything prepared on propane. Up this high in the mountains, there’s no electricity, road, or running water. Staff have to hike supplies up from town, and trek trash back down. But why is tea the drink of choice here, and not, say, coffee? Well, in the early 1900s, the Canadian Pacific Railway sought to make this neck of the woods a popular tourist stop. So they imported Swiss mountain guides to lead tourists up the slopes. The Swiss guides, in turn, brought along their tradition of mountain huts that served tea, which remains the customary hot drink in lodges and hotels in the area, as well as at Lake Agnes. While the tea is excellent, it’s all the better enjoyed amongst the glorious mountains and the shining water below. Know Before You Go The Lake Agnes Teahouse is generally open from June to October. Checking their website to make sure they're open in advance is wise. To reach the teahouse, start at Chateau Lake Louise and follow the signs indicating the way to the teahouse. Take care to follow the uphill trail through the woods, as the path around the lake will lead to a different, harder-to-reach teahouse." - Anne Ewbank

"Founded in 1905 as a refuge for hikers and still only accessed on foot or by horse, Lake Agnes’ first teahouse was replaced 38 years ago by the current one, which still features the original windows, tables, and chairs. Upon arrival, enjoy breakfast of tea and warm buttered biscuits with jam, or perhaps some soup and hearty oatmeal brown bread. The menu is surprisingly extensive considering that supplies are hiked up each week by staff and their food is prepared from scratch." - ByLindsay Anderson