Parking
Park at the Maligne Lake trailhead parking lot or at the Signal trailhead/Signal Fire Road parking area. This point-to-point route requires a shuttle or two-car setup between the trailheads.
Overview
About Skyline Trail
It’s a point-to-point, one-way route from the Maligne Trailhead at Maligne Lake to the Signal trailhead at the top of Signal Mountain Fire Road. Length is 44.1 km (27.4 miles) one way, with about 1,370–1,460 m (approximately 4,500–4,800 ft) of total gain. The high point is The Notch at about 2,510 m. Parks Canada identifies the Maligne-to-Signal direction as south to north because it loses more elevation than it gains. Most hikers backpack it in 2–3 days using designated campsites by reservation only.
Why go
- Nearly 25 km of above-treeline travel for continuous views
- Maligne-to-Signal direction loses more elevation than it gains
Heads up
- High exposure makes bad weather a trip-ender at The Notch
- Point-to-point logistics require a shuttle or two cars
If you want maximum big-mountain payoff, this is Jasper’s marquee traverse. The Skyline strings together high ridges and three passes—Little Shovel, Big Shovel, and The Notch—with nearly 25 km above treeline for continuous, panoramic views. Expect wildflower meadows in midsummer, glacially carved valleys, and classic Rockies geology (limestone, shale, and U-shaped terrain). It’s long and exposed, but the scenery rarely lets up.
Parkwolf’s verdictWhy hike itMap & elevation
The route
Loading the Jasper map
Full mapElevation1,159–2,505 m
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Best time to go
Safety
8 active Jasper alerts
- ClosureWildfire-impacted areas and facilities closedStay out of closed wildfire-impacted areas and facilities in Jasper National Park; closures protect public safety after the 2024 wildfire and remain in effect while recovery and safety work continues.Official details
- Closure93A (Wabasso Road) no through travel during roadworkFrom mid-October to early November 2026, plan for 93A (Wabasso Road) to be accessible from the south entrance only; no through travel is expected during roadwork.Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Jasper Tour Guide
Your drive to Skyline Trail, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Jasper National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the Jasper audio tourRecorded for this trailhead
Skyline Trailhead: A World-Famous Trek and a Day HikeListen
“You're approaching the trailhead for the famous Skyline Trail. This spot is the finish line for one of Canada's premier alpine traverses, a multi-day trek with over 25 kilometers of trail above the treeline.”
Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Jasper Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- The Map to Maligne Lake
- Maligne Lake Boat Cruise and Historic Chalet
- The Red Chairs at Maligne Lake
- Opal Hills Trailhead: A Steep Climb or a Moose Walk
- 157 audio storiesacross Jasper’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Grizzly Bear, Caribou, Gray Wolf, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 91 trails, 129 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Trail guide
Hiking Skyline Trail
What it feels likeAbove-treeline travel is the Skyline’s calling card—windy, raw, and wide-open.
Above-treeline travel is the Skyline’s calling card—windy, raw, and wide-open. You’ll traverse alpine meadows, airy ridges, and rocky sections, with Curator Lake and the climb to The Notch as standout moments. Wildlife sightings can include caribou, pikas, marmots, and the occasional bear. Water is plentiful in valleys and near lakes and streams, but scarce on the high, exposed sections—carry enough between sources.
Logistics that matterPoint-to-point means a shuttle or a two-car setup between Maligne Lake and the Signal trailhead.
- Point-to-point means a shuttle or a two-car setup between Maligne Lake and the Signal trailhead.
- Backcountry campsites require an advance reservation and are popular.
- No dogs: the trail crosses critical woodland caribou habitat and pets are banned there.
- No campfires at Skyline backcountry sites.
- If weather turns, the Wabasso Trail is an escape route, but it adds a steep descent and transport complexity.
- This is remote backcountry: not suitable for bikes, strollers, or wheelchairs.
Difficulty and hazardsThe length, elevation, and sustained exposure—not technical terrain—make this a demanding hike.
The length, elevation, and sustained exposure—not technical terrain—make this a demanding hike. The Notch is the crux: steep, high, and often snowy early. Expect strong winds and rapid weather changes above treeline. Manage water carefully on the high stretches, carry bear spray, and follow food-storage protocols. Backcountry camping requires a permit.
Is it worth it?Yes—this is one of Canada’s most scenic multi-day hikes.
Yes—this is one of Canada’s most scenic multi-day hikes. If you’re comfortable with exposure, variable weather, and backcountry logistics, the Skyline delivers days of uninterrupted alpine views that few trails can match. If you’re unsure about the full traverse or can’t get reservations, sampling a section as a day hike is a solid Plan B.
Best time to hikeLate July to mid-September for the most reliable conditions and snow-free passes.
Late July to mid-September for the most reliable conditions and snow-free passes. Start days early to capitalize on calmer weather windows. August is prime for wildflowers; early fall offers crisp air and fewer insects, with rising odds of cold snaps.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Jasper
174 sightingsGrizzly BearMost seen around 8 PMSighting map
43 sightingsCaribouMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
40 sightingsGray WolfMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
12 sightingsCanada LynxMost seen around 8 PMSighting map
315 sightingsMooseMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
1,028 sightingsElkMost seen around 7 AMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Jasper. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
