Alberta

Of all the lakes in the Banff area, this was one of my favorites to get out on the water. Don't expect the bright blue glacial waters of some of the other lakes in the Canadian Rockies, but the water is pristine and it was one of the few places I went where it felt like it was all locals hanging...

Best explored on a sunny summer day, this horseshoe shaped lake has crystal clear water that is green turquoise in colour and is surrounded by cliffs. This is a very popular cliff jumping location with the highest jump point said to be at 80 feet. An easy 1.5 km trail brings you from one side of...

Maligne Lake is one of those crystal clear unforgettable places Canada has to offer. It is the largest natural lake in the Canadian Rockies. Located in Jasper National Park, Maligne lake offers great fishing, kayaking, canoeing and boat tours.Spend the day around Maligne Lodge or camp at one of t...

The trailhead begins directly behind the Num-Ti-Jah Lodge on km 37 of the Icefields Highway. The trail is well marked and winds along the shore of Bow Lake for the first 1.2km of the hike. Eventually you will lead up to a narrow gorge and onto the crest of a glacial moraine. There are only a few...

Hector Lake is one of the larger lakes in Banff National Park. It is surrounded by the Waputik Range to the west, and offers pristine views of the mountains. Hector Lake is idyllic and peaceful. Most tourists drive past the trailhead on the parkway, which means the hike is not at all busy. An...

The hike begins with a gradual climb through shaded forest, which thins as you progress into the hanging valley. Along the way, you will pass by three amazing waterfalls: Twin Falls at 3.5km (2 mi), Burnt Rock Falls at 5.6km (3.5 mi) and the 600ft Crypt Falls at 8km (5 mi). There is also a 1km (0...

The trail is split up into three types of terrain: one-third uphill, one-third rugged, and one-third downhill. Begin at Cabin Creek Rd parking lot and follow Trailhead #3. If you plan on mountain biking the trail, most people do it in a day. If you happen to want to take longer or are hiking it,...

194km West of Rocky Mountain House, the trail head is marked by a small brown sign, with parking available across the highway on Abraham Lake. Very easy to follow the trail, no scramble sections but definitely a steady incline.  Near the lake there will be a fork in the trail, head left to hike d...

The Tonquin Valley is well known for its strong grizzly bear population. If you plan on tackling this hike check bear warnings prior to leaving and always keep a can of bear spray easily accessible.It also is recommended that hikers wait till late summer or early autumn to complete this hike. Ear...

Park in the Lantern Creek Recreation Area across the street from the trailhead. Highway #40 is closed at the Upper Lakes and Highwood House Junction from Dec 1st to June 14th for wildlife preservation, so you will have to plan your trip here accordingly. Once you cross the street you will see the...

Two Lakes Provincial Park, which is located 142 km south of Grande Prairie, is nestled within the foothills of northwestern Alberta. This remote scenic park includes two small lakes surrounded by forested hills. It is a great place to enjoy nature while camping, canoeing, hiking and wildlife view...

Directions: From Grande Prairie, drive about 50 minutes south on Highway 40. There is a ditch and an industrial road just off the side of the Highway, about 2 kilometers after the bridge. The trail is right off of the Highway, accessible by the ditch. Right before the bridge, that is crossing the...

Directions: Drive about 17km south of Grande Cache on Highway 40 and turn at the first rest stop on the left hand side of the road. There is one sign attached to a power pole that says Muskeg Falls. The first 500 meters into the trail is an easy walk through the dense alpine forest. It soon comes...

The Mosquito creek trailhead is on the east side of the Icefield parkway road just across from the Mosquito Creek Hostel. You park in front of the hostel, and hop across the road to begin the trek.The trail winds up the Mosquito Valley, occasionally popping into a clearing where you get good view...

Obed Lake Provincial Park is located only 34 km north of Hinton on Highway 16. The park protects several wetlands and lakes in the lower foothills of Alberta. The largest lake, Obed Lake, provides lots of recreational opportunities including canoeing, swimming, fishing, camping, and wildlife view...

Trailhead Owen Creek located by the East Banff National Park Boundary on the David Thompson Highway (#11). There is no sign for Owen Creek so keep you eyes open for a pullout approximately 2kms east of the Banff National Park toll gate. You will find the trail to the right of the creek when facin...