Valley of the Five Lakes: One of the Best Hikes in Jasper National Park

While there are so many beautiful hiking trails in Jasper National Park, the Valley of the Five Lakes trail may just be the best one. The hike is of moderate intensity and passes by 5 beautiful lakes. The lakes have unique tones of blues and greens, which glimmer in the sun. With the lakes surrounded by mountains, the scenery makes for some of the best views in Jasper National Park, Alberta, and even all of Canada!

Along the route, there are 3 small and 2 large lakes, all of which present incredible views and photography opportunities. Hikers can walk the full trail or opt to take the shorter loop. Both options will lead you by incredible lakes for a hike you won’t forget!

Continue reading to explore the Valley of the Five Lakes hiking trail – one of the best hikes in Jasper National Park!

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How to Get to Valley of the Five Lakes Trail

The Valley of the Five Lakes trailhead is conveniently located off of the Icefields Parkway, around 10km south of the town of Jasper, Alberta. There is a large parking lot at the trailhead, but it can fill up later in the afternoon during the busy summer months.

Best Time to Visit Valley of the Five Lakes

While I enjoy hiking in all seasons, the weather in Jasper National Park during winter can be quite treacherous. The snow in the mountains makes driving really difficult and the trails slippery and dangerous. The weather for hiking the Valley of the Five Lakes trail is most suitable in early spring to late fall after the snow melts until before it snows again.

In terms of the time of day, it is best to arrive at the trail during the morning. Arriving early will allow you to hike with few people around and enjoy the incredible scenery in silence. During the summer, the trail and parking can become quite busy by the early afternoon.

Note: There are bears in Jasper National Park and around Valley of the Five Lakes. They are most commonly roaming around this area during July and August. It is best to educate yourself on bear safety prior to hiking in this area.

What to Bring on a Day Hike at Valley of the Five Lakes

Hiking Shoes

While this hike is not difficult, it is still good to wear proper shoes to avoid injuries. You’ll be able to get through the hike with basic running shoes. However, good hiking shoes will be more comfortable and further reduce the risk of injury.

A Proper Backpack

My life changed when I switched from carrying an old school backpack around to a true hiking backpack. Hiking bags are much better for your back and are much more comfortable to carry for extended periods of time.

Swimsuit and Towel

On your hike, you will pass by five beautiful lakes. If you’re hiking during the summer, you’ll find spots perfect for swimming. It is definitely hard to resist swimming through the gorgeous blue waters! Be sure to pack your swimsuit or wear it under your clothes.

To avoid carrying a heavy and wet bath towel, look into purchasing a lightweight quick-dry towel. They are perfect for hiking!

Plenty of Water and Snacks

Be sure to bring along a couple of bottles of water on your hike to ensure you stay hydrated. For snacks, opt to bring healthy items such as nuts, crackers, fruit, and sandwiches to keep energized throughout the day.

Bear Spray

As bears are known to frequent Jasper National Park, it is a good idea to carry bear spray. This should only be used in emergencies.

Hiking the Valley of the Five Lakes Trail

The hiking trails at Valley of the Five Lakes are moderate in difficulty and great for the family. Whether you take the Short or Long Loop trails, you will witness the beauty of the lakes at the base of mountains.

Hiking Trails, Trail Difficulty, and Time to Hike

Short Loop

This trail is the quickest route to see all 5 of the beautiful lakes in the valley. It is about 4km and will take around 2 hours to walk, depending on how often you stop for photos and breaks. This is my preferred route as it brings you around all of the lakes and is short enough that you can head to another part of Jasper to do another hike in the same day.

This trail is moderate in difficulty as there are some spots with steep climbs and uneven grounds.

Long Loop

The Long Loop is about an 8km hike and will take you around 3-4 hours. It brings you around all 5 of the lakes and completely around the largest of the lakes – First Lake.

This trail is also moderate in difficulty but has numerous ups and downs in the path that can get tiring.

The Start of the Hike

After arriving at the parking lot, you will be right at the trail head. The single path brings you to both the Short and Long Loop trails. When entering the trail, you won’t see any lakes yet. You will walk down a path through trees with beautiful mountain views.

As you continue down the trail, you will find some small bodies of water. Don’t be fooled like I was and assume they are one of the incredible 5 lakes you will walk around. Although they are pretty, the best is yet to come!

The Five Lakes

Most people take a right after the path through the mountains and visit the lakes in reverse order. I recommend this route as I found that the lakes increased in size and beauty in the reverse order. Every view I passed I thought was the best possible view I could find, but kept getting further amazed as I walked by the next lake!

The mix of emerald green and turquoise blue lakes in Valley of the Five Lakes will be sure to leave you speechless and never wanting to leave. The natural colours of the lakes come from a few different sources, including glacial rock dust and algae.

In Summary

Valley of the Five Lakes hiking trail is definitely one of the best hikes in Jasper National Park. It is an absolute must-have on your bucket list for your trip to Alberta’s National Parks. The beautiful lakes are certainly one of Canada’s wonders you must see in your lifetime!

Have you been hiking in Jasper National Park? Did you think the Valley of the Five Lakes trail was one of the best hikes in the park? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!

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