Little Beehive
Lake Louise Lakeshore Area
Best view-to-effort ratio of the Beehives. Extension from Lake Agnes (spur before tea house). Roche moutonnée summit; secret larch spot in late September. Historic fire lookout foundations. Avalanche hazard May/June; check trail conditions.
Read the full guide in the Encyclopedia
Often overlooked in favor of its "Big" sibling, the Little Beehive offers arguably the best top-down view of Lake Louise with significantly less effort than the Big Beehive.
The Route Experience
An extension of the Lake Agnes trail. Instead of continuing to the teahouse, you take a right-hand fork about 200m before the lake. The trail traverses the ridge of a "roche moutonnée"—a rock formation shaped by passing glaciers.
- The Lookout: The trail ends at the site of a former fire lookout. From here, you can see the entire Bow Valley and the tiny, toy-like Chateau below.
- Larch Spot: In late September, the slopes below the Little Beehive turn a brilliant gold.
Safety & Logistics
- Exposure: While the trail is wide, there are steep drop-offs at the summit. Keep children and pets close.
- Wind: The ridge is highly exposed to wind. Even on warm days, bring a windbreaker.
Photography Tips
- The Bow Valley: Use a wide-angle lens to capture the curve of the Trans-Canada Highway and the Bow River heading toward Banff.
- Lake Louise Blue: The perspective from here shows the full intensity of the lake's turquoise color.