The town of Canmore is both the gateway to Banff National Park and an access point to Kananaskis Country. As a result there is an unbelievable amount of truly exceptional hiking within an hour's drive. I've tried to showcase Canmore hikes that offer views within a short distance of the town, with most about a 15 -20 minute drive away. The hike to the Sparrowhawk Tarns is the exception. Many of these Canmore hikes can…
I have been very lucky to spend a lot of time doing hikes in Canada - across all provinces and territories. What I look for in a great day hike is superlative scenery - with my preference being coast, lake or mountain views or even something that makes the hike unique. The Mingan with its fantastic eroded rock monoliths would be a great example. I'm not a fan of hiking miles through forests without a…
One of the easiest hikes to do in Kananaskis Country is the hike to Elbow Lake. It's only 1.3 kilometres in from the trailhead with about 137 metres of elevation gain. If you're a keen hiker that won't be enough but there is the option to continue to Rae Glacier. Note that the hike to Elbow Lake is ideal for families. And it makes a great first camping trip. Getting to Elbow Lake from the…
The Via Alpina in Switzerland is a long distance hiking trail made up of three distinct sections covering different parts of the country. John and I hiked six of the 20 one-day stages that make up the 390 kilometre red trail route. This part of the Via Alpina starts in Vaduz in eastern Switzerland and ends in Montreux in the west. Over its length, it climbs 23,600 metres (77,400 feet) and crosses 14 alpine passes.…
The EEOR hike (short for east end of Rundle) near Canmore is an out and back scramble that will test your mettle. It's steep from the get-go with an elevation gain of 875 metres over just 2.9 kilometres. For many people the EEOR hike will be a challenge. It's got lots of loose rock which is unsettling for some - and a cliff band with rock ledges along with some exposure near the top to…
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. Route description for the Pickle Jar Lakes hike From the parking lot walk north beside the highway for about 100 metres. Cross the road and pick up the obvious, though unsigned trail that…
Island Lake Lodge serves as a great base for hiking adventures. It sits on 7,000 acres of private land just minutes from Fernie, British Columbia. The lodge is surrounded by towering trees in old growth forest - with the Lizard Range of the Rocky Mountains serving up a spectacular backdrop. That translates to wonderful hiking opportunities both above tree line and in the forest. And you don't have to be a guest at Island Lake…
Looking for things to do in Revelstoke in summer? You won't have a problem filling your day(s). But what you may find is that you haven't allowed enough time to do everything you want to do. I personally would recommend these 11 things to do - based on a couple of trips to Revelstoke, nearby hot springs and national parks over several visits. There are also several adventurous activities I wish I'd done (see below)…
If you want a big workout in a short amount of time plus high impact mountain scenery, plan to hike the Hermit Trail in Glacier National Park BC. Steep hikes are what Glacier National Park is famous for - and Hermit Trail is the steepest of them all. But it differs from other hikes in the park in that you end in a rocky alpine bowl, and not on a ridge. Hermit Trail Trip Report…
Valhalla Provincial Park is home to one of the best hikes in BC. The 6 km trail into Gwillim Lakes is take-your-breath away beautiful, especially in the evening light. You'll find meadows to explore, mountain ridges to climb and lakes for skinny dipping. Also look for well-spaced tent pads, a kitchen area and a couple of outhouses. You could easily spend a few nights here. Where is Valhalla Provincial Park? There's a pretty good chance…