Winter walking
Jasper National Park
Trail etiquette
Thanks for respecting our trails and keeping them safe so that they can be enjoyed by all.
- Please respect dog restrictions and closures
- Do not walk on ski trails
- Pack out all your garbage
Hit the trails for a snowy hike around our easy trail network!
Top winter walking destinations
Enjoy the fresh air and unique winter scenery by exploring the following areas. Be prepared for snowy, icy and slippery conditions. Check the trail conditions.
Around town
Around town is a winter oasis for snowshoeing, fat biking and spectacular skating. Winter trail walks begin right from the edge of town; head up onto Pyramid Bench or explore across the Athabasca river.
For the 2023-2024 season, the Friends of Jasper National Park will continue their successful volunteer flat-packing program on the trails surrounding the Town of Jasper.
| Trail | Distance | Difficulty | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Annette Trail 4d |
2.4 km loop | 1. Easy | An easy loop offering beautiful winter walking opportunities. 13 |
| Lac Beauvert Loop Trail 4a |
3.5 km loop | 1. Easy | This flat loop around Lac Beauvert begins at Jasper Park Lodge. 17 |
| Edge of the Bench Trails 2j, 2b, 2c |
4.2 km return | 1. Easy | This loop offers spectacular valley views. 5 |
| Overlook Trail Trails 2b, 2f, 2g, 2 |
6 km loop | 2. Moderate | Steep at first, this trail provides tremendous views of the valley. 7 |
| Valley of the Five Lakes Trails 9a, 9b |
4.6 km loop | 2. Moderate | Follow Trail 9a and loop back on 9b. Watch for steep/slippery sections. 15 |
| Jasper Discovery Trail Trail 11 |
8.3 km loop | 1. Easy | An interpretive loop trail around the perimeter of town. |
| Dorothy, Virl, and Christine Lakes Trails 60, 60a |
8.6 km return | 2. Moderate | Steep in places, this forested trail has great lake views. 26 |
| Pyramid Trail Trail 15 |
10.8 km return | 2. Moderate | This mainly flat packed trail steadily climbs to beautiful Pyramid Lake. 3 |
Maligne Valley
One of the most stunning areas in Jasper National Park is the Maligne Valley. The frozen waterfalls and ice formations in Maligne Canyon make it a magical place to explore. Take in the pristine winter views further up the valley at Medicine and Maligne Lakes.
| Trail | Distance | Difficulty | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maligne Canyon Trails 7, 7f |
Various km | 2. Moderate | Several trail options along the top of the canyon. Caution: slippery trails, bring ice cleats. 11 |
| Mary Schäffer Loop
Trail 21 |
2.9 km loop | 1. Easy | A beautiful loop with a scenic viewpoint looking down Maligne
Lake. Maligne Lake |
| Moose Lake Loop Trail 20 |
2.7 km loop | 1. Easy | This gentle trail rolls over the top of an ancient rockslide. Bald Hills |
Maligne Canyon safety
If you are planning to venture onto the frozen bottom of the canyon, we highly recommend you travel with a certified guide. Guides will outfit you with a helmet and ice cleats. They are familiar with hazards and know the safest route.
Hazards in the canyon
- Surfaces are slippery and uneven
- Thin ice and/or breakable shelf ice may give way unexpectedly
- Below the ice, the river is cold, deep and fast-moving
- Frequent rock and ice fall
- There are limited ways to exit the canyon, making escape difficult
- Cell phone coverage in the canyon is not reliable
Icefields Parkway and area
Winding 232 glorious kilometers through the heart of Jasper and Banff national Parks, the Icefields Parkway has been called one of the most scenic drives in the world. Glaciers, viewpoints and frozen waterfalls can be explored along this road.
| Trail | Distance | Difficulty | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athabasca Falls | 0.5 km return | 1. Easy | A stroll to beautiful ice formations. Be safe; stay behind railings and on designated trails. Never travel on river ice. Athabasca Falls |
| Upper Sunwapta Falls Trail 125 |
0.1 km return | 1. Easy | A short walk takes visitors to a footbridge to view this beautiful frozen waterfall. Sunwapta Falls |
| Lower Sunwapta Falls Trail 125 |
2.8 km return | 1. Easy | Descend along the river to a set of stunning frozen falls. Sunwapta Falls |
| Forefield Trail 53 |
3.6 km return | 1. Easy | Flat and rocky trail crossing moraine and glacial debris left behind by the Athabasca Glacier. Forefield |
| Wilcox Viewpoint Trail 50 |
3.4 km return | 2. Moderate | A short climb with incredible views of the Athabasca and Dome glaciers. Avalanche terrain exists beyond the Red Chairs. Wilcox |
Related links
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