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Outdoor Adventure

If you love hiking, cycling, paddling, caving and outdoor adventure, you’ll love these articles. Read on and explore the great outdoors with us! We’ve visited some amazing nature hot spots and we’ve got some great tips to help you plan your own adventures in nature.

An image of a hiker in the Purcell Mountains near Purcell Mountain Lodge in British Columbia, Canada.
An image of a hiker in the Purcell Mountains near Purcell Mountain Lodge in British Columbia, Canada.
Articles, British Columbia, Canada, Canada Provinces, Outdoor Adventure, Places To Stay

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 the high-pitched squeak of a nearby ground squirrel. And when …

Debbie Olsen
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An image of two women standing on Mystic Beach, Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada.
Mystic Beach is an amazing hike with spectacular views.
Articles, British Columbia, Canada, Canada Provinces, Hike, Outdoor Adventure, Things To Do

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 Mystic Beach on Vancouver Island Mystic beach is located about …

Kelsey Olsen
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An image of two women standing on the top of the Grassi Knob Trail hike in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada.
An image of two women standing on the top of the Grassi Knob Trail hike in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada.
Alberta, Articles, Canada, Canada Provinces, Hike, Outdoor Adventure, Things To Do

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 make a qualifying purchase through one of these links, Wander …

Kelsey Olsen
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An image of a couple and a dog at Halfway River Hot Springs in British Columbia, Canada.
An image of a couple and a dog at Halfway River Hot Springs in British Columbia, Canada.
Articles, British Columbia, Canada, Canada Provinces, Experiences, Hike, Outdoor Adventure, Things To Do

Halfway Hot Springs – A Natural Oasis

The phrase “hidden gem” gets used too often, but there are times when it really fits. Halfway Hot Springs in the Kootenay region of British Columbia is a secluded, undeveloped off-the-beaten-path set of natural hot springs that really are a hidden gem. These hot springs are different from other hot springs, because they are rustic, rugged and all natural. They are very popular in summer. We visited them in early spring when there was still snow on the ground. Getting to these hot springs was challenging, but it was well worth the effort to soak in the serenity and beauty of Halfway Hot Springs. There are affiliate links in this post. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of …

Kelsey Olsen
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An image of Abraham Lake, one of the prettiest spots in the Canadian Rockies in Alberta, Canada.
Abraham Lake is one of the prettiest spots in the Canadian Rockies in Alberta, Canada.
Alberta, Articles, Canada, Canada Provinces, Hike, Outdoor Adventure, Things To Do

Camping and Hiking at Abraham Lake

Word is starting to get out – Abraham Lake camping and hiking adventures are some of the best in the Rocky Mountains. You can camp near this beautiful lake for free and enjoy lovely mountain scenery and wonderful hiking trails without paying the fees associated with entering a national park. Bighorn Backcountry, also known as David Thompson Country, is one of the prettiest places in Canada. 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. Thanks for your support! About Abraham Lake and David Thompson Country With a surface area of nearly 54 square kilometres, Abraham Lake …

Debbie Olsen
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An image of someone sitting in a red chair and taking in the view of the Athabasca Glacier on the Wilcox Pass lookout hike in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada.
You can see one of the prettiest views in the Canadian Rockies from the red chairs at the Wilcox Pass lookout. Photo by Greg Olsen.
Alberta, Articles, Canada, Canada Provinces, Hike, Outdoor Adventure, Things To Do

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 move. The view before us was just that beautiful. There …

Debbie Olsen
View Wilcox Pass – The Hike with Absolutely Amazing Athabasca Glacier Views
An image of a young woman watching rock climbers scaling a cliff above the Grassi Lakes in Canmore, Alberta - Grassi Lakes hike.
The Grassi Lakes hike is a fun family hike near Canmore, Alberta that leads to beautiful lakes, Photo by Greg Olsen
Alberta, Articles, Canada, Canada Provinces, Hike, Outdoor Adventure, Things To Do

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 hike. If you have suggestions or comments about any of …

Debbie Olsen
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An image of a couple taking in views of the Ten Peaks surrounded by golden larches on the Larch Valley hike.
Views of the Ten Peaks surrounded by golden larches are the highlight of the Larch Valley Trail.
Alberta, Articles, Canada, Canada Provinces, Hike, Outdoor Adventure, Things To Do

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.

Debbie Olsen
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An image of a frozen waterfall inside Maligne Canyon in Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada.
An image of a frozen waterfall inside Maligne Canyon in Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada.
Alberta, Articles, Canada, Canada Provinces, Experiences, Outdoor Adventure, Things To Do

Jasper Icewalk – Discover Maligne Canyon in Winter

Hiking the deepest canyon in Jasper National Park is an incredible experience in any season, but it’s particularly special in winter. When the canyon freezes, you get the opportunity to see frozen waterfalls and other incredible ice formations. It’s nature’s artistry at its finest. It’s wonderful to walk along the snow-covered trails near the canyon’s edge, but a Jasper icewalk lets you walk on the frozen Maligne River and see the ice formations close up. 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. Thanks for your support! Jasper Icewalk – Guided or On Your Own I …

Debbie Olsen
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An image of a couple standing in front of the frozen Star Creek Falls in Crowsnest Pass, Alberta, Canada.
The frozen falls are just one of the highlights of the Star Creek Falls ice walk. Photo by Heather Davis.
Alberta, Articles, Canada, Canada Provinces, Experiences, Outdoor Adventure, Things To Do

Star Creek Falls Ice Walk

There’s something magical about seeing a deep craggy canyon from the ground up and the Star Creek Falls ice walk lets you do that and much more. It’s a chance to see the power of erosion from an entirely new angle. You technically have to walk on water to get the view – which in summer, spring or fall is impossible. That’s what makes winter so special. When the creek is frozen, you can make your way carefully along the ice taking in the geology and the incredible ice formations that showcase nature’s artistry. 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 …

Debbie Olsen
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