This nature’s paradise is a must visit in Alberta
Nestled in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, Jasper National Park is Alberta’s crown jewel, offering a breathtaking mix of towering mountains, serene lakes, and abundant wildlife. As the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies, spanning over 11,000 square kilometers, Jasper is a paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. With so much to see and do, Jasper is a place where the beauty of nature is on full display.
If there were a contest for the most photogenic lake in the world, Maligne Lake would be a top contender. Its turquoise waters, framed by snow-capped peaks, create a magical setting. The star of the show is Spirit Island, a small, iconic landmass accessible by boat and is urrounded by towering mountains and serene waters.
Waterfalls are nature’s way of showing off, and Athabasca Falls is one of the most impressive displays in Jasper National Park. This powerful waterfall on the Athabasca River is known for its sheer force, as the river thunders through a narrow gorge, carving out dramatic cliffs along the way. Several viewing platforms allow visitors to get up close to the roaring water, offering a thrilling reminder of nature's power.
For those who have ever wondered what it’s like to walk on ice that’s thousands of years old, the Columbia Icefield provides the answer. One of the largest icefields in North America, it feeds eight major glaciers, including the famous Athabasca Glacier. Visitors can take an Ice Explorer tour, which takes them right onto the glacier itself.
Just when you think Jasper couldn’t get any more impressive, the Columbia Icefield Skywalk takes the experience to a whole new level. This glass-floored observation platform extends out over the Sunwapta Valley, offering an exhilarating view of the valley below. Suspended 280 meters above the ground, the Skywalk provides a unique perspective of the rugged landscape, complete with glaciers, waterfalls, and wildlife.
Mount Edith Cavell is one of Jasper’s most iconic peaks, standing at 3,363 meters. This mountain offers some of the most stunning views in the park, especially from the Cavell Meadows Trail. The trail winds through alpine meadows filled with wildflowers, leading to spectacular viewpoints of the Angel Glacier. This unique glacier, with its ice "wings" stretching down toward the valley, is a sight to behold.
Just a short drive from Jasper town, Pyramid Lake is a serene retreat where nature’s beauty is reflected—literally—in the calm waters. The lake gets its name from the pyramid-shaped mountain that towers over it, creating a mirror-like reflection on the water’s surface. Pyramid Island, connected to the shore by a wooden footbridge, is an ideal spot for a quiet stroll, surrounded by the sounds of nature.
As Canada’s longest and highest guided aerial tramway, it whisks you up to an elevation of 2,263 meters on Whistlers Mountain. The seven-minute ride offers panoramic views of the park, and once you reach the top, you can hike to the summit for even more breathtaking vistas. On a clear day, you can see as far as Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies.
The name "Sunwapta" means "turbulent water" in the Stoney Nakoda language, and it’s easy to see why—the falls thunder through a narrow gorge, creating a spectacle of frothing, white water. The falls are actually made up of two cascades, and a short trail takes you from the upper falls to the lower falls, where the river calms down and flows gently through the forest.
