Parking
Use the signed P14 (The Whistlers Trailhead) parking area on Whistlers Road. Parks Canada access directions lead 1.8 km south on Highway 93 before the turn onto Whistlers Road; do not substitute the SkyTram base parking as the trailhead.
Overview
About Whistlers Trail
Whistlers Trail is Jasper’s difficult, sustained ascent from the signed P14 (The Whistlers Trailhead) on Whistlers Road to the Jasper SkyTram upper-station area. Parks Canada lists the trail as 6.8 km one way (13.6 km total return), with about 1,200 m of elevation gain; allow roughly 3–5 hours up and 2–3 hours down. The route climbs through forest and subalpine terrain to an exposed, rocky alpine finish, with wide views over Jasper and the surrounding valleys.
This is an out-and-back experience: the stored line follows the physical corridor once from P14 to the upper station, while the published 13.6 km distance includes the return. At the upper station, the separate Whistlers Summit Trail (5a) continues 1.1 km one way / 2.2 km return with 150 m of gain; that optional summit route is not part of this trail.
Expect steep, sustained climbing, loose or rocky footing, and rapidly changing mountain weather. The SkyTram can provide a one-way return option when operating, but confirm ticketing and hours before relying on it. Carry water because reliable water is not available along the upper route, and keep pets off the trail.
Why go
- Traverse three distinct life zones in a single sustained climb
- Unique mid-hike moment passing under the SkyTram line with overhead cars
Heads up
- Steep, sustained climb with loose and rocky footing
- Wet or muddy sections and rapidly changing alpine weather
- Return descent is strenuous; the SkyTram return option depends on operating hours and tickets
Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Jasper map
Full mapElevation1,245–2,261 m
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
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 Whistlers 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
Whistlers Peak Trail: Hike Up, Ride DownListen
“This is the trailhead for the Whistlers Peak hike, if you're looking to earn your high-altitude views on foot. It’s a challenging trail that climbs steadily out of the forest and into the wide-open alpine zone.”
Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Jasper Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- Jasper SkyTram: Ride to the Rooftop of Jasper
- Beavers of Wynd Road
- Whistlers Campground
- HI Jasper and Closed Services
- 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!!!!”
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.
