Hiking Guide to Little Beehive Trail and Lake Agnes in Banff

I’ve been coming to Banff since 2017 and have always loved hiking throughout the Canadian Rockies. One trail that had always eluded me was the Little Beehive Trail. With drones prohibited in Banff National Park, the only way to get a semi-bird’s-eye view of the turquoise Lake Louise is to use your legs.

So that’s what we did in 2024! And holy smokes, it was more stunning than what you see in photos. From the Little Beehive, you have a complete view of Lake Louise, the surrounding peaks, and even the Fairmont Chateau on the lake’s shoreline.

If you’re looking for a phenomenal hike in Banff National Park that offers exceptional views, without taking up the entire day, I think you’ll love the Little Beehive Trail. Keep reading for my trail report, hiking details, photos from the trail, and more!

Hiking the Little Beehive and Lake Agnes Trail (Plus the Tea House)

Hiking Details for the Little Beehive Hike

Distance: 6 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,100 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Time on Trail: 4-5 hours
Trailhead location: Lake Louise lakeside trail
AllTrails link

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Trip Report: A Stunning Hike to the Little Beehive Above Lake Louise

I’ve been wanting to do this hike for years, and on our summer trip to Banff in 2024, my fiancée and I spent an afternoon exploring the area.

We took the Roam Public Transit up to Lake Louise, bypassing all the parking hoopla. It was my fiancée’s first time in Banff, and watching her excitement as she walked up to the lake was electric. From there, we headed counter-clockwise around the lake and, soon after, up to the right towards Lake Agnes and the tea house.

a female hiker on the little beehive and lake agnes trail in banff — Photo Credit: Alec Sills-Trausch

The first mile is just a long, straight shot up the slopes above Lake Louise. It’s not overly steep, but you are hiking at some elevation, and we, coming from Seattle, were a bit winded.

Mirror Lake and Lake Agnes

The trail steepens a bit more as you reach Mirror Lake. This is a nice place to take some photos and catch your breath. From here, it’s a half a mile further to Lake Agnes and the Tea House. The lake is simply stunning, and if you visit in the fall, every larch in sight will be orange.

mirror lake with a little reflection off the water along the little beehive trail — Mirror Lake Photo Credit: Alec Sills-Trausch

the reflection off lake agnes in canada — Lake Agnes Photo Credit: Alec Sills-Trausch

I’d recommend continuing up to the Little Beehive before grabbing a snack or drink at the Tea House. Look for the trail up to the Little Beehive just behind the Tea House. (See this route.) Otherwise, you can backtrack another quarter mile or so to reach the junction on the Lake Agnes Trail below. (But that’s not recommended for your approach route.)

The Little Beehive

It’s a constant half-mile uphill to the viewpoint, but nothing overly challenging. If you’re moving at a decent pace, this section shouldn’t take you more than 17 minutes. And from here, you’ll have gorgeous views of the lakes, snow-capped peaks, and glaciers that surround Lake Louise.

I was in awe of the view and was so stoked to have finally had the chance to hike up. It’s honestly one of the best bang-for-your-buck hikes in Banff that won’t disappoint one bit.

Heading down to Lake Louise

a canoe in the middle of lake louise in canada — Lake Louise Photo Credit: Alec Sills-Trausch

If you’re looking for a hot drink or a little snack, head back down the way you came up. But if you’re looking to go back to Lake Louise, you’ll take the first junction, which will put you on the trail to Mirror Lake.

From there, you’ll continue walking down the slope until you reach the world-famous lake below. It’s a pretty mellow downhill walk, which shouldn’t take you more than 75 minutes.

Interested in Tours/Activities when visiting Banff?
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More Photos from the Lake Agnes and Little Beehive Hike

Quick photo tips:

Bring a wide-angle lens or do a panorama to get the entire lake
It might seem counterintuitive, but golden-hour/blue-hour light will be too dark to show off the turquoise color. You need the sun to really illuminate the glaciated color. I’d suggest a late-morning or late-afternoon hike.

What to know about visiting Banff National Park

Here’s a quick overview of things you should know when exploring Banff National Park.

Pack for all weather conditions

Even in summer, the Canadian Rockies will do wacky things. On our June trip, we encountered rain and light snow on the Little Beehive trail. Thankfully, we came prepared with our puffy jackets and rain jackets.

As you plan your trip to Banff, remember to bring adequate clothing as mountain weather is unpredictable.

When will the Little Beehive Trail be snow-free?

When I did this in 2024, the trail up to the Little Beehive and Lake Agnes was almost entirely snow-free the third week of June. There was a little bit of snow/ice in the shade on north-facing slopes.

I was actually pleasantly surprised with the trail conditions. (Note: The trail to Big Beehive above Lake Agnes was still fully snowed in, which is why we took the Little Beehive Trail.)

If you visit before June, I would anticipate snow on the upper portions of the trail. But closer to the lake shouldn’t be any problem.

I would still bring microspikes and hiking poles throughout June to be safe.

lake agnes tea house with trees — Photo Credit: Alec Sills-Trausch

What are the lodging options around Banff?

If you plan on staying at a hotel in the Banff area, expect high prices. Most nightly rates during peak season are over $300 CAD. Granted, US tourists will see a 25-30% decrease due to the exchange rate.

Still, it’s not cheap, and it adds up over a 5-7 day trip to the Canadian Rockies.

Solo/Younger Travelers: HI Lake Louise Hostel—I’ve stayed here twice, and it’s been awesome. It’s one of the best-located hostels, and for the price point, it’s super affordable!
HI Lake Louise Hostel – HI Banff Hostel
Mid-Range Options: Mountaineer Lodge – Deer Lodge – Lake Louise Inn
Luxury Options: Emerald Lake Lodge – Chateau Lake Louise – Baker Creek by Basecamp

So, how can you keep prices down?

Go camping! There are plenty of campgrounds in the area, including right at Lake Louise. They fill up quickly, so reservations are key. However, there are first-come, first-served options in nearby Yoho National Park.

To the east, in the town of Banff, are a few large campgrounds that don’t always fill up. If you need a place to camp and don’t mind the 40-minute drive, these are very nice and offer hot showers.

One last thing. Finding availability mid-week for campgrounds is far easier than on weekends. If you can get to Banff National Park mid-week, do it! You’ll find fewer crowds and more flexibility.

Parking at Lake Louise vs Taking a Bus

Parking at Lake Louise has become increasingly difficult to find, with the lot filling up early in the morning. Additionally, parking at Lake Louise has become quite expensive. It costs $37 CAD to park for the day. For US visitors, this comes out to $27.

If you are planning to park at the lake, I recommend spending the entire day there to get your money’s worth.

Taking a Shuttle

To limit crowds, you can park at the Lake Louise Ski Resort and take a bus up to Lake Louise or Moraine Lake. This Parks Canada link has all the information you’ll need to plan your trip.

There’s also the option to take the Roam Transit from Banff.

a view of mirror lake and lake louise from the little beehive trail — Photo Credit: Alec Sills-Trausch

Other Worthy Trails Nearby

If you’re looking for other good trails nearby, I recommend these routes:

Plain of Six Glaciers Trail & Teahouse – Lake Louise area (Moderate)
Lake Louise Lakeside Trail – Lake Louise area (Easy)
Devils Thumb and Big Beehive Trail – Lake Louise area (Harder)
Fairview Lookout – Lake Louise area (Easy/Moderate)
Larch Valley and Sentinel Pass – Moraine Lake area (Hard)
Consolation Lake Trail – Moraine Lake area (Moderate)
Tower of Babel – Moraine Lake area (Hard)

Final Thoughts on Hiking the Little Beehive Trail in Banff National Park

I promise you, you’ll love the Little Beehive Trail in Banff. It offers epic views, a not-too-challenging hiking experience, and even a nice pitstop at a tea house to sit back and enjoy the views.

All in all, it’s easily one of Banff’s best hiking trails. You’re in for a treat, and I know you won’t regret the trek.

Until next time, adventurers, stay safe.

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Little Beehive Trail and Lake Agnes Hiking Guide in Banff