Why Hike the Big Beehive Trail at Lake Louise

When I first visited Banff, I was blown away by the number of amazing trails in the area. With so many options, it was hard to choose. But one hike I knew I couldn’t miss was the Big Beehive trail at Lake Louise. This trail offers an excellent effort-to-reward ratio, combining a moderate climb with jaw-dropping views of Lake Louise from above.

Along the way, you’ll pass scenic spots such as Mirror Lake and Lake Agnes Teahouse. For a longer hike, consider hiking the full Beehive Circuit, which includes both the Little and Big Beehive, as well as Lake Agnes. It’s a fantastic way to explore three scenic trails in one go.

In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about the Big Beehive Trail, including hiking stats, difficulty level, required passes, pros and cons as well as why it continues to rank among the most popular hikes in Banff National Park!

Everything you Need to Know about the Big Beehive Hike at Lake Louise

Where is the Beehive Hike Located?

Whether you choose to hike the Little Beehive or the Big Beehive trail, both routes share the same trailhead located at Lake Louise in Banff National Park.

The best way to get to Lake Louise is by public transit, such as Parks Canada shuttles. But if you’re driving your own vehicle, be sure to arrive very early. During the summer especially, the Lake Louise parking lot fills up quickly. For example, we took the alpine shuttle to Moraine Lake from Lake Louise at 5 am and the lot was already half full.

Finding the trailhead to the Big Beehive trail is straightforward. From the Lake Louise lakeshore, walk past the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise on the right. The trail begins just beyond the hotel and leads first to Mirror Lake. From there, continue on to Lake Agnes, where you can decide whether to ascend the Little Beehive or continue to the Big Beehive trail. Both trails are among the most popular hikes in Banff National Park.

How to Get to the Beehive Hike Trailhead at Lake Louise

There are multiple ways to get to Lake Louise but I highly recommend using public transport, especially during the busy summer months. Traffic leading up to the lake can get extremely congested during the day, often resulting in long delays.

On top of that, the Lake Louise parking lot tends to fill up early in the morning, making it difficult to find a spot if you arrive later. Taking the Parks Canada shuttle or other public transit options is a stress-free way to ensure you get to the lake on time and without the hassle.

Below I’ll list all the possible ways to get to the Beehive Trail at Lake Louise, with and without a car:

• By car: parking lot at Lake Louise requires a fee of $37 per day. But space is limited and fills up fast. In summer, you should aim to get here before 8 am.
• Parks Canada Shuttle Bus: drive to the Parks and Ride parking lot, at Lake Louise Ski Resort, and from here take the shuttle bus to Lake Louise. This is a stress-free and cheap option to get to Lake Louise.
• Roam Transit: provides routes connecting Downtown Banff and Lake Louise. So, if you’re visiting Banff without a car and staying in town, this might be the best option for you.
• Guided Tours: if all the options above are not an alternative for you, then you can still get to Lake Louise with a guided tour.

🚗 Looking for a scenic road trip in the Canadian Rockies? Check out these best stops on the Icefields Parkway drive!

Things to Know before Hiking the Beehive Trail

Parking at Lake Louise

Parking at Lake Louise is limited and fills up very early during the peak summer months. If you’re planning to drive, aim to arrive no later than 8 am to secure a spot. Otherwise, your best bet it to take the Parks Canada shuttle or Roam Transit to avoid the stress of finding a parking spot.

Cell Service at Lake Louise

Cell Service at Lake Loise can be very spotty. Generally you should be able to get signal on the trail, but be sure to download offline maps and trail details before you start the hike to the Big Beehive.

What to Wear on the Hike

Weather in the Canadian Rockies changes rapidly. So, it’s important you dress in layers. Even in summer, mornings can be chilly at higher elevations on the Beehive Circuit. I would recommend wearing moisture wicking clothing, carrying a rain or wind jacket and sturdy hiking shoes.

Bear Country

It’s not uncommon to encounter wildlife, such as bears, on the trail in Banff National Park. So always carry a bear spray and know how to use it. You should make sure it’s easily accessible and not buried in your backpack.

If you’re hiking alone, make noise along the trail and never feed wildlife. Usually, at the trailhead or on the Parks Canada website, you can find updates on trail conditions and bear warnings. Also please follow the Leave No Trace principles.

Do I need a National Parks Pass to Hike the Beehive Trail?

The Big Beehive hike is located in Banff National Park. So you’ll need a national parks pass. You can either buy the day pass or the Discovery Pass, which grants you access to Canadian national parks year round.

When is the Best Time to Hike the Beehive Trail?

In my opinion, the best time to hike the Beehive trail is in summer when the path is snow-free and weather is more predictable. But the Beehive hike is also great to visit in the fall. In fact, you’ll hike past golden larch trees at Lake Agnes and enjoy crisp views from the viewpoints.

👉 Planning a weekend in Banff and the Canadian Rockies? Don’t miss this 2-day itinerary!

Beehive Trail Overview: Route to Big Beehive

The Beehive Trail consists of three main sections, which you can hike individually or combine for a longer day hike as part of the Beehive Circuit.

1. Lake Agnes Teahouse Hike
2. Little Beehive Hike
3. Big Beehive Hike

What to Expect on the Trail

I’ve broken down the hiking route to the Big Beehive into sections to give you a clearer overview of what to expect on the trail.

The trail starts at Lake Louise lakeshore and continues through a shaded forest path. Occasionally, you’ll come across some clearings that offer stunning views of the soaring peaks surrounding Lake Louise.

Mirror Lake

• Distance: 6.9 km
• Elevation Gain: 370 m
• Time: 2-2.5 hours

After some elevation gain, you’ll reach Mirror Lake. Here you can choose to take the Highline Trail (on the left) or continue right towards Lake Agnes Teahouse. Either way, you’ll pass Mirror Lake on your way to to Lake Agnes and the Beehives.

In winter, Mirror Lake is also a popular snowshoe trail in Banff National Park.

Lake Agnes Teahouse

• Distance: 7.4 km round trip
• Elevation Gain: 502 m
• Time: 2.5-3 hours
• Link: more trail details

As we approached Lake Agnes, we passed a beautiful waterfall and then took the staircase up to the teahouse.

The historic Lake Agnes Teahouse marks the intersection between the Little Beehive and Big Beehive trail. Many hikers stop here for a treat, but be aware that lines can get quite long. We, for example, skipped the Teahouse and continued straight to the Big Beehive.

From Lake Agnes you have two options. You can either go to the Little Beehive viewpoint or continue on to the Big Beehive. Note that these two trails are not directly connected. That said, it’s still possible to hike both Beehives in one day. It just makes for a longer day hike.

💡Tip: the hike to Lake Agnes Teahouse is also very popular in fall when golden larches are in full display and frame the lake’s shoreline!

Little Beehive

• Distance: 9.3 km round trip
• Elevation Gain: 644 m
• Time: 4 hours
• Link: more trail details

From Lake Agnes, take the trail to the right to the Little Beehive viewpoint. Despite what the name might suggest, this trail is not much easier than the Big Beehive.

Since we hiked to Lake O’Hara the day before, we decided to conserve a bit of energy and skip the Little Beehive, heading straight for the Big Beehive instead. Below, I’ll explain in more detail why the Big Beehive Trail is the more rewarding option compared to the Little Beehive.

📌RELATED: One Day in Yoho National Park: My Ideal Itinerary

Big Beehive

• Distance: 10 km round trip
• Elevation Gain: 736 m
• Time: 4-4.5 hours
• Link: more trail details

Instead of (or in addition to) the Little Beehive hike, you can continue on to the summit of the Big Beehive. It’s slightly longer that the Little Beehive trail, but not significantly more difficult. Since the views from both viewpoints are quite similar, we decided to stick to the Big Beehive alone.

From Lake Agnes, follow the trail along the right-hand side of the lakeshore until you reach the back of the lake. From there, follow a series of switchbacks to the top of the Big Beehive.

At the summit, just before reaching the official viewpoint platform, we found a quiet spot with an incredible view of Lake Louise. It was the perfect place for lunch and we had the panoramic view of Lake Louise entirely to ourselves.

🥾 Are you looking into a longer hike at Lake Louise? Check out the Plain of Six Glaciers – Big Beehive – Lake Agnes loop.

Is the Big Beehive Hike better than Little Beehive?

I will start by saying that whether the Big Beehive hike is better than the Little Beehive is very subjective. But personally I believe that if you’ve already made it up to Lake Agnes, you might as well continue to the Big Beehive. I tend to prefer higher elevation views and the Big Beehive offers a more panoramic viewpoint of Lake Louise, which really makes the extra effort worth it for me.

With that in mind, let’s break down the pros and cons of both the Big Beehive and Little Beehive to help you decide which one suits your hike best.

Big Beehive Hike	Little Beehive Hike
✅ Higher elevation	✅ Slightly shorter trail
✅ Better panoramic views of Lake Louise	✅ Great views as well, closer to Lake Louise
✅ Connects with other trails (e.g. Plain of Six Glaciers or Devil’s Thumb)	✅ Shorter time commitment
✅ Hike past Lake Agnes on the way up	✅ Better for shoulder season
❌ Slightly longer hike	❌ Less dramatic views
❌ Switchbacks after Lake Agnes a bit exposed	❌ No loop option but just out-and-back trail
❌ Windier and more exposed at the top

Tips for Hiking the Big Beehive Trail

• Beat the crowds and start your hike early. We visited at the beginning of July and the trail was stormed with people. This is definitely by far the most popular hike in Banff National Park.
• Check the weather. The Canadian Rockies are known for the unpredictable weather. So make sure you check it before your hike. Keep in mind that even in June there might be snow on the trail.
• Wear layers. Pack a wind jacket and something warm for the summit. Even when the sun is out, it might still be cold and chilly.
• Pack lunch and snacks. Although you could stop at the Lake Agnes Teahouse, the line to order food can be very long. To avoid the wait, make sure you pack lunch with you and have some extra snacks in case of emergency.
• Offline maps. Download offline maps in case you don’t have cell phone reception on the trail. I for example use maps.me.

🥾 You may also like the Parker Ridge Hike along the Icefields Parkway Drive!

Final Thoughts: Why Hike the Big Beehive Trail?

The Big Beehive trail is one of the most beautiful hikes in Banff National Park. In fact, the summit of Big Beehive offers some incredible views of Lake Louise and is one of the most photographed spots in the Canadian Rockies.

On the way up to the summit, you’ll get to experience Mirror Lake and Lake Agnes, making it a well-rounded adventure. For those looking into a longer day hike in Banff, the Big Beehive can easily be paired with the Little Beehive, Devil’s Thumb or even Plain of Six Glaciers.