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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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.
Hiking the Wave in Arizona Just Got Easier!
Hiking the Wave in Arizona is an experience of a lifetime, but you have to win a lottery to get a permit to do it. According to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), 200,589 people applied for 7,300 permits to hike the wave in 2019. The odds of success in 2019 were about 3.5 percent. My husband and I were in that 3.5 percent. The BLM recently announced that as of Feb 1, 2021 they are increasing the number of permits from 20 people per day to 64 people per day. This will make it a little easier to get a permit for one of the world’s most exclusive hikes.…
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…
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…
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…
