Day hiking in Jasper National Park

Coronavirus (COVID-19) impacts
  • Most trails in the park are open
  • Most toilets at trailheads are open
    • Toilets at open locations are cleaned once per day at most
    • We cannot guarantee hand sanitizer due to a lack of supplies and ongoing theft

Visit the Jasper National Park COVID-19 page for updates on park services and sites.

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 3.6 MB)

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

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
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.