Hiking the Big Beehive Trail, Lake Louise: The Better Route

Lake Louise is one of those places that almost doesn’t look real. You know the ones that end up as Google screensavers. With its glacier-fed turquoise water, towering mountain peaks, and endless hiking trails, it’s no surprise it’s considered one of the most beautiful lakes in the world.

While most people come for the famous viewpoint or a canoe ride across the lake, the real magic begins once you hit the trails. There are more than 40 hikes around Lake Louise, leading to alpine lakes, historic teahouses, and panoramic viewpoints.

One of my favourites is the Big Beehive hike. Rather than following the traditional route via Lake Agnes, I recommend tackling it in reverse by taking the Highline Trail first. Not only is the climb more gradual, but you’ll avoid many of the crowds and reach the summit sooner even with 1000 photo stops. Then, on the way back down, you can still visit Lake Agnes Teahouse, Mirror Lake and even add on the Little Beehive if you’re feeling energetic.

In this guide I’ll show you exactly how to hike the Big Beehive, what to expect along the trail, how to prepare, and why I think this is one of the best hikes in Banff National Park.

The Ultimate Guide to Hiking the Big Beehive Trail, Lake Louise

There are multiple ways you can start this hike, as the great thing about Lake Louise is the trails all intertwine within themselves.

My personal favourite way to do the Big Beehive hike is the following: 

• Start on the Lake Louise Shoreline Trail 
• Then follow the Plain of Six Glaciers Trail 
• Take a right and go along the Highline Trail 
• Up to Beehive 
• Down to Lake Agnes 
• Onto mirror lakes 
• Little Beehive if you fancy a little detour
• And back to the Lakeshore

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Trail information for the Big Beehive Hike 

• Distance: 10.8km / 6.7 miles 
• Duration: 3 to 5 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
• Elevation:  718m 
• Track type: Loop Trail 
• Trailhead: Lake Louise shoreline 

How to prepare for the Big Beehive hike

Being Bear Aware

The first, and probably the most important thing you need to prepare for, is a potential bear encounter. Lake Louise is home to lots of wildlife like black bears, grizzly bears, elk, cougars, pikas, marmots and more. And while it is amazing to see these creatures in the wild, you need to stay a safe distance.

It is imperative you bring bear spray with you. You can rent it from outdoor stores in Banff like SkiBig3 or you can purchase it if you plan on doing multiple hikes.

Disclaimer: bear spray is not like bug spray. It is 8x stronger than pepper spray and causes irritation and burns to your skin. 

The can has about 8 seconds of power and should only be used if absolutely necessary. 

For more information on bear spray and safety, read the guide here. 

To avoid a bear encounter, you can follow these simple steps to stay safe: 

Make Noise – Have music playing or a podcast if you are walking solo or in a small group. Be respectful to other hikers and have the volume at a low / normal setting. Or chat away to your hiking buddy. 

Look behind you – Every 5 or so minutes, look behind you to check if nothing is coming up the rear. Like humans, bears sometimes want to take the easy route and may use the path to walk on. If you see a bear behind you, and it is safe to do so, move off the path and let them pass. 

Travel in groups – Parks Canada advises that you walk in groups of 4 or more. These numbers usually prevent serious bear encounters. If you are travelling alone or in a smaller group, you can always combine groups with other hikers and stay within looking distance in case an encounter occurs. If a bear has been sighted, this is a good way to keep safe. 

Stay On The Trails – Do not wander off the marked path. These trails are put in place not only to avoid destroying plants and vegetation but for the safety of hikers. Short cutting can lead to erosion and serious damage to the natural habitat. 

Have Bear Spray Accessible – If you are walking in bear country, no matter how touristy the trail is, always have your bear spray accessible. If your backpack has a water bottle holder, keep the spray in there. You can also get a bear spray holster that attaches to your belt. A small front bag or, if you feel more comfortable, hold it. 

What to pack for hiking in Lake Louise

Depending on the time of year you decide to do this hike, will depend on the essentials you need to bring. However, without fail, I will always carry these 5 things: 

• Sunscreen – On this hike there are some exposed areas which can catch you out. I would also pack a hat to keep the heat off your head. 
• Powerbank – I take photos every 30 seconds, so my battery drains quite quickly. I always carry a portable charger as I think this is an important safety tool in case you get lost or injure yourself. 
• First Aid kit – As we are on the topic of being safe, I would pack a travel-sized first aid kit with the basics like plasters, alcohol wipes, tweezers. I also think having a whistle, some notepaper and a pen/pencil is also good too. 
• A jumper – Always pack an extra layer, the further up you go, the colder it gets. It is better to have it and not need it than the other way around. 
• 2L water and snacks – I drink a lot of water. I like to take a couple of litres, but honestly, 1 litre should be enough for this trail. 

Make sure to wear comfortable hiking trainers or boots (I wore Nike trail runners). However, my trail shoe of choice is the Solomon cross hikes. I would also pack and wear bug spray. If you have dodgy knees, you might want to invest in some hiking poles for the way down. 

The Big Beehive Trail is a touristy hike, I wouldn’t stress too much about some of these points as there are always people on the trail.

How to get to the Big Beehive Trail

If you are planning to take public transport to Lake Louise, which I highly recommend, unless you are visiting for sunrise, I would book your tickets as far in advance as possible.

The Lake Louise car park is relatively small and can fill up by 8am, especially during the busy summer months.

One of the most popular ways to get there from Banff is the 8X Roam Transit bus. The service departs from the Banff Transit Hub in the centre of town and runs regularly throughout the day.

When catching the 8X, there are two different lines: pre-booked passengers and walk-on passengers.

If you have booked your ticket online, you join the pre-booked line and are given priority when boarding the bus. Tickets cost $10 each way, plus a $3 booking fee when booked online.

If the online tickets have sold out, don’t panic. There is also a first-come, first-served walk-on line. Once everyone with a pre-booked ticket has boarded, any remaining seats are offered to passengers waiting in this line.

However, there is no guarantee you’ll get on the bus as a walk-on passenger. During busy periods, I would arrive early and be prepared to wait for another service if the bus is already full.

Parks Canada also operates shuttle buses to Lake Louise, giving you another option if you can’t get a ticket for the Roam bus.

How popular is the Big Beehive Hike?

I will not sugarcoat it, the Big Beehive hike is one of the most popular hikes in Lake Louise and for good reason. 

However, do not let that put you off. I recommend going on the first bus, which is 7am and you will beat the crowds. When I arrived, there were a handful of people around the lake but not an overbearing amount.

I was still able to get my tripod out and shoot some photos of the tranquil lake without loads of people around. 

I still think going up the Lake Louise Shoreline Trail and following the Six Glaciers path is so much quieter. 

Another reason I prefer this way is because you get to see Lake Agnes and the teahouse after the epic Big Beehive viewpoint, which means you can sit and have a lemonade and a cookie without feeling the pressure of needing to get to the top to see the views. 

There are many trails off the Big Beehive which are fun to explore on the way down, like Mirror Lakes and the Little Beehive. 

What to expect on the Big Beehive Trail Lake Louise

The Big Beehive Trailhead

No matter which way you decide to tackle the Big Beehive hike, the trail starts at the Lake Louise shoreline. 

The Lake Louise Lakeshore trail is family friendly and easily accessible for all abilities.

As everyone starts their steady incline up to Mirror and Agnes Lake, you will take the leisurely route around the Lakeshore trail on the Eastern side, enjoying the calming turquoise water and following the Six Glacier Trail signs. 

As you walk along the Lakeshore you will get to a little beach, which feels like the end of the lake. That is when you will see the first sign, don’t be alarmed that it doesn’t say Big Beehive Trail. Just trust the process. Keep following the sign for the Six Glaciers and the Highline Connector junction.

I was one of the only people walking this way, which felt a little odd and eerie, but I also liked that I didn’t feel rushed and was able to stop multiple times.

Keep going straight, and eventually you will see another sign and this time it will say you are on the right path! Take a sharp right and start the switch back up the woodland area. This is a 3km climb. The first part is a steady and manageable incline while the last 1km is a little more intense and rocky. 

As I was approaching the top of this steady climb I met a few groups of hikers making their way down. They encouraged me that I was nearly at the top, which is always nice to hear. 

When the terrain changes to just pure rocks, you know you are almost if not all the way there. As you start to get to the flatter top you will start to see bright blue milky water coming through the trees.

Why is Lake Louise so blue?

The lake gets its famous blue colour from something called glacial flour. As the nearby Victoria Glacier slowly moves, it grinds the rock beneath it into an incredibly fine powder. During the warmer months, melting glacier water carries these tiny rock particles into Lake Louise, where they remain suspended in the water.

When sunlight hits the lake, these microscopic particles scatter the light, reflecting the beautiful blue and turquoise colours back to our eyes. It’s this natural process that gives Lake Louise its postcard-perfect appearance and makes it one of the most beautiful lakes in Canada.

At the peak of the Big Beehive hike

When you are at the top of the Big Beehive trail there is this relatively long and flat section to walk along. There are several big beehive lookout points to enjoy and get the iconic photos. One guy I saw had set up a hammock in two trees and was just enjoying the incredible scenery. 

Although there will be a relatively good amount of people up there, the place doesn’t feel overcrowded, it still feels peaceful. 

I didn’t feel comfortable getting my tripod out, but I did ask people at different points up there to take my picture. 

If you continue further along until you get to the biggest opening point, you will see the 1916 Canadian Pacific Railway shelter. This shelter is the oldest surviving structure in the whole of the Rocky Mountains National Park. 

The shelter was built to accommodate visitors on guided horse rides and hikes in case of bad weather or to take refuge from the sun. 

This is a beautiful place to stop and have a picnic or a quick snack. Or like me, you can head down to the teahouse for a light bite.

Descending to Lake Agnes Teahouse

Once you have enjoyed the incredible sights that the Big Beehive trail has to offer, start your descent down to Lake Agnes Teahouse. This is on the opposite side you came up. If the lake is behind you, it’s the right side if memory serves me correctly. Or if you are facing the lake, it is down the left side. 

There will of course be signs, you just need to walk around a little to find them. 

The walk down from the Big Beehive to Lake Agnes is quite a steep descent (still manageable, but you can quietly thank me for not making you walk up it). 

You will see Lake Agnes immediately on your right and see the contrast of colours from the different lakes. Both are extremely beautiful surrounded by large mountain ranges.

The terrain changes to small shale rocks, but you will be back on the flat, which makes it more manageable.

Along the way you will see Chipmunks, mountain goats and Pikas. 

In the distance, you’ll see the famous Lake Agnes Teahouse. From here, follow the trail around the edge of the lake until you reach the teahouse.

At the teahouse there are toilet facilities.

The Lake Agnes Teahouse was built in 1901 by the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) as a refuge for hikers. They decided to start a tea service in 1905. The Lake Agnes Teahouse is known as Canada’s oldest teahouse and remains a remote, off-the-grid destination accessible only by trail.

The workers at the teahouse will hike each morning with supplies. 

Although the menu is basic, it is delicious. Expect homemade cookies, fresh sandwiches and soups. 

The tea house is off-grid, meaning there is no electricity. The water is pumped from the lake and stored in a large tank before being boiled for service. 

Mirror Lake, Kay Falls and Little Beehive 

As you start making your way back to the Lake Louise shoreline, there are a couple of mini-detours you can take to make the most out of your hike. The distance between Lake Agnes and Mirror Lakes is a breezy 0.8km (0.5 miles) and will take 15 to 20 minutes depending on your speed. 

This part of the trail is clearly marked and consists of most downhill switchbacks. 

As you round the corner from Lake Agnes to Mirror Lakes you will get to see Kay Falls. This waterfall feeds Mirror Lakes and connects the two. 

I visited Mirror Lakes in peak summer, which is why it was slightly underwhelming and lacked water. 

After Mirror Lakes, you can either continue down to the Lake Louise shoreline (2.7km / 1.6 miles) or you can do a 1km detour (0.6 miles) and see the Little Beehive that also has epic views of the lake from above. 

The way back down is a steady decline and goes through the forest which is a lovely way to finish.

Where to stay in Banff National Park

As lovely as staying at the Lake Louise Fairmont Châteaux would be, it is rather pricey and is quite isolated. 

I personally think staying in Banff town centre is better as it is a central hub with loads of things to do. 

Samesun Hostel

If you’re travelling Banff on a strict budget, then I recommend Samesun Hostel. It’s a super social hostel and a great option for solo travellers who want to meet other backpackers while exploring the Canadian Rockies.

My friend Lindsey works there, and she is constantly organising social events and fun gatherings to bring everyone together. This makes it much easier to meet people, especially if you’re travelling Banff alone and don’t want to spend your evenings sitting in your dorm.

The dorms range from 6 to 14 beds, giving you a few different options depending on your budget and how many people you’re comfortable sharing with. There are also private rooms if you’d prefer your own space while still being able to enjoy the social side and common areas of the hostel.

For me, Samesun is a great choice if you want to keep your accommodation costs down without sacrificing the social experience that makes staying in a hostel so much fun.

The Moose Hotel 

The Moose Hotel has the Rocky Mountain charm. If you’re looking for somewhere a little more luxurious while still being right in the heart of Banff, this is a very hard hotel to beat.

One of its biggest selling points is the location. The hotel is just a one-minute walk from Banff Avenue, putting you within easy reach of the town’s restaurants, bars and shops.

The Moose offers modern rooms alongside spacious one and two-bedroom suites, which feature kitchenettes and fireplaces for those cosy nights in. However, one of the biggest highlights has to be the two rooftop hot tubs overlooking Mount Norquay. There is also an indoor pool, sauna and spa, making it the perfect place to unwind after a long day of hiking and exploring.

If you don’t fancy travelling far for dinner, Pacini’s Italian restaurant is located inside the hotel. In winter, Pacini’s also participates in Banff’s Hot Chocolate Trail, which is a big motivator to visit in itself. When I went, they were serving Buona Notte, a hot chocolate spiked with Irish whisky and hazelnut liqueur, topped with hazelnut chocolate spread and cookie crumble for $10. It was glorious.

Guests also receive complimentary Roam Transit passes, making it easier to explore Banff and the surrounding area without relying on a car.

For me, the Moose Hotel is a great choice if you want to treat yourself to a little more luxury while still having the restaurants, bars and atmosphere of downtown Banff right on your doorstep.

Canalta Lodge

Canalta Lodge is one of the highest-rated mid-range hotels in Banff National Park and a great option if you want the cosy mountain experience without paying luxury hotel prices.

One of the reasons for its great reviews is the complimentary breakfast, which includes a hot and cold buffet. Not only is this convenient before a big day of exploring, but it can also help save a little money in an otherwise expensive town.

After a long day of hiking, you can come back and relax in the outdoor hot tubs or sauna. Canalta Lodge really embraces that cosy mountain cabin feel, with an outdoor fire pit and complimentary s’mores in the evening, which I can confirm are delicious.

The hotel is located around a 15 to 20-minute walk from the centre of Banff, but guests receive a complimentary Roam Transit pass, making it easy to get around without a car. During the summer, there are also complimentary bike rentals.

For me, Canalta Lodge is a great choice if you’re looking for somewhere comfortable and cosy with plenty of added extras, while still keeping an eye on your budget.

Where to eat in Banff after your Big Beehive Hike 

Banff National Park has multiple amazing restaurants and tons of happy hours.

After a big day hiking in Lake Louise you are going to be hungry, and I have some great options for you. 

Anejos

Anejos Happy Hour is probably my favourite and most frequented. 

With ten margarita flavours to choose from and six taco options, it’s the perfect place for a post-hike treat.

Between 3pm and 5pm and 9pm until close, Anejos has a happy hour offering $3 tacos and $6 margaritas. I highly recommend the chorizo and the fish tacos (make sure you add the special spicy mayo) and the mango and guava margaritas. 

Hello Sunshine

Hello Sunshine offers five half-priced sushi dishes to choose from, each with eight pieces. I always get the crispy avocado as I am not a big fish person, and it is always so good. 

They also have chicken, vegetable, seaweed, and pickled ginger ramen bowls for $15, along with a variety of sake and cocktails. You NEED to order the watermelon crush cocktail. It is the best. 

Elk and Oarsman

The Elk and Oarsman is one of my favourite bars in town. This sports bar has all the good vibes, with reasonably priced food and drink, friendly staff, and all the different categories of sports. 

This bar is a bit of a hidden gem, as it can be easily missed. Sandwiched between Lululemon and Little Wild is a flight of stairs leading up to the Elk and Oarsman bar. 

This is probably the cosiest sports bar I have been to, with warm lighting and soft wooden features. This bar is far from rowdy. 

The food never disappoints, and there is always a beer special on, regardless of the time. The food portions are a good size with good quality ingredients.

The Elk have happy hours on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursdays.

None of these take your fancy? Or want to know what else Banff National Park’s food scene has to offer? Then follow this link for all the Best Happy Hours In Banff for food and drinks. 

Final Thoughts 

If you only have time for one hike in Lake Louise, I genuinely think the Big Beehive deserves to be at the top of your list. 

Between the turquoise waters of Lake Louise, the quieter climb along the Highline Trail, the historic Lake Agnes Teahouse and the incredible panoramic views from the summit, this hike packs so much into a relatively short distance.

I think hiking the loop in reverse makes the experience far more enjoyable, allowing you to avoid the steepest ascent and many of the crowds before rewarding yourself with tea and homemade cake on the way back down.

Whether you’re visiting Banff for a few days or planning a longer Canadian Rockies road trip, the Big Beehive is one of those hikes you’ll still be talking about long after you’ve left. 

It perfectly showcases why Lake Louise is considered one of the most beautiful places in the world, and I would happily hike it again in a heartbeat.