Maligne Canyon is the deepest canyon in Jasper National Park, with a depth of more than 170 feet at certain points. Hikers were exploring this incredible natural landmark by crossing 6 bridges built across various points of the canyon. First and Second bridges are the easiest hikes. The 2nd Bridge is the highest point in the canyon. The 3rd Bridge offers the vest views of the waterfall and is the best for a photo opportunity. The 6th bridge offers a long hike with spectacular sights. The Maligne Canyon Wilderness Kitchen offers food & drinks here. read more

See all

My husband and I hiked through Maligne Canyon on a overcast day. There was some residual smoke from the wildfires, but we were still able to snap some gorgeous photos and take in the beauty of our surroundings. I would definitely recommend parking at the first bridge and starting there but you can also park at the fifth bridge and seventh bridge. It just depends how much time you want to spend and how strenuous of a hike you want to do. We went out and back from the first bridge to the fifth bridge in about two hours. read more

See all

This park is located on Maligne Lake Road which branches off the main highway just northeast of Jasper. The park is just over 7 miles from Jasper. The parking lot here is large but it was still challenging to find a space around 3:30 p.m. on a Monday in the summer. Maligne Canyon is unique in that it is quite narrow and very deep. It is on the order of 15 - 30 feet wide but up to 160 feet deep. Water rushes down the length of it. The trail system follows on one or both sides (at different points) with periodic bridges and overlooks. At the upper end, there is just a stream, but it quickly descends deeper. Some of the rocks at the overlooks are quite slippery (just from the tens of 1000s of shoes that have polished them over the decades). The trail looked like it descended more steeply beyond the 2nd bridge, but we didn't have time or energy to explore more at that time (this was our last hike of several that day). There is some sort of restaurant / café adjacent to the parking lot / road. I'm not sure how early they open, but they closed early (5 p.m.?) so it is more of a 'lunch all afternoon' affair. Photography is sometimes difficult here due to the depth of the canyon and the associated shadows. Noon might be a better time for photos as the light might penetrate deeper at that time and illuminate the stream better, but that's only a guess. This is definitely worth a stop, as it is close to Jasper (or a convenient stopover if you are on your way to or from Maligne Lake). A note about wildlife: We encountered traffic jams twice on the road near this park (both times involving elk). You may want to budget an extra 5 minutes into any schedule in anticipation of this. One of the area tour guides also cautioned us that the parks had instituted new and harsh fines for people who came within 100 meters of wildlife (outside of their vehicles; this is to prevent closer encounters which could cause animals to react aggressively). The fine can be $25,000! So you may want to take photos just from within your car. read more

Maligne Canyon - A waterfall in the canyon - Hiking Near Me

See all

I can't imagine giving this hike anything less than 5 stars. We came on a Friday morning around 8am and there was plenty of parking. Probably only a couple of cars in the lot. We ended up walking the entire 6 bridges. It was an easy hike and pretty flat. There was portions that were a little steep but not much. I loved seeing the rushing water and green canyons. On our way back to the car it started getting really crowded. There were large groups of hikers with guides. They would take up the whole path and it was difficult to get around them. We were glad we started early. We did stop at the restaurant on the way back for a coffee. They had a nice restaurant and gift shop. All in all a beautiful morning. read more

See all

I found Maligne Canyon to be a waste of time. I'm not sure what people were so fascinated with. But coming here...walking along the pathway trails and viewing the waters flowing through the canyon, it was quite underwhelming. In fact, I expected there to be some scenic waterfalls, but the gushing river that meandered over the rocks appeared so mundane, it wasn't even photographable. I'd like to describe my time at Malign Canyon, regardless that I found it to be quite sobering. And especially considering all the majestic and wonderful sights of the Canadian Rockies and Icefields Parkway...visiting here could have been my least favorite attraction of all. Here are some details... - Malgine Canyon is located right outside downtown Jasper about 12 kilometers away. - I visited 2 weeks ago in the middle of June and it was pretty crowded, even with tour buses parked in the lot. The moment I exited my car, I had excitement about exploring around this popular landmark. - In total, there are 6 bridges for you to walk and venture around. They offer 3 different pathways for stopping and hanging out at the 6 bridge overlooks. For instance... - The Short, Easy Walk - takes 20 minutes and you get to cross over 2 of the 6 bridges. - The Medium, Harder Walk - takes about 30 minutes heading towards the end of the gorge...you get to see 4 of the 6 bridges. - The Longer Walk - goes all the way towards all 6 bridges. I hiked the Medium Walk to 4 bridges and along the way...there was nothing to see. The viewpoints at all 4 bridges had nothing. The surroundings were brown and dreary, without any promising viewpoints. There were barely any waterfalls of size. And yet...here, there were people stopping and enjoying themselves and taking lots of photos! Photos of what? I just don't get it?! I don't know. Maligne Canyon was a big disappointment. I did spend about 1 hour just casually walking around but I left quite unfulfilled. As I headed back towards downtown Jasper I noticed on my return trip an area for access to the 5th bridge. So...I turned into the parking lot area and went to see if maybe the 5th Bridge had a picturesque setting... Well, again...nothing to see. Nothing. I stepped onto the bridge, looked around and immediately returned to my car. In the end...maybe I have just visited way too many places, seen way too many sights...done way too much, lol. Bu, writing this with a clear and conscious head...Maligne Canyon is a 1-star attraction. read more

See all

Maligne Canyon is one of the top attractions of the Jasper area. It's a short distance from town so you need a vehicle or bicycle. I'm thinking maybe 5km but I didn't check. In the summer there are lots of views of the water rushing through the narrow canyon. It's spectacular in the summer but more fun in the winter. When it's frozen you can walk through it. The walk is a special experience that is unique to this canyon. This was our second winter visit. Before you go you must wear winter cleats on your boots or you will be falling down more often than walking. I recommend Micro Spikes. You can rent some low end traction things in town but they are not great (but still much better than nothing). It's a wonderful walk for the whole family. This year there was some open water but we found a route around it. Eventually you reach some frozen waterfalls that prevents you from going further. Enjoy, you'll never forget the experience. read more

See all

It helps to read the other yelp reviews so you can plan ahead. One that I read said to do the trail up to the third bridge and you are good to go. I would have to agree. I liked the first bridge for pics and I liked the third bridge for splash. If this is your first canyon experience then you will love it. But you are in for treat because these parts are full of so many lovely wonderful canyons. My favorite is Athabasca. It straight up 'gushes' there. Anyways, allow for 1-2 hours to trek up to the third bridge and back so you can take your time along the trail. If I could do it again, I would go around mid to late afternoon and then end at the restaurant. Enjoy a simple cup of coffee or a light meal after the big morning rush. And just relax in the lounge with the surrounding canyon. Nice. read more

See all

Great, fairly mild hike that's not too far from town or the Jasper park lodge. Spectacular sights the whole way with the roar of the water constantly in the background. Wear good shoes as much of the trail is dirt/rock/tree roots, with some slightly steep/large step areas. If you plan to spend some time and hike the whole thing I would recommend starting at the bottom around the 5th or 6th bridge and working your way up. That way you get the uphill portion out of the way first and have the easier downhill return trip at the end. We saw several people start at the top and turn around early or ask, "how much further" worried about the uphill return trip they have to make. Also the sights get increasingly more impressive as you work up instead of down imo. read more

This is a nice hiking spot for an easy hike. Because it's easy, it's fairly crowded. We did some research ahead of time and read that bridge 1-4 were the best ones, so we didn't hike to 5 & 6. This made the hike pretty short (maybe 1.5 miles). The hike along the canyon is gorgeous. It's hard to see into the canyon, but when you can, the views are quite good. I thought a couple of the other canyons we've been to in Banff were a little easier to see into. You can drive to bridges 5 & 6, so we did. The views aren't that great. The canyon opens up and is pretty much just a view of the river. This is definitely a good place to come for a quick easy hike in Jasper. read more

See all

This is a kind of an amazing hike. Your best bet is to go on a day that is a bit rainy or cool so that there are fewer people. The hike itself varies in difficulty. It starts at pretty much flat lands and then works up the side of the mountain. There are several bridges that you can stand on throughout the hike (5). If you start at the base and go to first bridge, the walk is wide, pretty level and smooth. Easy going. The river next to you is calm. Each time you move up a bridge the pathway changes. By bridge 5 you can be scrambling up the bedrock on a hillside, climbing up steps carved out of the mountainside, or on a narrow trail that cuts across a steep hill that drops off into the river below. Each stage shows the river in a different light. Waterfalls, rock formations, deep cliffs and crags, it's all there. The smell of the wet moss, damp pine forest, and alpine flowers are great. Be sure to take good hiking shoes and be ready for a climb if you are trying out the higher bridges. read more

Get here early because parking is a b*tch and you might end up parking at one of the middle bridges and it'll mess up the trail. From what I remember, there were 6 bridges, but most people only go to numbers 1-4. The guides we followed from online mentioned a tea house towards the end of the hike and we were excited to drink tea and enjoy the mountains (lol) but turns out it was just a restaurant that had tea on the menu. We ended up eating there anyways before heading back. Majority of the trail is easy and flat, but there are some parts where you'll have to hike up stairs or uphill a bit (nothing outrageous though. read more

Maligne Canyon - Hiking Near Me

See all

A missionary called this canyon "la traverse maligne" after his pack horses were swept away by the ferocious swirling waters. Our tour bus had left Maligne Lake, passed by some elk on the road, stopped briefly at Medicine Lake, on the way to Maligne Canyon on an overcast morning. Glacier fed water from Maligne Lake creates the Maligne River which goes into Medicine Lake, before going underground, joining into Maligne Canyon. Large parking lot, with gift shop and bathrooms. Filled on this last day of Labor Day weekend under an overcast sky. Heavily wooded area. Crowds of tourists all along the well designated paved trail, lined low wire fences, alongside a very narrow gorge. People stop on the bridges to get pictures of the fast flowing waters below. The gorge is over 150 feet deep in places, with raging waters, carving away smooth circular surfaces along the layer of limestone deposits. Not as picturesque as could be, as late in the year when the rivers have died down, in this drought year in western Canada. No sunshine to illuminate the waters. There are six small pedestrian bridges, each about 35 to 50 feet long, over the canyon, which is below ground level. Not at all scary, as the bridges are only feet above the sides of the narrow canyon. The path wanders downhill for a few miles round trip to the last of the six bridges. We can go no further than a few hundred yards, before going back to board the bus. It was here on one of the bridges amid the crowd of people that I found a hearing aid on the bridge. Shouted out if anyone had lost a hearing aid, but nobody responded among the crowds of tourists. Turned it in to the bus driver. Guess the recipient couldn't understand (there are a lot of mainland Chinese) or hear me! read more

See all

A must see if you're in Jasper! We parked at the top where the coffee shop is and started at the very beginning of the Canyon and then proceeded down to bridge two. We weren't properly dressed for the hike all around which is 7 KM so we just walked the first three. It's quite steep coming back up so hopefully you're in shape to do the whole thing. We didn't know what to expect but was blown away by the carved out limestone that began over 1000 yrs ago by melting ice. The limestone has been carved out into some large round holes and the waterfall is small but mighty! Apparently you can walk in the canyon itself when it freezes over in the winter and get a different perspective. Afterwards check out the Maligne store and coffee shop. It's super rustic chic inside and has a large outdoor patio too. It's about 20 mins from Jasper downtown. If you travel another 38 km you'll arrive at Maligne Lake which is also beautiful and offers many photo ops. On the way to the Lake, if you see a bunch of cars pulled over on the side of the road, join them! You'll most likely see Moose or Elk. The valley between the mountain ranges offers great photo ops again and if you're there end of Sept, you'll get to catch all the leaves changing colours in various shades of yellows and oranges. Absolutely gorgeous! read more

See all

This is must see place when is Jasper. The place is amazing, I have never seen anything like that. It gets quite crowded later in the day, so try to come early. We hiked to the canyon from Edith lake, so we were there about 8-8:30am and there weren't so many people. Due to canyon orientation, the best pictures would be in late afternoon though. If you are there only for canyon (i.e. not for the hike) there is no point going past the 4th bridge, the best views are between 2nd and 4th bridge. read more

See all

This is a must stop. Parking was a little hard to get when we went around 1 pm on a Saturday but circled a few times and got a spot. The hike down to the different bridges was nice and the stops were amazing views. Getting back up was more challenging but lots of places to stop on the way up. The flowing water was so cool to listen to as well. Great stop along the way to Spirit Island boat cruise. read more

See all

This is just for the route that hugs the canyon which is really short. The route is okay and picture opportunity are not as great as other places in Jasper. More likely skippable honestly if you are just doing short sight seeing. Thankfully this place does have reception in the parking lot so if anything would happen and hopefully it doesn't unlike our car which the brakes failed immediately as we got into the parking lot. Thankfully the town of Jasper is about 15 or 20 minutes away and we got a tow truck easily. Anyways after a 3 hr detour of getting the car fixed, we come to the canyon and walk around and there really isn't any good photo opportunities. Be careful as the rocks are smooth yet slippery!!!! So walk with caution or you might slip and become part of the canyon! Just kidding, it's all fenced off anyway! After you are finish, there is a gift shop and restaurant for you to shop through! read more

See all

This was a beautiful, easy hike with great views of the Athabasca River and canyon walls. The trail is well-maintained with a safety fence running along much of it. There are 6 bridges you can cross in total. We hiked from bridge 1 to 5. Bridge 6 sent you deeper into the woods, and we decided to skip it in favor of other hikes in the area. There's a tea house next to the 1st bridge, but by the time we got back, they were closed. Ironically, I had my first tick ever after my hike through the canyon. I live near Washington, DC where ticks (and Lyme disease) are prevalent, yet I've never had one even with all of the time I spend outdoors. So, make sure to check yourself for ticks after your hike. I found this little bugger smack on top of my head, feasting away. read more

See all

Magical canyon trip is my favorite among all the canyon trips we did in Jasper, Banff and Kootney NP. It is almost flat and super walking-friendly, from which you can track how water from medicine lake develops into malign river while enjoying constantly changing amazing views! Approximately 45mins - 1hr one way. read more

See all

After hiking the Maligne Canyon, you'll know why it was named so. The Maligne River steadily flows between deep gorges, looks scary at times and mind blowing at other times. The hike from the parking lot was very enjoyable; the trail is downhill and along the canyon. Peek in at viewpoints to capture the beauty of the river gushing through the narrow and deep canyons and swirling around at certain places, forming ink pots. The view from the 3rd bridge is my personal favorite. Here's the spot where you can feel the spray; much needed on a sweltering day. We hiked for about 30 minutes one-way and returned. The trail back to the lot is not so cool - It is mostly uphill. read more

See all

Avoid the Crowds and Hike from Sixth Bridge. If you are up for a longer adventure start at the Sixth Bridge parking area and hike south through the canyon. There are fewer people and the hike back is downhill though you will be going 4-5 miles round trip. The canyon itself is stunning with interesting vistas around each corner. And after seeing the hoards at Lake Louise and Johnston Canyon near Banff this place seemed empty even on a Sunday at noon. August 2014 read more

This place is amazing. We started at the very top which is by the restaurant we walked on the trail and it's a series of bridges that cross the river I would say bridge three is enough. The canyon itself was what was most awesome for me after that you don't see the same type of canyon wall anymore as it changes into a different kind of rock which is still cool but not as. I recommend it if you like nature. Warning if it rains a lot it's very muddy. There is a fence next to the trail for most of the way which takes away the natural feel but this is such unique place I still give it a 5 stars. It does get busy with buses full of people. read more

Maligne Canyon - Maligne Canyon in Jasper, Alberta, Canada - Hiking Near Me

See all

An incredible hiking experience with breathtaking views. LOVE this place.

Maligne Canyon has been a consistent stop for me on all trips to Jasper. The hike trails are well maintained, and the scenery is priceless. I have had the blessing of seeing the canyon in spring, summer and fall, and all present beauty in different forms. This is an easy hike for all fitness levels. if you only have time for a quick stop, be sure to at least take the five minute hike to the first bridge. Its a must see! read more

See all

Wow! Beautiful hike. There are different options for hike difficulty and length so you can easily do what works for you. Bridge 5 is currently closed, and we didn't do the full hike all the way down to bridge 6, but I think we will next time we are there. The path was in great shape and there is a fence between you and the canyon so don't worry too much if you are afraid of heights. There is also a lookout stop off the road before you get to the main parking lot (bridge 1/2 and tea house area) where you can see Pyramid mountain and the Jasper town-site off in the distance. The canyon (or gorge really) is just crazy. Couldn't believe how deep it was in some spots; there were times where we couldn't see the water below. We also had a wildlife encounter with a couple of really chill deer on the path. I would recommend it if you are looking for an easy way to check out the sites in Jasper. read more

See all

It is at the beginning of Maligne Lake Road and only 15 minutes from the center of the town of Jasper. It is also a spot that does not rely on great weather to enjoy it since you are going into a canyon. It is an easy hike with modest and gradual elevation change. You also have full cell service. The trails take you from the top of the canyon to the canyon floor. Along the way, you will follow the Maligne River as it cuts through the canyon walls and waterfalls. The main trail is marked with tags for "7". However, there are detours. I would definitely recommend heading to the First Bridge to see the waterfall there. Back to the main "7" route, it is a steady decline down to the canyon floor and river. There are manmade, metal steps and railing at various points to help. I suggest ending at the Fifth Bridge. The trail actually continues much longer to some lakes. However, it would be a very long hike. If you wanted to see those lakes (e.g. Edith Lake), I would complete the Maligne Canyon hike then drive to the parking lot for those lakes to walk around. In order to hike back to the parking lot from the Fifth Bridge, I would head back up via the "7h" trail. You continue on "7" for a little bit and need to look for the small tag for "7h". It makes the hike a loop. "7h" is a little steep at first then levels off as you walk along a ridge. The views are not as great. "7" has views of the canyon walls, rivers, and waterfalls. However, you would have already seen those views on the way down. In addition, "7h" is the quickest way back to the parking lot and there are a lot less people. There are also a couple of great lookout points to see the valleys above the canyon from there. As an alternative, you can also park at the Fifth Bridge parking lot if you wanted to hike up then down on the return leg. From the town of Jasper, you will see the sign for the Fifth Bridge parking lot first before you see the sign for the main parking lot for Maligne Canyon. Again, the Canyon is a great spot to visit whenever you want to hold out for better weather for the other sites in the Park. Its proximity to town also provides additional flexibility in fitting it in during your trip. If you are visiting the Canadian Rockies and looking for recommendations, feel free to message me through Yelp and I can share my itinerary/ recommendations, which includes my Yelp reviews. The information for an electronic copy can also be found via my Yelp profile. read more

While it is gorgeous, and sure to impress many, I wasn't as wowed as other spots. I did get to see a beautiful white tail deer, but other than that, it wasn't a spot I was overly impressed by. Don't get me wrong, it's the Canadian Rockies, so it's naturally beautiful, but I didn't get the magical feeling that I got at many other places and that's okay. Not every spot is going to do that for everyone. If I had to do it again, I would not make the stop here and spend my time exploring something else. read more

See all

A quick 10-15 minute drive from downtown Jasper and definitely a must see. We lucked out being here during the off season (mid-October) so we pretty much had the entire place to ourselves. We drove right up to the 6th and 5th bridges and were able to take in the sights and capture some great photos. Then we parked at the main lot and walked down to bridges 1, 2 & 3. Bridge 2 definitely makes your heart skip a beat when you look down into the canyon. Bridge 3 offers the best waterfalls from what we saw. The walk from bridge 2 to bridge 3 is all downhill, which means it's all uphill on the way back. It is still only a ~25 minute walk or so from the main lot and if I could do it 7 months pregnant and in horrible shape, I think anyone can do it. (We didn't do bridge 4 so can't offer any input on that one.) Would recommend wearing lots of layers because the walk is mostly shaded and was quite chilly close to the falls. Enjoy! read more

See all

Beautiful walk. It seems to take no time to get to the forth bridge. Along the way is some very unique scenery of the river carving it's way through the canyon. Must see. The reviews say it's too crowded. Don't let that stop you. It's worth it. read more

Maligne Canyon - Beautiful walk. - Hiking Near Me

See all

Maligne Canyon was quite pretty, though canyons I think all become the same after you walk along them a bit. The walkway is very clear and you can't get lost, and there are even maps along the way telling you how far you've gone. There are a few bridges that go over the canyon and water, and there are many places to snap some good pictures. It's quite flat and it's a pretty cool place to visit! read more

During my lat trip trip to Jasper, I was here in the winter and took the gorgeous hike through Maligne Canyon. The name comes from the French word for malignant or wicked. It is theorized that an early French voyageur created this name in reference to the current of the river near its confluence with the Athabasca. Maybe it was a little icy that way, but for me it was all wicked fun and a pretty easy hike (with proper layering of course). read more

Anywhere Arthur Conan Doyle went is good enough for me. And the Falls are Fabulous !! read more

We walked the short track and it was great. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! Loved the sights and environment generally. We bought some nice stuff from the gift shop and had an OK lunch. Food wasn't as spectacular but was still good. read more

This stop on our coach tour of the Canadian Rockets was a big hit with everyone. There's so much to see in the region, so standing out is hard but the canyon and lake certainly qualify. The twisting canyon and nice trails connecting the various falls were nice to explore. read more

Absolutely sunning. The hike isn't too steep, and you're right up against the river/canyon for most of it. I'd recommend parking at the Fifth or Sixth Bridge and hiking UP the canyon first. The Sixth Bridge is a bit further and it was closed when we went, so we only did 1-5, but it did not disappoint! I'd highly recommend this hike for anybody visiting Jasper. read more

Very cool - there was even ice in places :) The canyon is extremely deep - sometimes so deep you can't see the river from the walk. We did the "intermediate" walk, since we'd already done a couple of hikes at Maligne Lake that day. One note: the gift shop near the parking lot has better prices than most of the gift shops in Jasper town. read more

I didn't get to spend as much time as I would have liked. The canyon is gorgeous and there are 5 bridges which you can walk through or even drive through. I would highly recommend going here. read more

The Maligne Canyon Ice Walk by Sundog Tours is a great way to spend an afternoon. Really enjoyed the sights and the guide was very informative. read more

These canyons are deep! Actually so deep that you barely see the water. It's definitely to walk over all the first 4 bridges, but I think it's not worth the trip to the fifth one. There is also quite nice restaurant at this place. read more