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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 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
An image of Allstones Lake in Bighorn Backcountry in Davod Thompson Country, Alberta, Canada.
An image of Allstones Lake in Bighorn Backcountry in Davod Thompson Country, Alberta, Canada.
Articles, Outdoor Adventure

Allstones Lake – Adventure in Bighorn Backcountry

Allstones Lake is one of my family’s favorite day hikes in David Thompson Country. Even though it’s just over 13 kilometres round trip if you include the peak, it’s a challenging hike and you should plan to make a full day of it. The journey to this pristine lake is a steep uphill climb with beautiful views along the way. While it can be busy with hikers during the daytime, if you stay overnight, you might get the lake almost to yourself. 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.   Allstones Lake Trailhead The …

Debbie Olsen
View Allstones Lake – Adventure in Bighorn Backcountry
An image of the Battle River Valley in Big Knife Provincial Park in Alberta, Canada.
An image of the Battle River Valley in Big Knife Provincial Park in Alberta, Canada.
Articles, Outdoor Adventure

Big Knife Provincial Park – Explore a Hidden Gem

The road less traveled provides the opportunity to experience beautiful destinations that tend to be less crowded. You might describe these places as hidden gems. One such is Big Knife Provincial Park, a remarkable provincial park with beautiful scenery, hiking and camping. Big Knife Provincial Park is a wonderful place to reconnect with nature without the worry of coming in contact with large numbers of people. It’s a piece of paradise that feels all your own. 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 Big Knife Provincial Park? Big Knife Provincial Park …

Debbie Olsen
View Big Knife Provincial Park – Explore a Hidden Gem
An image of Debbie Olsen and family on the Heart Mountain hike near Canmore, Alberta.
The Olsen family on the trail up Heart Mountain.
Articles, Outdoor Adventure

Heart Mountain Hike – Big Adventure Near Canmore

On the Heart Mountain hike near Canmore, an ordinary human can summit up to three mountains in a single day. That’s something worth bragging about, but in all honesty that wasn’t my main motivation for doing it. My son, Brady suggested we do the hike as a family, and I couldn’t resist. I always try to say yes whenever my children ask if I’d like to do something with them. Hiking adventures are better when you share them with people you love. Bragging rights from the Heart Mountain hike were just a bonus. 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 Heart Mountain Hike – Big Adventure Near Canmore
An image of a little girl being lifted into the air on a family hike near Siffleur Falls, Alberta - Glamping in Alberta.
An image of a little girl being lifted into the air on a family hike near Siffleur Falls, Alberta – Glamping in Alberta.
Articles, Outdoor Adventure

How to go Glamping in Alberta

Glamping in Alberta is the perfect solution for those who enjoy being in the great outdoors, but don’t relish the idea of setting up a tent and sleeping on the hard ground. It’s what you get when you combine “glamour” and “camping.” Also known as Comfort Camping, glamping takes all the hard work out of camping. Glamping accommodations all offer some level of luxury like comfortable beds. running water and sometimes even private bathrooms with flush toilets. Here’s a list of ten amazing places to experience glamping in Alberta, 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 …

Debbie Olsen
View How to go Glamping in Alberta
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