A Beginner's Guide to Hiking and Exploring Castle Provincial Park

Scrambling up the short-but-steep Clubs Peak, I feel as co-ordinated as a baby elephant. The grip on my travel-light gym shoes is comparable to ballet flats and, thanks to the blustering gales, the yoga-wear I threw on this morning isn’t doing me any favours either. Upon cresting the top — more out of breath than I care to admit — a sense of calm washes over me. Oddly, the wind that almost blew our small group off the trail is nonexistent here. And the view of the Great Divide and Flathead Range? Ridiculous. Over the top. And well worth losing my breath over. It’s funny how trail chatter stops at the summit. Everyone seems to take a moment to reflect, like a mini-meditation of sorts. Beside me, Heather Davis, a hiking guide and owner of Uplift Adventures, is smiling as if it’s her first time hiking this trail. It’s not, of course. She’s been exploring Castle Provincial Park for years and started hiking because she was drawn to the mountains. Davis started hiking because she was drawn to the mountains. “It’s like a magnetic force,” she says. “Being out here rejuvenates me, grounds me and makes me feel alive.” As a professional agrologist (that’s the study of crops and soil) with a science degree, Davis is well versed in the area’s biodiversity and enthusiastically shares her deep knowledge of the park’s plants, wildlife and history. It seems the more questions you ask, the happier she is, which for newbies, like myself, is a wonderful thing.

Learn how to safely explore the outdoors

As a person who prefers my outdoor experiences to be well marked and paved — gravel is fine — I’m in awe of adventure seekers like Davis who prefer places that, as she says, “feel more remote, less travelled and less tame.” And, encompassing more than 105,000 hectares, Castle is just that. Wild, untamed and impossibly beautiful. Given its sheer magnitude, even the thought of navigating this park can be daunting, which is why Davis created Uplift. Her mantra is that nature should be shared, and the best way to accomplish this is by educating people on how to safely explore southern Alberta’s remote and special places.

All of Uplift’s adventures have an educational component. However, if you’re intimidated by unmarked trails and wild lands (and animals), there are special skill-building workshops that focus on hazards, weather, environment, and what and how to pack. Davis’s ultimate goal is to build confidence and community by safely connecting people with nature and the backcountry. You’ll also find a host of guided adventures, ranging from afternoon hikes to introductory multi-day backpacking treks. “I love teaching and seeing how these courses help others change their perspective on being outside,” she says. If you’re planning a trip to Castle, check out Davis’s top hiking and packing tips for newbies, as well as her three favourite beginner trails in the park.

Hiking tips for beginners

Don’t be afraid to get outside and always be prepared. Let someone know where you are going and stick to that route. Travel in a group, and don’t let one experience deter you from trying again if something goes wrong. Learn from your mistakes and move on. Respect the environment and others on the trail, and always pack out everything that you bring in — even food waste.

What to pack for a hike in Castle

Bring enough water for the temperature. You’ll consume more on a hot day, so plan accordingly. If you’re hiking with a dog, bring extra water. Bring a minimum of three litres on a full-day adventure and one-and-a-half litres on shorter hikes, no matter the distance. Pack a windbreaker if you’re planning to hike to a summit. It can be windy at the top, and you may get a chill since you won’t be as active. Learn how to use bear spray and be aware of bears. Castle, like many of Alberta’s national and provincial parks, is considered bear country. Bring some favourite snacks for the trail, plus a special treat for making the peak. You’ll deserve it after all of that work. Take a first aid kit, with extra supplies for blisters. As a novice hiker, there’s a good chance you’ll get some hot spots on your feet. Address them before it becomes a bigger problem. You’ll enjoy the hike much more pain-free.

Best beginner hikes in Castle

Drywood Falls:

An easy trail with a big payoff. Expect a mellow elevation, most of which can be tackled by bike. Hiking out to the stunning falls, in the Front Ranges, takes about one to two hours.

Carbondale Lookout:

A perfect trail for the whole family. Expect some elevation along an access road and at the top — you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views. On average it takes one-and-a-half to two hours to reach the summit.

Table Mountain:

For a slightly bigger challenge, with an elevation gain of about 690 m (2,263 ft), tackle Table. It’s a great mountain summit if you’re ready to take the next step in hiking. Amazing views of the Great Divide, the plains and windmills await you at the top. Getting to the summit from the Beaver Mines Lake Campground takes approximately two to three hours.