Pros & cons
PROS
- Crowd-free alternative steps away from busy Maligne Lake
- Landslide-formed basins create remarkably clear, reflective water
CONS
- Not a true loop; vague paths beyond Lorraine can mislead
- Muddy tread and mosquitoes after rain and in mid-summer
Park at Maligne Lake near the Bald Hills trailhead (end of Maligne Lake Road). From the Bald Hills area, take the obvious trail entering the woods about 50 m to the right.
Carry bear spray; make noise. Trail can be muddy after rain. Mosquitoes are common in mid-summer. Beyond Lorraine, paths toward a ‘loop’ can be vague—return the way you came unless navigating with map/GPS. No dogs, bikes, or horses.
If you want a peaceful detour from Maligne Lake’s bustle, this short forest walk pays off with two glassy little lakes and plenty of solitude. Expect a gentle grade through lodgepole pine to a pair of subalpine ponds formed in ancient landslide hollows—hence the steep-sided basins and startlingly clear water.
Despite the “loop” moniker floating around, the main route is an out-and-back: roughly 5.2–5.8 km total (3.2–3.6 miles), with 80–100 m of elevation gain. The trail is well-maintained and easy to follow to both lakes. A signed spur left leads to calm, photogenic Lorraine Lake; another spur right, a short distance farther, reaches Mona Lake, often the more striking of the two for reflections and clarity. Bring a snack and linger—these are picnic-perfect shorelines without the Maligne crowds.
Wildflower season adds color along the path, and wildlife sightings do happen—mule deer are common and caribou have been reported—so keep your eyes up. The forested setting means limited big views, but the lakes are the point here: quiet, clear, and tucked away from the scene at the main lake.
Heads up: beyond Lorraine, faint paths can tempt a “loop” toward Moose Lake. Unless you’re equipped with a map or GPS and comfortable with vague tread, it’s smarter to return the way you came. The surface can turn muddy after rain; waterproof footwear helps.
Best time to hike: summer into early fall, when the trail is snow-free, wildflowers are out, and mosquitoes are manageable (they can be bad in mid-summer—bring repellent). Early or late in the day offers softer light on the water and more active wildlife.
Practical notes: This is a hiking-only trail—no dogs, bikes, or horses. Carry bear spray and make noise, especially in the quieter morning and evening hours.
Wildlife on this trail
Near Lorraine and Mona Lakes Loop
All places →All trails →
Maligne LakeGlacier-blue lake with cruises to photogenic Spirit IslandTrailhead · Parking
Mount Edith CavellAngel Glacier views and wildflower meadows on Jasper’s signature peakTrailhead · Restroom
Spirit IslandIconic island view on turquoise Maligne Lake, reached only by boat
Athabasca FallsRoaring glacier-fed falls squeezed into a narrow quartzite canyonTrailhead · Pullout
Skyline TrailCanadas premier alpine traverse with 25 km above treeline.Challenging · 27.4 mi · 16 hr
Maligne CanyonJasper’s classic gorge walk with bridges, waterfalls, and karst springsModerate · 2.3 mi · 1.5 hr
Cavell MeadowsWildflowers and glaciers with a steep, rewarding ridge loopModerate · 4.6 mi · 4 hr
Sulphur SkylineSteep climb to a 360-degree ridge, then a hot-springs soak belowChallenging · 5.3 mi · 4.5 hr
