Skyline Trail
Jasper National Park, Alberta
- Distance
- 44.1 km
- Elev. gain
- 1,463 m
- Start
- Maligne Lake
- Finish
- Maligne Canyon
A simplified drawing of the real route — the distance above is the published figure, not the length of this line.
Ground elevation sampled along the mapped route.
Water sources
- Mona Lake
Campsites
- Little Shovel Campground
- Snowbowl Campground
- Tekarra Campground
Summits & passes
- Notch Peak
- Amber Mountain
Recorded hazards
Danger
The Notch impassable early on
Applies: Oct–Jul
High col 'The Notch' can be impassable with snow early in season
Danger
Unbridged Maligne River route
Watchtower route has no bridge; Maligne River can be impassable
Caution
Short weather-limited season
Typically hikeable only early July–October; snow possible anytime
Information
Permit required, no campfires
Mandatory backcountry permit; campfires banned at all campgrounds
These are documented hazards, not a current conditions report. Check with the land manager before you go.
Common questions
- How long is the Skyline Trail?
- The Skyline Trail is 44.1 km (27.4 miles).
- How much elevation gain does the Skyline Trail have?
- The Skyline Trail has about 1,463 m (4,800 ft) of total climbing, measured along Far's route for the trail.
- Where does the Skyline Trail start and finish?
- The Skyline Trail runs between Maligne Lake and Maligne Canyon.
- Is there water on the Skyline Trail?
- Far's catalog records 1 mapped water source along the Skyline Trail, including Mona Lake. Seasonal flow varies and mapped sources can run dry — check current conditions with the land manager before relying on any of them.
- What hazards are recorded on the Skyline Trail?
- Far records 4 sourced hazards on the Skyline Trail: The Notch impassable early on, Unbridged Maligne River route, Short weather-limited season and Permit required, no campfires. Each is cited to the source that published it. Conditions change — this is not a current conditions report.
Sources
Route geometry from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Reviewed by a Far curator on July 29, 2026. Trail conditions, permits, and hazards change — verify before you go.