Author: Leigh McAdam

John and I hadn’t planned to do the Mannen hike in Norway’s Lofoten Islands. We had started off on Haukland Beach on the west coast of the Lofoten Islands with the intention of doing a loop hike along the coast that included Uttakliev Beach and an old cart road over the mountain that linked the two communities. On the trail/old cart road over the low point on the mountain you pass a couple of turnoffs to other trails. One takes you to Himmeltinden (the highest mountain on the island of Vestvågøy in the Lofotens with a NATO radar on the…

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December is now within spitting distance so it’s time for my 2023 HikeBikeTravel outdoor lover’s holiday gift guide. I’ve got lots of suggestions from experiences to unique hand warmers, camping gear and some cozy winter wear. All of these products and experiences can be ordered online. I hope you find some new ideas that friends and family alike would enjoy. This post includes some affiliate links. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of these links, I will receive a small percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you. Thank you very much for your support. What…

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Fall in Door County, Wisconsin is home to one of the best foliage displays in the Midwest. That’s reason enough to visit! But it’s also far quieter than summer, beaches are deserted, apple orchards are at their peak, parking and traffic aren’t an issue, and local businesses and attractions are still open. (Some close in winter.) Door County has been called the Cape Cod of the Midwest by National Geographic. The moniker has stuck – though locals aren’t a fan. Still, it’s a fair comparison. The two share many of the same attributes including hundreds of miles of scenic shoreline,…

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If you like the idea of a scenic hike – but one you can knock off in under an hour and doesn’t leave you gasping for breath, hike the Tet Paul Nature trail, just a 10-minute drive from Soufrière on the west coast of St. Lucia, one of the Lesser Antilles islands in the eastern Caribbean. It’s nothing like the Gros Piton hike – which is basically like walking a stair stepper. This one is only a kilometre long loop, so it’s ideal for everyone including younger children. And it’s a true nature hike. Along its length your guide will…

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The Kungsleden Trail – also called The King’s Trail, stretches for over 400 kilometres in northern Sweden from Abisko in the north to Hemavan in the south over five contiguous but distinct sections. The most popular section – the magnificent 103 km segment from Abisko to Nikkaluokta is the focus of this blog. Over six days in early September John and I hiked through an awe-inspiring landscape above the Arctic Circle that has been the long-time home of the reindeer-herding Sámi people. The well marked trail traverses a landscape dotted with lakes and rivers and resplendent with birch forests, open…

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When John and I were planning our hiking trip to Norway and Sweden, we started looking at the region in some depth. Because we were already in the “area”, we decided to add a visit to Helsinki, Finland and Tallinn, Estonia at the end of the hiking trip. Tallinn was a big surprise – in the best way possible. Over a weekend in Tallinn, you can walk through the old city (“the best preserved medieval city in northern Europe“), visit trendy art galleries, check out the redeveloped Noblesser area by the sea, and perhaps even enjoy a sauna and a…

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The Ryten hike plus Kvalvika Beach combination on the southern island of Moskenesøya was the first outing we did in Norway’s Lofoten Islands. What an unforgettable hike it was!  Climb Ryten on its own and enjoy a fantastic experience – including stupendous mountain and sea views in all directions. And if you add in a hike to Kvalvika Beach – a white sand beach that looks like it belongs in the Caribbean, you up the wow factor considerably. Unlike many of the other hikes we did in the Lofoten Islands, this one started off gently. I highly recommend it! This…

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It took me over a decade of living in Calgary to get out of the rut of doing the same walking trails in Calgary. I have no problem going to Kananaskis or Banff National Park and hiking a different mountain every weekend, but somehow in my naïveté, I discounted what Calgary might have to offer. One look at a map of Calgary and you can see that it’s laced with parks. Some of these parks – like Nose Hill and Fish Creek offer many days worth of glorious hikes, but there are countless other walking trails in Calgary that merit a…

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Nova Scotia’s South Shore is a secret gem for cycling enthusiasts, offering a compelling landscape of coastal beauty, charming towns (including one that’s a UNESCO site), with a side of nature. Not only will you be wowed by the seashore, but also warmly welcomed by friendly Nova Scotians. With my one-week Nova Scotia cycling itinerary in hand, you’ll enjoy an unforgettable experience, both on and off the bike. Explore the South Shore of Nova Scotia via scenic rail trails and quiet backroads near Mahone Bay, Lunenburg, and Bridgewater. In this guide, discover an unforgettable Nova Scotia cycling itinerary, rich with…

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The one hike you’ll read about if you start researching “best hikes in Norway’s Lofoten Islands” is the Reinebringen hike. It’s a steep hike on beautifully built steps, thanks to a team of Sherpas from Nepal. Over the past 18 years paths and stairways in over 100 locations across Norway have benefited from reconstruction thanks to the Sherpa’s expertise in difficult terrain. The crux of the Reinebringen hike isn’t the steep trail – but nabbing a parking spot – and that’s what put me off. I’m not usually a fan of crowded hikes, so this one wasn’t at the top…

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The Munkebu Hut hike on the island of Moskenseøy in Norway’s Lofoten Islands is a magnificent full day outing if you combine it with a hike up Munken. The hike, located in Sørvågen just a few kilometres from the end of the E10 in Å, is one of the top hikes in the Lofoten Islands. I highly recommend it – but on a clear day, so you can enjoy the phenomenal views, especially from the top of Munken. You’ll be hiking above the Arctic Circle! From Munkebu Hut you can opt to do the hike up Hermanndalstinden – the highest…

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Located in Norway’s magnificent Lofoten archipelago, north of the Arctic Circle, is the fabulous Offersøykammen hike. It’s an easy half day hike that offers views of turquoise-coloured water, pristine islands, towering peaks, Haukland Beach and the turbulent waters of the of the Nappstraumen. For a short hike it rewards with extraordinary scenery, along with some interesting plants near the start of the hike and numerous bird species – if you stop to listen and look. (Try the Merlin app!) The Offersøykammen peak is a must-visit destination for any hiker looking for a workout and quintessential Lofoten Islands views. It’s a…

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If you’re a serious hiker and you’ve spent a lot of time in Alberta’s Kananaskis Country, chances are high that you’ve heard about or considered doing the North to South Kananaskis Pass hike via Turbine Canyon, Beatty Lake, and Three Isle Lake. I have thought about the hike for years, but worried about the route finding on the trail. Fortunately, it wasn’t an issue at all. Over the years enough people have hiked between North and South Kananaskis Pass that the trail is boot-beaten and either dead simple to find or in places where it’s overgrown, the way forward is…

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If you’re a fan of wild places, plan a canoe trip in Woodland Caribou Provincial Park in northwest Ontario. The park, Ontario’s fourth largest, is one of the premium places to paddle in Canada that no one seems to know about. Annual visitation is under 750 people per year yet there are over 2,000 kilometres of canoe routes along with hundreds of unmarked backcountry campsites in over 4,000 square kilometres of unspoiled wilderness. You’re more likely to see a black bear or a moose than you are a human, even if you’re out for weeks. With no roads in the…

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In the winter before Parks Canada backcountry reservations opened, I poured over my topo maps looking for a backcountry trip in Banff National Park I hadn’t done that looked interesting. I ended up choosing a four-day variation of the Sawback Trail hike that started at the Moose Meadows parking lot (near Johnston Canyon) and took us up Johnston Creek Valley, Pusatilla Pass, Baker Lake, and finished at the bottom of the fire road near the Lake Louise Ski Area. It turned out to be a tough hike with long days and enough elevation gain to give you quite a workout.…

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The Memorial Lakes are a series of three lakes in Kananaskis Country, with each one more difficult to reach that the previous one. The upper lake, accessed by a gnarly scramble, is home to a stone memorial to honour 13 victims killed in three separate plane accidents in 1986, two of which were search and rescue operations for the first plane crash. The amount of bad luck is unbelievable! The hike to the Memorial Lakes can serve as a reminder of how fleeting life can be. The Memorial Lakes hike is moderate to challenging, depending on how far you go.…

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Marble Canyon is a scenic, narrow 600-metre long gorge up Tokumm Creek in Kootenay National Park, just south of the border with Banff National Park. It’s a short, easy must-do outing if you’re staying in the Banff – Lake Louise corridor or if you’re looking for a quick stop as you drive south to Radium Hot Springs and the Columbia Valley. You can knock off the easy Marble Canyon hike in as little as 20 minutes, but photography lovers will want to linger. Signage at the beginning of the Marble Canyon trail explains that the canyon was formed by water…

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This guest post from Nicola Ross, author of the Loops and Lattes hiking series in southern Ontario, takes you on a week-long cycling trip from Quebec City to Montreal via e-bike. In a province known for its superior cuisine, an aluminum pie plate of French Fries drenched in brown gravy and covered in cheese curds – the more the better – seems like an odd favourite food. But there’s no doubt that poutine is as much a part of La Belle Province as is Pepsi. So, as I drove toward Quebec City to start a week-long cycling trip from the…

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It took me over a decade of living in Calgary for me to do the Cory Pass hike. Don’t leave it that long. The views once you’ve climbed about 20 minutes up from the turnoff to Cory Pass are great – and they continue to enchant for several hours. This is a difficult hike and not one for those who hate a lot of elevation gain (about 900 m over just 4.5 km) or dislike airy trails. There is a long section of hiking across open slopes with steep gullies that you must navigate to reach Cory Pass – a…

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BC

SilverStar Mountain Resort, home to a charming, colourful European style, pedestrian friendly village, is best known as a long-time skiing destination. But SilverStar in summer is making its mark and is now a mecca for mountain bikers, hikers, wildflower lovers, and for anyone who is interested in some down time, especially with comfortable summer temperatures that are up to 10ºC cooler than the hot Okanagan Valley.  In the village at SilverStar, everything you need is within the length of two city blocks. What that means to you is a hassle free, stress-free vacation. What a treat it is to be…

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BC

Just three hours from Calgary and 90 minutes from Banff, BC’s Columbia Valley has plenty to entice you. You’ll find hot springs, sandy beaches, countless hiking trails, lakes warm enough for swimming, a beautiful river to paddle, bike trails, and nature galore. If you’re an active person who loves hiking, biking, and paddling then I think you’ll love a visit to the Columbia Valley between May and October. Invermere and the Columbia Valley is also an amazing winter destination, but that’s not the focus of this blog. In the Columbia Valley there are several communities that lie between Canal Flats…

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The Markin-MacPhail Westside Legacy Trail is a 25-kilometre-long multi-use, non-motorized, paved recreational trail on the west side of Windermere Lake. The trail connects Invermere to Fairmont Hot Springs, providing yet another reason to visit the Columbia Valley in British Columbia. If you drive to one of the three parking lots along the trail you can enjoy a car-free experience. Otherwise, count on four to five kilometres of road biking at either end to reach the Westside Legacy Trail.  Before I cycled the Westside Legacy Trail, I knew nothing other than it linked the two communities. In all honesty, I expected…

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The 184.5-mile-long C&O Canal Bike Trail (C&O is short for Chesapeake & Ohio) runs from Washington, DC to Cumberland, Maryland. This recreational trail makes for a great multi-day biking or hiking adventure  It combines well with the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) so you can seamlessly bike from Pittsburgh to Washington, DC over about seven to eight days. Unlike the Great Allegheny Passage, there are fewer hotels and B&B’s, so you need to carefully plan your route. It is well suited for people willing to camp as you’ll find numerous campsites along its full length. There are also Canal Quarter Lockhouses…

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The Allstones Lake hike combined with the Allstones Ridge hike are a great combination if you’re after a hard day hike in Alberta’s David Thompson Country. The reward – a peaceful alpine lake with numerous backcountry campsites and far-reaching, panoramic views from the top of Allstones Ridge along with a great sense of accomplishment. The Allstones Lake trail weaves through forest and onto open slopes with some good views of Abraham Lake and nearby peaks like Mount Michener. For those of you who hate making camping reservations, you’re in luck as there are lots of first come, first served backcountry…

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If you’re looking for a scenic half day adventure you’d do well to choose the Cline River Canyon and Coral Creek Canyon hike with easy access from the David Thompson Highway. It’s a beautiful area close to Abraham Lake that isn’t quite on par with Maligne Canyon in Jasper National Park – but it sees a fraction of the people so it’s a very peaceful experience. On a Sunday, we didn’t see a soul on the entire Coral Creek Canyon hike! The turquoise-coloured Cline River is the star of the hike – and the higher the canyon walls get, the…

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The Hailstone Butte hike in southern Kananaskis Country exceeded all expectations, especially as an early season destination. The hike is short – as in just 2 km one way, so fit people good at scrambling could be on top of Hailstone Butte 30 – 40 minutes after leaving the parking lot. Many of you might wonder, why bother with such a short hike when it’s a bit of a haul to get here from the Calgary area? For starters, it’s a pretty drive through the rolling foothills to get to the trailhead. This is an area that isn’t very busy,…

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Jasper National Park is a fantastic destination for hikers and backpackers. On the 15 plus best hikes in Jasper described – and personally tested – enjoy everything from a scenic 30-minute hike to Pyramid Island to world-class multi-day hikes in the Rockies showcasing some of the finest mountain scenery on the planet. Marvel at meadows of wildflowers, stunning waterfalls and rushing water through eroded canyons. There are family-friendly lake hikes, mountain peaks to climb and some easy strolls. What’s the very best day hike in Jasper? That’s a tough question but if I had to pick only one, I’d go…

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It’s that time of year when the 2023 spring outdoor lover’s gear guide comes out showcasing new products that have hit the market just in time for summer. Every year I’m lucky to have companies reach out to me to try and test their latest offerings. In 2023, there are some wonderful backpacks, a pair of ergonomic slippers that transition well to office and shopping, rain gear that’s easy on the budget, a patch hat with cool logos out of Ottawa, the lightest t-shirt you could ever want, a super-light, soft as silk hoodie shirt, a must-have camp tote organizer…

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Last updated:May 16, 2023 The 150-mile long Great Allegheny Passage also called the GAP follows a non-motorized crushed limestone trail from Cumberland, Maryland to downtown Pittsburgh. It can be explored on both bike and on foot but I think a Great Allegheny Passage bike trip is the way to go over a 3 – 4 day ride. It combines well with the C&O Canal Towpath that runs between Cumberland, Maryland and Washington, DC. If you’ve got a week, you can cycle between Pittsburgh and Washington, DC, either guided, or self-supported. There are B&B’s, hotels and other accommodation options along the…

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Biking 290 km from Banff to Jasper is one of the most impressive mountain bike rides in the world. The ride runs parallel to the Continental Divide, and can start in either Banff or Jasper, both of which are exceptionally scenic towns. Only 55 km from Banff is Lake Louise, considered to be the hiking capital of Canada. If time isn’t of the essence, then stay longer and explore. In particular, Lake Agnes Tea House hike and the Plain of Six Glaciers hike aren’t far from Lake Louise and offer not only stunning views, but mountain teahouses for refueling. There…

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Our family has visited Salt Spring Island for decades, first on summer holidays visiting my mother when we lived in Colorado, and then again on a regular basis when we lived in Vancouver. It’s always been a great escape from the big city. Life moves at a slower pace here and yet there’s still plenty to see and do on Salt Spring Island if that’s what you want. As the largest of the Gulf Islands, there is something for every type of traveler on Salt Spring Island whether you like to camp or you want the full five-star experience. You…

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Salt Spring Island is the largest and hilliest of BC’s Southern Gulf Islands. It’s an amazing island for hiking because of the great diversity in the types of hiking trails. Want to climb a mountain? You’ve got a choice of three peaks (602- m Mount Erskine, 448-m high Mount Maxwell and 709-m high Bruce Peak). Prefer pocket beaches? Not a problem. Or maybe it’s a coastal hike with views and scenic overlooks you’re after. You’ll have several to choose from. The bottom line is that Salt Spring Island is a top destination for hikers. The must do Salt Spring Island…

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On our winter visit to Saint Lucia, John and I set aside a day to do the famous Gros Piton hike, the most popular hike in the country. If you’ve ever seen photos of Saint Lucia, you would instantly recognize the Gros Piton and nearby Petit Piton, two of Saint Lucia’s most iconic landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site as well. If you’re into hiking and you’re visiting Saint Lucia, especially between December and May, the dry season, set aside half a day to do the Gros Piton hike. It’s not easy but it’s a very rewarding hike with…

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BC

In the fall of 2022, I had the pleasure of spending three days in the Rossland area. One of the things I enjoyed most about my visit was the Old Glory Mountain hike – considered one of the top hikes in the Rossland area. It’s a long hard hike to the highest peak in the area – but it’s also very beautiful, especially in fall when the colours are peaking. On the summit of Old Glory Mountain, you’ll find a decommissioned fire lookout cabin that once functioned as a weather station from the 1940’s to ’60’s. The forestry lookout and…

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You’ll find the small town of Lacombe (population 11,000) in central Alberta, half way between Calgary and Edmonton. It’s a short drive off of Highway 2, and only 25 minutes north of Red Deer. I once biked through Lacombe from the Ellis Bird Farm but not once have I so much as stopped. Maybe that’s you too, but I’m hoping I can change that now that I’ve spent a few days in the Lacombe area, hiking, eating and shopping. While I may not be the local expert, I’m going to share some of my fabulous Lacombe finds. Lacombe is home…

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The Hoover Dam, originally called the Boulder Dam, was built over five years during the Great Depression to hold back the mighty Colorado River where it narrows at the Black Canyon on the Nevada – Arizona border. The dam is the world’s largest concrete structure, and one of the seven civil engineering wonders of the United States. Even though it’s a crazy popular place to see, I highly recommend visiting the Hoover Dam from Las Vegas.  The Hoover Dam has been popular as a tourist destination since they first started building the dam in the 1930’s. Reportedly some seven million…

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Large flies are flying kamikaze-like into our windshield as John, and I drive up to the entrance to Prince Albert National Park in July. We had come to hike to Grey Owl’s Cabin – but all I could think of was how would we survive a 24-kilometre day hike with these types of annoying insects? Fast forward to a visit to Prince Albert National Park in winter and there’s not a bug to be seen – simply a peaceful landscape of snow-covered frozen lakes and mixed boreal forest. (On the bright side we saw wolf cubs by the side of…

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Dominica is an island in the Caribbean located between Guadeloupe and Martinique. It is often called “Caribbean’s Nature Island” as it is packed with natural attractions including 365 rivers, nine active volcanoes though none have erupted since the time of Columbus, waterfalls galore, thick forest with prehistoric looking vegetation, dramatic red rocks, and some fine white sand beaches. Dominica adventures abound on this small island – and on many of the outings you won’t see another soul. If you’re planning a trip filled with Dominica adventures, I highly recommend Wanderlust Caribbean, a boutique adventure hotel on Dominica’s north coast, less…

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One of the most unique hikes you’ll ever do is the multi-faceted Boiling Lake hike in Dominica – a mountainous Caribbean country sandwiched between Martinique and Guadeloupe. It’s a 6 – 8 hour (return) hard, muddy, sometimes steep hike that takes you through the Valley of Desolation with its hot streams and hissing vents to Boiling Lake, part of the Morne Trois Pitons National Park UNESCO site. The lake itself is usually shrouded in a cloud of steam – unless the wind picks up to blow it away. When it does, you’ll be entranced by the setting. Dominica’s Boiling Lake…

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The Opal Hills trail in Jasper National Park is a steep one that rewards with a lush meadow, mountain views, and the chance to see stunning Maligne Lake from above. You only need a half day to knock off the 8.2 km round-trip hike so it’s a good one if you want to tie in a boat ride on Maligne Lake, lunch beside Maligne Canyon, or perhaps a short hike to Moose Lake, accessed from near the start of the Bald Hills trail.  This post includes some affiliate links. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of these links,…

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BC

Panorama Mountain Resort is one of eight ski resorts on British Columbia’s Powder Highway. It boasts the sixth largest vertical in North America (4,265 feet), a run that is 6.5 km long, 10 lifts, two alpine snowcats, and almost 3,000 acres of terrain. Panorama is known as a family-friendly resort with over 50% of the runs geared to beginners and intermediates. It’s also famous for its bluebird days, an exceptionally pretty mountain backdrop, and a host of on hill and off hill Panorama Resort activities.  Off the hill, there is so much to do and explore. In winter, Panorama Resort…

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The Yates Mountain hike in Kananaskis, also known as the Barrier Lake Fire Lookout hike, can be an over-the-top busy hike on a sunny weekend from May through October. But if you pick a weekday or do the Yates Mountain hike in winter, you may enjoy a bit of solitude. The hike, which switchbacks up an old forestry road for about 5 kilometres, won’t wow you until you break out of the trees. But then magic happens, and you’re met with a panoramic view of Barrier Lake and Mount Baldy. And it gets better if you’re prepared to hike steeply…

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If you love hiking, head for Kanab, Utah in the southern part of the state and use it as a base for many days worth of hiking. The town offers quick access to Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks, several state parks, stunning desert landscapes, caves, unique geologic formations, sand dunes, slot canyons, arches, hoodoos, the famous Wave hike, along with interesting desert vegetation and wildlife. Described are 8 of the best hikes in the Kanab, Utah area – along with suggestions for a few more we didn’t have time for on this trip. Safety precautions for hiking in Kanab…

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BC

Yoho National Park may be small in comparison to its next-door neighbour, Banff National Park, but don’t let that dissuade you from visiting. In winter, Yoho National Park is a complete delight – a veritable winter wonderland and one of Canada’s most stunning parks, packed with mountains, glaciers, waterfalls, alpine lakes, and meadows. In winter, there is plenty to do. Book a stay at Emerald Lake Lodge or nearby in Field and explore the area trails on snowshoes or cross-country skis. Snowshoe or hike to gorgeous Wapta Falls. Ski to Ross Lake or Sherbrooke Lake. And don’t miss a visit…

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Fernie, British Columbia is a winter lover’s paradise, famous for its epic dumps of fluffy powder. People from around the world are drawn here for its excellent downhill skiing and snowboarding but what many don’t realize is that this gorgeous mountain town, located in the Elk Valley, is also a fantastic destination for anyone who enjoys cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. Four unique areas beckon both classic and skate skiers and a minimum of three areas near Fernie are ideal for those who love snowshoeing.  In this blog, I’ve described where to go cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in Fernie, the costs…

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Buckskin Gulch is a famous slot canyon in Utah boasting the title as the longest continuous slot canyon in the world. According to the Bureau of Land Management, Buckskin Gulch travels through approximately 16 miles of unique formations and rippled sandstone walls in the northern stretch of the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness. Although you can do the whole Buckskin Gulch hike in a long day, you can also have a wonderful and shorter experience doing the Wire Pass to Buckskin Gulch hike. That hike takes only about three hours. On the Wire Pass to Buckskin Gulch hike, you are also…

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Who ventures up to the Yukon Territory in the dead of winter? Do you have to be half-baked to visit? From my experience on a five day trip to Whitehorse in early March (which I appreciate is hardly the dead of winter) I can tell you with certainty that not only is it an awesome destination but there is a heck of a lot to do. Everything listed in this blog can be done as a day trip from Whitehorse. View of Whitehorse flying into the airport Approximate location of the activities accessed from Whitehorse          …

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If you’re driving in southern Utah and you’re anywhere near Kanab, it’s worth taking 45 minutes to an hour to visit the Moqui Caverns – also known as the Kanab Sand Caves. They are man-made caves built in the 1970’s for mining sand that was used in glass making. They probably wouldn’t be a stop on a Utah itinerary, if it weren’t for Instagram and the compelling views from the sand caves around sunset.You can see the Moqui Caverns from Highway 89 if you know where to look, so I bet many people visited in the past, but without geotagging…

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The Sulphur Skyline trail hike in Jasper National Park draws the crowds, even though it’s take-your-breath-away steep for a good part of it. But the popular hike is a rewarding one, offering up 360 ° degree views from the summit, especially of the Fiddle River, Utopia Mountain, and Ashlar Ridge. It’s one of the view hikes in the Canadian Rockies where you can combine a strenuous hike with a soak in a hot springs – with the other hike being the Sulphur Mountain hike in Banff National Park. The hike starts within spitting distance of the Miette Hot Springs, so…

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Snow Canyon State Park near St. George, Utah is a gem filled with soaring multi-coloured sandstone cliffs, lava flows, and canyons along with a diverse array of plants and animals including 14 sensitive species. Snow Canyon is not nearly as popular as famous Zion National Park – where everyone seemingly heads for, but a few of the hikes here are mind-blowing. Described are a selection of the best hikes in Snow Canyon – some of which you can knock off in 30 minutes to an hour. Hike at least a couple of them if you’re anywhere near the area. There…

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It’s that time of year already – when I sit down to pull together the annual HikeBikeTravel outdoor lover’s holiday gift guide. I’ve got lots of suggestions from books to boots, energy bars to food dehydrators and some cozy winter wear. I’m hoping I save you a few trips to the shopping mall, and you find some new ideas that friends and family alike would enjoy. This post includes some affiliate links. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of these links, I will receive a small percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you. Thank you…

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We were like most people, disappointed that we didn’t win the lottery to visit the Wave. But in hindsight, we shouldn’t have been. Coyote Buttes South is unique, visually stunning, remote, almost deserted, and there’s so much to see. The reality is that the Coyote Buttes South is the biggest and most colorful place in the entire area, far surpassing Coyote Buttes North in both size and variety of formations to ooh and aah over. And it’s way easier to score one of the 20 spots drawn daily from the lottery.  Both Coyote Buttes South and Coyote Buttes North are…

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Liverpool, Nova Scotia is under two hours by car from Halifax on Nova Scotia’s south shore at the mouth of the Mersey River. The town of about 2,600 people has a long history of privateering and rum running but today its better known for its beautiful natural landscapes and culture. This is the home of country music star Hank Snow who helped discover Elvis. That Elvis. You’ll find lots to do in and near Liverpool including visits to white sand beaches, trips to see several lighthouses, and hikes in both local parks and nearby Kejimkujik National Park Seaside. History lovers…

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Liverpool, Nova Scotia is under two hours by car from Halifax on Nova Scotia’s south shore at the mouth of the Mersey River. The town of about 2,600 people has a long history of privateering and rum running but today its better known for its beautiful natural landscapes and culture. This is the home of country music star Hank Snow who helped discover Elvis. That Elvis. You’ll find lots to do in and near Liverpool including visits to white sand beaches, trips to see several lighthouses, and hikes in both local parks and nearby Kejimkujik National Park Seaside. History lovers…

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Shelbourne, Nova Scotia is a unique town on the south shore of the province, about a 2.5-hour drive away from Halifax. It doesn’t have the star status of Peggy’s Cove and Lunenburg but what it does have is the third best natural harbour in the world, unobstructed waterfront views thanks to the filming of The Scarlett Letter in 1994 starring Demi Moore and Robert Duvall (which required burying electrical cables and refurbishing buildings), colourful 18th century buildings, great walking trails, beaches, a cool lighthouse, interesting museums, a microbrewery, a handful of wonderful places to eat – and most importantly, welcoming…

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