A Guide to Sulphur Skyline Trail: Jasper's Signature Hike
Sulphur Skyline Trail is one of the most beautiful and rewarding day-hikes in Jasper National Park you should not miss when traveling in the Canadian Rockies. Read our detailed Sulphur Skyline hiking guide, including trail description, how to get, trailhead, tips on what to pack, what to expect, and where to stay.
Jasper National Park is one of the most heavily visited destinations in the Canadian Rockies, and the reason is not hard to guess. The national park features incredible scenery that is best to be explored on foot.
Luckily, there are so many one-day and multi-day hikes to choose from that visitors often frantically run between one trailhead to another to see the best the area has to offer during the short, only a couple of months-long trekking season.
Even if you're road tripping around the Canadian Rockies, make sure there's enough space for at least one or two hikes to enjoy the real Canadian wilderness.
The connection with nature is hard to beat, and it would be a shame to see mountains and forests only from the car's window.
One of the most popular treks near a small mountainous town, Jasper, is Sulphur Skyline Trail. Despite the grueling beginning, it attracts travelers by incredibly panoramic 360 degrees open views from the summit.
There are not that many rewarding hikes in the Canadian Rockies so easily accessible, where you can get incredible vistas in only two or three hours and later take a dip in hot springs.
Yes, you hear it right, the trailhead is right by the famous Miette Hot Springs, and the combination of the hike with the possibility to relax after in the pools is why we rate Sulphur Skyline Trail so high.
Simply put, every outdoor enthusiast should immediately put Sulphur Skyline Trail on the Canadian Rockies itinerary.
And those of you who are not used to hiking should start training before your Canada trip as it would be a shame to miss some of the best views the destination has to offer.
Here is our travel guide on hiking Sulphur Skyline Trail. We share with you tips on how to get to the trailhead, hike facts such as length and difficulty, what the trail is like, and practical information on what to pack or where to stay.
Happy hiking!
TRAILHEAD
The trailhead of Sulphur Skyline is easy to find. The trail starts at the southeast end of Miette Hot Springs parking lot, 61 km from Jasper at the end of Miette Road.
HOW TO GET
From Jasper, drive Yellowhead Highway number 16 in the direction to Edmonton, and after approximately 44 kilometers, you'll get on the intersection called Pocahontas - here you must turn right. The road is well-marked to Miette Hotsprings.
From the intersection, it is another 17 kilometers uphill to the Miette Hotsprings parking area, where the paved road ends and the trail begins.
Our tip: Canadian Rockies are perfect place for a road trip and renting a car is the best way how to explore this part of Canada.
Please note that in case of snow, the road might be closed (closures usually occur between late October and May), so always check the current situation in the information center in Jasper before you set off.
We recommend you to start the hike as early as you can.
Not only the weather in the Canadian Rockies is usually more stable in the morning, but later, you might have a problem finding a parking spot because the parking lot is shared between hikers and visitors of the hot pools.
Parking is free of charge.
LENGTH
Sulphur Skyline Trail is considerably short, only 8 kilometers roundtrip, but the elevation gain is 685 meters on only four kilometers, so it is pretty challenging to get to the summit.
DIFFICULTY
The trail can be under snow between October and May, but the loose rocks are slippery, so watch out for your steps even when there's no snow.
It should take you anything between four to six hours to finish the hike, depending on your level of fitness and weather conditions.
As Sulphur Skyline Trail is in and out trek, the first part, getting to the summit, is hard as you will ascend all the way up, and it will take you two to three hours.
The descend is much easier, and you should be back in Miette Hotsprings in about an hour, but it can take longer in case you have knee problems.
Use trekking poles to reduce knee pain. Plus your endurance and hill climbing power is going to increase.
WHERE TO STAY IN JASPER
Jasper is a small town in the Canadian Rockies surrounded by an extremely popular national park carrying the same name.
So it should not surprise you that it is necessary to book your room several months in advance, especially if you plan your trip during the high season between June and September.
This is the time when the sleepy little town changes into a buzzing hot spot.
We've handpicked the three best hotels for every type of traveler in the center of Jasper so that you can use the town as a base for the Sulphur Skyline hike and other activities in the area.
Budget | Mount Robson Inn - It is almost impossible to find budget accommodation in the Canadian Rockies when not camping. This hotel is reasonably priced and offers clean facilities and excellent breakfast.
Mid-range | Jasper Inn and Suites - Convenient location, indoor pool, onsite restaurant, and clean and tidy rooms should convince you to stay here.
Luxury | Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge - You will hardly find better accommodation in Jasper. Beautiful surroundings, comfortable rooms, and excellent service are the main reasons to stay here.
SULPHUR SKYLINE TRAIL
It is no secret that the Sulphur Skyline Trail is one of the best day hikes in Jasper National Park offering breathtaking panoramas.
Right after we parked our car on the parking lot next to Miette Hot Springs, we set off as we could not wait to see what Jasper's signature hike has to offer, plus we looked forward to being back and dip in the hot pools.
We follow a paved path for the first few hundred meters, which abruptly turned into a rocky one.
After approximately 2.5 kilometers, we reached an intersection.
Here we turned right and followed the well-marked trail leading to Skyline Ridge. From this point, the path started to climb steadily, and every now and then, we could admire sporadic views of the valley.
This section was apparently preparing us for the best part, which was about to come.
Finally, after approximately two hours, we got above the tree line and emerged on the alpine meadow with a peculiar large white rock in the middle.
You can enjoy beautiful views from here, but another strenuous but short rocky trail will take you up to the barren slopes of the Sulphur Skyline summit. So we decided to continue and spend some time on the meadow later on the way back.
The last ascend was not that grueling as the previous sections, and after less than 30 minutes, we finally made it to the summit.
It was windy up there (we believe it is a norm, so pack yourself a windbreaker or down jacket), but the 360 degrees views were incredible.
Especially the one to the east, where we could see Fiddle River Valley with its picturesque river sneaking through and Mount Drinnan in the distance.
Among the most spectacular mountains visible from the top of Sulphur Skyline belong Mt. Utopia on the south, Mt. O'Hagan on the southwest, and Slide Mountain far in the southeast.
The way back to the parking lot was the same as Sulphur Skyline is in-out trek, but this time the path led us downhill, so it was much more manageable.
Watch your steps as the upper part of the trail is slippery because of many loose rocks and gravel.
This hike is really one of a kind, especially in this part of the world, so if you have a half-day off, we can do nothing else but recommend it.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
MIETTE HOT SPRINGS
The best part of the way back is the anticipation before soaking into the hottest hot springs in the Canadian Rockies, Miette Hot Springs.
The entrance fee to Miette Hot Springs is $16.50 per adult, so it's not as cheap as it used to be.
The water temperature, which is cooled down from the original 54°C to 40°C, is just right, and only a couple of minutes in the pools will go to revive your body after the hike.
This activity makes the trip even more awesome!
WHAT TO PACK
Sulphur Skyline hike is a half-day to one-day hike depending on your pace, but because of unpredictable weather in the Canadian Rockies and technical terrain, you should not underestimate it and pack accordingly.
What are the essential things you should pack with you?
For a day hike, bring along a small-sized daypack where you can fit extra layers, water, a camera, and a snack.
The trail's surface is uneven, so quality, waterproof and sturdy hiking boots are a must; we would not recommend the sneakers.
A rain jacket is a must-have, especially for the time spent on the summit. It can rain anytime, and the wind that blows there can be really cold.
We found trekking poles extremely helpful to keep balance and a steady pace, especially on the way back.
Another essential piece of gear is closely connected with safety. Although this part of the world is exceptionally safe, it is a great outdoors.
You are a visitor in bear country, so it is essential to carry bear spray for your safety, especially during the berry season.
Also, stay hydrated when hiking. In the Canadian Rockies, you can refill your water bottle from the streams. Use SteriPen or a water bottle with a filter if you are concerned about water quality.
Last but not least, do not forget to pack a swimsuit so you can go to the hot pools after the trek.
WHEN TO GO
Without any doubt, the best time for hiking Sulphur Skyline is in the summer season, between June and September. The path will very likely be clear of snow, and your chance for clear views is the highest.
That's being said, weather in the Canadian Rockies is unpredictable, and on our second visit, we experienced a snowstorm at the beginning of July.
If you want to avoid crowds, consider either May or October, but always check the weather forecast (this applies to all seasons) and ask in the info center about the current conditions.
The trail in the winter can be pretty demanding, and we would recommend it only to experienced hikers with quality equipment. Never overestimate your skills.
It is also good to know that the road to Miette Hot Springs is not opened all year round.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
