Little Beehive Trail in Banff National Park

#13 of 177 trails in Banff

Banff National Park, AB

Little Beehive Trail

A moderate climb from Lake Louise to a quieter panoramic viewpoint above the Bow Valley

Photo: Flickr
Length
8.5km
Time
3.5hr
Elev. change
477m
Difficulty
Moderate
  • Dogs allowed
  • High point 2,215 m

Hear the audio tour

The Fairmont Chateau and Lake Louise Shoreline

Overview

About Little Beehive Trail

The Little Beehive Trail is a moderate out-and-back hike from the Lake Louise Lakeshore/Lake Agnes trailhead to a panoramic viewpoint above Lake Louise. Plan on about 5.3 miles (8.6 km) round trip, roughly 3–4 hours, and about 490 m (1,608 ft) of elevation gain.

From the lakeshore, follow the Lake Agnes Trail through forest and past Mirror Lake toward the Lake Agnes Tea House. Near the tea house, follow the signed Little Beehive trail up the rocky, switchbacking ridge to the Little Beehive viewpoint. The top looks over Lake Louise and the Bow Valley; return to the lakeshore by the same corridor.

The climb is sustained but non-technical, with uneven footing, exposed sections, and steep switchbacks near the upper route. Lake Louise parking is limited and paid seasonally; use the Parks Canada shuttle or arrive early when reservations or access controls apply. The tea house is seasonal and may have limited service, so carry water and food.

This is high-elevation mountain terrain. Carry bear spray, stay on the established trail, and be prepared for rapid changes in wind, rain, snow, and cold. Avoid high-elevation travel when avalanche conditions make the route unsafe and check Parks Canada trail information before leaving.

Why go

  • Lake Louise, Mirror Lake, Lake Agnes, and Bow Valley views in one hike
  • Quieter and shorter than the Big Beehive extension while still reaching a high viewpoint
  • Well-established route with a seasonal tea house along the way

Heads up

  • Sustained uphill climb with steep switchbacks and uneven footing
  • Lake Louise parking is limited and paid seasonally, with shuttle planning often needed
  • Upper sections are exposed to fast-changing mountain weather

Map & elevation

The route

Loading the Banff map
Full map
Elevation1,738–2,215 m
TrailheadLake Louise Lakeshore / Lake Agnes Trailhead51.41742, -116.21925
Keep this map with you offline in the Parkwolf app

Plan your hike

Before you go

Parking

Use the Lake Louise Lakeshore parking area near the Chateau/Lake Agnes trailhead. Parking is limited and paid seasonally; Parks Canada shuttle reservations or other approved access may be needed during the busy season. Park only in designated areas.

Safety

Carry bear spray and stay on the established trail. Expect a sustained climb, rocky and uneven footing, steep switchbacks, and exposed upper terrain. Mountain weather can change quickly; carry layers and rain protection. Avoid high-elevation travel when avalanche conditions make the route unsafe, and check Parks Canada trail information before departing.

8 active Banff alerts

  • ClosureRed Deer River valley closed during ceremonial bison harvestThe Red Deer River valley bottom is closed to the public during an Indigenous ceremonial bison hunt taking place through November, for public safety during the harvest.Official details
  • ClosureJohnston Canyon closed for constructionJohnston Canyon Trail and Day Use Area, including the washrooms and P1 parking lot, are closed to all traffic and travel through December 11, 2026, for construction work to ensure public and worker…Official details
See all 8 alerts
A park ranger sits on a dash-mounted phone, talking, as Parkwolf’s Tour Guide plays “Army Cutworm Moths: A Grizzly Bear Buffet” on Grand Loop Road below Dunraven Pass in Yellowstone
Parkwolf Tour GuideThe highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.

Banff Tour Guide

Your drive to Little Beehive Trail, narrated.

Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Banff National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.

Recorded for this area

The Fairmont Chateau and Lake Louise Shoreline
Listen
“You're now arriving at the main shoreline area of Lake Louise, centered around the historic Fairmont Chateau hotel. This is where you'll find that famous postcard view of the lake and Victoria Glacier.”

Plays on the road 0.2 km from the trailhead in the Parkwolf Banff Tour Guide.

More stories near here in the app

  • Teahouses in the Sky: Lake Agnes and Plain of Six Glaciers
  • Deer Lodge: A Historic Lodge Near the Lake
  • Great Divide Trail: An Easy Walk on an Old Highway
  • Paradise Lodge: Walk-In Access to Lake Louise
  • 178 audio storiesacross Banff’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
  • Wildlife heatmapsfor Grizzly Bear, Brown Bear, Gray Wolf, and 13 more
  • Works offlinemaps, 177 trails, 236 places, and audio download before you lose signal
  • CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
★★★★★
“…Loved the commentary as you drove thru. I’m sure the app can do more than I know but the tips were very helpful. I’m gonna use it when we go to Banff next month.”
tesja22App Store review
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Wildlife

Wildlife in Banff

All Banff wildlife maps

Sighting maps show where each species has been reported across Banff. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.

Keep exploring

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Parkwolf’s Banff ranking

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Take Parkwolf to Banff.

The audio tour guide for the drive, plus offline maps, trails, and wildlife heatmaps for when the signal drops.

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