For many people, Canada evokes images of fantastic mountain sceneries, snow-capped peaks, roaring waterfalls, clear lakes, and rare wildlife. While hiking these vast expanses, visitors can soak in hot springs, take a raft or a canoe, watch bears feeding in their natural habitat and so on.
More than 7,500 people call Banff National Park their home. The town of Jasper is the place where locals will welcome you like a good old friend and even the wildlife can be seen in town.
Whether you are searching for hard hikes with skyline views of the Canadian Rockies or more relaxed strolls to take photos of nature or wildlife, there are suitable trails to be found both in Banff and Jasper.
The Sulphur Skyline trail begins next to the Miette hot springs. It passes along a wide horse track before bending through the forest where you can make your way above the tree line. A 360-degree panorama can then be relished at the ridge-line summit.
The Skyline trail is a world-famous multi-day hike that starts near Maligne Lake and finishes close to Maligne Canyon with the best views taking place between Tekkara and the Curator Campsites. The walk can last two, three or four days.
Сarved by many years of erosion, the Maligne Canyon hike takes only one hour. The best views can be witnessed between the first and fourth bridges. The best time to complete the hike is before 8:30 as the path can get very busy afterwards.
You should always remember to stretch and fuel up before hiking a vertical kilometre from Helen Lake to the summit of Cirque Peak. Despite difficulties, this is one of the fastest ways to reach a peak in Banff.
As the higher alpine and sub-alpine trails are snowcapped and the risk of avalanches lasts until late June or longer, the best time to hike in Banff and Jasper National Park is from July to mid-September.
Practical info
When is the best time to hike in Banff and Jasper National Park?
To hike in Banff and Jasper National Park, visitors should aim for July to mid-September. The higher alpine and sub-alpine trails have snow that can persist until late June, and there is a risk of avalanches until then. During the summer months, temperatures rise to a comfortable average of 20-25 degrees Celsius, and longer days provide ample time to explore and take photographs. Show more
Where is the Sulphur Skyline trail located?
You can find the Sulphur Skyline trail in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada. The starting point of the trail can be found near the Miette hot springs. After passing along a broad horse track, the trail bends through the woods, reaching above the tree line. The summit of the trail provides a 360-degree panorama. The trail is 8.4 km long and has an elevation gain of 705m. Show more
What is the estimated length of the Skyline trail?
The Skyline trail is a multi-day hike in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada. The 44 km trail starts next to Maligne Lake and ends near Maligne Canyon. Visitors can choose a two, three or four day itinerary. The trail has an elevation gain of approximately 1,220m. The best views of the hike take place between Tekkara and the Curator Campsites. Show more
What is the duration of the Maligne Canyon hike?
The Maligne Canyon hike is a popular trail in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada, that takes around one hour to complete. The canyon's best views can be enjoyed between the first and fourth bridges. Start the hike before 8:30 am as the path can become busy afterward. The hike is accessible for all ages and fitness levels, with a total length of approximately 3.5 km. Show more
How high is the vertical kilometre from Helen Lake to the summit of Cirque Peak?
To reach the summit of Cirque Peak, hikers must overcome a challenging vertical kilometre hike from Helen Lake in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada. The hike is approximately 11 km in distance and has a total elevation gain of 1,220m. The summit of Cirque Peak reaches 2,788m, offering hikers an excellent view of the mountain peaks, valleys and glacial lakes that make the park famous. Show more
