Mount Athabasca Route

Jasper National Park

Expert · Out and back

Trail score 80 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality

About this trail

Mount Athabasca Route is a 9.9 km out and back trail in Jasper National Park. It runs 5.0 km each way. The route gains 1,402 m in total and tops out at 3,472 m. Hike Alberta rates it expert. Allow about 11 hours of moving time. It passes one mapped trail junction, at 1.2 km. Along the way you pass the summit of Mount Athabasca. Expect scrambling and exposure; this is mountain terrain. The T4 alpine hiking section starts at 1.2 km and runs to the turnaround point. Also used for scrambling.

Length: 9.9km; 5.0 km each way
Elevation gain: 1,402m
Estimated time: 11h; Moving time
Route: Out and back
Highest point: 3,472m
Lowest point: 2,101m

Elevation profile

2,101 m to 3,472 m

Highest point 3,472 m, lowest 2,101 m, 1,402 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 66% over 100 m.

Predicted coverage: 100% of route

100% LTE · 0% 5G

Longest modelled gap: 0.0 km
Model: 2024 · Natural Resources Canada

Predicted coverage is not guaranteed. It varies by carrier, terrain, weather, device and network load, and it does not guarantee emergency service.

Along the way

4.9 kmMount AthabascaSummit · 3,479 m

Good for

Hiking, Scrambling
Dog friendly (on leash)
Summit, Views, Glacier, Alpine

Rankings

Trailhead

The trail starts at 52.2026° N, 117.2311° W.

Driving directions

Jasper National Park admission

National park admission required

Buy Discovery Pass

Pass details

Visitors spending time in a national park need valid daily admission or a Parks Canada Discovery Pass. Admission is separate from camping, reservations, parking and other service fees.

Information checked October 21, 2026.

Official details

Before you go

Carry an offline map and plan for no service in backcountry areas. Trails close for wildlife, fire, weather and construction. Check the official sources:

Nearby trails

All 273 trails in Jasper National Park

Trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL
Elevation © Mapterhorn from NRCan HRDEM (Open Government Licence Canada) and Copernicus GLO 30