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Outdoor Adventure

If you love hiking, cycling, paddling, caving and outdoor adventure, you’ll love these articles. Read on and explore the great outdoors with us! We’ve visited some amazing nature hot spots and we’ve got some great tips to help you plan your own adventures in nature.

Girl sitting in mist mountain hot springs
Articles, Outdoor Adventure, Travel Inspiration

Mist Mountain Hot Springs: Nature’s Serene Oasis

As a lover of natural hot springs and hiking, Mist Mountain Hot Springs has been on my bucket list for quite some time. Located in Kananaskis, Alberta, the hike leads you up a trail that provides gorgeous views of the surrounding mountains before arriving at several warm natural hot springs to soak in and enjoy the spectacular views. If you’re not too tired, you can continue up to the peak of Mist Mountain from here, but we only adventured to the hot springs and it was well worth it.  There are affiliate links in this post. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of these links, Wander Woman Travel Magazine may receive a small commission at no extra cost …

Kelsey Olsen
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Railay Beach in Thailand.
Railay Beach, a climbers paradise.
Articles, Outdoor Adventure, Travel Inspiration

Rock Climbing in Krabi: Conquering New Heights in Nature’s Paradise

As someone who has always been captivated by the beauty of nature and the allure of adventure, trying out rock climbing had been on my bucket list for quite some time. So when I discovered that Krabi, Thailand was not only a stunning vacation destination, but also a prime spot for beginner rock climbers like myself, I knew I had found the perfect opportunity to challenge myself and fulfill a lifelong dream. I’ll admit it wasn’t my first choice when deciding what we should do for the day, my partner Garrett suggested we go rock climbing in Krabi. After taking a few moments to consider, I realized it would be a great way to experience something new in one of …

Kelsey Olsen
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The view from the summit of Porcupine Ridge in Kananaskis.
Articles, Outdoor Adventure, Photos, Travel Inspiration

Porcupine Ridge – A Wonderful Hike in Kananaskis

I always feel like the summer flies by in a blink and I am never able to complete as many hikes or camping trips as I would have liked. This year, Garrett and I made it a priority to go hiking whenever we both have a free day or even a few spare hours in the afternoon. It was a surprise when we both realized that we didn’t have plans on a random Sunday in June and we quickly decided to head out to the mountains. Since we made these hiking plans super last minute (that very morning!) We were looking to do a hike near Calgary. I was also wanting to do a hike that I hadn’t done before …

Kelsey Olsen
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A girl looking at the view at the summit of Sarrail Ridge in Kananaskis.
Articles, Outdoor Adventure

10 of the All Time Best Hikes in Kananaskis Country

Kananaskis has some of the most beautiful hiking trails in all of the Canadian Rockies and oftentimes it has fewer crowds than many of the hiking trails near Banff or Canmore. Being born and raised in Alberta and living only an hour away from Kananaskis has allowed me to explore the area extensively. I’ve compiled a list of ten of my all-time favourite hikes that you’ve got to add to your hiking list for this summer. The hikes range from beginner to advanced so there is something for everyone. Read on to discover some of the very best hikes in Kananaskis. There are affiliate links in this post. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of these links, Wander …

Kelsey Olsen
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An image of a hiker in the Purcell Mountains near Purcell Mountain Lodge in British Columbia, Canada.
An image of a hiker in the Purcell Mountains near Purcell Mountain Lodge in British Columbia, Canada.
Articles, Outdoor Adventure

Purcell Mountain Lodge – Paradise in Summer and Winter

As we came to the top of a ridge in the bald hills near British Columbia’s northern Purcell Mountains, our guide, Beth Purser, who was leading a yoga retreat at Purcell Mountain Lodge, asked us all to take part in a meditative yoga exercise. She just asked us to pay attention to every detail of the stunning landscape around us. As a writer, I’m used to paying attention to details, but when I actually focused my efforts on the sounds, sights and smells around me, I was surprised by how much I had been missing. I noticed all the different shades of green, the glistening dew on pine needles and the high-pitched squeak of a nearby ground squirrel. And when …

Debbie Olsen
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An image of two women standing on Mystic Beach, Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada.
Mystic Beach is an amazing hike with spectacular views.
Articles, Outdoor Adventure

Experiencing Mystic Beach on Vancouver Island

Mystic beach is a hidden oasis located on the southern coast of Vancouver Island. One visit to this beach and it’s clear why it was given its name. With a short but beautiful trail through the ancient forest of Juan de Fuca Provincial Park and a waterfall cascading off a cliff onto the beach shore, you are sure to gain an experience with the perfect combination of adventure and relaxation in British Columbia’s natural paradise. There are affiliate links in this post. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of these links, Wander Woman Travel Magazine may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.  Getting to Mystic Beach on Vancouver Island Mystic beach is located about …

Kelsey Olsen
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An image of two women standing on the top of the Grassi Knob Trail hike in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada.
An image of two women standing on the top of the Grassi Knob Trail hike in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada.
Articles, Outdoor Adventure

Grassi Knob Trail Happy Dance

My legs burned as I ventured up the Grassi Knob trail near Canmore, Alberta. The thought of reaching the top is what motivated me to keep going. I was so happy my friends Jenna and Claire were along with me to experience this adventure. Grassi Knob is not a super well-known hike, but the views are fantastic and well worth the effort it takes to reach the top. To get to the top involves trail finding as well as a difficult climb, but it is well worth it to enjoy the breathtaking views of Canmore and the Three Sisters mountain range. There are affiliate links in this post. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of these links, Wander …

Kelsey Olsen
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An image of a couple and a dog at Halfway River Hot Springs in British Columbia, Canada.
An image of a couple and a dog at Halfway River Hot Springs in British Columbia, Canada.
Articles, Outdoor Adventure

Halfway Hot Springs – A Natural Oasis

The phrase “hidden gem” gets used too often, but there are times when it really fits. Halfway Hot Springs in the Kootenay region of British Columbia is a secluded, undeveloped off-the-beaten-path set of natural hot springs that really are a hidden gem. These hot springs are different from other hot springs, because they are rustic, rugged and all natural. They are very popular in summer. We visited them in early spring when there was still snow on the ground. Getting to these hot springs was challenging, but it was well worth the effort to soak in the serenity and beauty of Halfway Hot Springs. There are affiliate links in this post. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of …

Kelsey Olsen
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An image of Abraham Lake, one of the prettiest spots in the Canadian Rockies in Alberta, Canada.
Abraham Lake is one of the prettiest spots in the Canadian Rockies in Alberta, Canada.
Articles, Outdoor Adventure

Camping and Hiking at Abraham Lake

Word is starting to get out – Abraham Lake camping and hiking adventures are some of the best in the Rocky Mountains. You can camp near this beautiful lake for free and enjoy lovely mountain scenery and wonderful hiking trails without paying the fees associated with entering a national park. Bighorn Backcountry, also known as David Thompson Country, is one of the prettiest places in Canada. There are affiliate links in this post. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of these links, Wander Woman Travel Magazine may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support! About Abraham Lake and David Thompson Country With a surface area of nearly 54 square kilometres, Abraham Lake …

Debbie Olsen
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An image of someone sitting in a red chair and taking in the view of the Athabasca Glacier on the Wilcox Pass lookout hike in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada.
You can see one of the prettiest views in the Canadian Rockies from the red chairs at the Wilcox Pass lookout. Photo by Greg Olsen.
Articles, Outdoor Adventure

Wilcox Pass – The Hike with Absolutely Amazing Athabasca Glacier Views

The Athabasca Glacier is one of the most incredible sites along the Icefields Parkway. Whenever we make the journey from Banff to Jasper, we stop there. You can’t drive past it without stopping. It’s a rule in our family. No matter how many times I have seen it, this enormous glacier never ceases to amaze me. Last September, my husband and I decided it was time to get a bird’s eye view of the glacier and the surrounding mountains on the Wilcox Pass hike. This phenomenal day hike has the best views of the Athabasca Glacier we’ve ever seen. When we sat in the red chairs, we didn’t want to move. The view before us was just that beautiful. There …

Debbie Olsen
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