A Short Alberta Loop Trail Will Lead You Around An Alpine Lake & To A Secret Beach
Another day, another surreal lake. Alberta's completely overflowing with crystal-clear bodies of water and yet you'll never run out. Patricia Lake is a lovely alpine lake near Jasper, Alberta and it should absolutely be on the top of your bucket list if you're itching for a cool swim in the mountains.
We've already discussed the magical town of Jasper, Alberta and how it's in close proximity to all the top-tier nature destinations in the province.
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But it's not as crowded as Banff, so you can savour the sights without being rushed by other tourists.
You can get to the Patricia Lake trailhead through a ten-minute drive on the Pyramid Lake Road. The beginning of the trail is right across the road from the riding stables.
This popular trail is about 4.8 kilometres and will loop you around the entire lakeshore. It's rated between easy and moderate.
You'll be gaining an elevation of about 60 meters throughout the hike. Though the trail is fairly easy, note that the trek can get quite muddy and wet.
So strap on your hiking boots accordingly.
But otherwise, nothing can stop you from feasting your eyes on these radiant turquoise-green waters.
Some days the water is so clear that you'll practically get to see a reflection of yourself and the towering snow-capped mountains.
The 4.8-kilometre loop route should take you between two and three hours to complete.
The beach on the lakeshore might be small but it's very much worth exploring. Imagine treading through the sand and dipping into the cool waters for a swim.
You'll feel like you're in a tropical oasis, not a landlocked province in the middle of Canada.
While the short trail does make for an ideal day trip, there's lodging available near the lake if you want to make it an overnighter.
Waking up every morning to this magical lake would certainly make you feel at one with nature time and again.
After adventuring around the lake to your heart's content, you can also make it a longer hike and go checkout Pyramid Lake.
It's every bit as gorgeous as Patricia, but the total loop trail is over 10 kilometres. At least you know that you'll have a lovely lake to dip into and cool off following the hike.
But it doesn't matter if you don't opt for the second trail because Patricia Lake is so stunning that you won't want to leave its side anyway.
Patricia Lake
Address: Jasper, AB
Why You Need To Go: To experience the wonders of yet another unbelievable lake sitting in the heart of the Alberta Rockies.
We strongly advise that before you go swimming or visit any location, you check the most recent updates on potential hazards, security, water quality, and closures. If you do plan to visit a location, respect the environment.