Trails and trip ideas

Athabasca Island

  3.5 km paddle from 12 Mile Bridge | 22.3 km paddle from Old Fort Point | 4 km paddle to takeout at Highway 16 on Jasper Lake | Dogs permitted
Getting to Athabasca Island is along a beautiful Grade I stretch of the Athabasca River. Visitors can put-in at 12 Mile Bridge for a short 3.5 km paddle or lengthen their river travel by opting for put-ins at either Old Fort Point or Sixth Bridge. This trip is not recommended for novice paddlers.

Chaba Trail: Big Bend and Athabasca Crossing

 6.3 km to Big Bend | 14.8 km to Athabasca Crossing | 2-3 days return | Dogs permitted | Bikes permitted | Horses permitted
Hike or bike through the forest along this old fire road and emerge at Big Bend Campground for spectacular views of the Athabasca Valley. Big Bend Campground is a great destination for first time backpackers or families. Stay overnight at the campground, or carry on to Athabasca Crossing campground, where you can glimpse the upper Athabasca River. This trail is an excellent early or late season choice.

Fiddle River

 37.8 km one-way | 2-3 days | Dogs permitted | No bikes
This rough trail through a remote valley in the eastern part of the park sees few visitors. Yet it features pleasant riverside views, a stunning alpine pass and, if you plan it right, a soak in the scenic Miette Hot Springs at the end of your hike. This trail can be difficult due to several unbridged stream and river crossings. The section in Whitehorse Wildland Provincial Park can be extremely muddy and is unsigned for the most part. This trail is best in late August or September when water levels are lower and the trail is drier.

Fryatt Valley

 22 km one way | 2-3 days | Bikes permitted to Lower Fryatt campground | Dogs permitted | No horses
Dramatic peaks and a picturesque hanging valley draw backpackers to this trail. The headwall accessing the hanging valley and the ACC hut is a very steep and strenuous ascent. Two campgrounds and an Alpine Club of Canada hut along the way provide options for itineraries. One popular choice is to make a base camp at Brussels Campground (#35) to explore the upper valley without a backpack. Lower Fryatt Campground (#34) is a good choice for an early or late season trip and can be travelled by mountain bike.

Geraldine Lakes

 6.2 km one-way | 1-2 days | Dogs permitted | No bikes | No horses
While the trail to the campground is short in distance, the elevation gains, navigation of large boulder fields, and the climb up a steep headwall make it a challenging hike. Your efforts are rewarded along the way with scenic waterfalls and panoramic views.

Jacques Lake

 12.2 km one way | 1-2 days | Bikes permitted to Summit Lakes | Horses permitted | Dogs permitted
The Jacques Lake Trail makes for a great one-night backpacking trip and can be travelled in early or late season. Highlights include wilderness lakes, wide-open peak views and straightforward, valley-bottom hiking. Moose are commonly seen at Jacques Lake. During winter months, an Alpine Club of Canada cabin is available for advance booking.

Jonas Pass - Poboktan Creek Trail

 54 km one-way | 3-4 days | No dogs | No horses
This wilderness hike travels through over 13 km of alpine. It features panoramic views and waterfalls. Passes may be snow covered until July; travel is not recommended earlier in the season. Since there are two trailheads, transportation for the 44 km between is required

Maligne Lake

  22 km paddle to end of lake - Hidden Cove: 4 km - Fisherman’s Bay: 13 km - Coronet Creek: 21.3 km | Electric boat motors permitted
This glacial-fed lake is famed for its majestic peaks, blue-green water and Spirit Island. There are three popular campgrounds along the lake. High winds are possible and the water very is cold, even in mid-summer. Maligne Lake is open to paddlers and electric motors only; gas motors are prohibited.

Maligne Pass

  48 km one-way | 2-3 days | No dogs | No bikes | No horses
Maligne Pass is well known for its spectacular wildflowers and incredible alpine meadows. River crossings are necessary and may be challenging during times of high water. The trail can be faint, boggy and muddy and require route finding. Much of the trail is through forest and willow meadows. Late summer and fall are the best times to hike this trail.

Saturday Night Lake Trail

  24.6 km loop | 2-3 days | Bikes permitted | Horses permitted | Dogs permitted
Step onto this backcountry trail right from the Town of Jasper. Travel through the hills adjacent to the town, visiting quiet lakes and viewing wildflowers and wildlife. The lower elevations of this trail often mean it can be accessed earlier or later in the season. The loop can be hiked or mountain biked.

Skyline Trail

  44.1 km one way | 2-3 days | No dogs | No bikes
With almost 25 km of this trail hiked above treeline, the Skyline is Jasper’s highest and possibly most scenic trail. The high elevation allows for amazing views that extend over much of the park, encompassing vast meadows and windswept ridges. Crossing three mountain passes, the Skyline Trail offers a variety of flora, fauna and scenery unique to Jasper National Park. The section of trail called “The Notch” can be impassable early in the season.

Tonquin Valley Trail

  43.1 km one way | 2-3 days | No dogs | No bikes | No fires
The Tonquin Valley is one of Canada’s premiere backcountry destinations, with impressive peaks, glaciers and scenic lakes. It’s also known for its variety of wildlife, which includes grizzly bears, black bears and caribou. The area has a reputation for muddiness and an abundance of mosquitoes. Late summer and fall are the best times to enjoy this trail. Seven campgrounds, and an Alpine Club of Canada hut can be booked ahead for accommodation.

The Brazeau Loop

  81 km loop | 5 days | No dogs | No bikes | No horses
The Brazeau Loop is a demanding high-elevation trail that crosses three mountain passes. River fords will be necessary. Sudden weather changes are common. Efforts on this longer-distance wilderness hike come with many rewards. Strong hikers can complete the loop in five days. The passes may be snow covered until July; travel is not recommended earlier in the season.

Celestine Lake to Rock Lake Trail

 52.8 km one way | 3-4 days | Dogs permitted | Bikes permitted
The trail from the Celestine Lake trailhead to the Rock Lake trailhead follows an old road for the majority of the way. Along the way, you can visit Princess and Celestine Lakes, and Snake Indian falls at km 27 are impressive. Beyond Willow Creek Campground, the trail can be boggy in sections and requires a ford of Rock Creek. The trail can be hiked or biked.

Jonas Pass - Poboktan Creek Trail

 54 km one way | 3-4 days | No dogs | No horses
This wilderness hike travels through over 13 km of alpine. It features panoramic views and waterfalls. Passes may be snow covered until July; travel is not recommended earlier in the season. Since there are two trailheads, transportation for the 44 km between is required.

Athabasca Pass Trail

 48.5 km one way | 4-5 days | Bikes permitted to Simon Creek | Dogs permitted | Horses permitted
This remote, historic trail follows the Whirlpool River Valley, the traditional route of early fur traders crossing the Rocky Mountains. The trail starts on an old fire road that passes by Whirlpool Campground. This campground overlooks the river and is a great option for families or beginner backpackers. Beyond Whirlpool, the trail becomes more rugged as it stretches to the remote reaches of the west park boundary. Some rivers and creeks are not bridged. Fords can be dangerous. Rivers can be impassable during times of high water.

Little Heaven - Upper Blue Creek Route

 64 km one way | 7-10 days | Dogs permitted | No bikes
This is a remote wilderness route, recommended for users with solid backcountry skills and experience. Highlights include McLaren Pass, Topaz and Caribou Lakes and the broad views of Upper Blue Creek drainage. The side trip to Azure Lake and Hardscrabble Pass, while overgrown, is impressive. Some major rivers are not bridged. Fords can be dangerous. Rivers can be impassable during times of high water

The North Boundary Trail

 159 km one way | 7-10 days | Dogs permitted | Horses permitted | No bikes
The North Boundary trail is a remote wilderness route, recommended for users with significant backcountry skills and experience. Highlights include Snake Indian Pass and the headwaters of two major park rivers; the Snake Indian River and the Smoky River. Some major rivers are not bridged. Fords can be dangerous. Rivers can be impassable during times of high water. This trail is best travelled in later season.

The South Boundary Trail

 121 km one way | 7-10 days | Dogs permitted | Horses permitted | No bikes
The South Boundary is a remote wilderness route, recommended for users with significant backcountry skills and experience. The trail may be overgrown and difficult to find in places; expect route finding. Most creeks and rivers are not bridged. Fords can be dangerous. Rivers can be impassable during times of high water. Highlights include the open views of Cairn Pass and Rocky (Cardinal) Pass, glacial fed rivers and solitude.