While Active by Nature offers Nordic walking and walking tours in Canmore on a regular weekly schedule, guided hikes have been offered on a customized basis for small groups, with a two person minimum. This final year, a different approach is being taken and a hike a month (and sometimes more) is being scheduled. I am scheduling my favourite hikes to match the best time of year to do them. The hikes are all scheduled for mid-week to avoid busy traffic on the trails during weekends. It will be worth it to take a vacation day if the dates do not coincide with your vacation week(s)! I also recommend early start times between 8:30 am and 10:00 am to enjoy the quietest possible times on the trails.

Troll Falls Hike, Wed., March 1st. I have one client already booked for this coming-very-soon date and we would love some company! It is a weekday. If you are an Albertan and haven’t done this as a winter hike to see these frozen beauties…. This is likely your last chance to do it with Active by Nature! Take a vacation day. It will be well worth it! If a two hour hike is not long enough to warrant taking a day off, well then, we can just combine it with doing another 2 or 3 hours of adventure! We could do a Troll Falls/Grotto Canyon combo. Or a Troll Falls/High Rockies combo.

Cost: $119.98 for one or two persons; $69.99 per person for 3 - 6 people. $199.98 for 1 or two people for the combo. $99.99 per person for 3 - 6 people for the combo.

Ha Ling Half, Monday, April 17th. Truth be known, this hike is a lot more than half way up Ha Ling. But it IS half the elevation gain and takes us to a breathtaking viewpoint, pictured below, which makes for a great rest spot and turn around point. From there you can see the even steeper section of trail all the way to the saddle and contemplate if that is something you would like to set as a future goal.

Cost: $139.98 for 1 or 2 people; $69.99 per person for 3-6 people.

Raven’s End, Mon., May 8. On the east flanks of Mt. Yamnuska, this hike features some impressive views of the entrance to the Bow Valley along a trail that meanders steadily up through an aspen forest to an even more impressive view into the CMC Valley once the ridge is attained. The hike is 7.2 km long with 520 m of elevation gain. We do not do the popular scrambling section of this trail up to the summit of Yamnuska. Nope…. This is strictly a hike.

Cost: $199.98 for 1 or 2 people; $99.99 per person for 3-6 people.

Mountain Vistas, Mon., June 19th. The start of this 4 - 5 hour hike is minutes away from Canmore. This hike definitely has the wow factor although it does require a good fitness level as it is a steady climb that gets steeper as we reach a dramatic lookout. From there is is pretty much all downhill. The total distance is 11 km with about 400 metres of elevation gain.

Cost: $199.98 for 1 or 2 people; $99.99 per person for 3-6 people.

Bow Valley Provincial Park Trails, Wed., June 28th. In late June, the wildflowers along this trail are marvellous. Join me for an early season wildflower hike, long before the alpine flower show starts. This is an easy hike on mostly flat terrain with some pretty nice mountain views along the way and approximately 3 hours in duration.

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Cost: $139.98 for 1 or 2 people; $69.99 per person for 3-6 people.

Jumpingpound Ridge, Wed., July 5th. I have only done this hike in the late fall when there is snow on the ground. I can’t wait to do this hike with you in the summer! I know the views are incredible and I have heard the wildflowers are too, but a bit earlier on this foothills hike than they are in the heart of the Rockies. Date subject to change to hit peak flower season on the ridge. But we will keep it on a Wednesday.

Cost: Cost: $199.98 for 1 or 2 people; $99.99 per person for 3-6 people.

Buller Pass, Wednesday July 19th. I did a solo hike to Buller Pass last year on July 19th and oh boy, did it wow me! The flowers were gorgeous. I only saw two other people the entire day. There was a gorgeous waterfall along the route. Depending on the group, we could stop short of the final steep ascent to the pass and bask in a beautiful meadow for a picnic lunch or we could decide to push on up the final steep rocky pitch to the pass. At 14 km in distance and an elevation gain of 670 metres, this is good moderate hike that will take us a full day to complete.  The rewards are well worth the effort to get to the stunning views from the pass.  Look one way and you can see Mt. Assiniboine, the highest peak in the southern continental ranges of the Rockies.  Look the other way and you can see Ribbon Lake, where you can back country camp and Guinn's Pass, another stunning hike from Highway 40.

Cost: Cost: $199.98 for 1 or 2 people; $99.99 per person for 3-6 people.

Upper Kananaskis Circuit, Wednesday, August 9th. It is full on summer in the Rockies. This would be the ideal time to circumnavigate beautiful Upper Kananaskis Lake in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. You may even be tempted to jump in for a dip. Be my guest. I will watch from shore. It is c-c-cold but refreshing. Been there. Done it. This is a long 16 km hike, that is gently undulating. It features a couple of small waterfalls and lots of lake views with some pretty dramatic mountain scenery.

Cost: Cost: $199.98 for 1 or 2 people; $99.99 per person for 3-6 people.

Larch Hike #1, Monday, Sept 25th. Location to be determined. I have done some wonderful larch hikes these past few years on trails that are pretty quiet compared to the super overcrowded ones. Let the masses go to Larch Valley or Ptarmigan Cirque. I will pick out the perfect larch hike for us to do, one that has not been promoted extensively on social media. Date may be subject to change to coincide with peak larch viewing, but we will keep it to a Monday. This will be at least a 6 hour hike. The good larch hikes take a bit of work to get to and will involve 400 - 500 metres of elevation gain.

Cost: Cost: $239.98 for 1 or 2 people; $119.99 per person for 3-6 people.

Larch Hike #2, Monday October 2nd. I always like to do two breathtaking larch hikes per season. Let’s try for early October. Date may be subject to change to coincide with good larch viewing but chances are this date will work just fine. This will be at least a 6 hour hike on terrain similar to Larch Hike #1.

Cost: $239.98 for 1 or 2 people; $119.99 per person for 3-6 people.

Black Prince Cirque, Saturday, November 26. I will make an exception to my no weekend hikes for this one. This is a great shoulder season hike. Actually, this is a great hike just about any month. This will likely be a snowshoe hike. I anticipate it will not be busy in November. This will be a 2 - 3 hour outing of about 5 km with under 200 m of elevation gain.

Cost: $139.98 for 1 or 2 people; $69.99 per person for 3-6 people.

The High Rockies Trail, Saturday, December 16th. MY LAST GUIDED HIKE!!! Come for the weekend to experience Christmas in Canmore. Do some shopping in town. Go out for a nice dinner. The town has such a Christmasy feel in December! The High Rockies Trailhead is close to town so we can go out and hike for 2 or 3 or 4 hours and be back in town by mid-day. There will be some good deals to be had on used Nordic walking poles and ice cleats.

Cost: To be determined based on length of the hike.