How To Hike The Valley of the Five Lakes In Jasper
The Valley of the Five Lakes offers a pleasant and easy hike that passes by five lakes of different colors. Its accessibility and stunning views make it a quintessential hike in Jasper National Park. It’s a great hike for a relaxed afternoon or morning in nature.
The trail is a loop with options that range from 3km to 9km. The ability to adjust the length and minimal elevation gain makes it suitable for everyone. It’s great as the hike allows hikers to adjust to their preferences and abilities. To see all five lakes requires a full loop of around five kilometers.
How To Hike The Valley Of The Five Lakes
Key Points
Length
3-9 km
Duration
1-3 hours
Elevation
+100 meters
Difficulty
Easy
Trailhead
Valley Of The Five Lakes Trailhead Parking Lot
Where Is The Valley Of The Five Lakes?
The trailhead to the Valley Of The Five Lakes is five kilometers south of Jasper along the Icefields Parkway. On average, it’s a short ten-minute drive to the trailhead, where there is a large parking lot.
There are signs for the Valley Of The Five Lakes Trailhead, so it’s easy to find. The parking lot generally has ample space for hikers, but it can fill up quickly on busy weekends, so it’s best to plan ahead. You can find the location on a GPS here.
When Is the Best Time To Hike The Valley Of The Five Lakes?
The Valley Of The Five Lakes is a year-round hiking destination. We think the best time to hike to the lakes is from the mid-summer to fall, July to the end of September. The lakes are possible to visit in the winter, but it will be for the chance to enjoy nature and views of the surrounding valley as the lakes will be frozen.
They typically thaw in the late spring but will be at their lowest water levels during this period. As the snowpack in the mountains melts and fills the lakes, they’ll be at their highest and most brilliant around July. Some foliage provides fall colors at the end of September, but you can find no vivid larch trees.
Valley Of The Five Lakes Hike Route Description
The Valley of the Five Lakes hike is moderately easy, but it does have a few steep sections requiring caution, particularly if you have young children or have limited mobility. As with any hike in the Rockies, bears are common once the berry bushes in the area ripen. It’s always best to be prepared for any Canadian Rockies hike.
Along the hike, you’ll see five pristine sub-alpine lakes that vary in vibrant jade and blue hues. As you reach the lakeshores, you’ll be treated to landscape views of the surrounding mountain peaks. It’s a stunning scene and the perfect spot to unwind in Jasper National Park without much work or isolation.
The hike starts from the trailhead parking lot with long drop toilets, trash bins, and signage that includes a trail map and information on the area. If you do not have a GPS, we suggest taking a photo of the trail map on your phone for reference. Parks Canada has done a good job signing the trails around the lake, a rarity in the Rockies.
Begin from the parking lot and follow the wide path through the forest. Continue along the obvious trail, crossing the Wabasso Creek Bridge. The longest hike option is to take a long loop around the first lake. It will be the first trail on your left once you cross the bridge.
The classic route continues up the hill once over the bridge through switchbacks that mitigate the hill’s steepness. Erosion has been an issue here, so be mindful of your steps. At the top of the hill lies a trail junction. The classic route is to take a left and make a clockwise loop hike. This will lead to the first lake, which offers a limited view, so proceed to the second for an improved panorama.
The third and fourth lakes are considered the most beautiful, making them ideal for capturing memorable photos. After the fifth lake, the trail returns to the junction. Descend via switchbacks, cross the creek bridge, and navigate through the forest until you reach the parking lot.
Gear We Recommend For The Valley Of The Five Lakes Hike
Many hikers will enjoy the security, comfort, and value in the Merrell Moab II. It’s a great beginner hiking boot.
Arc’teryx Cerium is our pick for the best down jacket. It’s incredibly light, and we bring it on almost every hike in the Rockies.
This nifty clip from Peak Design secures a camera to my backpack strap for easy reach. No more digging in the backpack!
20L feels like the ideal size for quick hikes and scrambles. We love the Nano from Gregory with a hydration reservoir.
There is not much cell service in the Canadian Rockies. In case of emergencies, we carry an emergency beacon with GPS.
How Long Does The Valley Of The Five Lakes Take?
The duration varies as there are several options and routes for a hike through the Valley of the Five Lakes. The classic 4.8 km loop takes around one to three hours. As it’s a series of five lakes, there are plenty of places to stop and relax along the trail.
The Parks Canada red chairs between the third and fourth lakes are most notable. On a hot summer day, going for a brisk swim in the fourth and fifth lakes is possible if you’re brave.
How Hard is The Valley of the Five Lakes Trail?
It’s one of the easiest trails in Jasper National Park as it’s a short loop, and the elevation gain is minimal. The trail is a little rocky, and the short uphill section is fairly steep, which may be a slight challenge for those with limited mobility.
How Busy is the Valley Of The Five Lakes Hike?
The Valley Of The Five Lakes is the busiest trail in Jasper National Park. There’s still plenty of space on the trail for everyone in the parking lot, so it never feels too busy. Because parking is limited, planning your hike around off-peak weekend hours is a good idea.
Is the Hike Suitable for Dogs and Kids?
Yes, the hike is perfect for kids and dogs. Please remember that all pets must be on the leash anywhere in the park. As the trail is busy and narrow, we recommend the hike for animals comfortable around strangers and other dogs.
Valley Of The Five Lakes In Winter
It is possible to hike in the winter; however, the lakes will be frozen. Many of the elements of the trail are also subject to icy conditions as it is largely in a shaded forest. There are likely better winter hikes in Jasper, such as the Maligne Canyon Hike and Sunwapta Falls.
Wildlife Awareness On The Valley Of The Five Lakes Trail
You’re unlikely to encounter bears on this train; however, they have been spotted and frequent the lakes due to the fruit around them. We recommend all hikers have bear spray anywhere in the Rockies. You can read more of our tips for hiking in bear country.
Other Hikes In Jasper To Consider
Maligne Canyon, Whistlers Summit off the Jasper SkyTram, Path Of The Glacier, Sunwapta Falls, and the Moose Lake Loop are easy hikes in Jasper that are a great alternative or addition to the Valley of The Five Lakes.
Our Top Recommended Jasper Tours
- Athabasca Falls: Class 2 White Water Rafting Adventure: Action packed adventure for the whole family.
- Canadian Rockies: Scenic Helicopter Tour: Located away from Jasper towards Nordegg, but worth the stop when checking out Abraham Lake or driving the Icefields Parkway.
- Maligne Valley Wildlife Watching & Boat Tour: Animals and boating- two for one!
- Evening or Morning Wildlife Search: If you want to see wildlife, adventure out with a knowledgeable guide.
- Jasper: Columbia Icefield Skywalk: Best to do when driving from Banff to Jasper.
- Maligne Lake Cruise With Guide: Experiencing Maligne Lake is one of the top things to do in Jasper. This cruise must be booked in advance as it does sell out.
- From Jasper With Love Theatre Show: The best thing to do in the evening with a nightcap in hand.
Plan Your Trip to the Canadian Rockies
- Hiking in the Rockies: Purchase an AllTrails subscription to have a mobile map on you as you hike.
- Tours (New in 2024): The Banff Blog is partnering with one of the leading tour companies in Western Canada so readers can experience the magic of the Rockies with other travelers – without having to think about a thing. See all our 2024 tour offerings here!
- Hotels in the Rockies: There are many places to stay, from luxury hotels to wilderness cabins. See all our favorites here.
- Pack for the Rockies: See our complete Alberta packing list here.
- Get Around: We suggest renting a car to get around. You can search for rental cars on Rentalcars.com. Or embark on an epic campervan trip. We like to compare prices on Motorhome Republic and Outdoorsy.
- Fly For Free: Turn your spending into airline miles and points with travel credit cards (that’s what we do!). See our favorite travel credit cards. We also use Going to watch for cheap airfare deals!
- Travel Insurance: We don’t recommend traveling without travel insurance. We recommend checking out HeyMondo, which offers competitive rates for all travelers.
