SECRETS

Trails

LAKES

HIKES

Trails

Nestled amidst the rugged beauty of Jasper National Park lies a treasure trove of trails, each whispering tales of untamed wilderness and quiet serenity. Locals, who have roamed these paths for years, find solace and adventure in equal measure. While tourists flock to the popular routes, there are many trails that remain ‘locals only’.

Winding paths meander through lush forests and beside crystal-clear streams, offering a haven for runners, bikers, and hikers seeking solitude and connection with nature. Other cherished trails lead adventurers to breathtaking vistas, where jagged peaks pierce the sky and the scent of pine fills the air. From gentle strolls along tranquil lakeshores to exhilarating ascents to dizzying heights, these trails embody the essence of Jasper, inviting all who wander to discover its timeless beauty.

This is a list of NAMES of trails. To find their whereabouts, you’ll need to go an extra step. Ask your barista. Stop an adventurous looking biker on the street. Or, go on your own adventure. Surely old school maps still exist.

The following are are the top 10 Secret Jasper Trails recommended by owner Kim. Read at your own risk, and then go get lost!

#1) Lostlands

Awesome name, great trail linking up the expanse of the bench from the top of the Sawridge switch backs.

#2) Railway Street

One of, if not currently, my favourite. Get to it via Lostlands and enjoy, lots of South exposure, nice vertical gain, great views down the valley.

#3) Hochimini

Travel through an aspen forest, over look Patricia lake, flowy and  fun.

#4) Ganges

Bike or run, never a disappointment.

#5) Magic Ridge

Add this on to your Ganges adventure or do alone. Try the connector around the swampy area through the clear cut for epic views of Whistlers. The down hill is so much fun you feel like your flying on the ridge above Cabin Lake

#6) Loni's Trail

Burn on the way up or cruise on down. Lush forest trail that will have you pop out on the Signal fire road.

#7) Valley of the Five - to Wabasso and back along the River

The start this isn’t hard to find and it is busy in the summer so hit it up in the fall shoulder season, so the river trail back isn’t flooded. It has almost 500m vertical gain, undulating and good trail finding on the way back to town.

#8) Cashbox

Go play on the other bench, Whistlers bench.

#9) Razorback

Burn your legs climbing in one go.

#10) 3 Hump Beast + Star Wars

Get a great quad burn slaying the beast and then cruise down off the bench like the Millennium Falcon flown by a Wookie.

“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.”

– John Muir

The Big Five - The Most Popular Lakes in Jasper

1. Maligne Lake

    • Description: Located 48 km southeast of Jasper via Maligne Lake Road. It’s renowned for its stunning scenery and is home to the jewel of Jasper National Park: Spirit Island.
    • Google Maps Link

2. Pyramid Lake

    • Description: Just 5 km north of Jasper town, Pyramid Lake is easily accessible and offers scenic views and recreational activities.
    • Google Maps Link

3. Medicine Lake

    • Description: Situated 20 km southeast of Jasper on the Maligne Lake Road, Medicine Lake is known for its disappearing water phenomenon.
    • Google Maps Link

4. Lake Annette

    • Description: Located 7 km southeast of Jasper, Lake Annette is perfect for swimming, picnicking, and walking. Hint: only tourists call this “Annette Lake”. Be in the know and put the Lake first!
    • Google Maps Link

5. Lake Edith

    • Description: Near Annette Lake, about 7 km southeast of Jasper, Edith Lake is great for swimming and fishing.
    • Google Maps Link

Local Favourites - From Cliff Jumping To Glacial Lakes

6. Horseshoe Lake

    • Description: 25 km south of Jasper on the Icefields Parkway, Horseshoe Lake is a hidden gem for cliff jumping and swimming.
    • Google Maps Link

7. Lac Beauvert

    • Description: Adjacent to the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, this lake offers emerald-green waters and tranquility.
    • Google Maps Link

8. Cavell Lake

    • Description: Near Mount Edith Cavell, about 30 km south of Jasper, this lake offers breathtaking views of glaciers.
    • Google Maps Link

9. Valley of the Five Lakes

    • Description: A popular hiking destination featuring five beautiful, differently colored lakes. It’s located 9 km south of Jasper on the Icefields Parkway.
    • Google Maps Link

10. Jasper Lake

    • Description: Located 30 km northeast of Jasper along Highway 16, Jasper Lake is a large, shallow lake with sandy shores, perfect for a relaxing day by the water.
    • Google Maps Link

Lesser Known Gems - Locals Only From This Point On

11. Jacques Lake

    • Description: Accessible via an 8 km hike from the end of the Maligne Lake Road, Jacques Lake is peaceful and secluded.
    • Google Maps Link

12. Geraldine Lakes

    • Description: A series of lakes accessible by a challenging hike, located 40 km south of Jasper off the Icefields Parkway.
    • Google Maps Link

13. Obed Lake

    • Description: Situated about 55 km east of Jasper, Obed Lake is a tranquil spot ideal for fishing and bird watching. It’s accessible via a short drive off Highway 16.
    • Google Maps Link

14. Moab Lake

    • Description: Tucked away about 30 km south of Jasper, Moab Lake is great for fishing and wildlife spotting.
    • Google Maps Link

15. Amethyst Lake

    • Description: The tonquin valley is considered by many locals to be the most sacred and treasured place in all of Jasper National Park. At the base of the Ramparts in the Tonquin Valley lies the turquise serene waters of Amethyst Lake. Accessible only by via a stunning 20km hike, the beauty of Amethyst Lake awaits those ready for a bigger adventure.
    • Google Maps Link

Lakes

The beautiful turquoise lakes of Jasper are considered by many to be among the top attractions of the National Park. Serenely reflecting their mountain backdrops, Jasper’s lakes offer world-class swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and beach access in the summer, and ice skating, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and horse-driven sleigh riding in the winter.

Jasper’s lakes each hold their own secrets and charm, offering a mix of peace and excitement for those who visit. While tourists tend to stick to the popular spots, locals have their own favorite hidden gems.

These lakes wind through forests and meadows, perfect for both kayakers and stand-up paddleboarders, as well as nature enthusiasts looking for some quiet time. Some spots offer stunning views, with the sunsets shining off off the crystal clear water and the scent of pine all around. Whether you’re up for a relaxed paddle or a refreshing swim, these lesser-known spots truly capture the spirit of Jasper.

Ready for an adventure? Check out the top 10 Secret Jasper Lakes recommended by our team and start exploring!

The Big Five - The Most Popular Lakes in Jasper

1. Maligne Lake

    • Description: Located 48 km southeast of Jasper via Maligne Lake Road. It’s renowned for its stunning scenery and is home to the jewel of Jasper National Park: Spirit Island.
    • Google Maps Link

2. Pyramid Lake

    • Description: Just 5 km north of Jasper town, Pyramid Lake is easily accessible and offers scenic views and recreational activities.
    • Google Maps Link

3. Medicine Lake

    • Description: Situated 20 km southeast of Jasper on the Maligne Lake Road, Medicine Lake is known for its disappearing water phenomenon.
    • Google Maps Link

4. Lake Annette

    • Description: Located 7 km southeast of Jasper, Lake Annette is perfect for swimming, picnicking, and walking. Hint: only tourists call this “Annette Lake”. Be in the know and put the Lake first!
    • Google Maps Link

5. Lake Edith

    • Description: Near Annette Lake, about 7 km southeast of Jasper, Edith Lake is great for swimming and fishing.
    • Google Maps Link

Local Favourites - From Cliff Jumping To Glacial Lakes

6. Horseshoe Lake

    • Description: 25 km south of Jasper on the Icefields Parkway, Horseshoe Lake is a hidden gem for cliff jumping and swimming.
    • Google Maps Link

7. Lac Beauvert

    • Description: Adjacent to the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, this lake offers emerald-green waters and tranquility.
    • Google Maps Link

8. Cavell Lake

    • Description: Near Mount Edith Cavell, about 30 km south of Jasper, this lake offers breathtaking views of glaciers.
    • Google Maps Link

9. Valley of the Five Lakes

    • Description: A popular hiking destination featuring five beautiful, differently colored lakes. It’s located 9 km south of Jasper on the Icefields Parkway.
    • Google Maps Link

10. Jasper Lake

    • Description: Located 30 km northeast of Jasper along Highway 16, Jasper Lake is a large, shallow lake with sandy shores, perfect for a relaxing day by the water.
    • Google Maps Link

Lesser Known Gems - Locals Only From This Point On

11. Jacques Lake

    • Description: Accessible via an 8 km hike from the end of the Maligne Lake Road, Jacques Lake is peaceful and secluded.
    • Google Maps Link

12. Geraldine Lakes

    • Description: A series of lakes accessible by a challenging hike, located 40 km south of Jasper off the Icefields Parkway.
    • Google Maps Link

13. Obed Lake

    • Description: Situated about 55 km east of Jasper, Obed Lake is a tranquil spot ideal for fishing and bird watching. It’s accessible via a short drive off Highway 16.
    • Google Maps Link

14. Moab Lake

    • Description: Tucked away about 30 km south of Jasper, Moab Lake is great for fishing and wildlife spotting.
    • Google Maps Link

15. Amethyst Lake

    • Description: The tonquin valley is considered by many locals to be the most sacred and treasured place in all of Jasper National Park. At the base of the Ramparts in the Tonquin Valley lies the turquise serene waters of Amethyst Lake. Accessible only by via a stunning 20km hike, the beauty of Amethyst Lake awaits those ready for a bigger adventure.
    • Google Maps Link

“Going to the mountains is going home.” “

– John Muir

6

Hikes

For those ready to put in a little work for some of the best views in all the land, hiking and climbing in Jasper could be your answer. In the heart of Jasper National Park lies a collection of exhilarating day hikes and climbs, each offering a unique glimpse at the park’s natural wonders. Towering peaks and rugged terrain beckon adventurers, promising both challenge and reward amidst stunning vistas and untouched wilderness.

Traversing through alpine meadows and dense forests, these trails cater to hikers and climbers alike, providing an opportunity to immerse oneself in the beauty of Jasper’s landscape. From leisurely strolls to adrenaline-pumping ascents, there’s something for every level of explorer.

While some trails attract crowds of eager tourists, others remain quietly hidden, known only to the most seasoned locals. These secret paths offer a chance to escape the hustle and bustle, granting solitude and a deeper connection with nature.

From panoramic viewpoints to secluded alpine lakes, each hike and climb in Jasper National Park holds its own unique charm and allure. Whether you’re seeking a casual day excursion or a challenging summit bid, these trails embody the spirit of adventure that defines Jasper.

#1) Buffalo Prairie

A vast expanse that leads you to the back side of a stunning landscape with diverse terrain.

AllTrails URL: https://www.alltrails.com/canada/alberta/buffalo-prairie

 

#2) Whistlers Mountain

Especially beautiful in the fall, this hike takes you through colorful deciduous trees, into pine forests, and up into the alpine where you can enjoy panoramic views.

AllTrails URL: https://www.alltrails.com/canada/alberta/whistlers-mountain

#3) Overlander Trail

Features mossy, Hobbit-inspired sections with some exposure, passing by a historic homesteader cabin.

AllTrails URL: https://www.alltrails.com/canada/alberta/overlander-trail

#4) Roche Miette

Offers breathtaking views where you can sit with your feet hanging over the edge, gazing down the valley.

AllTrails URL: https://www.alltrails.com/canada/alberta/roche-miette

#5) Wilcox Pass

Hike all the way to Tangle Falls, passing by the iconic red chairs and continuing further into a less travelled epic valley.

AllTrails URL: https://www.alltrails.com/canada/alberta/wilcox-pass

#6) Tonquin Valley

Imagine the towering Rampart Mountains providing the background for a herd of caribou drinking calmly from the turqoise waters of Amethyst Lake. This is a scene that awaits many who visit the Tonquin Valley. A must-visit, local favourite destination with stunning scenery and serene landscapes.

AllTrails URL: https://www.alltrails.com/canada/alberta/tonquin-valley

#7) Bald Hills

Offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, especially stunning during sunrise or sunset.

AllTrails URL: https://www.alltrails.com/canada/alberta/bald-hills

#8) Opal Hills

Known for its vibrant wildflowers and views of the Athabasca Valley, this hike provides a colorful and rewarding experience.

AllTrails URL: https://www.alltrails.com/canada/alberta/opal-hills

#9) The Sulphur Skyline

Often confused for it’s bigger brother “The Skyline Trail”, The Sulphur Skyline is a shorter 3-4 hour day trek with some of the best bang-for-your-time views around. Known for its panoramic views from the summit, Sulphur Skyline offers a challenging yet rewarding hike with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. Bonus: dip in the Miette Hotsprings after your hike and relax in the naturally heated pools.

AllTrails URL: https://www.alltrails.com/canada/alberta/sulphur-skyline

#10) The Skyline Trail

One of Jasper’s premier hikes, The Skyline Trail offers stunning alpine scenery, wildflowers, and chances to spot wildlife. It’s a longer hike with varying landscapes. Some tackle it’s marathon length of 44km in a single day, while others choose to camp or stay in the Shovel Pass Backcountry Lodge.

AllTrails URL: https://www.alltrails.com/canada/alberta/the-skyline-trail