Little Beehive

From the hustle and bustle of the world-famous Lake Louise, this hike takes you into the mountains, up to a tranquil summit viewpoint where you can enjoy the vastness of the Bow Valley.

You’ll start not far from the historic Château Lake Louise, which has hosted Marilyn Monroe, Winston Churchill and even Queen Elizabeth II, among others. There’s a car park here, or you can access the trail by bus from Banff.

Admire the view of this part of the Rocky Mountains’ majestic peaks from the promenade. The lake’s surface is famously milky blue – a dazzling sight. This is down to the high lime content, making it shine brightly in the sun. You’ll follow a well-maintained hiking trail that ascends across the mountainside, becoming a little steeper for a brief moment on the climb up to Mirror Lake. Revel in the magic of calm days, when the mountains are perfectly reflected in the water.

A zigzagging mountain path takes you up to Little Beehive. It's worth glancing back every once in a while towards the gem of Lake Agnes below the dramatic Devil's Thumb. Keep your eyes peeled – with a bit of luck, you might even spot a chipmunk or marmot. From Little Beehive, revel in the view of Lake Louise town and lake, way down in the valley below. In bright sunshine, the lake has an intense turquoise hue.
For the descent, follow the same route back down into the valley. If you fancy a homemade cake, take a short detour to the historic Tea House at Lake Agnes.