Banff National Park, in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, is a stunning and exciting destination to visit year round, but it’s especially intriguing in the summer when there are plenty of outdoor adventures to be had. During summer in Banff you can spend your days hiking or biking the trails, paddling on vibrant lakes, visiting mountain...
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 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 Icefields Parkway is one of the world’s most scenic drives, offering up everything from ancient glaciers and turquoise lakes to mountain-framed valleys and raging waterfalls. If there ever was a road trip that is more about the journey than the destination, it is the Icefields Parkway drive. In only 233 kilometres, you’ll experience what...
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...
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...
A trip to Jasper National National Park wouldn’t be complete without visiting Athabasca Falls, one of the most remarkable waterfalls on the Icefields Parkway. On first glance you might not be impressed with its height, at only 23 m tall, but it’s the sheer volume and force of the Athabasca River tumbling over a wide...
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 ...
Goat Creek Trail is a scenic route for mountain biking from Canmore to Banff. The path follows nearby Goat Creek, then later beside Spray River as it makes its way through the forest from Spray Valley Provincial Park in Kananaskis to the town of Banff in Banff National Park. The corridor that Goat Creek Trail...
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...
Pyramid Lake in Jasper National Park attracts a lot of visitors who come to admire its scenic island and mountain views. While relaxing on the beach or walking the short nature trail on Pyramid Island are enjoyable things to do, kayaking Pyramid Lake offers a different perspective of the lake’s famous sights. From the water...
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...
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...
Lac Beauvert, or Beauvert Lake, is a popular lake in Jasper National Park for kayaking, canoeing, and stand up paddleboarding. Just a short distance from the town of Jasper, Lac Beauvert is easily accessible and has a boathouse with rentals available from the Jasper Park Lodge. While kayaking Lac Beauvert you’ll get to enjoy views...
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...
