Trail Guide to the Epic Beehive Circuit (Little & Big Beehive Hike)

The Big Beehive Hike and Little Beehive Hike are two of the most popular hikes in all of Banff National Park. While the trails often feel far from being in the wilderness, the surreal views more than compensate for anything that you can say negatively about the crowds on the hike.

The greater “Beehive Circuit” includes hiking to Mirror Lake, Lake Agnes, and then the Little Beehive and Big Beehive. It makes for a tremendous day out for beginner to intermediate hikers with spectacular views and a solid challenge. Here’s the ultimate hiker guide for completing the Little Beehive and Big Beehive hike yourself!

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Beehive Circuit (Big Beehive Hike & Little Beehive Hike)

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Key Stats for the Full Circuit

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Beehive Circuit Route Description

Starting from Lake Louise, the Beehive hike makes its way along the lake’s north shoreline. Right from the start, views of the lake are astounding, and there is no mystery as to why millions visit the lake every year.

Turquoise blue water, soaring peaks, forests, and the stunning Mount Victoria topped by an expansive glacier make for one of the most ideal settings on earth. It is a sight that never grows old, no matter how many times you see it in person.

The lakeside trail is where most visitors head, as it is the start of the vast majority of hikes around Lake Louise. Finding the trailhead is pretty simple to the Little and Big Beehive, as it is just past the Fairmont. However, you have two options for the route, which allows hikers to avoid taking the same trail in and out.

We recommend taking the trail to Lake Agnes and Mirror Lake first, as it’s more of a gradual climb and offers better sights along the route. As you leave the crowded shore of Lake Louise, you’ll begin a gradual climb on a wide trail that follows a series of long switchbacks to the first stop.

You’ll get a few fleeting glimpses of Lake Louise until you’re surrounded by a spruce forest as the trail moves around to Mirror Lake and Lake Agnes.

Mirror Lake is the first stop, and it offers great views of the Big Beehive ahead of you. While Mirror Lake is not as vibrant or impressive as Lake Louise, it does have some color and serves as nice foreground to Big Beehive. At Mirror Lake, it’s pretty easy to see where the namesake comes from as it quite literally looks like a very, very big beehive.

From Mirror Lake, the trail moves to the right, following signs to Lake Agnes and the Little Beehive hike and Big Beehive hike. The trail continues to climb through a series of switchbacks where the occasional opening of the forest allows views of the soaring peaks surrounding it.

You have two options from Mirror Lake up to Lake Agnes, but the trail to the right is scenic with an awesome little Banff waterfall and provides access to the Little Beehive hike. It’s also the route you’ll want to take to complete the full Beehive Circuit.

Once you reach Lake Agnes, you’ll get beautiful views of the lake. You can’t miss the teahouse on your right, and if you’ve hit it on a nice summer day, there’s definitely going to be a line of people waiting to get in, as it’s one of the most iconic Lake Louise cafes. If you want to avoid crowds, we recommend trying to reach the Teahouse before 9 a.m.

Just past the teahouse is a small trail on your right. Take that to access the Little Beehive. You’ll notice immediately that the crowds thin out. The Little Beehive is a 2 kilometer round trip detour from the teahouse with about 100 meters of elevation gain, and not difficult, so it’s a great addition to your day hike in Banff.

It rises to a nice ridge with fantastic views of Lake Louise, Lake Louise Ski Resort, and Mount Fairview. On the lookout, a series of large rocks make for a great place to take photos and clamber along the ridge edge. The view does differ from the Big Beehive, and it generally sees fewer hikers.

The trail can either descend the same way back to the original trail from the Little Beehive to catch a view of the waterfall coming off of Lake Agnes. Or take a shortcut directly back to Lake Agnes and the Teahouse. Or, if you are really in for an epic day, you will continue onto Mount St. Piran from the Little Beehive.

The historic Lake Agnes Teahouse dates back to 1905 and has been serving hikers for over a century. If nothing else, it’s worth checking out the wood teahouse just to get a sense of the history and its close ties to the conservation movement in North America.

By midday, a long line forms outside the teahouse, and the teahouse is packed with visitors. If you’re lucky enough to arrive around the opening of the teahouse at 08:00 a.m., it’s worth having a cup of tea before more hiking in the area.

After visiting the Teahouse, take in the views of Lake Agnes and the epic cirque formed by Mount St Piran, Niblock, Whyte, and the Devil’s Thumb. A trail goes around the Northwest side of the lake, and it’s worth the hike around the lakeshore even if you don’t plan to hike up any further. We particularly love some of the large rocks at the end of the lake, which are a perfect spot for picnics and do not disturb the natural environment off-trail. Please stay on the trail and leave no trace.

From the end of Lake Agnes, the last section of the trail climbs to the Big Beehive through a series of switchbacks. The gradual incline and switchbacks make the climb to the top of the ridge easy enough for most hikers gaining about 135 meters of elevation in 1.6 km from the Teahouse. Views from the ridge of the Big Beehive are expansive, and due to its length, it’s straightforward to find your own spot even with the crowds that are typical on the hike.

Continue along the ridge to the end, where you reach the “summit” and find a historic gazebo. It’s served as a resting place for nearly a century, and the wood building has names carved into it from decades back (but that does not mean you should carve your own name in; remember to Leave No Trace). Take some time to appreciate the view and catch some of the history.

To return to Lake Louise, you have two options. The first is to return the way you came or continue the circuit down to the Lake Louise Highline Trail. The trail descends the opposite side of the saddle and connects to the trail after a series of switchbacks.

You’ll then cross below the Big Beehive ridge back to Mirror Lake, where you’ll catch glimpses of Lake Louise along the way. But after descending both ways, I would suggest sticking to the Lake Agnes Teahouse as it’s a more scenic way unless you plan to hike the Highline and detour to the Plain of Six Glaciers.

It’s also possible to make the circuit a truly epic day by combining the Plain of Six Glaciers hike with the Beehive Circuit. That long day comes to about 20km and over 1,000 meters – very possible for fit hikers. Be sure to plan for a full day, around eight hours between hiking, enjoying the views, and lunch. This circuit is one of our favorite things to do in Banff, filled with some of the best sights in the park.

Additionally, you can continue up to Devil’s Thumb from the Big Beehive, or you could have made a choice to hike up Mount St. Piran from the Little Beehive. There are a lot of options here, and I know in writing it sounds a bit confusing, but trust me when you get there there are plenty of signs. It’s also best to have a Topo Map downloaded to your phone or to study a paper map.

None are bad options, but after completing all the hikes around Lake Louise I can confidently say that my favorite views of Lake Louise are from Mount St. Piran, where you’ll find fewer hikers and gorgeous scenery.

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The Beehive Circuit

To better understand the route and the locations of the points of interest, look at the maps above. This is the full Beehive Circuit route which is just under 13km in length and gains about 650 meters in elevation – depending on which route you take. It’s a pretty big day for most people, but anyone with decent fitness and hiking experience should be able to handle the hike.

You can shorten the hike by cutting out the Little Beehive for a moderate version, though it’s not a long detour to get to the viewpoint. Then the next would be to do only the Little Beehive Hike and not the Big Beehive. This is an easy version of the Beehive hikes.

The last would be to simply do the Lake Agnes Teahouse Hike, but you’d miss out on the views over Lake Louise from the Beehive Lookouts, and they honestly aren’t much further once you reach Lake Agnes.

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Gear We Recommend for Hiking in Banff

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Advice on the Little Beehive Hike and Big Beehive Hike

• The Little Beehive hike is a great addition that many forgo, however it’s really only about 20 minutes further once you reach the Lake Agnes Tea House.
• The view from the Big Beehive is slightly better in our opinion, so if you only have time for one go big. That being said, the views from both are surreal and will quite literally be one of the most spell binding landscapes you’ll ever witness. We’ve explored plenty of the park and still consider this route one of the most spectacular in the park despite the crowds and popularity.
• The Big Beehive tends to be busier than the Little Beehive, despite being more difficult.
• Please, refrain from the use of the restroom facilities at Lake Agnes. There is no sewage and a long drop toilet is used to collect human waste. Due to the sheer number of hikers who choose to use the restroom at Lake Agnes a daily helicopter collection of sewage is needed to remove the waste. That’s right the helicopter many hikers will see is not dropping off supplies but collecting hiker’s poop. There are public restrooms at the Lake Louise Parking Area so go there before tackling the trail.
• This goes for all facilities around the park, please treat them respect – the amount of time, money, and resources required to manage human waste would be shocking to most, especially around Lake Louise, which is the busiest region of Banff.
• The Lake Agnes Tea House is very busy, and you’ll often have to wait in line to get a cup of tea or baked goods from the historic business. If you do want to enjoy the experience, arrive early in the morning when they open at 8:00 or go for an evening hike as they close at 5:00 p.m. Otherwise, the Teahouse is most busy from 10:00 until 2:00 p.m., when most visitors arrive at Lake Agnes. Note that the Teahouse is only open during the summer months.

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How Hard is the Beehive Circuit?

The Beehive Circuit – the Big Beehive hike and the Little Beehive hike are varying degrees in difficulty. However, none of them are too difficult as the terrain is simple, trails well maintained, and the incline is gradual along the trail with no scrambling. We’d say most able-bodied hikers should be able to make it to the Lake Agnes Teahouse and onward to the Beehives.

Though the hike to Lake Anges is a gradual climb of almost 400 meters, and the Big Beehive section is relatively steep. You’ll definitely get your heart pumping the day you do this hike!

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The Beehive Circuit Hike Duration

The Beehive hikes and circuit duration vary greatly as there are so many options to extend the hike or shorten the hike. If you complete the full Beehive Circuit (Lake Agnes, Little Beehive hike, and Big Beehive hike), plan for the hike to take between 3-7 hours. Three on the very fast end and seven on the slow end. Make sure to pack a lunch that’s great to enjoy on Lake Agnes or from the top of the Big Beehive.

If you plan to do just the Little Beehive hike, plan for 2-4 hours. Then for just the Big Beehive plan for 3-5 hours. Of course, everyone’s hiking time varies, and times vary depending on how long you spend at each stop. An average pace falls in the middle of the suggested hike times.

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When Can You Hike The Beehive Circuit?

The hike is best done in the summer months, from June – September. In the shoulder months of late May and October, hikers should expect to find snow and ice on the trail, but not enough to make navigation difficult, but it all depends on the year. If there is significant snow on the trail travel to the Big Beehive should be avoided as it crosses an avalanche path.

If you are visiting Banff in the fall, you can see a few larches from the Big Beehive come Late September, but the larch views are better from the top of Devil’s Thumb.

Lake Louise and Lake Agnes are frozen in the winter months and should melt around late May or early June. During winter, there is significant avalanche exposure in the area, and don’t recommend hiking past Mirror Lake. Reminder that the Lake Agnes Tea House is only open in the summer.

Of course, the weather is seasonal, and every year the melt date is different, and snow and lake freeze is possible to extend well into June. For instance in both 2019 and 2020, we visited in early June and found an ice-free Lake Louise and melting Lake Agnes.

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How Popular is the Beehive Circuit?

Aside from the hike through Johnston Canyon off the Bow Valley Parkway, the hike to Lake Agnes is the most popular in all of Banff National Park. Despite this, you’ll be surprised by the number of people who do not choose to venture up to Lake Agnes from Lake Louise. It’s been said that nearly 80% of visitors to Banff, Yoho, and Jasper don’t venture further than 1 kilometer from the road or parking lots.

As you progress through the hike, you’ll increasingly find yourself alone on the trail, and it’s possible to find some isolation along at different points along the hike. That being said, if you’re looking for peace and quiet, the Beehive Circuit Trails are not for you unless you’re the first up to the lake or the last one to descend for the day.

We took the photo above at around 9:00 p.m. after climbing Mt Niblock, in addition to the Beehive Circuit (Epic Day!), and it was one of the first times we had the whole area to ourselves.

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Should I Bring Dogs and Kids on the Little and Big Beehive Hike?

The trail is appropriate for most hikers who feel comfortable walking uphill. If you’d like to take the detours to the Little Beehive or Big Beehive, it would be appropriate for anyone of moderate fitness. I’d say kids from ages six years old and up, maybe even younger. Strollers will not work on the trail, but you should be fine hiking the Beehive Circuit, dependent on fitness, if you have a baby carrier.

Dogs should be able to handle the trail just fine. Just keep in mind the hike is a lengthy one, so small dogs will struggle with the length while large dogs will handle the trail better. Also, remember dogs must always be on a leash in the national park for the safety of fellow hikers, the dog, and wildlife.

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Parking at Lake Louise

The toughest part of the Beehive hike may not be the hike itself, but scoring parking at Lake Louise. It is best to use the Parks Canada Park and Ride System (the Lake Louise shuttle) rather than fighting for parking at Lake Louise in the summer.

There is also paid parking in effect at Lake Louise in the summer. We break down everything you need to know about parking at Lake Louise here. If you have missed out on Parks Canada shuttle tickets you still have options! You can get to Lake Louise early and try and get paid parking, or book a private shuttle like the Hop On Hop Off Bus.

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Cell Service at Lake Louise

You can get a cell signal at Lake Louise, though not at Lake Agnes. That being said, I have received text messages at the Little Beehive and Big Beehive.

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Advice on Hikes in the Canadian Rockies

• If this is your first time hiking in the Rockies take a conservative approach. Pick an adequate hike for your fitness, plan for plenty of time, pack water and food, and don’t be afraid to turn around. If you want to learn more about what to wear hiking we have a great post.
• For long hikes, set a turn around time at the departure. Any time we set out for an objective I determine a time at which we need to turn around in order to arrive at the parking lot or campsite by dark. I would recommend not hiking in the dark as it’s easy to get lost and it’s not fun in bear country.
• Always carry bear spray if you plan to hike in the park. We carry ours in the neighborhood and bears have been known to stroll through town and busy parking lots. Always practice wildlife awareness when you’re on a trail, and please give animals space.
• Keep in mind your mountain fitness — It’s different than gym fitness. The low end of the times in this post is a constant fast pace uphill with little to no breaks and a brisk pace downhill. Most hikers should plan for a middle of the road time with the estimated duration.
• A GPS tracker could save your life – it’s one of those backpacking essentials I like to have on me just in case I need to hit SOS.
• Alltrails is our favorite app to have on a hike. It shows the correct trail way, elevation, and other hiker reviews. We paid the subscription fee so that we could download all the data we need to our phones. Best $3 (per month) ever spent!

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What to Wear On a Hike?

The most basic principle of what to wear hiking is layering. Anyone that has spent time in the wilderness or mountains can speak to the fact your temperature can fluctuate a lot on a hike. You can easily start off cool at the mountain base and get hot as soon as you begin moving.

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Other Hikes in Lake Louise

Looking for the best Lake Louise hikes? We share the most popular hikes around the lake and share all of the details in this guide to experience the best hikes around Lake Louise. These hikes start from Lake Louise and are certain to have stunning views of the stunning turquoise lake, surrounding mountains, and awe-inspiring glaciers. Any hiker who gets the opportunity to hike around Banff National Park and Lake Louise should consider themself very fortunate.

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Things to Do in Lake Louise

There are a plethora of things to do in Lake Louise. After taking in the spectacular scene, go for a hike, climb, ski, or canoe in Banff National Park. Lake Louise is an image that will last with you for a lifetime. It’s hard to find a more majestic and awe-inspiring place in the world than Lake Louise.

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