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 ...
Day hikers, backcountry campers, and fishermen will all find something to enjoy on the Kinglet Lake hike near Nordegg. The final destination is a peaceful lake where you can savour a picnic lunch, set up camp for the night, and even try your luck at catching some trout from the cool, clear water. While Kinglet...
The Boom Lake hike in Banff National Park is proof that you don’t always have to embark on a long, steep, grueling hike to reach a pristine mountainous location. This fairly easygoing, half day outing involves hiking on a well graded trail to Boom Lake, a scenic lake framed by glacier-capped peaks and the wide...
Beauty Creek Trail is a short, easy hike in Jasper National Park that often goes unnoticed by people travelling along the Icefields Parkway. The trail doesn’t look too interesting from the road, but it leads to Stanley Falls at the top of a scenic canyon. The Beauty Creek canyon used to be a popular roadside...
Horseshoe Canyon near Drumheller is a popular place to experience the beauty of the badlands, an ancient landscape of heavily eroded soft rock. Horseshoe Canyon Trail serves as the starting point for a “choose your own adventure” type of exploration, delivering you to the canyon floor where you can then hike freely among the barren,...
Old Fort Point Trail is a short loop near the town of Jasper that offers panoramic views of the Athabasca Valley and its main landmarks. From the top of Old Fort Point, a prominent bedrock hill beside the Athabasca River, you can see many points of interest including Pyramid Mountain, Lac Beauvert, Whistlers Mountain, Mount...
The Taylor Lake hike in Banff National Park is a hike that’s more often chosen for the destination rather than the journey. Taylor Lake Trail itself is unremarkable, with nothing much to look at other than trees, but the end point is a gorgeous lake and meadow nestled in a hanging valley overlooked by rocky...
Parker Ridge Trail is one of the most popular day hikes along the Icefields Parkway largely due to its stunning view of the Saskatchewan Glacier. Another reason the trail is so favoured is because it delivers hikers up to the alpine zone in a short amount of time, with only a fraction of the effort...
