Overview

Explore the Spectacular Scenery of Maligne Valley

mbark on a breathtaking journey through the Maligne Valley and discover some of the most beautiful scenery in Jasper National Park. This guided wildlife and sightseeing tour combines scenic mountain landscapes, opportunities to spot iconic Canadian wildlife, and interpretive walks at Medicine Lake and Maligne Lake.

Travel through a landscape of towering peaks, glacial lakes, dense forests, and scenic valleys as your expert guide shares fascinating stories about the region’s geology, ecology, wildlife, and history.

Please note: Wildlife sightings on this tour are frequent but not guaranteed as we are trying to view these animals in their natural habitat.

Highlights

Journey through the spectacular Maligne Valley with our expert interpretive guides, exploring one of the most scenic areas in Jasper National Park.

Along the route, we stop at Medicine Lake for a peaceful lakeshore walk surrounded by towering limestone cliffs and dramatic mountain scenery. Learn about the lake’s fascinating underground drainage system and unique geological history while taking in breathtaking views of the valley.

As we continue deeper into the Maligne Valley, keep your eyes peeled for iconic Canadian wildlife including moose, bears, elk, deer, and bald eagles. The surrounding forests provide prime habitat for a wide variety of animals throughout the season.

Arriving at Maligne Lake, enjoy a guided 2–3 km interpretive nature walk along the scenic lakeshore. This easy-grade trail offers stunning views of glacial-blue waters, surrounding mountain peaks, and quiet forested landscapes while your guide shares insights into the area’s ecology, flora, fauna, and natural history.

After the walk, guests may enjoy a packed lunch or purchase a grab-and-go meal from the Maligne Lake House restaurant (additional expense) before returning to Jasper through the breathtaking scenery of the Maligne Valley.

Prepare

What we provide

Professional interpretive guide
Comfortable sightseeing transportation
Guided lakeside walk at Maligne Lake
Complimentary pickup from selected Jasper hotels

What to wear

• A moderate amount of walking is involved. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

• Mountain weather can change quickly. We recommend bringing warm layers, a rain jacket, or an umbrella for outdoor portions of the tour.

• Travel is by comfortable 24-seat minibus, and the tour operates in all weather conditions.

• We recommend bringing a reusable water bottle and any personal snacks.

• There is a short break for lunch at Maligne Lake. Lunch can be purchased at the Maligne Lake House restaurant; however, during peak season (July–August), wait times may be long. Guests may prefer to bring their own lunch.

FAQs

What should I bring on the Maligne Valley Wildlife & Sightseeing Tour with Lakeside Hike?

Bring comfortable walking shoes, layers, and weather-appropriate gear such as a rain jacket. You may also bring water, snacks, or a packed lunch. Food may also be purchased at the Maligne Lakehouse Café.

Is Maligne Canyon included in the tour?

No. Due to damage caused by the 2024 Jasper wildfire, Maligne Canyon is currently closed by Parks Canada for ongoing infrastructure repairs and is not accessible during tours. Instead, tours currently stop at Maligne Lookout and spend additional time exploring the scenic shoreline of Medicine Lake in Maligne Valley.

Is the Maligne Valley Wildlife & Sightseeing Tour with Lakeside Hike suitable for children or seniors?

Yes, this tour is suitable for families with active guests. The lakeside hike involves a 2–3 km walk and is not stroller or wheelchair accessible. Guests looking for minimal walking may prefer the boat cruise option.

Do the Sightseeing Tours include hotel pick-up in Jasper?

Yes, all Maligne Valley Wildlife & Sightseeing Tours include complimentary pickup from selected Jasper hotels. Guests choose their pickup location during booking and can select a central downtown pickup location if staying outside the pickup area.

Will we see Spirit Island on the Maligne Valley Wildlife & Sightseeing Tour with Lakeside Hike?

No — Spirit Island is located approximately 13 km down Maligne Lake and is only accessible by boat. Guests looking to visit Spirit Island should choose the Maligne Valley Wildlife & Sightseeing Tour with Cruise, which includes a boat trip to this iconic location.

Will we see wildlife on the Maligne Valley Wildlife & Sightseeing Tour with Lakeside Hike?

Wildlife sightings are common along the Maligne Valley route, including moose, elk, deer, bears, marmots, and bald eagles. You may also occasionally spot wildlife during the lakeside hike. Sightings are not guaranteed, but your guide’s local knowledge helps maximize your chances.

What’s the difference between the Maligne Valley Wildlife & Sightseeing Tour and the Jasper National Park Wildlife Tour?

The Maligne Valley Wildlife & Sightseeing Tour with Lakeside Hike follows a set scenic route with stops at iconic locations, including a guided hike at Maligne Lake.The Jasper National Park Wildlife Tour focuses entirely on spotting animals, following a flexible route with no fixed stops to maximize wildlife sightings.In short, this tour emphasizes scenery and landmarks, while the Wildlife Tour focuses purely on wildlife viewing.

How long is the Maligne Valley Wildlife & Sightseeing Tour with Lakeside Hike, and where does it go?

The Maligne Valley Wildlife & Sightseeing Tour with Lakeside Hike is approximately 6 hours long and explores the scenic Maligne Valley. Stops include Maligne Lookout, Medicine Lake, and Maligne Lake, where you’ll enjoy a guided 2–3 km lakeside hike.

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Pick-Up Information

Complimentary pick-up is available from selected accommodations within the Jasper Area. If your hotel is not listed below, please choose the central meeting location.

Please refer to this list of accommodations which outlines the locations available for pick-up and their relevant pick-up times.

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From Adventurers

The evening wildlife tour exceeded our expectations, both in the diversity of wildlife encountered and the quality of the tour guide/driver. We saw bald eagle, bighorn sheep, elk, moose and mule deer. Bear would have been good but it was not the best time of year for them. Josh was a fantastic guide, extremely knowledgeable, full of anecdotes and humorous. We stayed out longer than the scheduled time as there was so much to see.

Chris

Trip Advisor

Ross provides a fun and informative tour to those visiting Jasper to check out its wildlife evening tour. Enjoyed the hiking tour to Maligne Lake. It was chilly since it was October so layers were essential in the mountains along with a hot chocolate. Maligne Canyon is beautiful with its lichen lined walls bordering the aqua pool and waterfall. This is a definite must do adventure while in Jasper.

Marie D.

Trip Advisor

Beautiful setting and we saw moose! We were with a small group that split off into a smaller group for a hike or a cruise. We chose well! It's a short walk through the woods and near the lake. There's a nice waffle house and lunch room and seating by the lake and indoors for those that bring their own snacks. Highly recommend. Our guide, Catherine was a well informed, biologist / zoologist that had a lot of interest and context to our tour. We also saw sheep and elk along with stunning Mountain views

Lynn

Trip Advisor