Prairie View Trail to Jewell Pass is a popular day hike in Kananaskis, particularly because it offers wonderful views of Barrier Lake from low and high elevations. The hike forms a loop, during which there are long walks in the forest before and after arriving at the main point of interest- the Praire View lookout….
Burstall Pass in Kananaskis is a stunning destination for a hike, especially in autumn when you can gaze down at yellow larch trees in a valley cradled between rocky peaks and bluffs. Even when not decked out in splendid fall colours, Burstall Pass Trail is an exquisite and worthwhile hike. During the journey, you’ll walk…
Jasper National Park is a fantastic region for all sorts of outdoor adventures, but the picturesque and varied trails in Jasper make it a great destination for hikers of all levels. When hiking in Jasper National Park, you don’t have to venture out on a multi-day trek into the backcountry to experience the park’s incredible…
Bertha Lake Trail offers hikers the opportunity to see some fantastic scenery without venturing too far from the Waterton townsite. There are several points of interest on the Bertha Lake hike starting with a lookout point over Upper Waterton Lake, then the small but pretty Lower Bertha Falls, and finally Bertha Lake at the end…
Tunnel Mountain Trail is a popular short hike that is easily accessible from the town of Banff. The proximity to downtown makes it a favourite among locals who sprint up the mountain for exercise and tourists who come to enjoy the view from the low summit. Some sights you can see from the Tunnel Mountain…
Sulphur Skyline Trail is one of the most rewarding hikes in Jasper National Park. On this half-day journey from Miette Hot Springs to the summit of Sulphur Ridge, you’ll pass through a forest and ascend above the tree line to a panoramic viewpoint showcasing the Fiddle River Valley, Utopia Mountain, and Ashlar Ridge. Sulphur Skyline…
Blakiston Falls Trail is a short, easy hike to a pair of viewpoints that look down on a waterfall dropping into a mountain-framed canyon. After a brief ascent through the forest, the trail emerges above Blakiston Creek flowing through a gorge then makes its way upstream towards Blakiston Falls. The falls are named after Lieutenant…
The Carthew-Alderson Trail has a reputation for being one of the most beautiful hikes in Waterton Lakes National Park. On this long day hike, the trail passes through various picturesque landscapes including subalpine forests and meadows, argillite scree slopes, a high ridge, and a pair of lakes nestled in a mountain-framed valley. Since the Carthew-Alderson…
The Crypt Lake hike is one of the best known and most popular hikes in Waterton Lakes National Park. The trail obtained international recognition in 2014 when it was named one of the “World’s 20 Most Thrilling Trails” by National Geographic. Crypt Lake Trail achieved this title because of some unique and adventurous features like…
Venturing out on the hiking trails in Elk Island National Park is an active and relaxing way to experience the landscape of the Boreal Plains, along with the flora and fauna protected within the park. While hiking the Elk Island trails, you’ll follow in the footsteps of bison through forests and grassy meadows, every so…
The hike to Big Bend in Jasper National Park will take you away from the crowds and deliver you to a peaceful backcountry campground beside the Athabasca River. The route is along Chaba Trail, an old fire road that gradually descends through the forest towards a bend in the Athabasca River. For a longer hike,…
Arethusa Cirque Trail in Kananaskis Country is a scenic loop framed by impressive rocky mountains, including its namesake Mount Arethusa. During the Arethusa Cirque hike, you’ll first get to visit a beautiful meadow, then overlook a valley full of larch trees from higher ground. The full Arethusa Cirque route crosses the meadow then proceeds to…
The Athabasca Lookout Trail leads to one of the most picturesque viewpoints in William A. Switzer Provincial Park near Hinton. From the Athabasca Lookout Viewpoint, and at several spots along the forested ridge trail, you’ll get to enjoy panoramic views of the Joachim Valley and front ranges of the Rocky Mountains. The Athabasca Lookout hike…
The Ptarmigan Cirque hike is a popular short hike in Kananaskis Country that is known for its wildflowers in early summer and larch trees in the fall. Since Ptarmigan Cirque Trail starts at Highwood Pass, the highest point in Canada accessible by paved road, it offers a quick route into the alpine, reaching an elevation…
The Pocaterra Ridge hike is known for being one of the most beautiful autumn hikes in Kananaskis, thanks to a plethora of yellow larch trees, but even in summer the trail delivers an abundance of breathtaking scenery. From high on Pocaterra Ridge Trail you’ll get a 360 degree view of rocky mountain peaks and forested…
The Rawson Lake and Sarrail Ridge hike is a journey that will deliver you to some of the most mesmerizing views in Kananaskis Country. This two-part hike first arrives at the shore of beautiful Rawson Lake where you’ll be greeted with a commanding view of Mount Sarrail. The second segment climbs steeply on an unofficial…
The Rawson Lake hike is a half-day trip to a stunning glacier-carved cirque and alpine lake in Kananaskis Country. Framed by trees with Mount Sarrail towering at the head of the cirque, there’s plenty of natural beauty to appreciate at the end of Rawson Lake Trail. On a calm morning, the surrounding scenery is perfectly…
Sunwapta Falls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls along the Icefields Parkway and a must-see attraction in Jasper National Park. This stepping waterfall on the Sunwapta River consists of two main falls and each is viewed from a separate location. Upper Sunwapta Falls is the most attractive tier and easiest to visit, since it’s…
The Chester Lake hike in Kananaskis is a popular trail that delivers hikers to a scenic lake nestled below Mount Chester. On route to Chester Lake, the trail passes through forest and meadows while offering views of mountains, larch trees, and distant glaciers. The most unique feature you can see on this hike are the…
Kananaskis Country is an amazing hiking destination, but it’s especially wonderful in the fall when the larch trees change colour to display vibrant golden needles. This unique phenomenon is why the most popular fall hikes in Kananaskis are ones where you can see larch trees from the trail- a.k.a. “larch hikes”. Larch Hikes in Kananaskis …