BANFF NATIONAL PARK - Canadian Rockies: Including Banff and Jasper National Parks - page 122

This moderately strenuous hike is one of the park's most popular. It begins in front of the
château, branching right near the beginning of the Louise Lakeshore Trail. For the first
2.5 kilometers (1.6 miles), the trail climbs steeply, switchbacking through a forest of sub-
alpine fir and Engelmann spruce, crossing a horse trail, passing a lookout, and leveling out
at tiny Mirror Lake. Here the old, traditional trail veers right (use it if the ground is wet
or snowy), while a more direct route veers left to the Plain of the Six Glaciers. The final
elevation gain along both trails is made easier by a flight of steps beside Bridal Veil Falls.
The trail ends beside a rustic teahouse overlooking Lake Agnes, a subalpine lake nestled
in a hanging valley. The teahouse offers homemade soups, healthy sandwiches, and a wide
assortment of teas.
From the teahouse, a one-kilometer (0.6-mile) trail leads to Little Beehive and impress-
ive views of the Bow Valley. Another trail leads around the northern shore of Lake Agnes,
climbing to Big Beehive or joining to the Plain of the Six Glaciers Trail, just 3.2 kilomet-
ers (two miles) from the château and 2.1 kilometers (1.3 miles) from the teahouse at the
end of that trail.
Big Beehive
• Length: 5 kilometers/3.1 miles (2 hours) one-way
• Elevation gain: 520 meters/1,710 feet
• Rating: moderate
• Trailhead: Lake Louise
The lookout atop the larger of the two “beehives” is one of the best places to admire the
uniquely colored waters of Lake Louise, more than 500 meters (1,640 feet) directly below.
The various trails to the summit have one thing in common: All are steep. But the rewards
are worth every drop of sweat along the way. The most popular route follows the Lake
Agnes Trail for the first 3.6 kilometers (2.2 miles) to Lake Agnes. From the teahouse, a
trail leads to the western end of the lake, then switchbacks steeply up an exposed north-
facing ridge. At the crest of the ridge, the trail forks. To the right it descends to the Plain
of the Six Glaciers Trail; to the left it continues 300 meters (0.2 mile) to a log gazebo.
This trail is not well defined, but scrambling through the large boulders is easy. Across
Lake Louise is Fairview Mountain (2,745 meters/9,000 feet), and behind this peak is the
distinctive shape of Mount Temple (3,549 meters/11,645 feet). Views also extend up the
lake to Mount Lefroy and northeast to the Lake Louise winter resort. Views from the edge
of the cliff are spectacular, but be very careful—it's a long, long way down. By returning
down the Lake Louise side of the Big Beehive, the loop is 11.5 kilometers (7.1 miles).