If you\u2019ve been around for a while, reading snippets of my blogs and social posts, you know I\u2019m a big proponent of living an active, healthy lifestyle. I find a lot of joy in taking time out of my day to get in a good Barry\u2019s class or hike with the fam, and recently, I thought it\u2019d be fun to share some of these glimmers of my life with you!<\/p>\n
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Now that we\u2019ve officially passed the summer solstice, we all have a great excuse to head out to the mountains for some fresh air, sunshine and quality time with friends, family, or both! Below, I have included some of my very favourite moderate hikes across Western Canada so you have a list to utilize this summer (without having to go through pages and pages in AllTrails). You\u2019re welcome. \ud83e\udd23 Keep in mind that some of these aren\u2019t in Alberta, so you even have some for your next trip out to BC!<\/p>\n
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Grassi Lakes<\/strong><\/a> – Canmore<\/strong><\/p>\n Oh ya, this one\u2019s a classic. As a fam, we\u2019ve been known to spend some time on this popular Canmore trail (and I know we aren\u2019t the only ones). Grassi Lakes is a moderate hike that doesn\u2019t take very long to complete – roughly an hour or so, realistically. It\u2019s great if you want to head out with friends and family, but don\u2019t want to arrive back in the city after dinner. Head out early and you\u2019ll get the trail to yourself. Even better, you\u2019ll have the rest of the day to do whatever errands you have back in YYC.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Spirit Trail<\/a> – Columbia Lakes<\/strong><\/p>\n Spirit Trail is a stunning hike near Fairmont Hot Springs, BC, and it\u2019s one that we LOVE. Again, this is a moderate hike, with a looped pathway that follows the lake. There are scenic views, and best of all, dogs are welcome! Though it\u2019s 16.7 km, it only has roughly 451 metres of elevation gain, making it doable with kids. My tips? As usual, bring lots of snacks and sunscreen (bug spray, too). If you\u2019re out near Fairmont, I highly recommend it!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chester Lake<\/a> – Kananaskis<\/strong><\/p>\n Hmmm, I sense a theme happening here. Might I like lake hikes? That may be, but this one is a goodie. Chester Lake is regularly closed from May 1 to June 29, so it\u2019s not officially open for the season. We love that this one is beautiful and great for all of us because there\u2019s not too much elevation and it\u2019s not too long \u2013 and there are absolutely incredible views of the lake and surrounding forest. If you didn\u2019t already know (don\u2019t worry, I won\u2019t mention the dreaded W word), Chester Lake is popular for snowshoeing. Something to think about!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Johnson<\/a> – Invermere<\/strong><\/p>\n Like the other hikes I\u2019ve mentioned, The Johnson has a nice length at 10 km with only 335 metres of elevation, making it a great option for a summer day with friends or kids. Pack a nice lunch and make somewhat of a day of it. I can guarantee you won\u2019t regret it. I always love looking down at the river from up top \u2013 sometimes the water is a beautiful teal.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n