Hike along Maligne Canyon — the deepest canyon in Jasper National Park (in Alberta, Canada) — and watch the powerful waters of the Maligne River rush by on its way to join the Athabasca River downstream. It’s that rushing water (including some in underground caves) that has carved out this limestone canyon over time. Several trail options give visitors chances to walk alongside the river, crossing footbridges that span the canyon, or walk on a higher trail that offers views of Jasper and its own incredible landscapes. The mighty water flows in the summer and fall; in the winter, most of the water drains away, and what’s left freezes. The winter landscape can make for some beautiful ice sculptures courtesy of Mother Nature. About a 10-minute drive northeast of the town of Jasper, Maligne Canyon (pronounced muh-LEEN) is about 180 feet/50 meters deep and about .75 miles/1.2 kilometers long.
Maligne Canyon Hiking
- There are several trail options (see trails map below):
- hike along the canyon (trail 7) following the Maligne River and walk over footbridges to peer down into the canyon,
- hike on one of the higher elevation trails (7f or the higher one, 7h) that provide different views — some of Jasper itself, or
- make a loop while hiking 7f (hillside) and 7 (waterside trail) or 7h (upper hillside) and 7 (waterside trail).
- You don’t need to hike the whole canyon to enjoy it. Although there are six footbridges in all, you could easily visit the first few, turn around, and you would have taken in some fantastic views. So you could spend from 30 minutes to a couple of hours to more than half a day here — all depending on how much you want to take in.
- The beginning of the trail (near the main parking lot and the Maligne Canyon Wilderness Kitchen) is paved and easy to navigate. The trail becomes steeper downhill as you continue past the 4th bridge with handrails in some spots.
- There are several parking lots. One is at the main entrance near the trailhead by the first bridge, and it fills up early. There’s also parking near the 5th bridge (with picnic benches nearby) and the 6th bridge.
- Some folks like to park in the main parking lot and walk to the 3rd or 4th bridge and then turn around. After that, they may drive to the parking lots for the 5th bridge and then the 6th bridge to take in those views without having to hike the entire distance.
- Other people opt to start at the 5th or 6th bridge parking lots as they are less busy with fellow hikers. These trails are also more challenging (though not too hard) than the trail that begins by the main parking lot.
- The Maligne Canyon Wilderness Kitchen near the main parking lot offers food (grab-and-go for good food any time of the day as well as lunch and dinner service). There’s a gift shop inside, too. Check online or call to verify the current hours of operation.
Tips for Your Visit to Maligne Canyon
- Arrive early in the morning — ideally by 8:00 am (or consider visiting in the early evening during the summer) to beat the crowds. This is a very popular place and it can get very busy. Fewer people make your time there more enjoyable. (We arrived early on a weekday morning, and it was perfect — not too many people around.)
- Download the AllTrails app for an overview of the trails. Also, using the app while hiking helps you see where you are relative to the other trails and/or the trailhead (are we there yet?!).
- Dress in layers. Because you’ll be in a canyon, it can be shady and cool in spots, so dressing in layers can keep you comfortable. Simply peel off a layer if you get warmed up.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes with good tread. The trails can be slippery and/or muddy due to rain or melting snow.
- There is no admission charge. 🙂
- Bring water (and snacks).
- Your leashed dog is welcome to join you, although consider how busy the trails may be when you plan to visit. 🐶
- Food and a gift shop are available at the Maligne Canyon Wilderness Kitchen by the main parking lot.
- Restrooms/washrooms are located by the main parking lot before entering the trail and near the 5th bridge.
- Do not feed or otherwise disturb the wildlife.
- Stay on the trails.
- Carry out what you bring in. Do not leave behind any trash or food.
Trails Map
Vacationing in the Canadian Rockies
My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our time in Banff National Park while vacationing in the Canadian Rockies. We couldn’t get enough of the scenic vistas of its mighty mountains, canyons, valleys, lakes and rivers. We were delighted with the scenic drives, invigorating hikes, two days riding on the Rocky Mountaineer train, and a leisurely stay in Vancouver. Our 13-day itinerary gave us the perfect way to appreciate the natural beauty of western Canada.
When staying in Lake Louise, check out the Lake Agnes Trail and Tea House. That was such a memorable hike to a tea house that dates to the early 1900s. Incredible experience!
Another great hike was through Johnston Canyon — located between Banff and Lake Louise. Along the Icefields Parkway between Lake Louise and Jasper, park the car and hike the Parker Ridge Trail; the view from the top to catch an amazing view of the Saskatchewan Glacier.
Final Thoughts
There are lots of choices for outdoor adventures in Jasper National Park. Maligne Canyon — the one my husband and I chose — was perfect for us. We like to soak in nature’s beauty wherever we are, and we especially like it when we’re out in it, actively exploring it. That’s what Maligne Canyon was for us: a perfect opportunity to appreciate nature around us — above us, below us, around us — in this picturesque canyon.
When we hike, we like doing so without the crowds. That way, we can stop, and savor all that is around us. Wonder what this place was like thousands of years ago. Listen to the rushing water. Peer over to the opposite canyon wall and view the interesting artwork that nature has created with the layers of and indentations in the rocks. So much to appreciate here.
Working Our Way Backwards
For us, starting at the 5th bridge made the most sense. We knew there would be few other people there early in the morning. We were right. There were four other cars in the parking lot when we arrived. We set out on the hike along the canyon side, hiking against the flow of the mighty river, all the way to the 1st bridge, the main parking lot, and the Maligne Canyon Wilderness Kitchen (a modern “tea house”).
This was perfect for us. We were pretty much on our own (trekking uphill), so that meant we could easily stop when we wanted to look around and take pictures. It got noticeably more crowded the closer we came to the first several footbridges. When we headed back to the 5th bridge (beyond the first few bridges), we passed a lot more people who arrived to enjoy this lovely space. Our round trip took about 2.5 hours (with stops along the way for pictures). A wonderful hike at magnificent Maligne Canyon in Jasper!
Comments?
Please share your experiences and/or suggestions for other places to visit in the Canadian Rockies. Your ideas could be helpful to other travelers. Thanks! 🙂
