Mt. Edith Cavell Meadows trail & Angel Glacier hike on Jasper, Alberta family road trip

Discover Jasper National Park, Alberta with your family, experience gorgeous trails through the alpine meadows of Mount Edith Cavell, and hike to the magnificent Angel Glacier with kids.

Mt Edith Cavell as seen from the meadows trail in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada — Mt. Edith Cavell, the Angel Glacier and its lake as seen from Edith Cavell Meadows trail. Jasper, AB

Mount Edith Cavell, located in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada is definitely a gem that, in our opinion, must be on every traveler’s to-do hiking list when in the area. A short, relatively steep yet accessible hike to Angel Glacier offers gorgeous unique rocky terrain and cool photo ops at the end of the trail. While the Edith Cavell Meadows trail leads you through the alpine valley bursting with bright flowers, through refreshing tundra, and to some of the most jaw-dropping views of Jasper National Park. In this post, we are happy to share our notes, guides, and travel tips visiting Mount Edith Covell with your family, and hiking its trails with young kids.

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Mt. Edith Cavell Meadows trail & Angel Glacier hike - Jasper Alberta family road trip - pinterest

Quick links:

About Mount Edith Cavell
Angel Glacier
How to get to Mt. Edith Cavell Trailhead?
Summer Hiking Notes, Tips, Photos
Frequently Asked Questions
Hiking with Kids and Visit Tips
Concluding Notes

About Mount Edith Cavell

woman hiker at the top of Edith Cavell hiking trail celebrates achievement of the East-Edge Summit — Mount Edith Cavell at mid-day, July 2020. Jasper NAtional Park, Alberta

Mount Edith Cavell is located in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada. It magnificently towers 3,363 m (11,033 ft) over the Athabasca River, Astoria River, and Tonquin Valleys. The mountain is known to be the most prominent peak located entirely within Alberta. Edith Cavell hiking trail through alpine meadows is one of the most popular destinations in Jasper.

Edith Cavell $1 stamp from 1930 — **Mt. Edith Cavell fun fact:** Mount Edith Cavell was featured on a $1 dollar Canadian stamp issued on December 4, 1930.

The mountain was named after a World War I war hero – Edith Cavell.

Who was Edith Cavell?

Mt Edith Cavell trailhead commemorative sign about the British Nurse Edith Cavell — Commemorative sign located at the trailhead of the Path to Glacier trail.

Edith Cavell (1865-1915) was a British nurse, working in German-occupied Belgium during the First World War. She helped hundreds of British, French, and Belgian soldiers escape from occupied Belgium to the Netherlands, in violation of German military law. Edith was arrested, tried, and executed in 1915.

Interestingly, before 1916, the mount was known as Mount Fitzhugh.

Angel Glacier

The Angel Glacier is overhanging the 300 metres (984 ft) cliff on the north side of Mt. Edith Cavell in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada.

the Edith Cavell lake and the Angel Glacier at mid-day located at Jasper National Park — down at the glacier lake

It was named so in the 19th century when it was significantly larger and had the appearance of an angel with wide-open wings. At present time, the Angel Glacier is melting rapidly, and will most likely disappear in the nearest future. So plan to come to visit Jasper in Alberta soon!

surreal view of the Angel Glacier lake with a woman hiker resting on the ice — Alexandra is resting on the ice at the Angel Glacier lake, Jasper AB

melting Angel Glacier and the lake — another view of the Angel Glacier, melting through many waterfalls

How to Get To Mt. Edith Cavell Meadows hike Trailhead?

Mount Edith Cavell as seen from the Cavell Road — Mt. Edith Cavell at Jasper National Park, as seen from the Cavell Road

GPS / Google Maps anchor point: click here for the trailhead location

If you are heading to Mt. Edith Cavell from Jasper, Alberta, it will take you about 45-50 min to get to the hike trailhead.

how to get to Mt Edith Cavell trailhead from Jasper, AB google map — MAP: how to get to Mt. Edith Cavell Meadows trailhead from Jasper, AB

The Cavell Road is a narrow, twisting 14 kilometres path through sub-alpine forests. It is one lane each way, with a few cool “pockets” to stop and take photos.

Cavell Road opens to general traffic on June 14 (weather permitting) and closes on October 15 (or earlier, after the first significant snowfall).

Mount Edith Cavell fun fact: The road to reach the mountain (highway 93A) was built in the 1930's by hundreds of men left unemployed during the Great Depression.

Edith Cavell travel TIP: when planning your visit to Mt. Edith Cavell meadows and the Angel Glacier, beware of the vehicle size restrictions to access Tonquin Valley. The maximum length allowed on Cavell Road is 25 feet. No trailers and large motorhomes allowed on Cavell Road. There are two options to still visit Mt. Edith Cavell if you are indeed traveling in an oversized motorhome. First: go with friends in their smaller car, or find a hiking body. Second: leave your oversized vehicle at Jasper, and rent a smaller car for a day!

Mount Edith Cavell as seen from the Cavell Road vertical — Mt. Edith Cavell at Jasper National Park, as seen from the Cavell Road

Parking

There is a small parking lot at the end of Cavell Road, that has a few dozen vehicles capacity. Both the Edith Cavell Meadows hiking trail and the Angel Glacier trail start here.

We got to the trailhead at around 11 am on July 27, 2020, and had no problem finding parking. This is not to say the gorgeous Mt Edith Cavell hike is not popular. On the contrary, we’ve seen a constant stream of visitors. Yet, most of them don’t stay long. Most visitors hike only to the Angel Glacier and back – a relatively short walk of less than 1 km hike one way. The actual Edith Cavell trail is a bit challenging, more on that below.

Summer Hiking to Angel Glacier and through Edith Cavell Meadows

Edith Cavell Meadows hiking trail – Quick Facts

Mt. Edith Cavell Meadows trail & Angel Glacier hike - Jasper Alberta family road trip - quick facts — Mt. Edith Cavell Meadows trail quick facts

When hiking Edith Cavell Meadows, you won’t actually hike Mt. Edith Cavell itself. Rather the hiking trail will lead you through the nearby hills and alpine meadows, from where you can see the full magnificence of Mt Edith Cavell and its Angel Glacier.

Mt Edith Cavell meadows and the Path to Glacier hiking trails map and our recording using AllTrails — Mt Edith Cavell Meadows and the Path to Glacier trail map from AllTrails. Click for directions on AllTrails.

Mt. Edith Cavell trail is technically two trails. Firstly, the Path to the Glacier trail will lead you to the Angel Glacier. And then from there, you can access the Edith Cavell Meadows trail that will take you up to the East Ridge Summit.

Altogether Edith Cavell Trail is an approx. The 9km-kilometer heavily trafficked trail rated as moderate difficulty. In our experience, the actual rating matches the expectation.

Mt Edith Cavell meadows and the Path to Glacier hiking trails map from AllTrails — Our personal stats recording of the Mt Edith Cavell Meadows and the Path to Glacier hike using AllTrails app.

As many other super-cool trails throughout Jasper National Park and other popular destinations in Alberta, the trail is accessible to be hiked with kids, although the Meadows part is quite a bit more strenuous. It is made up of three lookouts, each getting better and better until you reach the top.

Cosmos was only 4.5 yo when we visited in July 2020 and was able to make it both: to the Path to the Angel Glacier and all the way up to the second lookout of the Meadows trail – the Trail’s End. Since we arrived later in the day, we have decided to skip the East Ridge Summit, unfortunately.

Overall it took our family – a fit couple and a 4.5yo toddler – a bit over 6 hours. This time included frequent breaks for rest and countless photos.

Personal Hiking Notes and Photos

Edith Cavell Meadows trail was on our to-do list for the visit to Jasper National Park right from the start. In July 2020 we were a fit couple and a 4.5yo toddler, all experienced in hiking long distances. Our son Cosmos, for example, just a year earlier had hiked Paradise trail at Mt. Rainier near Seattle, WA – he was only 3.5yo at the time.

On that day we have arrived from Jasper at around 11 am. The road was pretty empty and we have seen only a few cars along the way. Maybe that is why we have spotted a bear cub right at the side of the road!

black bear cub playing in the bush — Black bear cub playing at the side of the Cavell Road

The parking lot was half-empty: a stroke of good luck I hear.

Although many visitors can make it all the way to the East Edge Summit and back within 3-4 hours, our family was not in a rush. We have planned to spend the entire day here enjoying the glacier lake and the alpine meadows of the Mt. Edith Cavell trail.

impressive view of Angel Glacier of Mt. Edith Cavell and the glacier lake — Angel Glacier, Jasper AB. Named this way, as it looks like an angel spreading its wings.

I would say, we definitely took our time, and have included frequent breaks for rest and countless photos. Even our 4.5yo toddler enjoyed creative photography.

a hiker is waving from afar the boulder field — the boulder field next to Angel Glacier. Jasper, AB.

From the trailhead, we first have made our way to the glacier lake. Cosmos had tons of fun playing with ice. He even found himself a friend – another child hiking with a family from Calgary – and they played snow-balls together.

father and son playing with ice blocks of the Angel Glacier lake — Alex and Cosmos playing with ice at the glacier lake

then slowly we started making our way up the hill, through the moraines and towards the Mt. Edith Cavell Meadows trail.

mother and children hiking moraines of the Angel Glacier trail — starting on the Edith Cavell Meadows trail. Glacier on the left. Trail leads to the right through the tundra.

mother and son looking at the Angel Glacier from the Edith Cavell meadows trail — Alexandra and Cosmos enjoying beautiful views of Mount Edith Cavell from the hiking trail

another view of Mt Edith Cavell at mid-day — Early on: first viewpoint: overlook of the glacier lake from the boulder hill

glacier lake in Jasper National Park, Alberta — Here is how the glacier lake looks like from the first lookout.

Father and son hiking Canadian Rocky mountains — Alex and Cosmos are making their way towards the Edith Cavell Meadows trail

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Mount Edith Cavell meadows trail in Jasper, Alberta Canada — Mt. Edith Cavell, Jasper National Park, Alberta, as seen from the Meadows trail

a child looking at the alpine meadows as seen from Mt Edith Cavell in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada — Cosmos is enjoying the view of the glacier lake

a couple posing for photos with a backdrop of Canadian Rockies — Alexandra and Alex made it to the second viewpoint. The backdrop: magnificent Rocky Mountains of Alberta, Canada

At the end of July 2020 Alberta was hit with a heatwave. The sun was burning and it was incredibly hot. Each of us had water bottles and spare systems for cleaning spring water. And in 2.5 hours hiking up to the second lookout, we ended up refilling our water bottles 4-5 times with either snow or the spring water in the tundra. Yet, once we made our way to the second viewpoint, we have run out of water again. There is however no other source of water was left: the trail between the second viewpoint “the trail's end” and the final viewpoint “East Edge Summit” becomes bare rock, with no shade of any kind. Therefore, in the interest of personal safety, we have decided to stop there. We were already astounded with the AWE views all around us – the views are 270 degrees.

Mother and child taking rest at the second lookout point of the Mount Edith Cavell hiking trail — Taking a break at the second lookout

Hence we rested and made more photos 🙂

a child playing with orange truck with Mount Edith Cavell as his backdrop — Cosmos playing with his toy truck the backdrop of Mount Edith Cavell, Jasper AB.

an orange toy track and the Mt. Edith Cavell — Orange toy truck and the backdrop of Mount Edith Cavell, Jasper AB.

woman hiker at the top of Edith Cavell hiking trail — Alexandra and the backdrop of Mount Edith Cavell, Jasper AB.

By the time we were done and started heading back, the sun was going down, and the scenery changed completely. If anything, it became even more jaw-dropping!

Sunset over Mt Edith Cavell and alpine meadows in Jasper, Alberta Canada — the view of Edith Cavell alpine meadows late in the day

Alpine meadows of Mount Edith Cavell in Jasper, Alberta Canada — Canadian Rocky Mountains in the summer.

a child in red jacket looking at a glacier lake horizontal — In the evening the glacier lake has completely changed its shade.

Canadian Rockies at a sunset — Sunset over Mt. Edith Cavell, Jasper National Park, Alberta Canada

Rocky mountains at a sunset — Sunset over Mt. Edith Cavell and the Angel Glacier lake, Jasper National Park, Alberta Canada

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are there bugs, black flies, mosquitoes at Edith Cavell meadows hiking trail?

Yes and No. You won’t experience much trouble from bugs and mosquitoes when hiking the Glacier trail from the parking lot to the Angel Glacier.

However, if you decide to proceed with the Edith Cavell Meadows hike, the trail will lead you through tundra buzzing with insect life. Be sure to wear a long-sleeved top, long pants, and a hat, and bring bug spray. We’ve seen hikers wearing those hats with mosquito nets on them – those will definitely become quite handy.

Are there bears at Mount Edith Cavell and around the meadows?

Yes. Both black bears and grizzly bears live all around Jasper National Park, including in the vicinity of Mt. Edith Cavell.

In fact, we have met a black bear cub playing at the side of Cavell Road on our way to trailhead.

Exercise caution, and you may want to carry bear spray especially when traveling with kids. Grizzly sightings in the meadow are rare but it’s always good to be prepared. Here is our quick video on how to buy bear spray in Canada:

Are dogs allowed at Mt. Edith Cavell hiking trail?

No. Dogs are no longer allowed at Mt Edith Cavell. Due to Parks Canada Woodland Caribou Conservation Action, dogs are not permitted in the restricted areas all around Jasper including the Tonquin, Athabasca River, and Astoria River valleys.

Is Angel Glacier Accessible? Are trails at Mt. Edith Cavell Accessible?

The Angel Glacier trail is partially accessible and paved. Visitors adventuring outdoors in wheelchairs and strollers won’t be able to go down closer to the glacier lake or the waterfalls but can enjoy a few viewpoints of the Angel Glacier from a close distance. However, we recommend visitors requiring accessibility come with friends, family, or someone else to support their mobility, as there are a few quite steep sections along the trail.

The Mt. Edith Cavell meadows trail is NOT accessible.

Are there toilets at Mt. Edith Cavell?

There are toilets located near the main Parking lot. Otherwise, once you venture into the Mount Edith Cavell backcountry, you won’t find any. What makes “doing business” much trickier, is the number of bugs and mosquitoes! As well, once you are past the tundra, and above 2,200 meters mark, there is no cover and you are out in the open.

If you somehow “manage to do it”, as always, please pack out everything you packed in – that includes any human waste and hygienic products.

Here is the little something to guide you through an environmentally-friendly bathroom experience: “How To Shit In The Woods” by Kathleen Meyer

how to shit in the woods - a book by Kathleen Meyer

Is there food available at Mt. Edith Cavell?

No. There are no concession stands, eateries, cafes, food trucks, and other food available.

Bring your own snacks to Mt Edith Cavell hike, and plenty of water.

Is there drinking water available at Mt. Edith Cavell?

There is no drinking water in the backcountry. The glacier waters of the lake near Angel Glacier can be used as the source of water, as well as little patches of snow throughout the tundra on your way up to the summit. Yet you’d need a proper water filtration system with you, like LifeStraw.

water filtration system for hikers Lifestraw

Is there cell reception at Mt. Edith Cavell?

No. You can find some reception at the parking lot, or along Cavell Road when getting to the trailhead. Yet, once you are on the trail and closer to the Angel Glacier, the cell reception disappears.

Are drones allowed around Mt. Edith Cavell and Angel Glacier area?

No. Mt. Edith Cavell and the Angel Glacier are located within Jasper National Park. All of the Canadian National Parks have restrictions against flying recreational drones. You can face a hefty fine if caught flying a drone.

TIPS on Visiting Mount Edith Cavell and Hiking the meadows and to Angel Glacier with Kids

Mother and child taking the Edith Cavell meadows trail to the summit — Hiking Mt. Edith Cavell trail with a 4.5 yo child

If you travel through Jasper National Park, Alberta with children, definitely bring them on for a hike to Edith Cavell! The scenery of alpine meadows, the tranquil beauty of Mount Edith Cavell Meadows trail, the magnificence of overtowering Angel Glacier, are truly unique. You may spot marmots, and pikas when hiking the backcountry (and yes, bears and caribou too). What a fun hiking experience for little explorers!

Vehicle size restrictions for Cavell Road

When planning your trip to Jasper, and if your heart is set on hiking the Mt. Edith Cavell meadows and the Angel Glacier, beware of the vehicle size restrictions. The maximum length allowed on Cavell Road is 25 feet. No trailers and large motorhomes allowed on Cavell Road.

There are two options to still visit Mt. Edith Cavell if you are indeed traveling in an oversized motorhome. First: go with friends in their smaller car, or find a hiking body. Second: leave your oversized vehicle at Jasper, and rent a smaller car for a day!

Hiking Safety

Specifically for Edith Cavell hiking: do not approach the Angel Glacier. House-size blocks of ice crash down frequently.

In general though, when hiking in Alberta safety must come first, especially when hiking with kids. Check out our Safety Tips: Hiking With Kids: 12 Simple Safety Rules Every Parent Should Follow.

In addition, be mindful to ensure your entire family, including kids, have proper hiking footwear. There are boulder walls, and various cliffs and rocks here and there that your kids if they are even a bit like ours, won’t resist. We have put together some notes here: Best Hiking Shoes For Kids Complete Guide: How to Choose and Where to Buy. Learn what to look for when buying hiking shoes for a child (toddler or teen): comfort & safety tips, kids hiking shoe brands, places to buy + video guide.

The Sun

Should you decide to hike the Edith Cavell Meadows trail in the summer, be mindful of the sun. The shade is very limited, and once you get past the tundra – you are out in the open. Here are some tips on how to manage sun exposure safely for little children: 9 Best Natural Sunscreens For Kids. Organic. Chemicals-Free.

Get Kids Engaged

Some parents, while active eager hikers themselves, may find it challenging to engage and interest their kids in outdoor activities. Not to worry, let us help you: Five Tried-And-True Outdoor Activities To Get Kids to Absolutely Love Hiking

Five Tried-And-True Outdoor Activities To Get Kids to Absolutely Love Hiking - feature

nature treasure hunt kids outdoor activities printable sheets free download transparent

how to choose best hiking shoes for kids - feature

Bring Extra Batteries!

Angel Glacier is unlike anything we have ever seen. I guarantee you will be taking photos non-stop. Make sure to get a few extra batteries, a power bank, and extra memory for your camera!

The years 2020-2021 presented a true challenge to all travelers, including outdoor-loving families. We even had some Canada National Parks and some Provincial Parks closed for some time. Now that the parks have reopened, we need to ensure they stay open.

When visiting Alberta's national parks this summer, please keep the distance from other hikers, bring sanitizer any time you use the bathrooms, and try not to get lost in the backcountry. Here are more covid-related hiking safety tips: Social Distancing Outdoors Rules: Responsible Hiking During The Pandemic

Leave No Trace

You’ve likely heard the phrase “Leave No Trace” at least once. What does it mean? Simply put, Leave No Trace Principles is a set of Outdoor Ethics and best practices outdoor adventurers should follow to enjoy natural spaces with the zero-impact goal in mind and to protect Mother Nature for future generations.

Here is our comprehensive introduction to Leave No Trace principles: your actionable guide to exploring the Great Outdoors with your kids and pets with minimal to no impact. Leave No Trace & Outdoor Ethics – Zero Impact Family Adventures

Inuksuk and the view of a glacier with a hiker at the back — Inuksuk and the Angel Glacier, Jasper Alberta

Concluding Notes

To be honest, we had our concerns when planning the road trip to Alberta, as our son Cosmos was only 4.5 yo. All the stops we wanted to explore along the way – Mt. Robson Provincial Park, Jasper National Park, Banff National Park, Yoho National Park, Mt. Revelstoke National Park – all are famous for its hikes, some are quite challenging.

a family is happy to hike all the way to the summit — We made it up the trail!

Yet, we were happy to find out that many #PostCardPlaces are indeed easily accessible even with little kids. There are plenty of hikes around that are easy enough, and we are happy to add Mt. Edith Cavell Meadows hike to the list.

In our opinion, Mt. Edith Cavell Meadows hike is one of the most spectacular hiking trails you can find around Jasper. You should definitely include it onto your itinerary.

Other notorious family-friendly destinations we have visited on our Jasper road-trip, that we strongly recommend, are Maligne Lake with Spirit Island boat tour, Maligne Canyon, Valley of The Five Lakes, Athabasca Falls, the drive along the famous Icefields Parkway, and the Columbia Icefield.

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