Canada's Scenic Hiking Trail In Jasper National Park Offers Panoramic Rocky Mountain Views

If you're planning an epic road trip through Canada to experience some of its breathtaking National Parks and want to find the best hikes to escape the busy city life, then a visit to the beautiful province of Alberta should be on your bucket list. Canada is known for sprawling landscapes that boast magnificent fresh water lakes, endless hiking opportunities, and outdoor adventures. Alberta is home to the Bald Hills Trail in the Maligne Valley located in Jasper National Park, which offers hikers panoramic Rocky Mountain views as far as the eye can see from the summit.

Just a short 30-mile drive from Jasper, Alberta along Maligne Lake Road, the beginning of the Bald Hills trailhead can be reached in less than an hour. As you make your drive down the scenic road, you'll be in awe of the amount of Lodgepole pine and Engelmann spruce lining the entire route, as the surrounding mountains shyly poke their grey peaks from above the trees. Along the route, you'll also drive along the shoreline of Medicine Lake, which disappears in the fall and winter due to its unique drainage system.

Hikers will be happy to know that there's a large parking lot (with toilets) at the end of Maligne Lake Road, which just so happens to be the beginning of the Bald Hills trailhead. The views out onto Maligne Lake, the largest natural lake in Canada's Rocky Mountains, when you arrive are unforgettable, especially on a cloudless, sunny day, when the blue sky really makes the lake shine bright. You may even get lucky and spot some shy and elusive moose close to the trailhead before you start your Bald Hills hike.

Bald Hills is a perfect day-hike to conquer. At only nine miles round-trip and considered easy to moderate in difficulty to start, it does eventually have an elevation gain of over 2,500-feet. The start of the trail will be seemingly flat before transitioning to an uphill forested path that stretches for almost four miles of the route. The hike takes you along a gravel road that tends to be muddy during the last half mile of the trail, before the lookout point just preceding the cutoff, then turns into a more difficult and steeper albeit more interesting portion of the trail.

For the most impressive views of Lake Maligne, hikers opt to take the left option of Lovate Scouts branch, one of two options for the Bald Hills trail. The left will test your endurance with a more difficult scramble up, however the route is much shorter whereas on the right, the trail is easier, but longer in distance. Upon reaching the end of the fire road, the scenery opens up to outstanding views of the Queen Elizabeth Mountain Range. 

Bald Hills can be completed in four to six hours, and can be done anytime of year, however the best time to hit the trail is between June and September due to favorable temperatures. The sun will be strong in peak summertime, and since the fire road is exposed with no shade, it's advisable to bring sunscreen, a hat, and plenty of water to keep hydrated, as there are no refill stations. Don't forget to pack snacks to enjoy the stunning views of Lake Maligne and the snowcapped peaks, justifying why Canada is a must-visit destination for avid hikers.

As with any hiking trail, you'll want to make sure you don't require any special permits before heading out. Thankfully, the Bald Hills trail doesn't require hikers to obtain a permit, however you'll need to pay an entry fee for Jasper National Park, which can be done online in advance, at the park gate, or in person at the Jasper Visitor Center.

Whether you're doing a simple hike, or attempting a harder route, it's always best to know your physical limits, be prepared for changing weather conditions, and tell others where you are heading. Alberta is in bear country, and Bald Hills Trail is no stranger to grizzly and black bear sightings. To stay safe, hike with others, stay vigilant, make noise, carry a can of bear spray, and ensure smaller children are always supervised.

Hikers that have completed the Bald Hills Trail have also mentioned on the AllTrails website, that bringing walking poles with them was a significant help during the hike, especially for stability in the windy open areas at the top. If you do choose to head on the trail during the winter months, snow can accumulate at higher altitudes much faster, and wearing layers, crampons, or spiked hiking shoes are advised as well by past hikers.