Valley of the Five Lakes: Choose a Reopened Jasper Walk

Valley of the Five Lakes has reopened, but its renewed trail network deserves a fresh plan. Choose Wetland Way for a short return through the recovering landscape, or Emerald Loop for a longer walk with views of all five lakes. Use the new names and signs rather than an old four-and-a-half-kilometer loop description.

Two useful choices from P15

Park at P15 on the Icefields Parkway, about 9 km south of Jasper. The current southern trails page lists Wetland Way as 1.8 km (1.1 mi) return. Its gentle approach leads through forest regrowth to a pedestrian bridge across a wetland and nearby benches. Retrace it to the parking area for the shorter outing.

Emerald Loop is listed as a 5.4 km (3.4 mi) circuit, with rolling terrain and short steep hills. It adds all five lakes, Red Chairs, a picnic spot and mountain views. Follow the signed circuit back to P15; do not add the longer Valley Loop or the Old Fort Point connection unless those are separately part of your plan. Route shapes helps keep the return figures distinct.

See the recovering landscape on its current terms

The reopening account records restoration, rerouting and hazard-tree work after the 2024 wildfire, followed by a May 2026 reopening. Open views and new vegetation are part of the place now; older forest photographs may show a different landscape.

The October 17 trail report rates both Wetland Way and Emerald Loop fair, with wet and muddy sections. Check the report again before choosing between them.

Follow the August 14 closure order: trail 9c remains closed, and areas beyond the authorized trail corridor remain closed, defined by the disturbed trail surface and five meters from the center line on each side. Reopening the walking routes does not reopen the surrounding burned ground. Return to P15 on the signed network before driving back to Jasper.