Brazeau Loop
Brazeau Loop is an 81 km (about 50-mile) high-elevation backpacking loop in the Canadian Rockies that crosses three mountain passes and links Banff and Jasper National Parks in Alberta. It’s commonly done as a lollipop-shaped route, with most parties finishing in around 4–5 days.
The route runs through a wilderness corridor built around Brazeau River valleys and Brazeau Lake, with glacier-carved alpine terrain and subalpine-to-alpine scenery between passes. The passes named for the route are Nigel, Poboktan, and Jonas, making weather and traction planning central to the hike.
Most parties hike it counter-clockwise to keep the elevation gain more gradual. Camps are booked in advance: there are six designated campgrounds along the loop, and you’ll need a backcountry camping permit for overnight use.
A typical staging pattern is Nigel Creek trailhead → Four Point Campground → Brazeau Lake Campground → Jonas Cutoff Campground, with Jonas Shoulder looping back toward Four Point on the high day. From there, the final day returns to the Nigel Creek trailhead.
Water crossings are part of the character of the loop—river fords are sometimes required, and bridge conditions can vary. A major bridge washed out near the southeast tip of Brazeau Lake was reported as making the Brazeau River crossing impassable at high water, with rerouting instructions that limit parts of the loop until conditions/travel plans are updated.
Seasonal timing matters. High passes may hold snow into July, and cold weather or snow can happen even outside peak summer; mid-July through September is the usual window.
Access starts from the Nigel Creek area on Highway 93 (the Icefields Parkway), about 13 km south of the Icefields Centre. Overnights require reserved backcountry camping permits, and the area is managed as prime wildlife habitat with rules that include no dogs and no bikes (and no horses on the Jonas Shoulder trail).
More information: Booking, Visitor information, Hike of the Week: Brazeau Loop - Paria Outdoor Products