From Jasper to Banff, Alberta’s Icefields Parkway runs 230 km. That’s just the road. Branching off of this incredibly scenic drive are miles and miles of hiking treasures. You can camp along the way, but mountain weather is notoriously unpredictable. If you want to experience the trails, but still have a solid roof over your head at night, check out these wilderness hostel options.

Athabasca Falls
Sitting snug in the woods across from the thundering cataract of the same name, the HI-Athabasca Falls Wilderness Hostel is the largest of the wilderness hostels in Jasper National Park. Like all wilderness hostels in the area, there is no running water, showers or flush toilets, but you will find a self-catering kitchen with fridge and stove, purified drinking water for cooking, and solar-powered lights. Less than 40 km south of Jasper, rates during prime hiking season (July-Sept) are $20-24 (depending on if you are a Hostelling International - HI - member or non-member). For one hiking option, head across the highway towards the falls and continue 1.1 km down 93A to the Geraldine Lookout Fire Road. The trailhead for Geraldine Lakes (1.8 km to first lake/5.0 km to ridge above second lake, 350 m elevation gain, approx. 4 hours return trip – watch closely for cairns marking route after first lake) is about six km up this gravel road.

Beauty Creek
This popular little hostel lies 55 km south of Athabasca Falls. In addition to the facilities mentioned above, Beauty Creek offers “sun-showers in the new, state-of-the-art wash house”. Rates are the same as Athabasca. Just a ˝ km south along the road is the trailhead for Stanley Falls (6.4 km return, 2-3 hours). Although short, this delightful little sojourn takes the wanderer alongside a limestone gorge with no less than seven waterfalls before reaching Stanley Falls.

Rampart Creek
Head south another 56 km from Beauty Creek and you’ll find this charming hostel option. Rampart has the same facilities as all wilderness hostel, with rates ranging from $23-27. It also offers a soul-soothing, back-warming sauna! Sunset Pass (trailhead starts almost seven km north of the hostel, at the Norman Creek Bridge) is an 8.2 km, one-way hike with an elevation gain of 725 m (6-7 hours round trip).

Mosquito Creek
And finally, 64 km south of Rampart lies Mosquito Creek. Like Rampart, Mosquito Creek has the option of shared or private lodging with a sauna to boot! Rates are the same too. Right across the road from the hostel is the trailhead for Molar Pass (9.8 km one way, 530 m elevation gain, 7-8 hours round trip). Keen hikers can also choose the North Molar Pass option (11.7 km, 780 m, 8-9 hours).