Why Alberta?
Alberta, big sky country
Encompassing mountains, prairies, desert badlands, vast forests, glaciers and more than 600 lakes, nestled between British Columbia and Saskatchewan, Alberta is a province of wide open spaces and stunning contrasts. Alberta should be your next dream destination and why it's Canada's best-kept secret.
Alberta is home to several national parks, including Banff National Park and Jasper National Park. These parks offer a wealth of opportunities for hiking, camping, and wildlife watching. The largest national park in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, Jasper National Park is a place of pure magic. Here, shimmering glaciers, abundant wildlife, crystal-clear lakes, thundering waterfalls, deep canyons, evergreen forests and towering mountains set the scene for adventure.
Trails
My favourite hikes in Alberta
Ha Ling Trail
The Ha Ling Trail to Ha Ling Peak is a difficult trail that hikers confirm lives up to the challenge. The trail begins at a parking lot and makes its way through beautiful Canadian Rocky Mountain forest, as it starts to climb and then makes its way onto open rock and fewer trees.
Location:
Kananaskis
What I like about it
Once at the ridge, the view is awesome as you tower over the town of Canmore, with the accomplishment of having climbed the striking mountain.
Pocaterra Ridge
Pocaterra Ridge is a beautiful and rewarding day hike and is one of the most popular hikes in Kananaskis - particularly in the fall when the famous larch trees begin to turn yellow (typically around the last two weeks in September). It is a steep climb with amazing views.
Location:
Peter Lougheed Provincial Park
What I like about it
Seeing the beautiful larches turn into their golden yellow spread across the hiking trail and stunning views of the Spray Lakes.
Tent Ridge Horseshoe
This trail is a moderately challenging hike that hikers enjoy completing clockwise for more of an easy hike, and counter-clockwise as challenge. While the scrambling section up to Tent Ridge summit is between beginner to intermediate level, there is quite a bit of elevation to it.
Location:
Spray Valley Provincial Park
What I like about it
The out-of-this-world views are very distracting though, so make sure to pause and stand to enjoy the view rather than gawking and walking at the same time.