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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.

An image of a young woman watching rock climbers scaling a cliff above the Grassi Lakes in Canmore, Alberta - Grassi Lakes hike.
The Grassi Lakes hike is a fun family hike near Canmore, Alberta that leads to beautiful lakes, Photo by Greg Olsen
Alberta, Articles, Canada, Canada Provinces, Hike, Outdoor Adventure, Things To Do

10 Best Easy Hikes in Kananaskis

Some of the best easy hikes in Kananaskis lead to waterfalls, mountaintops and glistening lakes. Kananaskis is a year-round outdoor paradise that runs along the edge of Banff National Park and includes some of the prettiest scenery in the Canadian Rockies. It is a vast recreation area with many incredible hiking trails, so it was difficult to pick a top ten list. There’s a hike for every level of hiker in Kananaskis County and everyone has his or her own idea of what classifies as an “easy hike.” We’ve included some amazing family-friendly hikes on this list – everything from a stroller-friendly lake loop to a short and steep summit hike. If you have suggestions or comments about any of …

Debbie Olsen
View 10 Best Easy Hikes in Kananaskis
An image of a couple taking in views of the Ten Peaks surrounded by golden larches on the Larch Valley hike.
Views of the Ten Peaks surrounded by golden larches are the highlight of the Larch Valley Trail.
Alberta, Articles, Canada, Canada Provinces, Hike, Outdoor Adventure, Things To Do

Larch Valley Hike – Have a Magical Autumn

The storied Larch Valley Trail is the signature larch hike of the Canadian Rockies and with good reason. Snow dusted mountain peaks and golden yellow larches make for one of the most beautiful hiking experiences on the planet. It gets crowded during peak season, but it’s worth braving the crowds to hike this iconic trail. Here are some tips for how to hike Banff’s most popular trail in peak season.

Debbie Olsen
View Larch Valley Hike – Have a Magical Autumn
An image of a frozen waterfall inside Maligne Canyon in Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada.
An image of a frozen waterfall inside Maligne Canyon in Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada.
Alberta, Articles, Canada, Canada Provinces, Experiences, Outdoor Adventure, Things To Do

Jasper Icewalk – Discover Maligne Canyon in Winter

Hiking the deepest canyon in Jasper National Park is an incredible experience in any season, but it’s particularly special in winter. When the canyon freezes, you get the opportunity to see frozen waterfalls and other incredible ice formations. It’s nature’s artistry at its finest. It’s wonderful to walk along the snow-covered trails near the canyon’s edge, but a Jasper icewalk lets you walk on the frozen Maligne River and see the ice formations close up. 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! Jasper Icewalk – Guided or On Your Own I …

Debbie Olsen
View Jasper Icewalk – Discover Maligne Canyon in Winter
An image of a couple standing in front of the frozen Star Creek Falls in Crowsnest Pass, Alberta, Canada.
The frozen falls are just one of the highlights of the Star Creek Falls ice walk. Photo by Heather Davis.
Alberta, Articles, Canada, Canada Provinces, Experiences, Outdoor Adventure, Things To Do

Star Creek Falls Ice Walk

There’s something magical about seeing a deep craggy canyon from the ground up and the Star Creek Falls ice walk lets you do that and much more. It’s a chance to see the power of erosion from an entirely new angle. You technically have to walk on water to get the view – which in summer, spring or fall is impossible. That’s what makes winter so special. When the creek is frozen, you can make your way carefully along the ice taking in the geology and the incredible ice formations that showcase nature’s artistry. 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 …

Debbie Olsen
View Star Creek Falls Ice Walk
An image of a couple standing in front of one of the Grassi Lakes - Canmore winter hikes and snowshoe trails
An image of a couple standing in front of one of the Grassi Lakes – Canmore winter hikes and snowshoe trails
Alberta, Articles, Canada, Canada Provinces, Experiences, Hike, Outdoor Adventure, Things To Do

Winter Hikes & Snowshoe Trails Near Canmore

Midway between Kananaskis Country and Banff National Park, the charming town of Canmore makes a great base for exploring the Canadian Rockies in winter. It’s a destination that absolutely sparkles when the snow falls. One of the best ways to enjoy the frosty season is to get outside and enjoy Canmore winter hikes and snowshoe trails. There are plenty of wonderful pathways and trails both inside and outside Banff National Park to explore and the scenery can’t be beat. Here are some suggested Canmore winter hikes and snowshoe trails outside the national park. 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 …

Debbie Olsen
View Winter Hikes & Snowshoe Trails Near Canmore
An image of a couple holding a sturgeon in a river.
An image of a couple holding a sturgeon in a river.
Articles, British Columbia, Canada Provinces, Experiences, Outdoor Adventure, Things To Do

Fraser River Sturgeon – How to Catch a 50-Year-Old Virgin Sturgeon

“This one’s a virgin!” our guide Chad pronounced as he scanned the body of the 39-kg (86 pound) white sturgeon we had just pulled out of the mighty Fraser River in British Columbia. Fortunately for the fish, he wasn’t referring to sexual status, but to the fact that it had never been caught and tagged before. When I asked him to estimate the age of the massive fish, Chad said he figured it was about 50 years old. Our guide carefully examined the fish, recorded several measurements and then placed a tiny electronic PIT tag just under the skin using a special needle. Then we gently lowered the fish back into the water and watched it swim away. There are …

Debbie Olsen
View Fraser River Sturgeon – How to Catch a 50-Year-Old Virgin Sturgeon
An image of a woman taking in the view from the top of Nihahi Ridge in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada.
An image of a woman taking in the view from the top of Nihahi Ridge in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada.
Articles, Outdoor Adventure

Nihahi Ridge – 360-degree Views in Kananaskis Country

The wind picked up as my friend and I made our way to the top of Nihahi Ridge in Kananakis Country and to be honest, I was a bit nervous. I lowered my centre of gravity to keep myself firmly grounded to the ridge and slowly made my way to a quiet spot to take in the view. It felt like I was at the top of the world. The commanding views from this mountain ridge are nothing short of spectacular. It’s one of the top view hikes in the Canadian Rockies for good reason and it’s worth the effort to take in this beautiful panoramic scene.   There are affiliate links in this post. If you make a qualifying …

Kelsey Olsen
View Nihahi Ridge – 360-degree Views in Kananaskis Country
An image of the view from the top at El Faro Mazatlan hike in Mexico.
An image of the view from the top at El Faro Mazatlan hike in Mexico.
Articles, Outdoor Adventure

El Faro Mazatlan – Hike to the World’s Highest Natural Lighthouse

On a recent vacation to Mazatlan, Mexico, my boyfriend, Garrett and I were looking for fun things to do. As a nature lover and an avid hiker, I couldn’t resist when our cab driver brought up the El Faro Mazatlan hike. Our cab driver explained that you could see “all of Mazatlan from the top and the view is spectacular.” It sounded so appealing that we decided to plan a day to experience the hike to El Faro Lighthouse. 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.   Where is El Faro in Mazatlan? El …

Kelsey Olsen
View El Faro Mazatlan – Hike to the World’s Highest Natural Lighthouse
An image of the sandy shores of Lake Newell at Kinbrook Island Provincial Park near Brooks, Alberta.
An image of the sandy shores of Lake Newell at Kinbrook Island Provincial Park near Brooks, Alberta.
Articles, Outdoor Adventure

Lake Newell & Kinbrook Island – Alberta’s Best Kept Secret

You don’t have to travel to a tropical island to find warm water and sandy beaches in Alberta – not in the summer anyways. Fourteen kilometres south of Brooks lies Lake Newell, one of the largest and warmest man made lakes in the province. The broad sandy beach at Kinbrook Island Provincial Park is a real treat on a sunny day and there are nice playgrounds and campgrounds there. Other activities include boating, fishing and birding. It’s a beautiful place to be on a warm day and there are plenty of warm days in this arid region of southern Alberta. There are affiliate links in this post. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of these links, Wander Woman …

Debbie Olsen
View Lake Newell & Kinbrook Island – Alberta’s Best Kept Secret
boardwalk views at Lois Hole Provincial park - birds in Alberta, Canada
boardwalk views at Lois Hole Provincial park – birds in Alberta, Canada
Articles, Outdoor Adventure

See Birds in Alberta at Lois Hole Provincial Park

Lois Hole, the former lieutenant governor of Alberta, was so beloved that a provincial park was established in her honor. An avid gardener and nature lover, she would have been pleased to know that Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park is one of the best places to see birds in Alberta. This beautiful 1800-hectare provincial park is located at Big Lake Natural Area in St. Albert, just eleven kilometres southwest of Holes Greenhouses, the business that Hole established and spent her life building. 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.   Lois Hole, the Nature …

Debbie Olsen
View See Birds in Alberta at Lois Hole Provincial Park
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