This ‘underrated’ Albertan hamlet is known as the ‘gateway to Kananaskis’

If you’re looking for a spot to explore in Alberta this summer, a small hamlet was just named an underrated small town to explore in the Rockies.

World Atlas, one of the largest publishing resources in geography, recently released a list of 10 underrated small towns to explore in the Rockies, and the only Alberta spot to make the list was Bragg Creek.

“The water draws anglers in summer, and the riverside picnic spots fill up on weekends, but the real reason people make the trip is the trail network just west of the hamlet.”

Bragg Creek is well known as the “gateway to Kananaskis,” offering close access to everything the beautiful region has to offer.

According to its website, Bragg Creek and the surrounding area have a population of around 4,000 people. Some residents live in the small hamlet, and some live on acreages surrounding the area, as well as in other nearby hamlets.

The hamlet dates back over a century, and was named by A.O Wheeler while he was mapping the area in 1884. He came across two brothers, Albert and John Bragg, camping in the area and named it after them. 

Bragg Creek even holds some pretty serious history, being the site of the first youth hostel in North America, which opened on July 1, 1933. It was opened by Mary and Catherine Barclay, sisters from Calgary, who were pioneers in the youth hostelling movement in Canada.

“The hamlet itself is a cluster of shops and cafes, close enough to the city for a day trip and far enough out to feel like the mountains have already started,” World Atlas noted.

While it’s quite small, Bragg Creek is actually home to five shopping malls: the Bragg Creek Shopping Centre, the Old West Mall, the Trading Post Mall, the Bragg Creek Village Market, and Front Porch Square Mall.

In total, the hamlet is home to roughly 60 businesses. Many people operate consultancies and other home-based businesses throughout the area, while the malls typically cater to tourists stopping in the area.

You can find World Atlas’ full list online.

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