Photo via Shutterstock
There is no shortage of scenic trails in Alberta, but when temperatures drop where will your feet take you?
With larch trees and beautiful blue water, some of Canada’s most impressive sights are in Wild Rose Country, but if you want to make the most of your time this season, there are a few standouts!
According to Parks Alberta, these are six hikes that people have truly ‘fallen’ for
Described as “epic,” Reesor Hills TCT Trail has some of the “best lookouts in the Cypress Hills.”
According to Alberta Parks, this trail connects to the existing Trans-Canada Trail just west of the Reesor viewpoint, then heads west.
Visitors can expect to travel 19.8 kilometres one-way.
Where: See location here
Distance from Calgary: 360 km
Distance from Edmonton: 594 km
Surrounded by trees, this alpine trail offers beautiful views and continues over Buller Pass and Ribbon Lake.
This one is described as a “gradual uphill climb,” and is approximately 7.5 kilometres (one way) to the pass, 9 kilometres (one way) to Guinn’s Pass junction, or 10.1 km to the Ribbon Lake Campground.
Where: See location here
Distance from Calgary: 134 km
Distance from Edmonton: 424 km
Through wetlands, sand hills, and forest! Amerada is a gravel trail that follows the shore of Crimson Lake.
Want to take your time? Bring a lunch and enjoy the view from one of the many benches along the way.
Where: See location here
Distance from Calgary: 230 km
Distance from Edmonton: 226 km
Regarded as one of the “most picturesque viewpoints in the region,” the Athabasca lookout trail can be accessed from the parking lot of the Hinton Nordic Centre.
According to Parks Alberta, the 1-kilometre hike uphill will be rewarded with “stunning views of the Rocky Mountains and surrounding foothills,” though if you continue along the ridge trail, you’ll see giant sandstone boulders and cliffs that create a “climbing playground.”
The path then leads into the Joachim Valley and connects to the Jarvis Lake Campground.
Where: See location here
Distance from Calgary: 501 km
Distance from Edmonton: 312 km
A trail that passes several wetlands and an old barn from the 1910s, Grouse is the longest loop in Miquelon Lake Provincial Park.
You can access this beauty from the Fox Loop or Beaver Hills Interpretive Trails.
Where: See location here
Distance from Calgary: 310 km
Distance from Edmonton: 68 km
Looking for something that is generally pretty flat? This beautiful hike will take you through an old-growth Jack Pine forest. Here, you’ll see witches’ brooms, squirrels, and towering trees along the way.
If, however, you’d like to continue on to the lakeshore, there is a pretty steep hill, but the trip is what you make it!
Where: See location here
Distance from Calgary: 584 km
Distance from Edmonton: 289 km
Feeling inspired?
We hope you got your beauty sleep or can spare a day between Monday and Friday!
“With the beautiful fall weather we are experiencing, certain parks can be busy at this time of year,” Alberta Parks told Curiocity.
“Visitors are encouraged to go early in the morning or mid-week, before parking lots fill up. Make a backup plan if your initial destination’s parking lot is full.”
If, for some reason, you’re unable to do one of the above hikes, or you’ve already seen all there is to see, don’t fret. There are still a ton of other places where you can go—but beware!
“This year, we are asking visitors to please avoid the Highwood Pass area in Kananaskis,” they continued.
“Due to ongoing construction, there will be limited parking and intermittent closures. Roadside parking will not be permitted. This area includes the Highwoods Meadow Interpretive Trail, Pocaterra Cirque and Ridge Routes, Arethusa Cirque and Ptarmigan Cirque.”
If you think you’re ready to go, please dress appropriately, know your limits and be aware of wildlife.
We’d also recommend checking public safety advisories ahead of time at AlbertaParks.ca.
Preparation is key, but it will be worth it!
Now, get out there and enjoy those incredible Alberta trails!
It’s going to be a spectacular season.
Recent Posts:
This Alberta village has an old western boardwalk & a working steam train station
An outdoor staircase leads to a breathtaking waterfall in this Alberta Park
If you’re looking for a cute town to visit in the Rocky Mountains, there is…
And just like that, the May long weekend is only a few days away. Of…
Shein is coming back to Toronto for a four-day shopping experience, bringing all the summer…
The outdoor pool just won two major provincial awards!
Things are heating up for B.C.’s tourism industry as the summer months near, and a new global…
Toronto's waterfront is getting a brand-new open-air food festival this long weekend, bringing together more…