Hike Alberta
Southesk PassMedicine Tent · Hiker CampgroundLa Grace CampgroundCairn River Campground 10 km N
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South Boundary Trail

Near Mountain Park · Jasper National Park

Hard · Out and back

Trail score 36 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality

Southesk PassMedicine Tent · Hiker Campground 20 km Open the map

About this trail

South Boundary Trail is a 153.9 km out and back trail near Mountain Park in Jasper National Park. It runs 76.9 km each way. The route gains 3,503 m in total and tops out at 2,247 m. Hike Alberta rates it hard. Allow about 47 hours 45 minutes of moving time. It meets Cardinal Pass route at 0.1 km, and passes nine other mapped junctions. Two side branches with the same name split off the route, at 34.8 km and 38.9 km. The distance and climb above follow this route only, not its branches. Along the way you pass a campground, a backcountry campground and Brazeau Warden Cabin. Also used for horseback riding and backpacking.

Length
153.9km
76.9 km each way
Elevation gain
3,503m
Estimated time
47h45min
Moving time
Route
Out and back
Highest point
2,247m
Lowest point
1,559m

Elevation profile

1,559 m to 2,247 m
2,2451,561 0 km77.1 km

Highest point 2,247 m, lowest 1,559 m, 3,503 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 48% over 100 m.

Predicted coverage: 14% of route

14% LTE · 0% 5G

Longest modelled gap
42.4 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

  1. 0.0 kmMedicine Tent · Hiker CampgroundCampground · 1,721 m
  2. 0.0 kmMedicine TentBackcountry campground
  3. 8.9 kmLa Grace CampgroundCampground · 1,940 m
  4. 8.9 kmLa GraceBackcountry campground
  5. 15.5 kmSouthesk PassPass or saddle · 2,583 m
  6. 18.7 kmCairn Pass CampgroundCampground · 2,074 m
  7. 18.7 kmCairn PassBackcountry campground
  8. 31.8 kmCairn River CampgroundCampground · 1,673 m
  9. 31.8 kmCairn RiverBackcountry campground
  10. 52.0 kmIsaac Creek CampgroundCampground · 1,605 m
  11. 52.0 kmIsaac CreekBackcountry campground
  12. 64.4 kmArete CampgroundCampground · 1,647 m

Good for

  • Hiking, Horseback riding, Backpacking
  • Dog friendly (on leash)
  • Views, Historic site, Camping, Alpine

Trailhead

The trail starts at 52.8161° N, 117.2850° 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