Hike Alberta
Amethyst LakesSwitchback CampgroundMaccarib Campground 2 km N
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Switchback to Maccarib Campgrounds

Near Jasper · Jasper National Park

Moderate · Point to point

Trail score 33 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality

Amethyst LakesSwitchback Campground 2 km Open the map

About this trail

Switchback to Maccarib Campgrounds is a 10.1 km point to point trail near Jasper in Jasper National Park. The route gains 171 m in total and tops out at 2,128 m. Hike Alberta rates it moderate. Allow about 3 hours of moving time. It meets Tonquin Valley trail at 0.3 km, and passes 11 other mapped junctions. Along the way you pass Amethyst Lakes, a campground and a backcountry campground. Also used for trail running and backpacking.

Length
10.1km
Elevation gain
171m
Estimated time
3h
Moving time
Route
Point to point
Highest point
2,128m
Lowest point
1,973m

Elevation profile

1,973 m to 2,128 m
2,1281,973 0 km10.1 km

Highest point 2,128 m, lowest 1,973 m, 171 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 13% over 100 m.

Predicted coverage: 0% of route

0% LTE · 0% 5G

Longest modelled gap
10.1 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 kmSwitchback CampgroundCampground · 2,067 m
  2. 0.0 kmSwitchbackBackcountry campground
  3. 8.5 kmAmethyst LakesLake
  4. 10.0 kmMaccarib CampgroundCampground · 2,012 m
  5. 10.0 kmMaccaribBackcountry campground

Good for

  • Hiking, Trail running, Backpacking
  • Dog friendly (on leash)
  • Lake, Camping, Alpine

Trailhead

The trail starts at 52.6784° N, 118.2009° 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