3 to 4 Days in Jasper: Maligne Lake (Spirit Island), Icefields Parkway, SkyTram & Miette Hot Springs

This itinerary groups every stop by valley corridor so you maximise wildlife and scenery without backtracking: Day 1 explores the Maligne Valley, Day 2 covers the waterfalls and glaciers south along Highway 93, and Days 3 & 4 pair Pyramid Island and the SkyTram with Miette Hot Springs or Mount Robson. Read our transport and parking guide first.

Day 1: Maligne Valley, Medicine Lake & Spirit Island Cruise

• Early Morning: grab a scone and trail lunch at Bear's Paw Bakery, then drive up 48 km Maligne Lake Road, pausing at Medicine Lake to spot moose, bears and bald eagles.
• Midday: arrive at Maligne Lake for the 90-minute boat cruise to Spirit Island, rent a canoe at the 1928 Curly Phillips Boathouse, and walk the Mary Schäffer Loop (or hike Bald Hills).
• Sunset: climb Old Fort Point for bighorn sheep and sunset over the Athabasca River, followed by dinner at Jasper Brewing Co.

Day 2: Mount Edith Cavell, Waterfalls & Columbia Icefield

• Morning: drive up Cavell Road to Mount Edith Cavell for the Path of the Glacier Trail to see Angel Glacier and Cavell Pond (or hike Cavell Meadows).
• Midday: walk the canyon bridges of Athabasca Falls and see the pine-island drop of Upper & Lower Sunwapta Falls.
• Afternoon: stop at Tangle Creek Falls before reaching the Columbia Icefield to walk the free Toe of the Athabasca Glacier Trail (or ride the Ice Explorer and Skywalk).

Day 3 (and Day 4): Pyramid Island, SkyTram, Five Lakes & Miette Hot Springs

• Morning: watch sunrise at Pyramid Island and Patricia Lake, then ride the Jasper SkyTram up Whistlers Mountain and hike to the 2,463m summit.
• Afternoon & Evening: hike the Valley of the Five Lakes, then drive east to hike the Sulphur Skyline and soak in Miette Hot Springs, finishing after dark at the Jasper Planetarium (or spend Day 4 at 3,954m Mount Robson).