A Wilcox Pass Hike Guide in Jasper National Park

Wilcox Pass lies along the Icefields Parkway, and much like the drive itself, it offers some of the most extraordinary mountain views in all of Canada. The hike is arguably the most iconic in Jasper National Park and provides a sweeping vista over the Athabasca Glacier, the Columbia Icefield, and some of the highest peaks in the Canadian Rockies.

While the hike won’t take you onto the glacier, it is a great alternative to the expensive commercial tour options. Grand views aren’t the only reason we love this hike, but the small views, too, as the alpine meadows at the top of the pass are fantastic for wildflowers and home to marmots, pikas, and bighorn sheep.

Its remote location along the Icefields Parkway ensures the trail is rarely busy, and it’s a good alternative to the slightly busier Parker Ridge. Which makes it arguably the best moderate hike in Banff or Jasper.

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Key Points

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Route Description

Expect the hike to take around three to four hours on average; a shorter version can be done in just over an hour. As the hike is a little longer, we recommend it to visitors who are driving the parkway twice (to and from Jasper/Banff) or to anyone with extended time, such as locals.

The hike starts at the Wilcox Pass Trailhead, which lies at the entrance of the Wilcox Campground. It’s pretty limited in space, with only enough room for twenty cars. There is sometimes enough space to park along the road leading up to the campground, but either way, come prepared for the possibility of limited space and have an alternative hike ready.

From the small parking area, the trail starts climbing up through a subalpine forest of fir and spruce. It’s a gradual climb, but it starts immediately uphill through a couple of switchbacks. Views are limited, and the forest is fairly dense, but that does not last long. There is a nice pond that’s worth a short detour off the trail right at the start.

At about 1.5 km, the forest thins and you get views from the edge of a ridge leading up to the pass. Although it’s early along the hiking trail, the views here are incredible, stretching out to the Athabasca Glacier and the Columbia Icefield. Keep an eye out for a pair of Parks Canada red chairs placed along the ridge — a perfect place for one of the best views in all of Jasper National Park.

For the next 1.5 km, the views are surreal as you slowly gain elevation up to the pass. The alpine terrain leading up to the pass is well known for its vibrant wildflowers, which provide a pleasant foreground to the grand views of the Columbia Icefield.

As you hike through the pass, keep an eye out for goats in the alpine or bighorn sheep in the pass, as it’s their prime habitat with frequent sightings. Closer to the pass, the trail narrows and winds through the alpine gradually becoming rockier.

The last kilometre to the pass is largely alpine tundra, with little vegetation and abundant lichen growth. Take care to stay on the trail, as life here is very fragile and grows slowly, so regrowth can take decades.

At the top of the pass, hikers can rest before returning to the trailhead or continue up to the Wilcox Viewpoint. For most, we recommend sticking to the classic pass hike, as the viewpoint does not offer much of a difference in views.

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Best Time To Hike Wilcox Pass

It’s best to hike Wilcox Pass from late June to October. However, we’d say peak times range from July to mid-August. This is the best chance for a snow-free trail and wildflowers in bloom.

Because the trail runs along the Icefields Parkway, it receives significant snowfall, so it has a shorter window for good hiking than some other trails in Banff and Jasper. Generally, it should be dry sometime in June, but don’t be surprised to see snow patches in July.

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Trail Variations

There are several variations on the hike: you can simply climb to the pass, the Wilcox Viewpoint, or the Wilcox summit, or complete it as a point-to-point. For most hikers, we recommend heading to the pass summit or the viewpoint.

The next option would be the Wilcox Viewpoint if you’d like an even higher view of the Athabasca Glacier. Naturally, any scrambler should add Wilcox Peak to their list as it’s a fairly simple objective with excellent views.

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Things To Note

If your plan is to spend one day on the Icefields Parkway and you’d like to enjoy a hike, it’s a great option, but be prepared for a very long day, as there are many other stops and sights along the scenic highway. We believe the hike is best suited for those planning to spend at least two days on the Icefields Parkway, such as those driving from Jasper to Banff.

If you happen to be staying at the Glacier View Lodge nearby, hiking Wilcox Pass is a non-negotiable!

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Gear We Recommend for Hiking in the Rockies

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