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Hike along the Athabasca Glacier

Jasper, Alberta

4.7/5
based on 3 reviews

Details

Distance

3 miles

Elevation Gain

700 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Paul Kestel

Experience this Glacier before it is gone! This is an amazing up close hiking experience.  

This is not an advertisement for the guided tour, but you will see so much more of the glacier than if you do a bus tour or just visit the roped off visitor area. Do you research and you can find a company that will take you up onto the glacier safely. It was amazing looking into the crevasses and not being able to see the bottom. It really puts into perspective how small we really are!

It is important to experience this glacier and they predict that it will not last another 100 years at the rate that it is melting. This has a truly spectacular views all the way around. 

Make sure to bring plenty of options for clothes as the weather changes very quickly. It was very windy the day we went, but not that cold.  

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Features

Photography
Hiking
Bathrooms
Easy Parking
Scenic

Hike along the Athabasca Glacier Reviews

We went on a tour and got to walk on top of the glacier. Very pretty and an epic adventure for sure.

Took a guided tour to the Athabasca Glacier. They take you up in huge vehicles that have wheels like tanks. Then you walk on top of and around the glacier to see the ice. Wear some grippy shoes! It's a pretty amazing experience!

Walking on top of a glacier, feeling the ice, drinking the water. There's nothing quite like it. See any glacier you can! Athabasca is pretty accessible, which makes it a good place to go if you've got young kids or don't feel like walking too far. Pack warm clothing! The ice regulates the air temperature so it can feel cool on any day.

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Athabasca Ice Caves

Hike to Wilcox Pass

Snowshoe to Wilcox Pass

Hike to the Summit of Parker Ridge

Hike to the Saskatchewan Glacier

Photograph Upper Panther Falls