Jasper National Park Sports & Outdoors Tips by windsorgirl Top 5 Page for this destination

Old Fort Point Loop, Jasper NP

This is a short 3.5km hike, which should only take 1-2 hrs. There are some steep sections but well worth it once you reach the top of this 130m bedrock hill. Here you will have a 360 degree view of the surrounding mountains, the town of Jasper and the Athabasca River below.

Directions: 10 kms south of Jasper Town

Theme: Hiking

Hiking to Wilcox Pass

This was a favourite moment while visiting the Rocky Mountains. This hike starts at the campground at the base of Wilcox Pass, across from the Icefields Centre on the Icefields Parkway.

It is a challenging 8km hike and should take 4-6hrs. Once you reach the pass, you will have stunning views of the Icefields Parkway to the south and the Columbia Icefields to the west. Like me, you will probably have this entire view to yourself and it will make you feel like the luckiest person on earth.

Directions: Across from the Icefields Centre on the Icefields Parkway

Theme: Hiking

The Valley of the Five Lakes Hike, Jasper

This was an easy hike, with virtually no elevation gain and very popular with families. It is 4.2kms and takes 2-3 hrs. There is a boardwalk along the way from which you can spot beavers. We didn't see any beavers but we did see a black bear.

Directions: 9kms south of Jasper town on Hwy 93

Theme: Hiking

Hike along Maligne Canyon

On this hike you will not be seeing panoramic mountain vistas but rather views down into the 47m deep limestone gorge of Maligne Canyon. There are six bridges that criss cross over the canyon on your way. The water from Maligne Canyon mysteriously feeds into Medicine Lake 15kms away through an underground cave system.

This hike is an easy 4kms and will take 1-2 hrs.

Directions: Maligne Canyon is 15kms east of Jasper town.

Theme: Hiking

Mary Shaffer Loop at Maligne Lake

This is another easy level hike along the waters edge of Maligne Lake and then looping back through thick pine forest. It is very popular with families at only 3.2kms. It should take just one hour.

Directions: Maligne Lake is located about 50kms south east of Jasper town.

Theme: Hiking

Hike to Bald Hills

This was a difficult hike with a 500m gain in elevation. Part of the hike is along a fire road, so it wasn't that pretty but well worth it once you reach the top and can see a panoramic view of Maligne Lake and the towering mountain range above it.

This is a 10km hike and will take about 4hrs.

Theme: Hiking

Hiking Mt. Edith Cavell, Jasper

At the time (1993) the Jasper Park Rangers were offering free guided walks up Mt. Edith Cavell to view the Angel Glacier. You can see the shape of the angel with outstretched wings in the photo. We sat in Cavell Meadows amongst alpine wildflowers listening to and watching avalanches across the way.

This hike was 8km with a gain of 400m in elevation. Plan on spending 3-4 hrs.

Theme: Hiking