4 hikes you have to do in Jasper National Park
Jasper National Park is a hiking paradise. The best way to see the beauty of Jasper is on the hiking trails. It doesn’t matter if you like the longer, challenging hikes or just short hikes; there is something for everyone. Here are our 4 favorite Jasper National Park hikes.
There are grizzlies in the park, so keep safe: always travel with at least 2 people, make noise, carry bear spray rated for grizzlies, and don’t wear headphones. We picked ours up at the visitor centre but never had to use it, but you’ll want it within reach, not buried at the bottom of your pack.
It is best to plan: do research on the trails you want to do, and see if the conditions are right. Some trails are only open later in the season due to snow, and some can be dangerous due to thunderstorms later in the afternoon.
The 4 hikes we did in Jasper National Park range from very easy to difficult. And of course there are other things to do in Jasper National Park except hiking.
Sulphur Skyline
Difficult hike
Trailhead: Miette Hot Springs parking lot
Distance (round trip): 8.8 km / 5.5 mi
Elevation change: 700 m / 2297 ft
Estimated hiking time: 4-6 hours
Trail map
This is one of the most beautiful hikes in Jasper National Park. It starts steep, and it stays that steep all the way to the top. At the top, you should have beautiful views over the valley. Unfortunately, we only got a glimpse of the view because of the mist that suddenly appeared. That was for me a pretty creepy experience: you couldn’t really see a lot anymore.
Bald Hills
Difficult hike
Trailhead: parking at the end of Maligne Lake Road
Distance (round trip): 13.2 km / 8.2 mi
Elevation change: 700 m /2297 ft
Estimated hiking time: 3.5-6 hours
Trail map
The Bald Hills hike is one of the legendary hikes in Jasper National Park. You climb very high, giving you an amazing view over Maligne Lake and the other peaks. When going up, about halfway through the fire road, there is a junction, where both paths go to the summit. The left path is a steeper one that is shorter in distance. The right path stays on the fire road and is more gradual (and longer). We took the shorter one up and the gradual one down, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Do it the other way around, because my knees were killing me.
To get to the summit, you have to do some climbing on rocks, but it is very feasible to do. We even had company from this little squirrel. The views from the top are amazing in all directions.
Path of the Angel Glacier Hike
Easy hike
Trailhead: End of Cavell Road
Distance (round trip): 1.2 km / 0.7 mi
Elevation change: 70 m / 230 ft
Estimated hiking time: 1 hour
This is a very family-friendly hike. The entire trail is paved and leads up to the lookout over the Angel Glacier. Definitely pack your jacket, as there can be very strong winds.
Toe of the Athabasca glacier
Moderate hike
Trailhead: Across from the Icefield centre
Distance (round trip): 1.4 km / 0.87 mi
Elevation change: 60 m / 197 ft
Estimated hiking time: 1 h
This is a short and steep trail towards the Athabasca glacier. Stay on the trail and definitely don’t go onto the glacier! You have beautiful views of the glacier. Along the trail, there are also marks of where the glacier was in the past. It is sad to see that so much has disappeared already. There are very strong winds there, so bring a jacket.
Want a guided experience instead?
If you’d rather just follow somebody, or want to get closer to the ice than the normal trail allows, there are a few good options nearby:
- Athabasca Glacier walk: walk out onto the glass platform over the valley, then ride an Ice Explorer onto the Athabasca Glacier itself.
- Discover Jasper and its wildlife: go on a guided tour to seek out some of Jasper’s wildlife
- Maligne Lake boat cruise: perfect to see the mountains from a different point of view. And you might even encounter some wildlife
Book ahead in peak season (July and August); these tours fill up fast.
Where to stay when hiking in Jasper National Park
There are numerous hotels near Jasper National Park. We stayed at Sunwapta Falls Rocky Mountain Lodge: a cute little hotel with amazing views. Options are limited within the park itself, but if you don’t mind driving a bit, there are some hotels in the surrounding area as well.
What to pack for hiking in Jasper National Park
The weather in Jasper can shift fast, even in summer. On the Sulphur Skyline hike, we went from sun to mist in under twenty minutes, so plan for layers no matter which trail you pick.
- Hiking boots with ankle support: especially for Sulphur Skyline and Bald Hills where the terrain gets loose and rocky near the top.
- Bear horn: keep it clipped to your pack, not inside it.
- Trekking poles: a real help on the steep sections of Bald Hills.
- Windproof/rain jacket: non-negotiable for all hikes
- Refillable water bottle: there’s no water source on most of these trails.
FAQ: Hiking in Jasper National Park
When is the best time to hike in Jasper National Park? Most higher-elevation trails, including Sulphur Skyline and Bald Hills, are only fully snow-free from July through September. The Angel Glacier and Athabasca Glacier walks are accessible earlier since they’re shorter and lower.
Do you need a permit to hike in Jasper? Day hikes don’t require a permit, but you do need a valid Parks Canada park pass to enter Jasper National Park at all. If you’re planning an overnight backcountry trip, you’ll need a separate wilderness pass.
Are the trails dog-friendly? Dogs are allowed on leash on all four of these trails, but keep in mind this is grizzly country, so an off-leash or barking dog can attract unwanted attention.
Do I need to be an experienced hiker for any of these? No. The Path of the Angel Glacier and the Toe of the Athabasca Glacier are both short, paved or well-marked, and manageable for most fitness levels. Sulphur Skyline and Bald Hills are the two to prepare for, with real elevation gain and several hours on your feet.
Is cell service available on the trails? Coverage is unreliable to nonexistent on all four hikes. Download offline maps before you go and let someone know your planned route and return time.
More hikes in Jasper National Park
https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ab/jasper/activ/activ-experience/sentiers-trails
What was your favorite hike in Jasper National Park?
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