Family Walks and Hikes in

Start at one stunning lake and end up at another – a great trip for the whole family.

Drive west on Highway 1, take the Lake Louise turnoff (Exit 10), and follow the signs to the Chateau Lake Louise public parking lot. Note that this parking lot often fills up before 9 a.m. on summer weekends (see the introduction to this section for information about the free shuttle from the overflow parking lot that runs during the summer months).

Strenuous, recommended for children aged six and older; excellent trail all the way.

The kids will love the yellows of larch season here. Make sure you go early to avoid the crowds. Finally, entice your kids to persevere with the promise of refreshments at the Lake Agnes Tea House.

1.From the parking lot, make your way to the lake via the connecting trail and start hiking around the right (north) side of the lake. Find the signs for Lake Agnes and follow the relatively gently graded trail for 2.7 km to the first stop at Mirror Lake.

2.After checking out Mirror Lake, return to the Lake Agnes trail and follow it for 0.8 km to Lake Agnes, passing a signed junction for Little Beehive along the way. Keep following the signs to Lake Agnes. Upon arriving, you will encounter the tea house immediately; it sits at the far east end of the lake.

3.Either go back the same way you came in or extend the trip by hiking around the right (north) side of the lake to the west end. Here, you will be treated to an excellent view of the lake and the surrounding mountains. From the west end there is also a trail that heads west, up into the stunning valley under Mounts Niblock and Whyte. Follow that trail for as long as desired and then return the same way you came in.

1.From near the Lake Agnes Tea House, follow the signs for Little Beehive. Note that it is not necessary to backtrack to the junction you passed on the way up. As well, note that if you intend to ascend Mount St. Piran after Little Beehive, remember the location of the trail sign for Mount St. Piran that occurs about halfway to Little Beehive.

2.The best views occur shortly after passing the trail sign mentioned above. Look for an open area to the right (south) where you can venture out onto the rock. There is a significant drop, so hold onto the young ones. The views across the valley are awesome.

3.From the end of the trail (at a decommissioned fire lookout) you will have to wander around a little to experience views in different directions. Return the same way, initially. You don’t have to go back to Lake Agnes. Follow the signs for the alternate trail back down to Mirror Lake and out. Mount St. Piran is also an option from Little Beehive – remember the location of that trail sign noted in step 1.

A serious summit with a seriously amazing view! Recommended only for older kids with sturdy footwear.

2.Look for a trail sign that informally marks the Mount St. Piran trail (as of 2018, “St. Piran” was scribbled on the official sign with felt pen). Turn left onto this trail and follow it in a westerly direction for about 10 minutes, through forest to the open slopes of Mount St. Piran.

3.The trail very neatly switchbacks up the entire mountain. Before the final ascent, you will arrive at the small col, with a terrific view to the north and east.

4.Follow the trail all the way to the expansive summit. The three lakes (Agnes, Louise and Mirror) are not visible from the summit; however, a short loss of elevation towards Lake Louise reveals a stunning view of all three. Return the same way you came in. There is an alternate descent route via the St. Piran / Niblock col; however, it is NOT recommended for families.

1.From Lake Agnes, follow the signs and trail around the right side of the lake, around to the south side and then up a series of steep switchbacks to the col between Big Beehive and Devil’s Thumb, the prominent and very distinctively shaped formation of rock west of the Big Beehive.

2.Turn left (east) and follow the trail to the shelter at the top of Big Beehive. Trees do block some of the views and so some movement around the summit is required to take it all in. Return the same way you came in or take an alternate descent route back down to Mirror Lake, as indicated by the signs.

Lake Agnes – early morning trips are often rewarded with relative solitude and stunning lake reflections – note the Devil’s Thumb rock formations at the left, for those .

Big Beehive; a small waterfall immediately below Lake Agnes and Big Beehive (Courtesy Vern Dewit).

Big Beehive above Mirror Lake (Courtesy Vern Dewit).

Misty morning view from Little Beehive.

Great self-timed photo with Brigid Meegan Scott and Mark Scott, taken by Brigid, on the way to Little Beehive.

Getting this view of the three lakes requires a minor elevation loss to the southeast.

On the Big Beehive trail, looking back to Lake Agnes and Mount St. Piran.

View from the shelter.

The view of the outrageously beautiful Lefroy and Victoria.

Sweet golden larches line the switchbacks. (All photos courtesy Vern Dewit).