Opal Hills Loop

Opal Hills Loop is a 3.88 km loop hike in Jasper National Park with a reputation for steep climbing early in the route and a payoff at an alpine-meadow vantage. Expect sustained effort—one of the defining characteristics is the push up through lodgepole pine forest before the trail opens up.

The route follows a loop format around the Opal Hills hiking area near Maligne Lake. The climb gains elevation quickly, then transitions into meadow terrain where you’ll spend more time moving across open slopes and shrub-and-wildflower ground.

A key turning point comes around the junction at roughly the 1.6 km mark, where the loop begins. Staying on the counter-clockwise option keeps the steepest access pattern aimed at the viewpoint line; choosing the alternate direction is described as an easier, longer choice.

The meadow section includes grassy knolls used for lake viewing. To look over Maligne Lake, the route guidance points hikers toward climbing one of the grassy hills/knolls above the meadow.

After the viewpoint area and meadow walking, the loop drops back into forest. The descent returns you toward the junction used to complete the circuit and then back to the trailhead kiosk.

For planning, the documented loop length is 8.2 km with about 460 m of ascent and a typical time window of roughly 3–4 hours; treat it as a hard/challenging hike for fitness and steepness, not a long-distance stroll.

Wildlife presence is a recurring theme for this area, with grizzly bears noted as frequent and moose sightings also possible; plan to be bear-aware in season and keep bear spray accessible. Dogs are not permitted on the route.

More information: Opal Hills Trail, Jasper National Park | Hike Bike Travel, Hike Jasper - Opal Hills, Opal Hills - All You SHOULD Know Before Going (with 2026 Reviews)