Things to do in Sunwapta Falls

The picturesque town of Jasper sits in the Athabasca River Valley, surrounded by the majestic peaks of the Canadian Rockies. Jasper National Park extends over more than 10,800 square metres around the town. This World Heritage Site is home to many iconic Canadian wildlife species, as well as breathtaking natural wonders, all waiting to be discovered.

The Icefields Parkway, a 232-kilometre highway that runs through the heart of the Canadian Rockies, passes some of Canada’s most spectacular scenery. The drive will take you through two national parks, where you’ll discover vast glaciers and mirror-like mountain lakes, surrounded by rugged peaks and sweeping valleys.

Looking out over the vast expanse of the Columbia Icefield, you’ll be left in no doubt that this is a true wonder of nature. Surrounded by some of the tallest peaks in the Canadian Rockies, this icefield covers 365 square kilometres, making it the largest in this mountain range. Endless fascinating discoveries await you in this frozen landscape of sweeping ice sheets marked by deep crevasses and rock formations carved over millennia by the glaciers.

The beauty of Maligne Lake is truly breathtaking. It is the largest glacial lake in the Canadian Rockies, and its vivid blue waters are framed by towering mountain peaks. At its centre stands Spirit Island which has become a world-famous symbol of the region. Whether you want to take to the water or stay on dry land, there are a multitude of exhilarating activities to choose from.

Athabasca Falls may not be the biggest waterfall in Jasper National Park, but few come close to the awe-inspiring force of its cascading water. Fed by the vast glaciers of the Columbia Icefield, the Athabasca River is channelled through a narrow gorge, before plunging down a sheer 23-metre drop. You’ll be amazed at the deafening roar as the water thunders into the river below.

The powerful Sunwapta Falls are fed by meltwater from the Athabasca Glacier on the Columbia Icefields. The torrent cascades down a stepped valley, carved as the ice sheets receded at the end of the Mini Ice Age around 8,000 years ago. Sunwapta Falls actually consists of two separate waterfalls, each equally impressive.

Medicine Lake is not quite all it seems. During the summer months, this relatively shallow body of water covers an area up to 9 kilometres long by 1 kilometre wide. Visit in the winter, and you may only find an expanse of mud with the occasional small pool. With no obvious exit channel, the mystery of the disappearing lake has puzzled everyone for centuries.

Standing 3,363 metres high, Mount Edith Cavell is known for its jagged beauty, iconic glacier and colourful alpine meadows. You can explore the mountain via many trails and climbing routes, with options to suit all abilities. Whichever trail you choose, stunning scenery and fascinating geological history await you.