The Rocky Mountains, protected parks and vast expansive plains make Alberta a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. Are you a weekend survivalist or a casual hiker? Then the great Alberta outdoors should be on your bucket list. Challenge yourself by hiking through snow-covered mountains, plains, meadows and canyons. But, please ensure you visit it in the warmer months. Here are some hiking trails that can help you discover Alberta’s natural beauty.
Wenkchemna Pass
Most hikers who visit Banff National park will swear by the Wenkchemna pass. This very advanced trail will take you at least 8 hours to hike, though. It starts at Moraine Lake and terminates at the meadows of Wenkchemna. Expect stunning views of Lake Louise, the Valley of the 10 Peaks and Eiffel lake. When you finally reach the summit of the pass, you’ll stand tall on the continental divide. To the west will be British Colombia.
Wood Bison Trail
Located in Elk Island National Park is Canada’s last remaining wood bison preserve. It’s home to 7,000 bison that you can see as you hike. Aspen forest is where your hike will start, and the trail will take you to Flyingshot Lake. The trail offers challenging ridges with panoramic views of the surrounding plains. Aside from bison, you can also view various bird species, elk, deer and other woodland creatures.
Plain of Six Glaciers
Yet another fantastic trail located in Banff National Park. It takes hikers through various natural and man-made sights. You can pass by the Swiss-style Teahouse to rest and chat with other hikers and backpackers. It connects with the Abbot Trail as well as the Lake Agnes Trail. Hikers are treated to spectacular sights at the viewpoint. Such sights include natural marvels such as the Lower Victoria Glacier. You can also visit Abbot Hut, which is one of Canada’s tallest structures. It’s a whopping 2,925m tall.