A Guide to Maligne Canyon in Jasper National Park
Maligne Canyon is a beautiful place in Jasper National Park in the Canadian Rockies. When planning your itinerary, you must include the Maligne Canyon on your list, together with a short hike along the canyon's rim. This activity is suitable for every type of traveler. Read our Maligne Canyon travel guide with tips on how to get there, what to see and what to pack.
Visiting Maligne Canyon both in summer and winter will be the highlight of your trip to Jasper National Park, and thanks to the location close to Jasper, we consider this trip as a no-brainer.
The deepest canyon (up to 50 meters at certain points) in the Canadian Rockies offers amazing photo opportunities and awe-inspiring views.
We are not afraid to say that every traveler will appreciate the raw beauty of the canyon no matter if the magnificently colored water is roaring and swirling down the canyon or if the water is frozen and you can walk inside the canyon while enjoying the peaceful stillness.
Maligne Canyon is a place you can visit all year round - we traveled to the canyon twice, once in September when it was sunny and once at the beginning of July when it was raining all day.
Still, both visits were absolutely wonderful. It did not even matter we've already been there as the water level and the flow was different each time, which created a completely new experience.
Maligne Canyon is certainly not an unknown destination - it is one of the most-visited places in Jasper National Park for many reasons. And you can definitely compared its fame to Johnston Canyon in Banff National Park.
Except for simply being a beautiful natural sight, Maligne Canyon lies on the way to the famous Maligne Lake. And it is close to the top hikes in Jasper National Park like Bald Hills or Opal Hills Trail.
One of the most important reasons is that the canyon is easily accessible, and easily walkable paths along the canyon attract crowds.
Do you plan on visiting Maligne Canyon? Keep on reading our Maligne Canyon travel guide, as we will share everything you might find helpful for your upcoming trip.
From how to get there, what are the best trails, to what to pack, we've got you covered.
WHERE THE NAME MALIGNE CANYON COMES FROM
The expression 'maligne' comes from a French word and means malignant or wicked.
We've heard two versions of how the canyon got its name. The first one refers to the turbulent river which flows from the equally named Maligne Lake.
The second version says that a French man tried to traverse the canyon with his horses, and they were swept away by the swirling water, so he told his friends that the canyon is wicked and the name stuck to the canyon only in his maternal language, therefore Maligne.
Maligne river originates in Maligne Lake, which is for sure a place you should not miss when in the area.
Visiting Maligne Lake together with the canyon is a popular sightseeing combination, and if you do not plan on hiking, you should be able to see both in a half-day.
From Maligne Lake, the river flows underground via Medicine Lake, and then the water reaches the narrow canyon and picks up speed.
The canyon is so narrow, especially at the upper part, that you can even spot two rocks suspended between the canyon walls at some point.
HOW TO GET TO MALIGNE CANYON
Maligne Canyon is located only a short drive from the Jasper town center.
Follow Yellowhead Highway in Edmonton direction and then turn right to Maligne Lake Road, which will take you to the canyon in a couple of minutes.
When turning from Yellowhead Highway, you will drive across the bridge over Athabasca River, where you can sometimes see herds of deers or other wildlife who come to the river to drink.
The Canadian Rockies are best seen and explored when you have a rental car, although, in the season, you can take a shuttle from Jasper which runs along the Maligne Lake Road.
TOURS
In case you do not have your own transport, it is possible to book this popular guided Maligne Valley Tour that includes transportation and a short stop by the canyon and then a Maligne Lake boat tour.
MALIGNE CANYON HIKE
Although you can for sure only park your car in a parking lot, cross a bridge, take a look at the canyon and carry on to your next destination, in our opinion, it would be a shame not to walk a bit around.
When you look at the map, you will find out that there are several points where it is possible to start the hike.
The traditional starting point is at the main Maligne Canyon Carpark near the First Bridge, but it is also possible to park near the Fifth or the Sixth Bridge.
If you want to walk the full loop along the canyon, allocate for this activity 2-3 hours as the trail is 3.7 kilometers long one way, and there are many photogenic spots along the path.
You can always decide to head back when you have enough walking and views, or you can take the shorter inner loop, which leads closer to the river.
The path is well-marked and easy to follow (take a picture of the map at the beginning of the trail), and you can admire the narrow canyon, the rushing water beneath you, which carves its way through the limestone and creates cascades and waterfalls.
At some points, mostly between the first and fourth bridge, the trail will reward you with outstanding views of crystal clear pools that have eroded into the rock. Also, look for nests hollowed into the rock by birds.
The visit to Maligne Canyon does not require serious hiking and the best part is that you can customize the hike depending on time, current weather, and level of fitness.
To avoid the crowds, it is worth visiting Maligne Canyon early in the morning before tour groups arrive.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
ENTRANCE FEE
Entry to the Maligne Canyon is free, making it one of the best budget-friendly things to do in Jasper National Park.
Needless to say, you still have to pay the park admission fee to get there.
MALIGNE CANYON IN SUMMER VS WINTER
We've visited Maligne Canyon only in summer and during early autumn, but if you are traveling in the Canadian Rockies during winter, you should definitely put the canyon on your bucket list.
Maligne Canyon is one of the places that are accessible even between November and March, which no traveler should take for granted in this part of the world.
We do not think any season is better as every time in the Canadian mountains has its magic.
Maligne Canyon in summer is absolutely stunning, with an incredible number of photo opportunities as you can walk the path along the river and cross the bridge from time to time.
On the other hand, when the river in winter freezes, you can climb down to the canyon, walk on ice, and enjoy the exceptional opportunity to see frozen waterfalls and everything around hidden under the snow.
It is highly recommended to take a guided Maligne Canyon Icewalk Tour for your safety, especially if you are not well-experienced.
WHERE TO STAY IN JASPER
The closest town to Maligne Canyon is Jasper, a base for many travelers visiting Jasper National Park.
Because of its popularity and considerably small size, if you plan on traveling to the national park, it is necessary to make a reservation well in advance, especially in the main season between May and October.
We've handpicked the three best accommodation options for every traveler.
Budget | Mount Robson Inn - It is almost impossible to find budget accommodation in the Canadian Rockies when not camping. This hotel is reasonably priced and offers clean facilities and excellent breakfast.
Mid-range | Jasper Inn and Suites - Convenient location, indoor pool, onsite restaurant, and clean and tidy rooms should convince you to stay here.
Luxury | Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge - You will hardly find better accommodation in Jasper. Beautiful surroundings, comfortable rooms, and great service are the main reasons to stay here.
WHAT TO PACK
The Maligne Canyon hike is pretty short, and those of you who plan only to take a couple of pictures do not have to carry many things in a backpack because the parking lot is nearby.
However, here are five essential things you should have with you because the weather can change literally any minute.
It can start raining any time of the year in the Canadian Rockies, so pack light and a foldable rain poncho that can protect your clothes and electronics as well.
A mirrorless camera is a must-have, especially when you plan on exploring the Maligne area more thoroughly.
Although the trail along the canyon is not somehow technical, we found wearing hiking boots in Canada very comfortable. It is a must to have hiking boots when visiting in winter.
For winter, late autumn, and early spring, a down jacket is a must because the air close to the river is much colder.
Last but not least, there is a teahouse near the parking lot, which is a bit pricey, so bring your water bottle.
Try to avoid single-use water bottles to reduce your plastic footprint.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
