Skyline Trail

The Skyline Trail is a 44.1-km point-to-point hiking trail in Jasper National Park, Canada, gaining roughly 1,410 m of elevation over 2 to 3 days. Rated intermediate, it spends nearly 25 km above the treeline, crossing three high alpine passes and topping out at The Notch (2,511 m) with sweeping Canadian Rockies views.

About the Skyline Trail

The Skyline Trail is the most celebrated multi-day backpacking route in Jasper National Park, and for good reason: more than half of its 44.1 km sit above the treeline, giving hikers an almost continuous corridor of alpine meadow, exposed ridge and panoramic mountain horizon. Operated by Parks Canada, the trail runs between Maligne Lake (1,690 m) at its southern trailhead and the Signal Mountain trailhead (1,160 m) on Maligne Lake Road to the north. Most hikers walk it north-bound or south-bound depending on shuttle logistics, but the south-to-north direction is the classic choice because it places the biggest climbs early and finishes with a long descent.

The route is steeped in early mountaineering history. In 1911, brothers Bruce and Jack Otto cut the first sections of trail for Mary Schäffer Warren's survey of the Maligne Valley. Outfitter Fred Brewster built Shovel Pass Lodge in 1921 and completed the northern section by 1937, and the Parks Branch took over formal maintenance in 1940. Today the Skyline carries a High Priority maintenance designation and forms part of Section E of the Great Divide Trail.

Because so much of the trail is exposed, weather dictates the experience. On a clear day the ridge near The Notch offers views stretching some 90 km to Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. In bad weather, that same exposure becomes the trail's principal hazard. This is a route that rewards fit, well-prepared hikers and punishes the unprepared.

The Maligne Range is also prime wildlife habitat, and part of the trail's appeal is the chance of seeing animals in genuinely wild country. Bighorn sheep and mountain goats graze the high meadows, moose browse the lower forest near Evelyn Creek, and both black bears and grizzly bears range across the valley. Less commonly seen residents include timber wolves, lynx, cougars and wolverines, while golden and bald eagles patrol the ridgelines. Carry bear spray, keep a clean camp using the food-storage systems at each site, and make noise on blind corners in the trees — standard practice for travelling safely through grizzly country in the Canadian Rockies.

Route Overview & Stages

The trail is most commonly walked over three days, breaking the distance at designated backcountry campgrounds. The table below shows a standard south-to-north, three-stage itinerary starting at Maligne Lake. Strong hikers complete the route in two days, and trail runners occasionally finish in a single very long day.

The six designated campgrounds along the way are Evelyn Creek (4.8 km, 1,824 m), Little Shovel (8.3 km, 2,233 m), Snowbowl (12.2 km, 2,094 m), Curator (20.3 km, 2,070 m), Tekarra (30.4 km, 2,062 m) and Signal (35.7 km, 2,014 m). Each has reservable tent pads, and most parties combine some of these into the three-day plan above. Several alternate-access trails connect to the route, including the Watchtower (#102) at km 18 and Curator/Wabasso (#101) at km 20.6, which provide bail-out options if weather closes in at altitude.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• The Notch (2,511 m) — the trail's highest point and emotional centrepiece, a saddle on the shoulder of Amber Mountain where the entire Maligne Range unfolds. Large snow cornices here often persist into August.
• Maligne Lake (1,690 m) — the southern trailhead and the largest glacially fed lake in the Canadian Rockies, framed by peaks and a fitting place to start or finish.
• Snowbowl — a broad alpine cirque carpeted with wildflowers in early summer, and one of the most photographed meadows on the route.
• Big Shovel Pass (2,320 m) — named for shovels that early survey crews left behind; a windswept crossing with long views in both directions.
• Little Shovel Pass (2,240 m) — the first major pass, marking the transition out of the forest and into sustained alpine terrain.
• Amber Mountain — the high ridge traverse beyond The Notch, offering roughly 90-km sightlines to Mount Robson on clear days.
• Shovel Pass Lodge — a historic backcountry lodge near Curator with seven heated cabins and shared dining, the only roofed accommodation on the trail.
• Signal Mountain — the northern descent follows an old fire road off Signal, dropping steadily to the Maligne Lake Road trailhead.

Best Time to Hike the Skyline Trail

The Skyline Trail has a short, weather-dependent season. The trail is realistically hikeable from early July to late September, and the single best month to walk it is August. By August the snow cornices at The Notch have usually melted out enough to allow safe passage, daytime temperatures are at their mildest, and the chance of a multi-day clear-weather window is highest.

Early July brings the spectacular wildflower bloom in the Snowbowl meadows, but it also carries the highest risk of lingering snow on the high passes and at The Notch, where cornices can block the route well into the month. Hikers attempting the trail in early summer should carry traction devices and be ready to turn back. September offers crisp air, fewer bugs and golden larch colour, but daylight shortens quickly and the first serious snowfalls can arrive any time after mid-month.

As of 2026, Parks Canada continues to manage the Skyline as a fixed-itinerary backcountry route with timed campground reservations, so booking around the August sweet spot fills up fast. Whatever the month, treat the alpine sections seriously: above the treeline there is no shelter, afternoon thunderstorms build quickly, and temperatures at 2,500 m can drop near freezing even in midsummer. Check the Jasper backcountry trail report before departure and start early each day to clear the high passes before storms develop.

Practical Information

Accommodation

Camping is permitted only at the six designated backcountry campgrounds, each fitted with tent pads, a food-storage system and a privy. Fires are prohibited the entire length of the trail, so a stove is mandatory. A backcountry permit for the wilderness campgrounds costs roughly EUR 7 to EUR 10 per person per night, plus a one-time reservation fee of around EUR 7 per booking. The only roofed option is the historic Shovel Pass Lodge near Curator, with seven heated cabins and shared meals; expect to pay in the region of EUR 250 to EUR 350 per person per night including dinner and breakfast, and book months ahead. Many hikers stay in Jasper townsite the night before, where hostels run about EUR 30 to EUR 45 per bed and hotels start around EUR 130.

Getting There & Back

The nearest town is Jasper, Alberta, which has a VIA Rail station on the Toronto–Vancouver line and bus connections. The closest major airport is Edmonton International (YEG), about 4 hours' drive east; Calgary International (YYC) is roughly 4.5 hours to the south via the Icefields Parkway. From Jasper townsite, the trailheads sit along Maligne Lake Road: the Signal Mountain (north) trailhead is about 30 minutes' drive, and Maligne Lake (south) is about 50 minutes. Because the route is point-to-point, arrange a shuttle or use the seasonal Maligne Valley shuttle service so your vehicle waits at the finish. Many hikers leave a car at Signal Mountain and shuttle to Maligne Lake to start.

Permits & Fees

Every overnight hiker needs a Parks Canada Wilderness Pass plus a campground reservation for each designated site, and these must be booked in advance through the Parks Canada reservation system. On top of the backcountry permit, all visitors require a national park entry pass, which costs roughly EUR 7 per adult per day or about EUR 50 for an annual Discovery Pass. Dogs are prohibited on the trail except north of Signal Campground. Group sizes are limited, and itineraries are fixed to the campgrounds you reserve, so plan your stage lengths before booking.

Gear & Packing List

The Skyline is an exposed alpine route, so your pack has to handle sudden weather, cold nights and a stretch with no water on the high ridges. A lightweight but weatherproof setup makes the long days far more comfortable. For a three-day trip, a 50- to 60-litre pack is ample; the 3400 Windrider and the Arc Haul Ultra 60L are both strong ultralight choices that keep base weight low without sacrificing capacity. Fast-and-light hikers attempting the route in two days, or staying at Shovel Pass Lodge, can drop to a smaller volume such as the 2400 Windrider. For more on dialling in a minimal kit, see our roundup of the best ultralight backpacks of 2026.

Essentials include a four-season-capable sleeping bag rated near freezing, a windproof shell and warm insulating layer, a stove (fires are banned), and at least 2 litres of water capacity for the dry ridge sections. Trekking poles help on the steep descent off Signal Mountain, and traction devices are wise in early July. Because the trail involves big daily climbs at altitude, fuelling properly matters as much as gear — our guide to how many calories you need hiking a full day will help you plan food weight against energy demand.

Similar Trails You Might Like

If the Skyline whets your appetite for Canadian multi-day routes, two coastal and historic classics make natural follow-ups. Both deliver wilderness on the same scale but with very different terrain — temperate rainforest and Klondike gold-rush history rather than open alpine ridge. For another big-name long-distance walk further afield, our Theth to Valbona guide covers an equally scenic crossing in the Albanian Alps.

• West Coast Trail — a rugged 75-km coastal route on Vancouver Island combining beaches, ladders and rainforest.
• Chilkoot Trail — a 53-km historic gold-rush route crossing from Alaska into British Columbia.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike the Skyline Trail?
The trail is hikeable from early July to late September, but August is the single best month. By then the snow cornices at The Notch have usually melted, temperatures are mildest, and clear multi-day weather windows are most likely. Early July offers peak wildflowers but higher snow risk on the passes.

How difficult is the Skyline Trail?
It is rated intermediate. The challenge comes from its length of 44.1 km, roughly 1,410 m of climbing, and sustained exposure above the treeline rather than from technical terrain. There is no scrambling, but high passes, sudden weather and limited water on the ridges demand good fitness and solid backcountry experience.

How far do you hike per day?
Most hikers complete the trail in three days, covering about 12 km, 18 km and 14 km respectively when breaking at Snowbowl and Tekarra campgrounds. Strong, fit parties walk it in two longer days of roughly 22 km each, and experienced trail runners occasionally finish the full 44.1 km in a single day.

Where can you stay along the trail?
There are six designated backcountry campgrounds — Evelyn Creek, Little Shovel, Snowbowl, Curator, Tekarra and Signal — each with reservable tent pads, food storage and a privy. The only roofed option is the historic Shovel Pass Lodge near Curator, with seven heated cabins and shared meals. Camping is allowed only at these designated sites.

Do you need a permit for the Skyline Trail?
Yes. Every overnight hiker needs a Parks Canada Wilderness Pass plus a reservation for each campground, booked in advance. You also need a national park entry pass, about EUR 7 per adult per day. Itineraries are fixed to the sites you reserve, so plan your daily stages before booking, especially for popular August dates.