8 Must-Do Easy Hikes in Jasper

Jasper is one of the most beautiful mountain towns in the Canadian Rockies and is home to Jasper National Park. Although there are many things to do in Jasper, the best way to explore its beauty is by hiking.

The best part about Jasper is there is a hike for everyone! There are easy hikes to beautiful overlooks and strenuous hikes to the top of mountains. We loved hiking these easy trails in Jasper when we visited.

This guide has everything you need to know about the best easy hikes in Jasper that need to be on your itinerary!

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Tips For Hiking in Jasper

Hiking in Jasper is one of the best ways to explore everything the park offers. And the best part? You do not have to hike long and strenuous hikes to enjoy the scenic views!

When we visited, we did not want to hike anything too long, so we chose many easy hikes to add to our itinerary. And let me tell you, they were stunning! I loved that we could enjoy breathtaking lake and mountain views on short and easy trails. Trust me, you will love hiking in Jasper!

Important Things to Know

Start your days early. Most of the popular hikes in Jasper can get crowded, and I recommend arriving at the most popular trails before 9:00 AM, especially if you are visiting in summer. When we visited in summer, we had to arrive at trailheads early to secure a parking spot. Sometimes we could not even find a spot that early and had to come back later.
Buy a park pass for the total number of days you will be there. Buying the park pass ahead of time allows you to quickly go in and out of the park without spending time waiting in line to buy passes each day. If you want to visit Banff National Park or the surrounding parks a couple of times a year, you can buy the Discovery Pass, too! We avoided the long wait lines because we bought our park pass ahead of time!
Always remember to leave no trace. It’s crucial to pack out what you pack in and leave no trash. Some spots have trash bins, so you can easily throw your trash away. If they don’t have trash bins, you can throw your trash away at a nearby gas station or convenience store.

Trail Information

Be prepared with the appropriate layers and gear. The mountain weather in Jasper is unpredictable, so I recommend packing layers just in case the weather changes. I also recommend packing the appropriate hiking gear, depending on the time of year you visit Jasper. You should have supportive shoes with good traction, like hiking boots, layers for the time of year you are hiking, and a backpack with water, snacks, and layers. And last but not least, make sure to pack the Ten Essentials.
Be aware of bears. Jasper has many grizzly bears, so it is crucial to keep an eye out for them. I recommend packing bear spray, making noise when you hike, and hiking in groups. If you have questions or concerns, I recommend speaking with a local park ranger! We luckily did not see any bears while hiking, but we saw many while driving through the park.

The 8 Best Easy Hikes in Jasper

Maligne Canyon

Trail: Maligne Canyon Trail

Length: 2.3 miles

Elevation Gain: 500 feet

One of the best hikes in Jasper is Maligne Canyon. Maligne Canyon is a limestone slot canyon with incredible waterfalls, and it is the deepest canyon in the Rockies, with the deepest spot being over 160 feet!

There are many ways to explore the canyon, with the easiest being a 2.3-mile loop to the fifth bridge. The trail brings you past beautiful viewpoints in the canyon that will take your breath away!

If you have extra time, I highly recommend hiking the 4.5-mile trail, starting at the sixth bridge. The trail travels over six bridges, through Maligne Canyon, and past many beautiful waterfalls, springs, and viewpoints. You will instantly fall in love with Maligne Canyon and understand why it’s one of the most beautiful easy hikes in Jasper!

Athabasca Falls

Trail: Athabasca Falls Trail

Length: 0.6 miles

Elevation Gain: 90 feet

If you are looking for an easy hike in Jasper to more waterfalls, this trail is for you! Athabasca Falls is a beautiful 75-foot waterfall and has a stunning backdrop of Mt. Kerkeslin.

The 1.2-mile roundtrip hike brings you next to Athabasca Falls and a canyon downstream. The blue waters, of course, make everything beautiful.

Athabasca Falls was one of our favorite hikes near Jasper because the mountain views were stunning! I know you will love hiking it.

Horseshoe Lake

Trail: Horseshoe Lake Trail

Length: 1 mile

Elevation Gain: 150 feet

Horseshoe Lake is one of the deepest lakes in Jasper National Park and is surrounded by cliffs making it the perfect swimming hole. Even though it is a deep lake, you can see far into the water. It is almost crystal clear, which allows you to see all of the fish here.

An easy 1-mile hike from the parking area will bring you to the horseshoe-shaped lake, where you can enjoy the beautiful views or swim on a hot day.

Although we did not swim when we visited Horseshoe Lake, we loved enjoying the easy hike. Many people overlook Horseshoe Lake, but it is well worth the easy hike!

Pyramid Island

Trail: Pyramid Island Trail

Length: 0.4 miles

Elevation Gain: Minimal

Pyramid Lake is a stunning lake in Jasper and has an easy hike to a small island. It is one of my favorite hikes in Jasper!

The lake is surrounded by mountains, with the most beautiful mountain being Pyramid Mountain. The best view of Pyramid Mountain is on the small island, called Pyramid Island, in the middle of the lake. Do not worry! You do not have to swim to get here. It is only a short walk from the parking area over a bridge.

The best time to come here is during sunrise because the sun shines its beautiful morning glow on Pyramid Mountain. Your camera will be able to capture Pyramid Mountain in its prime with a beautiful reflection of it in Pyramid Lake. Sunrise is also a great time to see wildlife! No matter what time of day you decide to visit Pyramid Lake, you will fall in love with this easy hike in Jasper!

Edge of the World

Trail: Edge of the World Trail

Length: 0.7 miles

Elevation Gain: 230 feet

If you want to hike an easy trail in Jasper to a stunning view overlooking the town and surrounding mountains, the Edge of the World Trail is for you! You will be surprised by the lack of people on this hike once you see the views.

The short 0.7-mile trail is easy to follow and has some steep sections. I promise the extra effort is worth it for the beautiful views! Once you reach the viewpoint, you get stunning views of downtown Jasper and the surrounding Canadian Rockies. You will instantly fall in love with this easy hike in Jasper!

Beauvert Lake

Trail: Beauvert Lake Loop Trail

Length: 2.1 miles

Elevation Gain: 250 feet

Beauvert Lake is a stunning emerald-green lake and offers beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. Beauvert Lake is often overlooked because it is lesser-known than the nearby lakes, but it does not lack beauty.

The best way to enjoy Beauvert Lake is to hike the 2.1-mile loop that starts at Jasper Park Lodge and loops around the lake. If you do not want to hike, you can also go for a swim, rent a kayak, or enjoy the views near the parking lot.

Lake Annette

Trail: Lake Annette Loop

Length: 1.7 miles

Elevation Gain: 300 feet

One of the most beautiful hikes in Jasper is the Lake Annette Loop. Lake Annette is a blue lake and one of the most beautiful swimming spots in the area. There is a 1.7-mile paved trail that brings you around the lake called Lake Annette Loop, and it is also great for biking.

The Lake Annette Loop offers beautiful views of the lake and gives you a great opportunity to see some wildlife. Make sure to keep your eyes out for Elk! You will quickly realize why the Lake Annette Loop is one of the best easy hikes in Jasper!

Fun Fact: Lake Annette and Lake Edith are also known as “kettle lakes” because they are from one large lake that covered the Athabasca Valley during the ice age!

Valley of Five Lakes

Trail: Valley of Five Lakes Trail

Length: 3 miles

Elevation Gain: 530

The last easy hike in Jasper on this list is one of my favorite hikes in the area. The Valley of Five Lakes has five stunning lakes that are shades of blue-green due to their glacial rock dust.

There is a 6-mile round trip trail and an easy 3-mile trail. If you have time, I recommend hiking the longer trail to explore everything this area offers!

The third and fourth lakes are the most beautiful, in my opinion. The third is a stunning deep-green lake with beautiful mountains in the background. It is also a great place to stop and take a break if needed on your hike because it has red chairs at the top of the lake, giving you the best views! The fourth lake is similar, with a deep blue/green color and a beautiful mountain view.

If you can hike the Valley of Five Lakes for sunset, I highly recommend it! The lakes are stunning in the golden sunset light, and the trail will be less crowded.

If you are visiting Jasper, I recommend adding these easy hikes to your itinerary! Although Jasper has hikes for all levels, we loved enjoying the easy trails because they were stunning. This guide has everything you need to know about the best easy hikes in Jasper.