There is no better way to experience the raw beauty of Jasper National Park than by spending a day hiking its best trails.
Towering peaks, ancient glaciers, turquoise lakes, and wildflower meadows are all waiting just a few footsteps off the beaten path. Whether you are looking for a mellow afternoon stroll or a full-blown summit adventure, Jasper has a hike you will love.
What makes hiking in Jasper special is how quickly you can get into truly wild country. One minute you are parking your car, the next you are standing in front of a glacier, crossing a deep canyon, or catching your breath under a sky full of peaks.
Some hiking trails are short and sweet, perfect for families and casual explorers. Others demand a little more grit but reward you with unforgettable moments, like the kind that stay with you long after your boots are off.
If you’re planning a vacation to Jasper and the northern Canadian Rockies, then this guide can help you discover the best hikes in Jasper National Park.
1. Sulphur Skyline Hike
Duration: 5–6 hours
Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
Elevation Gain: 700 m
Highlights: Summit views, Miette Hot Springs soak
Ideal for: Strong hikers who want a big payoff
Sulphur Skyline is a classic leg-burner that delivers one of the best panoramic views in Jasper. You start with a steady uphill grind through thick forest, where the smell of pine fills the air and the mountain breezes tease you through the trees.
It is a good workout, but the higher you climb, the more the horizon opens up. As you break above the treeline, the full drama of the Rockies explodes into view. Jagged peaks, endless valleys, and deep blue skies stretch in every direction.
The summit itself is a perfect spot to kick back, snack hard, and feel like the king or queen of the mountains for a while. The best part? After your hike, you can reward yourself and relax those tired legs with a soak at the nearby Miette Hot Springs.
2. Edith Cavell Meadows
Duration: 5–6 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 500 m
Highlights: Angel Glacier, wildflowers, alpine meadows
Ideal for: Hikers who love wild landscapes and easy-to-love trails
The Edith Cavell Meadows trail wastes no time serving up the good stuff. From the parking lot, you immediately catch sight of Angel Glacier clinging dramatically to the side of Mount Edith Cavell.
The trail starts gently, weaving through a rocky moraine filled with bright bursts of wildflowers. As you climb, you leave the crowds behind and step into a wide open world of alpine meadows. In late summer, the hills explode with colorful purples, yellows, and reds carpeting the slopes.
Marmots whistle from the rocks, and every turn offers another jaw-dropping view of the glacier and the towering peaks beyond. At the top of the trail, you stand face to face with Mount Edith Cavell’s massive wall of rock and ice.
3. Valley of the Five Lakes
Duration: 2–3 hours
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Elevation Gain: 70 m
Highlights: Colorful lakes, easy scenic walking, photography spots
Ideal for: Families, casual hikers, anyone who loves lakes
This hiking trail is like stepping into a painting. It starts with a gentle walk through a quiet forest before leading you to a series of five lakes, each more colourful than the last. The water shifts from deep emerald to bright turquoise, depending on the light and angle, and it is honestly hard to believe it is real.
The path between the lakes is easy and meandering, with plenty of spots to sit and soak in the views. Some lakes have little docks or rocky outcrops where you can dip your toes, snap a photo, or just enjoy a peaceful break surrounded by mountain reflections.
This is the perfect easy hike and it was near the epicentre of last summer’s wildfires in Jasper National Park so don’t expect a lot of forest cover as the forest is in a state of regeneration in this area.
4. Bald Hills
Duration: 5–7 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 500 m
Highlights: Panoramic views of Maligne Lake and snow-capped peaks
Ideal for: Adventurous hikers who love big, open views
The Bald Hills hike kicks off with a steady uphill through a dense spruce forest. It is a good warmup, and before long the trees start to fall away and the big Rocky Mountain views take over. Every turn gives you another glimpse of Maligne Lake sparkling below.
Once you reach the meadows, the real magic happens. Rolling green hills stretch out ahead of you with wide-open skies and endless peaks on the horizon. You can either call it a day at the first viewpoint or push a little higher for a rocky summit and even bigger rewards.
At the top, you get a full panoramic view of Maligne Lake, the Queen Elizabeth Ranges, and endless wilderness. This is one of those hikes where you just sit down, snack on trail mix, and stare in awe for a while.
5. Cavell Glacier Trail
Duration: 1–2 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 70 m
Highlights: Angel Glacier, iceberg-filled meltwater pond
Ideal for: Families, photographers, anyone short on time but big on scenery
Short and sweet, the Cavell Glacier Trail packs a serious visual punch. You start with an easy, well-maintained trail that leads to a breathtaking view of Angel Glacier clinging to the cliffs of Mount Edith Cavell.
The real star here is the pond at the base, full of floating icebergs that have calved off the glacier. It feels like you have wandered into another world. The air is cold and fresh, and if you listen carefully, you might even hear the glacier crack and groan.
This hike is perfect if you are looking for a quick but unforgettable experience. It is accessible for most fitness levels and makes a great add-on if you are exploring the area around Jasper.
6. Wilcox Pass
Duration: 4–5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 390 m
Highlights: Columbia Icefield views, wildlife spotting
Ideal for: Glacier fans, wildlife watchers, moderate hikers
Wilcox Pass is one of those trails where the views show up fast. After a short climb through the forest, you break out into wide-open alpine meadows with the Columbia Icefield laid out in front of you like a giant frozen river.
Along the way, it is common to spot bighorn sheep grazing casually along the trail. They barely glance at hikers, giving you some of the best wildlife photo ops in the park. Bring your binoculars if you have them.
The pass itself gives you an epic overlook of the Athabasca Glacier and the surrounding peaks. It is one of the best hiking spots in Jasper for feeling the scale and power of the Rockies without needing a massive multi-day expedition.
7. Maligne Canyon
Duration: 1–2 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 50 m
Highlights: Waterfalls, deep limestone canyon, bridges
Ideal for: Families, casual hikers, photographers
Maligne Canyon feels like stepping into a natural wonderland. The trail follows the edge of a deep limestone gorge carved by rushing water over thousands of years. The sound of waterfalls crashing below echoes off the canyon walls.
You will cross several bridges, each one offering a different dizzying view down into the swirling, churning water far below. In some spots, the canyon narrows to just a few feet across, creating an incredibly dramatic scene.
This hike is perfect if you want something visually stunning without a long trek. It is family-friendly and a great way to spend a few easy hours while still soaking up some of Jasper’s most incredible landscapes (although it was hit hard during last summer’s wildfires).
8. Tonquin Valley
Duration: 2–4 days
Difficulty: Challenging
Elevation Gain: 600+ m
Highlights: Ramparts mountain range, Amethyst Lakes, solitude
Ideal for: Experienced hikers and backpackers seeking a true wilderness experience
Tonquin Valley is a backcountry dream. You start by hiking through thick forest before emerging into one of the most dramatic valleys in the Rockies, framed by the jagged peaks of the Ramparts. The air feels bigger out here, and the silence is profound.
The trail winds along Amethyst Lakes, where the reflections of the towering mountains in the still water are almost too beautiful to be real. Wildlife is plentiful too, with chances to spot caribou, moose, and plenty of birds.
This is a true wilderness trip, ideal for those who want to disconnect from the world and immerse themselves in nature for a few days. Pack your camera, your bear spray, and your sense of adventure if you want to experience the backcountry of Jasper National Park.
9. Opal Hills
Duration: 4–6 hours
Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
Elevation Gain: 500 m
Highlights: Wildflower meadows, alpine views, Maligne Lake overlook
Ideal for: Fit hikers who love flower-filled trails and big views
Starting near the iconic Maligne Lake, the Opal Hills trail begins with a punchy climb that gets the heart pumping right away. It is a bit of a grind at first but stick with it because the payoff is absolutely worth it.
The hiking trail opens up into alpine meadows that explode with wildflowers during the summer. Yellow, purple, and pink blooms paint the hills, and the view back down to Maligne Lake is jaw-dropping. It is the kind of place where you want to spread out a picnic blanket and never leave.
At the loop’s high point, you can see endless mountains stretching in every direction. If you want a challenging but insanely beautiful day in Jasper, this is the one to put on your list.
10. Whistlers Summit Trail
Duration: 3–4 hours if hiking up, or 1–2 hours if riding the gondola
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 500 m (if hiking up)
Highlights: 360-degree summit views, gondola option
Ideal for: Summit seekers who want flexible options
The Whistlers Summit Trail gives you two ways to the top. You can hike it from the bottom if you are up for a full challenge, or take the Jasper SkyTram most of the way and hike the final kilometre to the summit.
Either way, you end up at one of the best viewpoints in Jasper. From the summit, you can see Mount Robson, the town of Jasper, endless mountain ranges, and sparkling lakes on the horizon.
This hike is a great option if you are travelling with a group that has different fitness levels. Hardcore hikers can trek up, and others can take the tram, grab a coffee and still share the summit magic.
I love hiking adventures, flying my drone and sharing my adventures on my Instagram.
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