The Beehive Hike near Lake Louise in Banff National Park offers a popular route for exploring the Canadian Rockies. There are two main options: the Big Beehive and the Little Beehive, both starting from Lake Louise. These hikes combine scenic views, glacial lakes, and lots of pine trees.
Our Experience
Beehive hike (10 KM round-trip, 4,5 hours)
We parked near the Lake Louise Ski Resort, where the busses depart. Apparently, if you want to visit Lake Louise you will need to book a bus 2 days in advance. We didn’t know that, whoops. Luckily, near the bus stop, an e-bike rental store openend (9AM), and we could directly rent an e-mountainbike to visit both Lake Louise and Lake Moraine the same day.
From Lake Louise you start one of the Beehive hikes. There are two options: The Big Beehive and The Little Beehive trail. We chose the Big Beehive trail, which begins with a walk along Lake Louise’s shoreline before ascending through a forested area to the Lake Agnes Tea House. After a break at the tea house, the trail climbs steep switchbacks to a lookout on the Big Beehive, offering views over Lake Louise and the surrounding peaks. The hike is approximately 10 kilometers round trip with about 500 meters of elevation gain. The Little Beehive is a shorter and less steep option. Starting from the Lake Agnes Tea House, this trail leads to a viewpoint that overlooks Lake Louise and the Bow Valley. It’s about 9 kilometers round trip, with 450 meters of elevation gain when combined with the hike to the tea house.
Both trails are well-maintained and clearly marked. Proper footwear and layers are recommended due to varying weather conditions, and hikers should carry water and snacks. Wildlife, including bears, can be present in the area, so carrying bear spray is recommended for safety. While we only noticed a sign indicating recent bear activity, the trails are often busy with other hikers, which generally reduces the chances of encountering a bear.
What to pack
- trainers or hiking shoes
- small backpack
- phone / camera to make nice pictures
- Wallet – as I would definitely drink a tea at the tea house halfway
GPX Route
I’m a big fan of Komoot, so here you can find the route with distance, time, height differences all-in-one for the day:
