In Jasper just for a moment and want to stretch your legs? Smack dab in the middle of the largest mountain national park in Canada, it should come as no shock that both the hardcore hiker and the RV-driving rambler are spoilt for choice. However, it might be a bit of a pleasant surprise to discover that there is a good early-season trail available right within the town’s boundaries.

While the Town Perimeter Trail is still a work in progress, don’t let the fact that the loop still needs to be closed stop you from taking anywhere from a few minutes to several hours circumnavigating Jasper.

One of the advantages of the town’s location near the confluence of the Athabasca, Miette and Maligne river valleys is the proliferation of spectacular views in every direction. As a result, it makes little difference which direction you decide to walk the trail, or even where you decide to start your journey. Given that it’s always a good idea to stop in at the Jasper Park Visitors Information Centre at 500 Connaught Drive before heading out on any hike to pick up a trail map and check the latest conditions and closures, we’ll begin our description of the perimeter trails from the point directly adjacent to the Info Centre and head southwest.

From here the “trail” has a rather domesticated look to it. In fact, it’s a sidewalk, which you follow to the intersection of Connaught and Hazel Avenue, more easily recognized as the site of the level crossing of the CN line. The trail then ducks into the trees separating the road and the railway, emerging only to dip through the rail underpass. At this point, it’s necessary to cross the highway and ascend on the other side. Without a formal trail connecting this section to the rest of the system, many skip circuiting Cabin Creek Drive past Stone Mountain Village, but for an up close and personal look at Jasper’s residential areas, follow the sidewalks and informal trails around a long half-circle. 

The next major landmark is a gated dirt road, which will appear on your left if you’ve made the full Cabin Creek circuit. Just uphill, a wide trail cuts around the contour of the forested hill. Follow this track as it rises and falls, the rooftops of Jasper revealed below. The trail drops back to the townsite near the Catholic Church. From here, an informal trail can be followed that skirts the property lines all the way to the far edge of town, but a more scenic (and strenuous) route follows the Pyramid Bench trail system.

Unlike the trail leading to the church, these routes on the bench are well marked, with a small map found at each major intersection.

Climb steeply up trail #2 until you reach the open forest alongside Pyramid Lake Road. There are excellent views down the Athabasca Valley on the way up. 

Shortly after the trail crosses the road, take trail 2a uphill, which emerges from the forest to follow along the top of a steep ravine. From the open meadow, a splendid mountain panorama extending from the Colin Range to the Whistlers is visible on a pleasant day. This part of the route is also a place where elk, deer and bears may be encountered, so keep one eye (at least) on the trail ahead.

After descending steep switchbacks to meet up with Cottonwood Creek, the trail emerges alongside the Highway 16 bypass. Crossing the road to the railroad side, a wide, paved track reveals itself and leads back to the heart of Jasper. As you follow this segment of the route, the sharp profile of Mount Edith Cavell gives a dramatic focal point to the views to the south. Unfortunately, traveling between the busy CN yard and the vehicle traffic on Connaught quickly destroys any nascent illusions of splendid isolation.

It’s not the most spectacular or physically demanding of the trails found in the immediate vicinity of Jasper, but the perimeter trail is a fine option for anyone out for an evening stroll or a midday march around the outskirts of this mountain town.