Little Beehive Viewpoint

Little Beehive is a small alpine viewpoint above Lake Agnes, reached by a hiking spur beyond the tea house. It gives a wider look at Lake Louise and the Bow Valley than nearby Big Beehive, so it’s a good add-on if you’re already making the climb to Lake Agnes. Parks Canada lists it 0.9 km from Lake Agnes and about 45 minutes; treat that as extra walking on top of the hike from the Lake Louise shore.

The path branches beyond the Lake Agnes Tea House, then climbs through alpine fir and larch and across avalanche slopes. It’s a short spur, but it’s still uphill mountain hiking after the Lake Agnes approach. Check the current trail report before setting out; snow and ice can change the footing.

Mirror Lake is a small sink lake below the Little Beehive, named for its round, looking-glass shape. The dark, layered cliffs of Big Beehive rise above it, making the two neighboring features easy to tell apart as you climb.

From the viewpoint, Lake Louise and the Bow Valley spread out below. An open spot near the top can line up Lake Louise, Mirror Lake and Lake Agnes, with the Chateau small beside the water. Keep the lake and Chateau in the lower part of your photo so the long forested valley and mountain walls stay in the frame too.

The Lake Agnes Tea House sits just below the spur and serves light snacks and refreshments in its summer season. The first Lake Agnes cabin opened in 1904; the current building dates to 1981. Larches grow thicker as the route climbs, and their needles usually turn gold in the last two weeks of September.