Just because it’s cold outside and the ground is covered in snow doesn’t mean you can’t go hiking! In fact, one of the best things to do in Canmore in the winter is hiking. This cute mountain town is surrounded by trails that are just as accessible in the winter as the summer. And the best part? Some of the best winter hikes in Canmore are actually even more beautiful in the snow! Expect a…
For a fabulous multi-day backpacking trip that includes an amazing alpine traverse, hike the Brazeau Loop trail in the southern part of Jasper National Park. The trail crosses three passes as it loops through a landscape of wildflower filled meadows, passing numerous mountain peaks and the stunning, turquoise-coloured Brazeau Lake - a large backcountry lake along the route. The Brazeau Loop trail is in an area that is reportedly wildlife rich - though the only…
Boom Lake is a turquoise beauty, sitting beneath 600-metre cliffs in Banff National Park. It's accessible from as early as June until late October, though you may have to tromp through some snow at that time. And it's a fabulous cross-country skiing destination come the winter, through beware of avalanche chutes if you venture onto some sections of the lake. The Boom Lake hike is easy but not as interesting as many in the park.…
Cranbrook bills itself as the basecamp of the Kootenays as it offers easy access to a wealth of outdoor adventures, both within the city borders and close by in Kimberley, Fernie, Elko and on the way towards Invermere. The city of around 21,000 people enjoys a magnificent mountain setting with the Purcell Mountains to the west and the Rocky Mountains to the east. What that means for hikers is loads of trails across a range…
The Nootka Trail now ranks as my favourite coastal trail in BC. It stretches for 37 kilometres along the west coast of Nootka Island off the coast of Vancouver Island. What it offers is a true wilderness experience with a backdrop of sublime west coast scenery. Most of the hike is beside the ocean on a mix of hardpacked sand beach, slippery boulders, and rocky shelves. The forest hiking ranges from spectacular with massive giant…
The Fundy Footpath is a rigorous multi-day hike along the Bay of Fundy in New Brunswick. Highlights include pretty, mixed forests, stunning headland views from atop 100-metre sea cliffs and some exceptional beachfront campsites over the 64 kilometres you travel from the Fundy National Park Visitor Centre to the Big Salmon River Visitor Centre on the Fundy Trail. Most people don't usually hike the full 64 km, preferring to bite off the distance as a…
What a delight the Pigeon Mountain hike near Canmore turned out to be. Once you get away from the powerline and break through the trees, views are superb. The same goes for wildflowers. They're excellent in the meadows in summer and even in early fall when there are plenty of reds and yellows to enliven the landscape. Although the climb to the summit is a stiff one, it modulates often enough that you can catch…
The Glacier Crest trail in Glacier National Park, British Columbia rewards with panoramic views of Mount Sir Donald and the Illecillewaet Glacier to the east and the Asulkan Glacier to the west along with views of Abbott Ridge, Perley Rock, the Rogers Pass summit, and Eagle Peak to name but a few mountain peaks. It is well worth the 958-metre climb to experience the beauty of this hike. Count on a full day (6 -…
If you want a stellar hike or backpacking trip, without the crowds, in the heart of the Moraine Lake - Lake Louise area, I'd highly recommend the Lake Annette - Paradise Valley - Giant Steps trail. Many people stop at Annette Lake - 5.7 km in, but then you miss some of the dramatic scenery, along with the option to hike up to Sentinel Pass. However, it's a 20.3 km return hike to Paradise Valley…
The Abbott Ridge Trail in British Columbia's Glacier National Park (often confused with Montana's national park that goes by the same name) is the must do hike in the park despite its length and significant elevation gain. After hiking the Hermit Trail in the park a few years ago, I had an inkling I'd be in for a treat. Abbott Ridge is named for Henry Abbott, a mountain and railway man who helped build the…