Maligne Canyon Hike

Trailhead: Park at one of the bridge parking lots 10kms northeast of Jasper in Jasper National Park. The lowest 6th bridge parking lot is located 2kms form Jasper.

Description: This is more of a short walk than a hike however it can be extended if you start at the lowest sixth bridge located downstream of the canyon. You can also drive to the top of the canyon and take a short walk to Maligne Canyon lookouts which is what most of the tourists do.

If you want to get out for a short easy hike start at the bottom sixth bridge parking lot. Cross the bottom bridge over the Maligne River then turn right onto the Maligne Canyon trail. The trail runs upstream along the Maligne River canyon. Between the sixth and fifth bridge there are several interesting underground streams that bubble up out of the ground and join the main river.

When you arrive at the fifth bridge stay on your left, keep going straight ahead up the canyon trail. From this point the sharp canyon walls start to take shape and the trail now has a safety guard rail. Keep working your way up the canyon and cross the lookout bridges 4, 3, 2 and 1. Do not venture off the trail or over the guard rails as a fall into the canyon would be fatal.

Maligne Canyon is one of the deepest river canyons found in the Canadian Rockies. The majority of the river runs 32km underground from Medicine Lake to the Athabasca River. Depending on the rivers flow rate, sections of the canyon and the river bed can become completely dry. The upper trail and it’s 4 bridges offer outstanding views of waterfalls and crystal clear pools that have eroded into the rock. Maligne Canyon’s deepest point is approximately 55m. In spots the canyons top opening is only 2m across. During the winter months most of the canyon is a frozen wonderland. You are in bear country PDF

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