Hiking the Edith Cavell Meadows Trail in Jasper
The Edith Cavell Meadows trail is one of my favourite hikes in Canada and one of the most beautiful hikes I’ve ever done. It’s one of the best stops on a road trip through Canada’s Rocky Mountains and an absolute must for your Jasper itinerary.
Reaching over 3,300 metres (11,000 ft), Mount Edith Cavell was named after Edith Cavell, a British nurse who helped soldiers during World War II. During the peak summer months (July and August), the Edith Cavell Meadows are home to thousands of stunning wildflowers, creating one of the most beautiful sights in Canada.
The Edith Cavell Trail also takes you past the famous Angel Glacier, which once resembled an angel spreading its wings. Unfortunately, the glacier has now receded so it no longer looks this way. But it’s still spectacular nonetheless.
In this guide, I’ve shared all you need to know about hiking the Edith Cavell Meadows Trail in Jasper National Park. This includes an overview of the hike, what to expect and answers to common questions.
With epic mountain peaks, magnificent glaciers and breathtaking wildflower meadows, Edith Cavell is one of Canada’s most spectacular hikes.
If you’re planning a trip to the area, check out my ultimate guide to planning your dream road trip in Canada’s Rocky Mountains.
A quick overview of the hike
Distance: Approx 7.4 km (4.6 miles) – 8.5 km (5.1 miles), depending on detours you take
Type: Out and back (with loop in the middle)
Elevation gain: 555m (1820 feet)
Terrain: Steep incline over dirt, rocks and scree
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
Time to complete: Three to four hours
Time of year: Only accessible in the summer months
The Edith Cavell Hike is in the heart of Jasper National Park. The diverse track takes you past glaciers, through a forest and across open meadows.
The final push to the peak is very steep over loose rock.
There is a parking lot for both the Edith Cavell Trail and the Path of the Glacier. To reach the parking lot, drive south from Jasper on Route 93a, then turn on Edith Cavell Road.
To reach the car park, you need to drive up steep switchbacks. The views are magnificent, but the drive can be challenging.
The hike is a little of the town, so you could consider doing it on your first or last day in Jasper as you arrive or leave. If you’re feeling energetic, consider adding the Valley of the Five Lakes hike to your itinerary. It’s a short drive from the Edith Cavell trailhead.
How difficult is the Edith Cavell Meadows hike?
The hike is about 5 miles (8 km) in length and gains 555m (1820 feet) in elevation. There are several detours on the route, but even if you stick to the out-and-back route, it’s a moderately challenging hike.
The hike has a steep incline, but this will be manageable for most people with a reasonable fitness level. For context, my 70-year-old mum completed most of the hike (although she didn’t do the final push to the summit).
The final push to the summit is by far the most challenging part. It’s very steep and slippery, with lots of loose rocks. Many people opt to turn around before reaching the summit, and in wet weather, it can be extra treacherous.
I don’t think you will be missing too much if you opt to turn around sooner. The views don’t change much, so it’s better to do what’s safer for you.
Overall, the hike is relatively straightforward and not too challenging. It took us 4 hours to complete, with a lunch stop included.
A recap of the Edith Cavell Hike in Jasper
The drive to the start of the hike is stunning in its own right. The windy road takes you up through switchbacks until you reach the car park. The road is paved but take your time, the switchbacks are no joke.
The first part of the hike takes you up towards the Angel Glacier and past Cavell Pond. It’s a steady uphill walk on a paved trail. The path to the meadows turns off left slightly earlier than the glacier itself, but I’d suggest going to see the glacier if you have the energy (or add it to the end as we did).
Once you’re on the path to the Edith Cavell Meadows, you’ll continue parallel to the glacier. At the forest, follow the switchbacks until you pass the tree line. Keep an eye out for cute, tiny pikas who live in the area – they’re very mischievous.
You’ll soon come across a left turn off the path—take this to reach the summit (this part of the trail becomes a loop). The meadows will appear, and the magnificent scenery will really start to show off. You can take a more challenging route, but I wanted to keep things as easy as possible. With the easier path, you should be going in an anti-clockwise direction.
The soft meadow terrain soon turns to scree as you make the final push to the summit. This is where the hike gets a bit more technical. The ground can be pretty loose so you may benefit from hiking poles.
After reaching the top, continue on the loop back down towards the trees and head back to the starting point. If you have the energy, I recommend walking on the Path of the Glacier to see Cavell Pond.
Edith Cavell Trail FAQ
Is hiking Edith Cavell Meadows free?
Technically, no. As the hike is in Jasper National Park, you’ll need to have a pass to be inside the park. You can buy daily passes or consider buying the ‘Discovery Pass’, which gives you access to all the parks in Canada for an entire year.
Are there toilets on the trail?
There is a drop toilet in the parking lot, but otherwise, there are no facilities on the hike.
When is the best time of year to hike the Edith Cavell Meadows Trail?
The Edith Cavell Meadows hike is accessible from mid-June through the end of September. It’s in a high avalanche risk zone, so it shouldn’t be attempted during the winter. Additionally, the road to the start of the hike will be closed through the winter.
In July and August, the meadows are filled with wildflowers, which make for a beautiful sight. I did the hike in September just as the fall colours were turning. It was a great time to do the hike, especially with the cooler weather. But if you want to see the flowers in their full glory, July/August is the best time.
Is it safe to walk the Edith Cavell Meadows hike alone?
There are always risks associated with hiking in the mountains, whether you’re in a group or alone. I did the start of this hike with my mum and then the remainder by myself and had no issues. It’s a popular and busy hike.
The biggest risk on this trail is bears. When you’re hiking alone, you’ll make less noise, increasing the risk of encountering a bear. Ensure you’re carrying bear spray that you can easily access if you see a bear. I’d also consider attaching a bell to your backpack.
Another option would be to play music. As much as it’s nice to enjoy the sounds of nature, playing music will help to keep the bears away. There are few places where hikers accept this, but Canada is one of those places!
If you plan to hike the Edith Cavell trail solo, read my solo hiking tips.
The Path of the Glacier Trail
If hiking up to the meadows and summit sounds like too much of a task, you could consider the Path of the Glacier hike. The trail starts from the same starting point as the Edith Cavell trail and takes you along a one-mile (1.6km) paved path to a viewpoint overlooking Cavell Pond and the Angel Glacier.
It’s pretty steep but is a shorter option if you don’t want to do a bigger hike.
Despite its short length, the hike is still very rewarding, as you get the chance to see the Angel Glacier and hopefully some icebergs. However, this trail can get quite crowded, so consider visiting early in the morning or right before sunset for a more peaceful experience.
We added this hike on at the end of finishing the Edith Cavell Trail; it’s so worth it!
What to pack
Here are a few essential items to pack for your hike.
Bear spray: This is a must on any hike in Canada’s Rocky Mountains, and it’s essential. It’s a busy trail, so you’re not likely to encounter bears, but it’s better to be prepared.
Day pack: You’ll be on the trail for a few hours, so ensure you have a suitable-sized bag to carry everything you need.
Water: Ensure you carry enough water to last you the whole hike. The meadow section is quite exposed and offers little protection from the sun.
Snacks and lunch: This hike has some beautiful picnic spots, so I recommend taking plenty of snacks and lunch to keep you fuelled.
Sun protection: The sun can be powerful in the Rocky Mountains. Remember to pack SPF, a sun hat, and long sleeves.
Sturdy shoes: While the terrain on the hike is generally easy, the final part can be very slippery. Ensure you have stable shoes with good grip and ankle support.
Hiking poles: The hike is steep in parts, so you may benefit from hiking poles.
Summary: My review of the Edith Cavell Meadows Hike
This one was one of my favourite hikes in all of Canada! I would do it again in a heartbeat.
There aren’t many hikes where you get the contrast of meadows, glaciers and panoramic mountain views, but this is one of them. It’s also one of the easier hikes, and you don’t have to walk far to experience the area’s beauty.
In my opinion, it’s an absolute must for your trip to Canada and Jasper.
