Day hiking in Jasper National Park
Since Jasper National Park was established in 1907, its historical trail networks have been expanded and maintained for everyone wanting to experience Jasper’s wilderness. Whether you are strolling along the shores of Maligne Lake or hiking all day in the alpine, the following information will help you plan a trip that is right for you.
Take the Red Squirrel Trail from town to Old Fort Point, walking alongside the glacier-fed Athabasca River. Relax in one of our many sets of red chairs quietly tucked away at one of the most unique locations. The viewpoint at the top overlooks the town and many of Jasper’s iconic valleys and peaks.
Lake Edith and Lake Annette are a short jaunt from town and a world away from city life. Take the Bighorn Alley Trail and bring your swimsuit. Soak in some beach time under snow-capped peaks. The paved trail around Lake Annette is wheelchair accessible.
Trails along the Pyramid Bench are open year-round. Explore this area after a 10-minute drive from town, or spend a few hours and walk or bike to the top. Patricia Lake or Pyramid Lake are ideal picnic stops.
Day Hiking Guide in Jasper National Park - Download a printable version (Large PDF 3,683 KB)
Explore the trails
Jasper Easy Trails system
Jasper Easy Trails system
| Trail | Distance (round trip) |
Time | Elevation |
Trail # | Level of difficulty | Biking |
Dogs | Horses |
| Jasper Discovery trail | 8.3 km | 2-3 hours | 120 m | 11 | Easy | Yes | Yes | No |
| Wapiti trail | 9.4 km | 2-4 hours | 0 m | 12 | Easy | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bighorn | 8.6 km | 2-4 hours | 33 m | 13 | Easy | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Red Squirrel | 2 km | 1 hour | 0 m | 14 | Easy | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Across the river
Across the river
| Trail | Distance (round trip) |
Time | Elevation |
Trail # | Level of difficulty | Biking |
Dogs | Horses |
| Old Fort Point loop | 3.8 km | 1-2 hours | 130 m | 1, 1a | Moderate | No | Yes | No |
| The Overlander trail | 31 km | 10-12 hours | 65 m | 10 | Moderate | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Maligne Canyon | 4.4 km | 2-4 hours |
100 m |
7g 7 |
Moderate |
Yes No |
Yes Yes |
No No |
| Lake Annette loop (Clifford E. Lee trail) | 2.4 km | 1-1.5 hours | 0 m | 4d | Easy | No | Yes | No |
West and Southwest of Jasper
West and Southwest of Jasper
| Trail | Distance (round trip) |
Time | Elevation |
Trail # | Level of difficulty | Biking |
Dogs | Horses |
| Caledonia Lake | 8 km | 4-6 hours | 97 m | 3 | Moderate | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Virl, Dorothy and Christine Lakes | 8.6 km | 4-6 hours | 250 m | 60, 60a | Moderate | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| The Whistlers Summit trail | 2.2 km | 1-2 hours | 150 m | 5a | Moderate | No | Yes | No |
| The Whistlers trail | 13.6 km | 5-8 hours | 1200 m | 5 | Difficult | No | Yes | No |
Maligne Lake area
Maligne Lake area
| Trail | Distance (round trip) |
Time | Elevation |
Trail # | Level of difficulty | Biking |
Dogs | Horses |
Opal Hills loop |
8.2 km |
4-6 hours | 460 m | 22 | Difficult | No | No | No |
| Bald Hills | 10.4 km | 4-6 hours | 500 m | 23 | Difficult | No | No |
No |
| Moose Lake loop | 2.7 km | 1-2 hours | 59 m | 20 | Easy | No | Yes | No |
| Mary Schäffer loop | 3.2 km | 1-2 hours | 0 m | 21 | Easy | No | Yes | No |
| Lorraine Lake and Mona Lake | 5.2 km | 2-3 hours | 80 m | 100 | Easy | No | No | No |
Geraldine Lakes area
Geraldine Lakes area
| Trail | Distance (round trip) |
Time | Elevation |
Trail # | Level of difficulty | Biking |
Dogs | Horses |
| First Geraldine Lake | 3.6 km | 1-2 hours | 200 m | 120 | Moderate | No | Yes | No |
Pyramid bench
Pyramid bench
Trail restoration in progress
Over the winter of 2018-2019, Jasper National Park removed trees from mountain pine beetle affected forest on Pyramid Bench to help protect the town of Jasper in the event of a wildfire.
Many trails within this project area have been affected. Trail assessments and rehabilitation are in progress and may result in periodic closures and conditions that are not accurately reflected in the trail report.
Please keep this in mind and be ready to change your plans and route if needed.
Please stay on official trails and help prevent the creation of new trails in opened areas that could impact wildlife and forest regeneration.
| Trail | Distance (round trip) |
Time | Elevation |
Trail # | Level of difficulty | Biking |
Dogs | Horses |
| Pyramid trail | 10.4 km | 2-4 hours | 118 m | 15 | Moderate | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cottonwood Creek loop | 5.1 km | 1-2 hours | 60 m | 2, 2a, 11 | Moderate | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Patricia Lake loop | 4.8 km | 2-3 hours | 60 m | 6c, 6, 6c | Moderate | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Mina-Riley Lakes loop | 9 km | 3-4 hours | 172 m | 8 | Moderate | Yes | Yes | Yes |
South of town
South of town
| Trail | Distance (round trip) |
Time | Elevation |
Trail # | Level of difficulty | Biking |
Dogs | Horses |
| Valley of the Five Lakes | 4.5 km | 2 hours | 66 m | 9, 9b, 9a | Moderate | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Wabasso Lake | 6.4 km | 2-3 hours | 38 m | 9 | Moderate | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Mount Edith Cavell area
| Trail | Distance (round trip) |
Time | Elevation |
Trail # | Level of difficulty | Biking |
Dogs | Horses |
| Path of the Glacier trail | 1.4 km | 1 hour | 70 m | 41 | Moderate | No | Yes | No |
| Cavell Meadows trail | 7 km | 3-5 hours | 500 m | 42 | Moderate | No | No | No |
Icefield Parkway
Icefield Parkway
| Trail | Distance (round trip) |
Time | Elevation |
Trail # | Level of difficulty | Biking |
Dogs | Horses |
| Athabasca Falls | 200 m | 0.5 hour | Minimal | Moderate | No | Yes | No | |
| Lower Sunwapta Falls | 2.6 km | 1 hour | 87 m | 125 | Moderate | No | Yes | No |
| Forefield trail | 3.6 km | 1-2 hours | Minimal | 53 | Moderate | No | Yes | No |
| Toe of the Athabasca Glacier | 1.8 km | 1 hour | 60 m | 52 | Moderate | No | Yes | No |
| Nigel Pass | 14.4 km | 5 hours | 365 m | 130 | Moderate | No | Yes | Yes |
| Wilcox Pass | 2.4 km return to first viewpoint; 8 km return to pass | 1 hour return to first viewpoint, 2-3 hours return to Pass | 390 m | 50 | Moderate | No | Yes | No |
| Parker Ridge | 5.4 km | 3 hours | 250 m | 51 | Moderate | No | Yes | No |
Miette Hotsprings area
Miette Hotsprings area
| Trail | Distance (round trip) |
Time | Elevation |
Trail # | Level of difficulty | Biking |
Dogs | Horses |
| Sulphur Skyline | 8 km | 4-6 hours | 700 m | 30 | Difficult | No | Yes | No |
| Pocahontas Mine trail | 800 m lower loop, 1.7 km upper loop | 20 min for lower loop, 45 min for upper loop |
0 m | 31/32 | Easy | No | Yes | No |
| Jasper House trail | 0.7 km | 20 min | 0 m | 33 | Easy | No | Yes | No |
While we aim to achieve high standards, inclement mountain weather and events can considerably change trail conditions instantly.
How was your trip? Please send us your comments at pc.jasperinfo.pc@canada.ca and report trail conditions to park staff.