Mount Athabasca North Glacier Hike

Trailhead: Mount Athabasca is located near the Columbia Icefields, 100kms south of Jasper and approximately 111kms north of Lake Louise. Park at the lot directly across the highway in front of the Icefields Centre. Jasper National Park.

Description: This is an unmarked unofficial trail. Walk up the paved snow coach road until you reach the outflow of the north glacier located on the left side of the road. Find a well worn climbers trail on the right side of the outflow that leads towards Mount Athabasca.

Follow the trail as it steeply climbs through rock and scree. Once you’re level with the col ahead of you take the left branching trail and follow the scree trail that leads to the toe of the north Glacier. Expect to see alpine mountaineering schools teaching glacier travel on and around the toe of the north glacier.

Stay off the ice unless you have mountaineering experience. The ice here is steeper than it looks and without the proper gear or experience you’re risking serious injury. On your return trip it is well worth the effort to hike up the lateral moraine to the north for better views of the Athabasca Glacier, Mount Athabasca and the Silver Horn. During the summer months you may see climbers descending Mount Athabasca’s north face. You are in bear country

Jasper National Park Hiking PDF

Icefields Parkway Area Map PDF