Jasper Nationwide Park is the most important nationwide park within the Canadian Rockies, spanning an unimaginable 11,000 sq. kilometres (4,200 sq miles). It boasts a few of the most awe-inspiring hikes for each talent degree. With its shimmering glacial lakes, large glaciers, and plentiful wildlife, Jasper is a hiker’s paradise.
However you don’t must enterprise deep into the backcountry to expertise it. Lots of the greatest trails and strolling routes are simply minutes from the city of Jasper, making it good for memorable day hikes. After many journeys to this a part of Alberta, we’ve discovered that whereas Banff will get plenty of the eye, Jasper gives a wilder, extra rugged magnificence that we maintain coming again to.
This information is designed that will help you discover the proper path to your journey. We’ve damaged down our favorite hikes by issue and included all the sensible particulars it is advisable hit the path with confidence.
Map of the Greatest Jasper Hikes
Greatest Jasper Hikes at a Look (Prime 5 Picks)
In case you’re brief on time, this fast information will level you to the can’t-miss trails within the park.
| Hike | Distance (Spherical Journey) | Problem | Greatest For |
| Maligne Canyon | 3.4 km loop | Straightforward | Waterfalls & Gorges |
| Valley of the 5 Lakes | 4.7 km loop | Straightforward / Reasonable | Lovely Lakes & Households |
| Edith Cavell Meadows | 8.4 km loop | Reasonable | Glacier & Wildflower Views |
| Sulphur Skyline | 7.9 km loop | Reasonable | 360-Diploma Views & Sizzling Springs |
| Bald Hills | 15 km | Troublesome | Panoramic Vistas |
Planning Your Jasper Mountaineering Journey
Earlier than you lace up your boots, listed here are a couple of important ideas for planning your journey.
Jasper Nationwide Park Go Data
To enter Jasper Nationwide Park, you need to have a sound Park Go. You should buy it on the park gates upon entry or on-line prematurely.
- Each day Go (2025 charges): $10.50 CAD per grownup or $21.00 per automobile/group.
- Discovery Go (Annual): $72.25 CAD per grownup or $145.25 for a household/group. This offers you limitless entry to all of Canada’s nationwide parks for 12 months. In case you plan to go to for various days or see different parks like Banff, that is the most effective worth.
You should buy your go on-line from the Parks Canada web site. Please confirm all costs on the official web site, as they will change.
Attending to the Trailheads
Jasper is greatest explored by automobile. The park is situated roughly 4 hours (365 km / 226 miles) from Edmonton and about 3.5 – 4 hours (288 km / 179 miles) from Banff through the extremely scenic Icefields Parkway.
- Test automobile rental charges right here.
Bear Security & What to Pack
Jasper is house to each grizzly and black bears. It’s important to be bear-aware on all trails.
- Carry Bear Spray: Know use it and maintain it accessible in your hip, not in your pack.
- Make Noise: Discuss, sing, or name out periodically to keep away from stunning a bear.
- Pack in Layers: Mountain climate modifications rapidly. Deliver a water-proof jacket, a heat mid-layer, and a hat, even on a sunny day.
- Deliver Water and Snacks: There are not any retailers on the trailheads. Pack greater than you assume you’ll want.
The place to Keep in Jasper
We stayed on the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, which makes for a terrific luxurious base. For different choices, you may take a look at trip leases and resorts within the city of Jasper. There are additionally quite a few front-country and backcountry campsites managed by Parks Canada, which must be booked effectively prematurely.
Straightforward & Accessible Jasper Hikes
These trails are good for households, informal walkers, or for a day if you need most scenic reward with minimal effort. They showcase a few of Jasper’s most iconic options with out requiring a strenuous, all-day dedication.
1. Maligne Canyon
- Size: 3.4 km (2.1 miles) loop
- Elevation Achieve: 118 m (387 ft)
- Problem: Straightforward
- Approx. Time: 1.5 – 2 hours
- Trailhead: Maligne Canyon Trailhead
Maligne Canyon is among the most spectacular hikes in Jasper Nationwide Park. Positioned simply 10 minutes from city, the path is definitely accessible. The well-maintained path crosses a number of bridges, providing unimaginable views down into the deep, slender gorge carved by the Maligne River. You’ll see waterfalls and distinctive rock formations as you wind your means alongside the canyon rim.
Dave & Deb’s Tip: The canyon is gorgeous in summer season, nevertheless it’s a totally completely different world in winter. In case you’re visiting then, a guided ice stroll with cleats by means of the frozen canyon ground is among the most unusual and memorable experiences you may have within the Rockies.
2. Valley of the 5 Lakes
- Size: 4.7 km (2.9 miles) loop
- Elevation Achieve: 162 m (531 ft)
- Problem: Straightforward to Reasonable
- Approx. Time: 1.5 – 2 hours
- Trailhead: Valley of the 5 Lakes Trailhead on the Icefields Parkway.
This hike is an area favorite for good cause. The path takes you thru a lush forest earlier than arriving at a collection of 5 pristine lakes, every glowing with its personal distinct shade of jade and blue. The path has some mild rolling hills however is a rewarding hike for the entire household.
Dave & Deb’s Tip: The color of the lakes is really unbelievable on a sunny day. The Third Lake is probably the most vibrant and the most effective for images. It’s additionally the most well-liked spot for a really chilly swim when you’re feeling courageous!
3. Athabasca Falls
- Size: 1.0 km (0.6 miles)
- Elevation Achieve: 26 m (85 ft)
- Problem: Straightforward
- Approx. Time: 30 – 45 minutes
- Trailhead: Athabasca Falls Parking Lot on the Icefields Parkway.
Whereas not a protracted hike, Athabasca Falls is among the strongest and picturesque waterfalls within the Canadian Rockies. The simple, paved pathways result in numerous viewpoints overlooking the falls as they roar by means of a slender gorge. It’s a busy path, however effectively definitely worth the cease for the unimaginable views of the falls and the Athabasca River.
Dave & Deb’s Tip: The ability of the water right here is the primary occasion. Whereas the higher viewpoints are nice, make sure you take the steps right down to the decrease platform. You may really feel the mist and listen to the roar of the canyon, which actually places the power of the river into perspective.
4. Toe of the Athabasca Glacier
- Size: 1.4 km (0.8 miles)
- Elevation Achieve: 60 m (196 ft)
- Problem: Straightforward
- Approx. Time: 45 minutes – 1 hour
- Trailhead: Toe of the Athabasca Glacier Trailhead on the Columbia Icefield.
It is a good, family-friendly hike that gives a free various to the guided excursions on the glacier. The path leads you over the rocky moraine left behind by the retreating glacier. Alongside the route, indicators mark the glacier’s location in several years, offering a sobering take a look at how a lot it has shrunk.
Dave & Deb’s Tip: This can be very vital to remain behind the ropes and on the marked path. The terrain close to the glacier might be unstable and there are unobservable crevasses which are very harmful. This hike is about witnessing the glacier’s scale from a protected distance.
5. Jasper Discovery Path
- Size: 8.5 km (5.2 miles) loop
- Elevation Achieve: 264 m (866 ft)
- Problem: Straightforward
- Approx. Time: 2 – 3 hours
- Trailhead: A number of entry factors from parking tons within the city of Jasper.
If you wish to discover near city, the Jasper Discovery Path is a good alternative. This simple path takes you on a stroll across the city’s perimeter, providing pretty views of the encompassing mountains and the Athabasca and Miette rivers. It’s simple to navigate; simply comply with the bear indicators.
Dave & Deb’s Tip: That is the proper factor to do in your arrival day. It helps you get your bearings, stretch your legs after a protracted drive, and you’ll scout out some dinner spots on the town alongside the way in which.
6. Wapiti Path
- Size: 4.8 km (3 miles) out & again
- Elevation Achieve: 113 m (370 ft)
- Problem: Straightforward
- Approx. Time: 1 – 1.5 hours
- Trailhead: Wapiti Campground
The Wapiti Path is a stunning, mild stroll that follows the trail between the Icefields Parkway and the Athabasca River. Ranging from the Wapiti Campground, it heads northbound in the direction of the city of Jasper. It’s a comparatively flat and quiet path, good for a morning stroll or for households trying to benefit from the riverside surroundings with no main climb.
Dave & Deb’s Tip: Whereas it’s a terrific brief hike by itself, you too can use this path to stroll all the way in which from the campground into city for dinner, which is a good way to earn your meal and benefit from the night mild on the mountains.
7. Wabasso Lake Path
- Size: 7.7 km (4.7 miles) out & again
- Elevation Achieve: 276 m (905 ft)
- Problem: Straightforward
- Approx. Time: 2 – 2.5 hours
- Trailhead: Wabasso Lake Trailhead
The Wabasso Lake Path is a well-liked however peaceable hike that takes you thru a dense forest to a secluded, marshy lake. The path has some rolling terrain however isn’t overly strenuous, making it one other nice possibility for households. The true reward is reaching the quiet shores of Wabasso Lake and having fun with the solitude and mountain reflections earlier than heading again.
Dave & Deb’s Tip: This path is understood for being muddy in sections, particularly after it rains, so waterproof mountain climbing footwear are a good suggestion. It’s additionally a terrific spot for birdwatching when you take your time by the lake.
Reasonable Hikes in Jasper (5km – 10km)
Prepared for extra of a problem? These average trails contain extra elevation acquire however reward you with spectacular, high-country views that it’s a must to work for.
8. Edith Cavell Meadows
- Size: 8.4 km (5.2 miles) loop
- Elevation Achieve: 582 m (1909 ft)
- Problem: Reasonable
- Approx. Time: 3 – 4 hours
- Trailhead: Finish of Cavell Street
The Edith Cavell Meadows hike is a fantastic and rewarding path in Jasper Nationwide Park. It begins on a paved path alongside the Glacier Path, resulting in a shocking viewpoint of Angel Glacier and Cavell Pond. The path then climbs steadily by means of a rocky moraine and subalpine forest earlier than opening up into a fantastic meadow that’s stuffed with wildflowers in July and August. You’re handled to unimaginable glacier views for the whole journey.
Dave & Deb’s Tip: The drive to the trailhead is an journey in itself, with tight switchbacks. The true star right here is Angel Glacier. You get nice views from the decrease lookout, however push on to the higher meadows. The sight of the glacier framed by wildflowers is totally definitely worth the climb.
9. Sulphur Skyline Path
- Size: 7.9 km (4.8 miles) out & again
- Elevation Achieve: 653 m (2142 ft)
- Problem: Reasonable
- Approx. Time: 3.5 – 5 hours
- Trailhead: Miette Sizzling Springs car parking zone
The Sulphur Skyline Path is considered one of Jasper’s signature hikes, recognized for its unrelenting uphill climb that pays off with a few of the greatest panoramic views within the park. The path begins at a gentle incline and simply retains going. When you break by means of the treeline, the trail continues to a ridge providing a panoramic 360-degree scene of the encompassing peaks and the Fiddle Valley under.
Dave & Deb’s Tip: Don’t overlook your swimsuit! The last word reward for this robust hike is a protracted soak within the Miette Sizzling Springs, situated proper on the trailhead. Belief us, your drained muscle mass will thanks. It’s the proper finish to a difficult day on the path.
10. Pyramid Lake Loop
- Size: 5.6 km (3.4 miles) loop
- Problem: Reasonable
- Elevation Achieve: 203 m (666 ft)
- Trailhead: A number of entry factors close to Pyramid Lake.
The Pyramid Lake Loop is a good alternative for a day hike with lovely views, situated only a few minutes from the city of Jasper. The path climbs by means of the forest to viewpoints overlooking the enduring Pyramid Mountain and Pyramid Lake. There are various completely different intersecting routes within the space, however most lead again to the primary path. It’s additionally a dog-friendly path, so long as your canine companion is on a leash.
Dave & Deb’s Tip: For the most effective images of Pyramid Mountain mirrored within the water, be sure you take the brief stroll over the bridge to Pyramid Island both earlier than or after your hike. It’s one of the crucial photographed spots in Jasper for a cause.
Troublesome Hikes in Jasper (10km+)
For skilled hikers on the lookout for a severe problem, these trails supply a few of the most expansive and rewarding views in the whole park. Be ready with sturdy mountain climbing boots, loads of water, and bear spray.
11. Bald Hills
- Size: 15 km (9.3 miles) out & again
- Elevation Achieve: 780 m (2559 ft)
- Problem: Troublesome
- Approx. Time: 5 – 7 hours
- Trailhead: Maligne Lake parking space (furthest lot).
For views excessive above the treeline, nowhere is healthier than the summit of the Bald Hills. The path follows a large hearth street for many of the climb, with a steep shortcut possibility out there for many who need it. As you acquire elevation, the timber skinny out and the views of Maligne Lake and the encompassing mountain ranges develop into more and more spectacular. The ultimate push to the summit ridge opens as much as a shocking 360-degree panorama.
Dave & Deb’s Tip: The ultimate push to the true summit past the primary viewpoint is a little bit of a scramble, nevertheless it’s the place you’ll go away 90% of the opposite hikers behind. The 360-degree panorama from the very high is among the greatest within the Canadian Rockies.
12. Opal Hills Loop
- Size: 8.0 km (5 miles) loop
- Elevation Achieve: 517 m (1696 ft)
- Problem: Troublesome
- Approx. Time: 3 – 5 hours
- Trailhead: Maligne Lake parking space (close to the boat home).
Don’t let the shorter distance idiot you; the Opal Hills Loop is a steep and strenuous exercise that takes you straight up. The path climbs relentlessly by means of the forest earlier than opening into a fantastic alpine meadow that’s typically stuffed with wildflowers. This hike is a good alternative when you’re on the lookout for a difficult climb with rewarding views and fewer crowds than the close by Bald Hills path.
Dave & Deb’s Tip: It is a steep one, so mountain climbing poles are your greatest pal, particularly for the descent. The true reward is the alpine meadow on the high, which is a good place to identify marmots and pikas in the summertime.
13. Whistlers Mountain Summit
- Size: 12.7 km (7.9 miles) out & again
- Elevation Achieve: 968 m (3175 ft)
- Problem: Troublesome
- Approx. Time: 5 – 7 hours
- Trailhead: Higher station of the Jasper Skytram.
Whereas the Jasper Skytram whisks you many of the means up the mountain, the hike to the true summit is a difficult journey at excessive elevation. From the higher tram station, the path continues to climb throughout a rocky, uncovered ridge. The trail might be slippery with snow even in summer season. The reward is an unparalleled view over the city of Jasper, the Athabasca Valley, and numerous mountain ranges stretching to the horizon.
Dave & Deb’s Tip: Don’t be fooled by the tram trip; it is a correct mountain hike. Be ready for wind and chilly temperatures on the high, even in August. The view from the summit makes you’re feeling such as you’re on high of the world.
FAQ: Jasper Nationwide Park Hikes
Top-of-the-line all-around hikes is the Valley of the 5 Lakes for its gorgeous colors and accessibility. For a more difficult day with epic rewards, the Sulphur Skyline Path is a signature Jasper expertise, particularly with a soak within the scorching springs afterward. The “greatest” one actually relies on your health degree and what you need to see!
Past the mountain climbing trails, you shouldn’t miss a drive on the Icefields Parkway, a ship tour on Maligne Lake to see Spirit Island, and the prospect to see wildlife like elk, bears, and moose (from a protected distance, after all). The Jasper Skytram additionally gives unimaginable views with out the lengthy hike up.
There are over 1,000 km (600+ miles) of mountain climbing trails in Jasper Nationwide Park, starting from brief, simple walks to multi-day backcountry treks. This information covers 13 of our absolute favourites that supply the most effective experiences.
So, Which Path Will You Hike First?
And people are our favorite hikes in Jasper Nationwide Park! There are dozens extra to discover, however these 13 trails supply an unimaginable style of what makes this nook of the Canadian Rockies so particular. Whether or not you’re taking a straightforward stroll to a waterfall or tackling a difficult summit, the views are assured to be price it.
Tell us within the feedback which hike you’re including to your listing!
