The Pickle Jar Lakes hike is a standout if you're a fan of mountain lakes. And judging by the popularity of this Kananaskis hike, people love a lake as a destination. Four lakes. Even better - though not all are equally beautiful. Be sure to go as far as the third of the Pickle Jar Lakes as it's the prettiest of them all. This post includes some affiliate links. If you make a qualifying purchase…
If you want a short hike that delivers superlative mountain scenery in short order do the popular Ptarmigan Cirque hike in Kananaskis Country. It's a 4.5 km loop (if you include the interpretive trail) with a family-friendly 214 m of elevation gain. There is the option to hike a section of the scramblers trail that heads for Mt. Rae. The perfect hike for out-of-town guests new to mountains For a short hike, Ptarmigan Cirque delivers…
One of the best hikes I've now done in Kananaskis Country is the one to the summit of Grizzly Ridge via Grizzly Col from the trailhead at Highwood Pass. (In Gillean Daffern's book it's called Grizzly Peak but there is another shorter Grizzly Peak that begins on the north bank of Ripple Rock Creek on Hwy 40.) The 360° views from the top are outstanding. Even though the trail isn't signed at all, it's obvious…
If you're looking for scenic road trips in Canada, head to Alberta. There's a huge range of landscapes to explore from the backroads of eastern Alberta with its endless fields of yellow canola swaying in the wind to the beauty of the hoodoos in Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park. Of course the grandest scenery of all is in the mountains, particularly along the Icefields Parkway. Four road trips in Alberta described below showcase Alberta's diverse landscapes. Some…
Ever wondered what some of the extraordinary hikes in the Alberta Rockies might be? Here are four of the best hikes in the Alberta Rockies. All are standout hikes ranging from easy to tough, and short to full day outings. Eiffel Lake and Wenkchemna Pass hike Among all the world’s special places, surely Banff National Park must be one of the most awe-inspiring – and at the same time, it feels like coming home. Lake…
The Highwood Pass Loop is one of the most varied and scenic one day drives in Canada. It can easily be done as a day trip from Calgary, Canmore or Banff and it doesn't matter what direction you drive it. I think driving over Highwood Pass is one of Canada's outstanding drives. Go see for yourself - and then let me know. It's also a favourite outing for the motorcycle crowd and cyclists love it…
I celebrated my birthday one year by taking the day off and heading with John to Kananaskis Country, Alberta. Our plan for the day was to cycle to Highwood Pass on the highest public road in Canada. We chose to do the more gradual route from the entrance closest to the community of Longview, accessible via a 1.5 hour drive from Calgary. This bike ride had been on my wish list for several years. But…