Category: Hikes And Summits

When you’re looking for a hike that’s quick and uncomplicated, the trail up Foran Grade Ridge is a fine option. Located in the Sheep River area west of Turner Valley, it’s not that far from Calgary, so convenient to us city dwellers. It’s an easy trek up to a to...

There’s always time for a little hiking and while on the road to adventure, where ever it takes us, we’ll search out local trails. One fine fall day finds us southeast of Edmonton and itching to put feet in motion. The prairies are hardly a hiking mecca, yet more often...

Here’s a most enjoyable loop hike in the extensive Bragg Creek Trails system. There’s a million and one options in their extensive network, out in the foothills west of Calgary, so there’s always something new to do. Here’s one new to us and the goal is Baruch’s Corner Viewpoint atop...

This hiking adventure happens in the extensive Bragg Creek Trail Network near Calgary. How convenient that it’s just a hop, skip and jump away from the big city! The route is comprised of a number of different trails pieced together to form a nice loop that goes up and over...

When we can’t hike in the woods, we walk in town – whatever town we’re in. One pleasant fall weekend found us in Claresholm Alberta, partaking of a little adventure that had us making a loop of the quaint prairie community. We’ll visit all four corners of town and there’s...

This is an in-town hike, but that the route mostly travels through parks and green spaces belies the fact. We’re in Camrose Alberta making use of the city’s extensive pathway system and linking together a couple loops into a nice little cohesive package. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and should you...

The location: Sundre Alberta. The mission: To hike! Today’s target: What we’ll call Sundre Loop, taking in a couple sections of town, the Snake Hill recreation area and with a final stretch paralleling the Red Deer River. It’s sounds about perfect for a lazy day, and in spite of where...

Step after step and much distance travelled only to end up back where you started? Yes and such is hiking. This walk in the woods plays out in West Bragg Creek and takes in several trails in that extensive network. They are: Snowy Owl, Old Shell Road, and Braggin’ Rights...

Mulled wine (most important): check. Spiky things for the shoes (not needed, as it turned out): check. Two shirts, a sweater and two jackets (layers are best): check. I guess we’re set! Today it’s an urban hike in an un-city like setting…oh, and the temperature outside is colder than your...

This urban walking adventure makes a tour of High River Alberta, a community that’s grown a lot over the last few years, but still displays much small town charm. The older neighbourhoods are home to many historic buildings – a plus for people into that kind of weird stuff –...

You can keep good and busy exploring the extensive Bragg Creek Trails network and even if visited often, there’s always new routes to discover. Well thought out and maintained by a dedicated group (bless their hearts), trails are generally multi-use, so open to some combination of hikers, cyclists, equestrian riders,...

Today it’s a visit to little Ben’s Hill, just east of Prairie Mountain. It’s a straightforward hike and the only complication is a minor cliff band two-thirds of the way up. Should the conditions be slippery as they were this day, there is a steep bypass route, but even it...

This easy jaunt in the woods takes place at little Brown-Lowery Provincial Park not far from Calgary and using a series of interconnecting trails makes a fun and pleasant loop. It pretty much covers all four corners of the park (it’s not a big piece of land). If you do...

Here’s an easy one for those days when aspirations are wanting. It’s a simple loop, mostly in the trees and takes in the west facing slope of Ole Buck Mountain. Well graded, the route is K-Country official, so marked and well maintained. Easy stuff! You’re talking Ole Buck Loop in...

The trail up Eagle Hill, in the foothills of Kananaskis, is a pleasant romp in the woods leading to a nice little viewpoint. From there take in surrounding ridges and mountains, the reward coming at a reasonable price. All it takes is some hiking boots, a little time, a little...

An easy forest hike leads to a picturesque lake and it’s all yours for the taking. While ten clicks long it’s no more than pleasant stroll-in-the-woods, easy as pie and with no hills to speak of. This meandering loop is a great a place to unwind and take in nature....

The trailhead to Saskatoon Mountain in the Crowsnest Pass (Alberta) starts right in the town of Coleman. If you’re staying locally there’s no worry of a late start and you can be on the trail in minutes. Heck, we got to sleep in! This lump of dirt and rock is...

Hiking up little Missinglink Mountain by the east (or direct) approach is about as easy as it gets. A little (mostly treed) bump in the Kananaskis Foothills it has a lot to offer for minimal effort and surprisingly broad reaching views given its less than lofty aspirations. On topping out...

Be it urban or rural, be it big city or small town, be it prairie or mountain, we get out and hike. No matter where, no matter the season or weather, each week or so we set aside a day to put feet in motion. In our crazy world, it’s...

It’s a hike short and sweet, taking in a little bump in the Kananaskis Foothills. While there’s roughly 80 stories of height gain, it’s really nothing more than a little stroll in the woods. Even the slowest hikers (so us) can be in and out in the blink of an...

A popular loop hike in the Elbow River area of Kananaskis, join up with us and take in the combined Sulphur Springs-Elbow Valley trails. Accessible any time of the year it’s a good choice come the off season when options can be limited. No matter when, prepare for a little...

The Prairie Creek – Powderface Creek Loop is a time-honoured hike in Kananaskis that can be done pretty much any time of the year. Taking in two roughly-parallel valleys, there’s a hop up and over a low wooded bump that separates the two (via Prairie Link) just beyond the half...

Making a broad loop around the little foothills community of Bragg Creek, this trail will have you pounding the pavement in town and at other times you’ll be deep in the woods. It’s a real nice mix and is super easy in terms of effort. It’s still a good number...

This in-town hike has two personalities. For a time you’ll take in the far-reaching green space that is Calgary’s much loved Nose Hill Park. Go deep inside and you’d never know you were in the city – how pleasant. Another section has you in a 1960s/1970s era neighbourhood, full of...

Here’s a fabulous Calgary Urban Trek with lots of variety, taking in Bridgeland, Crescent Heights and Renfrew, plus a bit of Tuxedo Park. Ahead it’s much history and character. A fair sized loop with a short steep push early on, it’s otherwise pretty easy going. There’s busy commercial strips, quiet...

Here’s a fun town-hike to consider. We’re in the community of Okotoks Alberta, taking in a big loop through parks and green spaces, quiet wooded areas and busy streets. For those into history, there’s a number of heritage buildings along the way to see and overall it was for us...

This in-the-city hike will have you exploring a number of Calgary’s well established neighbourhoods. There’s many fine old homes to see, historic commercial blocks and lots of very un-city like green spaces to take in. It’s sidewalks and meandering paths, busy streets and quiet wooded parks. Along the way comes...

This hike starts out well enough, but roughly mid-point takes a turn for the worse, before things improve again. The destination is a little bump in the Sibbald area of Kananaskis, with a really nice vantage point atop some cliffs open to the south. There’s rolling hills all about, precipitous...

This is our second time hiking up Jura Creek in Kananaskis. On the first, long ago, we did the slot canyon approach, hands down the primo option in terms of fun but not always the best choice in certain conditions. This day, due to high water and the resultant slippery...

With Covid restrictions easing we can start posting about hikes again. Goodness, it’s been too long and with the world upside down in turmoil, more than ever we (all of us) need the outdoors to help keep grounded. On goes the knobby shoes, it’s into the woods and instantly there’s...