South of town
Jasper National Park
These trails lie south of Jasper and are accessible from Highway 93 (the Icefields Parkway).
Valley of the Five Lakes
Trails:
- Wetland Way (easy, 1.8 km return)
- Emerald Loop (moderate, 5.4 km loop)
- Valley Loop (moderate, 7.7 km loop)
Trail map (PDF 3.2 MB)
Map A: Around Town (PDF 2.225 MB)
Mix and match loops and trail segments to create the experience that’s right for you!
Start your adventure on Wetland Way, a gentle, flat approach through vibrant forest regrowth following the 2024 wildfire. A pedestrian bridge across a wetland and nearby benches make this a great spot to linger. From there, choose between two loop options with rolling terrain and short steep hills, or combine them for a longer adventure.
Emerald Circuit features stunning views of all five lakes, iconic Red Chairs, a picnic spot and panoramic mountain views.
The Valley Loop is a quieter, longer trail experience with scenic views along the First Lake.
Note: Trail 9 is heavily used by cyclists.
Wabasso Lake or Wabasso - Five Lakes
Trail: 9 (moderate)
Distance: 3.4 km one-way
Estimated time round trip: 2 to 3 hours
Elevation: 107 m gain / 74 m loss
Trailhead: P16. Located 14.6 km south of the Jasper townsite on the Icefields Parkway.
This trail crosses several low ridges, with a fine view from the last ridge across the Athabasca Valley to Mt. Edith Cavell and the reddish quartzite peaks north of it. Wabasso Lake was created by beavers. You can see their long, high dam at the northeast corner of the lake.
For a longer walk, follow Trail 9 around the lakeshore and 6 km north along grassy Wabasso Creek to the junction with Trail 9a (Five Lakes). It's less than a kilometre back to the highway from here.
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