Behind you are the mountains youve been looking at around Lake Agnes, including My. We decided we wanted a better view of Lake Louise so we hiked the big beehive trail! Duration: 1-2 hours from the tea house and back. The seemingly endless switchbacks slowly bring you closer and closer to the top of Big Beehive, making this easily the hardest part of the hike. Be very careful though because a lot of these viewpoints are along the cliff. The switchbacks end at the 1.3 km mark of the Big Beehive trail. The most challenging part of the hike is ascending with a series of switchbacks to the top. Theres nothing notable on the trail until about 2 km into the hike, when youll get your first glimpse of Lake Louise through a small opening in the forest. I brought crampons, but didn't need em. Lake Louise Hiking Route C: Lake Agnes + Big Beehive + Plain of Six If you are lucky enough to hike Big Beehive in September, its a very nice larch hike in Lake Louise (and a great alternative if you cant get to Moraine Lake to hike Larch Valley). And finally, to your left, you can see Mt. Mid RangeMountaineer Lodge well rated, nice location, good value. Duration: 2 - 3 hour return to Lake Agnes, +45 minutes for a little beehive or 1 hour to the Big Beehive. The Lake Agnes trail to the Big Beehive is easy to follow and is well marked. The Large Beehive Hike from Lake Louise - News Churn Please consider booking your Lake Louise accommodations through the included link. Hiking in Lake Louise, AB | Banff & Lake Louise Tourism Continue 1.6 km around the far end of Lake Agnes and up switchbacks to the shelter at the top of the Big Beehive for views of the Bow Valley and Lake Louise. If you choose to embark on one hike during your time in Lake . Instead of turning right to go back to Lake Agnes, go left and follow the Beehive trail to the Lake Louise Highline Trail. For hiking in Banff, we typically wear. The trail offers a beautiful mix of forest, mountain and lakeshore scenery, varying from easy walking to climbing the challenging switchbacks to the top of the Big Beehive. Mount St. Piran Hike in Lake Louise [] 100 things to do in Banff National Park, Canada - [] Read post: Mount St. Piran Hike [] There are tons of trails that leave from the Lake Louise area so its super easy to add on a few extra miles to experience even more magical beauty. Large Beehive is a mountain that resembles a beehive situated near Lake Louise in Banff Nationwide . This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Beyond that, the last km or so is really steep and the only part that had my legs on fire. It should take a typical adult 3-4 hours to hike to the Big Beehive and back. Bear spray is a must. We had a quick lunch before hiking up . If you didn't have a chance to grab coffee at home, check out the Trailhead Cafe in the Town of Lake Louise. Ladies model, Alya loves herLadies Salomon X Ultra boots. Please do your part to help preserve the beautiful landscapes and fragile ecosystems found in Banff and Yoho for generations to come. Category: Canada Tags: alberta, banff, Canada, hiking. But dont get too comfortable because you still have work to do! 4 - 5 hours. This means that you cant just circle the lot until someone pulls out. The moderate 7-mile hike up to Big Beehive brings you to easily the best view overlooking the teal-colored lake. Once you have stopped and enjoyed a treat from the Lake Agnes Teahouse, if you have the time and energy, continue on the Big Beehive trail. Mirror Lake was gorgeous and you get the first view of Big Beehive! In front, youll see Chateau Lake Louise sitting on the shores of the lake, the Lake Louise ski hill and an enormous number of mountain peaks across the Bow Valley. This is a very popular area for birding, hiking, and snowshoeing, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. If you stand on the bench in the gazebo, you can also see Lake Agnes below. Hike: Lake Louise: The Big Beehive, Lake Agnus - Trail Cafe Ice crampon/cleatsfor walking on ice without slipping. Niblock and Devils Thumb. To be honest, when we hiked to Big Beehive, we didnt really know what to expect from the tea house. As you walk along the shores of Lake Agnes, the views of Mt. He loves traveling, braai (BBQ in South Africa), red wine and spending the day in a wetsuit. Such an amazing experience today. Starting up the Lake Agnes trail, shortly after Mirror Lake, theres a junction thats unmarked that will turn to the right and head up the Little Beehive. At the 0.6 km mark of the Big Beehive hike, youll cross a stream at the back of Lake Agnes over a bridge of large rocks. Little challenging but nice views throughout the entire hike. First, to get from Lake Louise to Calgary, drive west on the Trans-Canada Highway past Banff until the Lake Louise exit. The exact dates for the trail opening/closing will vary each year depending on conditions. The Large Beehive hike is a basic path within the Canadian Rockies of reasonable problem rewarding hikers with stunning views of the unreal Lake Louise and it's nice to make a cease on the famend Lake Agnes teahouse. There were some larches scattered around and the trail continues through a rocky area at Big Beehive with lots of viewpoints of Lake Louise below and the surrounding mountains. This 0.8 connector trail offers views of Lake Louise, the Big Beehive and Mirror . Tickets for the Lake Louise/Moraine Lake shuttles are. Treat yourselfFairmont Chteau Lake Louise, stay in luxury, only accommodation located on Lake Louise (not the town, but at the lake) panoramicviewsofLake Louiseand the Victoria Glacier, 4-star resort. 13. I always carry a light rain jackets in my daypack,the North Face for ladiesorNorth Face Resolve for men. Despite the crowds and generally touristy nature of the area, it really is one of the most beautiful lakes weve ever seen! Weather in the mountains can change quickly so come prepared with layers and rain gear. It doesnt take long for the elevated views of Lake Agnes and the teahouse to become spectacular. Payment is only required during the peak season (typically May through October) and from 7:00 AM 7:00 PM. We spend any free time we can get hiking, camping, backpacking, and exploring new places! Once youre satisfied with your time on Big Beehive, go back the way you came. Got any questions or comments? However, as you can imagine, the winter months will be brutally cold and the trail is closed from November through mid-May due to avalanche hazards. They are the size of a mango and love to sit on the top of rocks. Nonetheless, the views are epic! Continue the Beehive Circuit by passing the Lake Agnes Tea House towards the Big Beehive trail. Views from the Big Beehive There are some nice spots from which Lake Louise can be seen on the top of the Big Beehive. The hiking trail to Lake Agnes begins with a moderate incline and remains this way throughout the entirety of this Lake Louise tea house hike. If you are traveling toBanff on a budget, there are plenty of places to sit and enjoy a packed lunch at one of the most scenic places in Banff. The hiking trails start from the chateau. Those who hike to lake Agnes tea house may also choose to complete the beehive hike. Return to the Lake Agnes Tea House using the same path taken to Big Beehive. From there we went up to the Little Beehive and then retraced our steps to the Teahouse. Make sure you have enough time, this is a long hike and took me more than 6 hours, if conditions are not great with lots of snow and ice this can take up to 8 hours. A bit more challenging to get to Big Bee Hive. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. From national and provincial parks to lesser known conservation sites, were busy discovering the best places to hike, bike, paddle, ski, and explore so you can plan your own active, Alberta Adventure! Lake Louise and The Big Beehive Hike - TRAVELTIPSTER Our daughter was born and Stingy Nomads became a team of 3! The tea house can be seen at the end of the lake, dwarfed by this grand valley. At the summit of Big Beehive there is a small structure for protection from rain. Right leads to Devils Thumb, straight goes down to the Highline Trail, and left is the final section of Big Beehive Trail. A lot of the rocks have flat tops, so traversing them isnt too difficult. It was a crowded trail, but for good reason. You climb a set of wooden steps before reaching the lake. Hi there! The trail climbs continuously, but not steeply, on old pavement then packed dirt with some exposed rocks. In the opposite directionThe Juan de Fuca trailis a bit shorter and more flexible, but still a spectacular hike and fantastic accomplishment to complete. British Columbia offers some great hiking check out theseamazing hikes in Vancouver. This is done to avoid traffic jams and even more chaos than already exists. Like many other Lake Louise hikes, the Big Beehive hike starts beside Chateau Lake Louise, a short distance from the parking lot. Tickets sell out well in advance, so be sure to plan ahead to avoid scrambling for tickets at the last minute. From this starting point, the Big Beehive is approximately 5.2 km and the Lake Agnes Tea House is 3.8 km. Lake Louise Hiking Guide: Lake Agnes Tea House & Big Beehive Hike The hike leaves from the teahouse and follows the lake around to the far end. Now comes the hardest part of the Big Beehive hike- the switchbacks. Canisters are available to buy or rent at many locations in Canmore and Banff. God error huff g huff huff huff huff huff dad yb. You can also see Mirror Lake through the trees below as well as the massive Big Beehive cliff overhead. Hiking to Holly Lake in Grand Teton National Park: Is it Worth it? Larch trees are in their full golden yellow glory! Big Beehive Trail! | Lake Louise - YouTube The hike to the tea house is pretty moderate. Youll enjoy some of the most incredible scenery by hiking the short, but sometimes steep, Big Beehive trail. Its 20 km round-trip and 1,140 m elevation gain. Big Beehive (Lake Louise) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go On Vancouver island the gruelingWest Coast Trailis a fantastic trail along the coast, camping on the beach. The Big Beehive Hike from Lake Louise in the Canadian Rockies The intersection if you continue you will reach a 4-way intersection of trails just over a mile (1.8 km) after reaching Lake Agnes, 3.6 miles (5.9 km) from the start of the trail. Didnt like dodging the horse poop but otherwise it was an incredible payoff at the top!! We hiked to from lake Louise to lake Agnes to the Big beehive then back to lake Louise (about 9 miles). The Big Beehive trailhead is found just past the Lake Agnes Teahouse by the sign for their toilets. Tiny hikers on the Devil's Thumb summit. No . Features: Stunning views of Mirror Lake, Lake Agnes . No snow or ice. As you pass the Big Beehive cliff, the mountain views really open up in front of you. If you click on the link and purchase the item or make a booking, we will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost for you. The best time of the year to hike from Lake Louise is late June to middle September. Moderate hike up to tea house and Lake Agnes. Doing this hike in the Fall was absolutely amazing! I could sit there forever! Hiking to Lake Agnes is about 2.5 miles (4.1 km) The climb is not too steep with an elevation gain of about 1600 ft (500m). But that doesnt mean it will be easy! Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 4 h 39 min to complete. Mirror Lake is a small mountain lake in front of the majestic Big Beehive. Huge boulders add visual interest to the trail as you gain more elevation. Here, begin with a short but steep walk (about 45 minutes) away from the water to the first viewpoint. Were Campbell and Alya, the creators of Stingy Nomads, water lovers and hiking addicts, traveling the world to bring you tips and tricks to experience some of the most thrilling adventures on the planet! Lake Louise Itinerary: Explore this breath-taking place in one day They not only were able to hike to the top of the Big Beehive without issue, we also took the long way down to the Plain of Six Glaciers trail. The Little Beehive is a 1.2-kilometer round trip detour and not difficult, so it's a great addition to your day hike in Banff. Banff town itself also has some nice hikes like the Sulphur mountain hike, Tunnel mountain and the Hoodoos trail. Hike Type: Moderate out-and-back from Lake Agnes. Took the Highline trail on my way down to see a nice view of plain of six glaciers. Due to the length and incline, we rate the Banff Big Beehive hike as moderate. It is a relatively flat trail and stretches around the north side of the lake. For the return hike you have two options- retrace your steps down the switchbacks to Lake Agnes (out and back route), or head downhill into the forest then take the Highline Trail back to Mirror Lake (loop route). While many people never leave the lakeshore, we strongly recommend hiking to Big Beehive for the best views. The switchback trail is very narrow in spots, so all kidding aside, watch your step. With so many trails leaving from Lake Louise, you have plenty of great options, but one of our favorite hikes is the trail up to Big Beehive, which provides an epic birds-eye views of the teal-colored water below. Banff National Park is located in Alberta, Canada, about 2 hours from Calgary and just minutes from Canmore. Youll arrive at Mirror Lake after 2.9 km of hiking. Distance: 10.8km (from Lake Louise) 18km (if you do the whole loop to both teahouses and the glacier viewpoint) Elevation gain: 678m. Definitely recommend! From there, youll come down the main Little Beehive trail to Lake Agnes. After Mirror Lake, continue hiking in the forest on Lake Agnes Trail. Stop at an historic tea house right on the trail! Lake Agnes and Big Beehive hike in a nutshell Hiking distance: 14 km Estimated hiking time: 4 hours (give yourself an extra hour for pictures and the teahouse) Starting elevation: 1,750 m Highest elevation: 2,270 m Elevation gain: 520 m Otherwise, its great to get away from the Lake Louis crowds. No need for crampons. There is a wood shelter with benches for seating. Date of Hike: Late Sept, 2002 Recommendations:___ Notes: ____ This is actually a world famous area, you should be able to find lots of information on the area by searching on the web. On the trail you walk past Lake Louise, the Mirror Lake, Lake Agnes and the Lake Agnes teahouse. They only accept cash. Hikes with the Best Views of Lake Louise - Winds of Jane We hiked the complete 19.5 km circuit late September, it was beautiful with the golden larches, the trail and the teahouse was still busy, but snow and frozen paths made some section difficult. A paper map isnt required for this Lake Louise hike, but if you are like me and love looking at topographic hiking maps, we highly recommend Gem Trek hiking maps. -Well used/popular trail Some might consider this hike easy, while others might find it difficult. On a sunny day you can really appreciate turquoise color from this vantage point. The shelter offers a comfortable place to sit, but you cant see the lake from inside it because trees block the view. ), explore the Lake Louise shoreline. The first Beehive trail sign is at Lake Louise. Pack out what you pack in, stay on trail, be well-prepared, leave nothing behind, take only photos and memories with you, treat the area with respect and help preserve this beautiful spot for generations to come. The trailhead the Big Beehive hike starts at Chateau Lake Louise, close to the parking lot. -The trail can be slippery this time of year and it was pretty blustery and cold up top so proper footwear and clothing would be recommended, If snowy conditions strongly recommend bringing spikes to climb the big bee hive. You can also find more information online here. C$6.99. There are two shuttle options for visiting Lake Louise: Roam Transit bus from Banff and the Parks Canada shuttle from the Park and Ride area in Lake Louise Village. How difficult is the hike to Big Beehive? Once you arrive, parking at Lake Louise may be more difficult than the hike itself (! When I went on Wednesday the 19 there was a bit of snow and it was super slippery. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. OUR INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lostandboundlessMusic Credits:. 8 Best Hikes at Lake Louise | PlanetWare The Huge Beehive Hike from Lake Louise - BVC News I took the Plain of Six Glaciers trail on the way back which was a nice addition! We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. I kind of regret not making it to the devil's thumb, which I heard has the best views. The hiking trail is well maintained and easy to follow up all the way to Big Beehive Lookout. Alternatively, you can purchase a Parks Canada Discovery Pass for $72.25 per person, which grants you access to all Canadian National Parks for one year. It can be a real headache! If I had more time, I definitely would have veered off to some of the other trails near the top. It was much faster coming down. The old shelter at the Big Beehive.