JASPER, ALBERTA—Canada—The cliffs of Jasper National Park are accessible to you if you choose to hike Disaster Point trail. Located about 40 km east of Jasper, the trail allows hikers to traverse low cliffs and explore an animal-lick area.

Vital Numbers for Disaster Point—Jasper National Park

Hiking Distance: It is about 3 km to the highest point.
Hiking Time: You can complete this climb in 1 to 2.5 hours, with less
time on the return hike.

Getting to the Disaster Point Trailhead

Traveling from Jasper, Alberta, drive along Highway 16 towards Edmonton for about 40 km. The hiking trailhead can be difficult to locate, so look for a sign pointing to Pyramid Mountain and Roche Ronde. It is also identifiable by its proximity to an animal-lick parking area half a kilometer west. The trailhead itself is along a 70 km stretch beneath a low cliff.

Navigating Through Disaster Point in the Canadian Rockies

Once you’ve parked your car and gathered your supplies, cross the highway. The trail begins right off the bat with a very steep sheep trail on the left side of Syncline Ridge. After you’ve reached the top of the hill, look for an overgrown hiking trail that follows along a steep crest. The trail may be difficult to spot because of thickly
growing grasses, which obscure the path as it progresses. Eventually, the path will become overgrown so stick to just a
kilometer’s worth of hiking from here. This short distance will allow you to reach the scenic overlook of the Athabasca River.

Tips for Hiking Disaster Point

If Disaster Point is on your list of things to do in Jasper, make sure to be aware of the extensive wildlife in the area. Grasses and brush have been known to grow up to four feet high, obscuring any approaching wildlife that may be near you. If hikers can endure this steep trail, they will be rewarded with a beautiful look at the Athabasca River and a small taste of what frontier fur traders experienced when they traversed this trail through the Canadian Rockies in the past.

When hiking and looking for things to do in Banff and Jasper, book all of your Canadian Rockies activities at Jasper Vacations, the official activities provider for Jasper National Park.