Jasper National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour

Punchbowl Falls

That's a great view up to Roche Miette from here. We'll talk a little more about that later. On this next bend we will find a pullout with parking for Punchbowl Falls

Duration: 10 minutes

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There's a pullout on the left side of the road up ahead. Watch for oncoming vehicles and let's turn in for a quick look at the view. What we see here is a fantastic section of Ashlar Ridge.

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The view to our right is somewhat obscured by trees but the land around the Little Snake River and Athabasca forms a delta. Somewhere in the woods near the delta is the remains of the original fur trading fort that gave Jasper its name.

Duration: 10 minutes

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We get such a great view of the Palisades on our right as we round this bend. If you feel like dragging yourself out of bed really early, when the sunrise hits these cliffs it can be so beautiful. Palisade is a word used to describe the protective walls around forts and castles, so it's easy to see why that name has been given here.

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In just a few minutes we'll be on the final approach for the town of Jasper. It's one of only two incorporated towns inside our Canadian national parks, the other is Banff.

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Annette Lake is the one that is on our right-hand side. There are also loads of picnic tables spread around, some with wood burning BBQ facilities.

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Here we are arriving into the grounds of the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, undeniably the finest hotel and resort in Jasper National Park.

Duration: 10 minutes

Maligne Canyon

From this higher location, you have the opportunity to walk as far along the trail as you feel like you want to do, and then turn around and walk back to the car park.

Duration: 15 minutes

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Its panoramic views across the Valley towards Pyramid Mountain and the ranges that surround the valley.

Duration: 5 minutes

Medicine Lake

If we walked the Maligne Canyon trail and read some of the signs, you may already know the secret of Medicine Lake.

Duration: 10 minutes

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This drive up to Patricia and Pyramid Lakes will take us through an important wildlife corridor called the Pyramid Bench.

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The first of the 2 lakes on this drive is Patricia Lake. It's a scenic location with lots of shore access. On a calm day it takes fantastic photos, but it's worth at least a quick look anytime.

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I have just one more place I'd like to show you before we run out of road and we are forced to turn back. The next parking pullout on our left is the access point for a short stroll to visit Pyramid Island.