The Massive Beehive hike is a traditional path within the Canadian Rockies of average issue rewarding hikers with lovely views of the unreal Lake Louise and it’s nice to make a cease on the famend Lake Agnes teahouse. Massive Beehive is a mountain that resembles a beehive situated near Lake Louise in Banff Nationwide Park. From the Lake Louise parking zone stroll to the Mirror Lake, on to Lake Agnes teahouse, and on to the highest of the Beehive with superb views of Lake Louise and spectacular views of Lake Agnes on the way in which. Little Beehive and the Satan’s Thumb are some attainable aspect trails or carry on strolling to the Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse.
Climbing by way of Lake Agnes the path takes round 4 hours to finish. The trailhead is on the spectacular Lake Louise, a turquoise, glacier-fed lake surrounded by excessive peaks with many climbing trails of various issue beginning right here. Mix the Beehive path with a number of different routes to create a path with the very best views, as lengthy and exhausting as you need to hike.
Attending to the Trailhead at Lake Louise
Lake Louise is the start line for a number of superior climbing trails and might be reached from each cities situated contained in the Banff nationwide park, the City of Banff, and Lake Louise Village. These cities are 57 km aside by street with loads of transport choices between them. The Regional Service with Roam transit is handy and low cost, in-season buses run 5 instances per day, and the switch from Banff to Lake Louise takes about 50 minutes.
See our detailed Information to the Greatest Hikes in Banff Nationwide Park. Banff city itself additionally has some good hikes just like the Sulphur Mountain hike, Tunnel Mountain, and the Hoodoos path.
In season Parks Canada gives shuttles to the Lake Louise lakeshore from Lake Louise city each quarter-hour from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Lake Louise is situated 4km from the city of Lake Louise.
Greatest Time To Do the Massive Beehive Hike
The most effective time of the 12 months to hike from Lake Louise is late June to center September. The lake begins to thaw center of June for these superior photographs of the proper glassy turquoise lake on this glorious hike. Snow on the peaks solely melts in July. The Lake Agnes teahouse opens in early June, it’s closed within the winter months with unfavorable climate situations. We hiked the whole 19.5 km circuit in late September, it was lovely with the golden larches, the path, and the teahouse was nonetheless busy, however snow and frozen paths made some sections tough.
The Massive Beehive Climbing Path
- Path Kind – out and again
- Distance – 10.5 km (6.5 mi)
- Time – 3 to 4 hours
- Elevation acquire: 550 m (1800 ft)
The traditional Massive Beehive hike is an out-and-back path beginning at Chateau Lake Louise and turning round on the Massive Beehive with some implausible views of Lake Louise from the Massive Beehive Lookout. On the path, you stroll previous Lake Louise, Mirror Lake, Lake Agnes, and the Lake Agnes teahouse. The path presents nice views of Mount Whyte, the Satan’s Thumb, and Lake Agnes.
The path gives a wonderful mixture of forest, mountain, and lakeshore surroundings, various from simple strolling to climbing the difficult switchbacks to the highest of the Massive Beehive.
Massive Beehive Climbing Choices
Shorter Hike – Lake Agnes Teahouse
If you wish to do solely a portion of the path climbing to the Lake Agnes Tea Home is an efficient choice. It is a comparatively simple hike, chopping out the steep switchbacks and you’ve got views of the Massive Beehive from the path. Lake Agnes Teahouse is a small, rustic tea home on the shores of Lake Agnes, and is a pleasant cease at an elevation of two,135 meters (7,005 toes) about an hour’s stroll from Lake Louise for a cup of tea. The return path is 7 km.
Prolong the Path – Plain of Six Glaciers Tea Home
Prolong the path by strolling to the Little Beehive, the Satan’s Thumb, or proceed to your second tea home of the day, Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse. Strolling to the Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse from the Massive Beehive might be finished with two attainable routes. The Highline path between the 2 teahouses is 14.6 km, or strolling to each tea homes and again alongside Lake Louise Lakeshore is a 19.5-kilometer hike. Be sure to have sufficient time, it is a lengthy hike and took me greater than 6 hours, if situations will not be nice with a number of snow and ice this may take as much as 8 hours.
The Massive Beehive Climbing Path
The Massive Beehive trailhead – the Massive Beehive hike begins at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, near the massive parking zone. The primary Beehive path signal is at Lake Louise.
Lake Agnes Teahouse path
Stroll to Mirror Lake
From Lake Louise to the chateau is a straightforward, flat paved path. After passing the Chateau observe the Lake Agnes path to the proper. The primary 1.9 miles (3 km) of the hike is a gentle climb for about an hour till you attain Mirror Lake reflecting the picture of the Massive Beehive towering above the lake.
The Little Beehive Path
From the mirror lake, simply previous the teahouse, there’s a well-marked detour to the Little Beehive path, it’s a 0.5 mile (800m) detour to the Little Beehive, it’s a nice choice to keep away from massive crowds.
The path retains on climbing at a gentle incline to Lake Agnes teahouse for one more half a mile. Climbing to Lake Agnes is about 2.5 miles (4.1 km) The climb is just not too steep with an elevation acquire of about 1600 ft (500m).
Climbing to the Massive Beehive
Stroll from the teahouse on the trail subsequent to the lake, and cross the massive, flat rocks on the finish of the trail. Go up the scree-covered slope on the finish of Lake Agnes. Look again for some superb views of the valley. The toughest a part of the massive beehive hike is ascending with a sequence of switchbacks to the highest.
The intersection – should you proceed you’ll attain a 4-way intersection of trails simply over a mile (1.8 km) after reaching Lake Agnes, 3.6 miles (5.9 km) from the beginning of the path. Go proper to go to the Satan’s Thumb, proceed straight for the shortest path to the Highline Path, and go left to the Massive Beehive.
Views from the Massive Beehive – There are some good spots from which Lake Louise might be seen on the highest of the Massive Beehive. The Beehive shelter on the finish of the path is a pleasant spot to have a break or one thing to eat, however it isn’t an awesome viewpoint.
The Return Hike
To hike again to the trailhead from Massive Beehive you are able to do a spherical journey hike the identical manner down the switchbacks to Lake Agnes. Another choice is from the Massive Beehive to observe the moraine to the Plain of Six Glaciers Tea Home, with spectacular views of the Victoria Glacier and Abbott Go. From right here you possibly can return to the again of Lake Louise on the lakeshore path, this loop climbing to all of the stops on this path is a 12.5 mile (20 kilometers) path taking about 7 to eight hours. It is a lengthy hike again to the Lake Louise shoreline.
Suggestions for the Massive Beehive Hike
- Convey micro spikes – if you’ll do that trial early or late within the season. With icy sections the path turns into very slippery, I used to be so pleased that I had micro spikes in my backpack.
- Convey money – the teahouse sells soup and sandwiches however solely accepts money.
- Purchase a Espresso earlier than the hike – the Lake Agnes teahouse served a few hundred sorts of tea which have been nice however had not espresso after I was there, tip for different caffeine junkies.
Lodging in Lake Louise
Price range Lodging – HI Lake Louise Alpine Centre – the one price range choice in Lake Louise, I loved staying right here. Good amenities for a hostel, cafe, good wifi even a sauna! strolling distance to the mall and bus pick-up.
Mid Vary – Mountaineer Lodge – properly rated, good location, good worth.
Deal with your self – Fairmont Château Lake Louise, keep in luxurious, solely lodging situated on Lake Louise (not the city, however on the lake) panoramic views of Lake Louise and the Victoria Glacier, a 4-star resort. Health club, wonderful eating, the placement proper on the lake!
Superb Hikes in Canada
British Columbia gives some nice climbing try these superb hikes in Vancouver. Climbing Grouse Mountain was a enjoyable problem. At Squamish climb the three peaks of The Stawamus Chief or go climbing in Garibaldi Nationwide Park close to Whistler. The Garibaldi Lake hike, the Panorama Route, and the strenuous Black Tusk have been three implausible trails. On Vancouver Island, the grueling West Coast Path is a implausible path alongside the coast, tenting on the seaside. In the wrong way, The Juan de Fuca path is a bit shorter and extra versatile, however nonetheless a spectacular hike and a implausible accomplishment to finish.
Packing to hike round Banff
Ice crampons/cleats for strolling on ice with out slipping.
My Garmin Fenix 5 GPS Watch was magic for climbing round Banff; measuring pace, elevation, coronary heart price, mapping, and extra.
If you’ll hike trails within the snow, waterproof gaiters are glorious to maintain snow and dirt out of your boots!
My Salomon X Extremely Prime gortex boots are a tremendous pair of trainers, for winter, summer time, mud, snow, and rain snug, gentle, and fully waterproof.
Girls mannequin, Alya loves her Girls Salomon X Extremely boots.
I all the time carry a lightweight rain jacket in my daypack, the North Face for women or North Face Resolve for males
I all the time pack a BUFF Multifunctional Headwear – for solar and wind safety (doubles as a face masks).
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The robust half of Stingy Nomads, a nomadic aquaman that might be pleased to spend all his life within the water diving, browsing and spearfishing however typically has to compromise with Alya and go climbing as an alternative. Campbell is chargeable for all our marine adventures and following them with write-ups. He loves touring, braai (BBQ in South Africa), purple wine and spending the day in a wetsuit.
