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Experience true backcountry wilderness in northeastern Alberta. Minutes awayfrom Fort McMurray's town centre,you can set off on the Abasand Trail. Some may want to complete the entire 3.4 km (2.1 mi)trek, but the perfect overlook of the Horse River Valley is just a short stroll through the evergreens. While this area was once explored by fur traders, you’re now more likely to run into wild things like moose and foxes.
On an average day, there may be more birds than peoplein Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, especially with over 220 species calling this area home. The interprovincial park holds many viewpoints to show off its forests, wetlands and grasslands, including the Head of the Mountain or Horseshoe Canyon. Use this detailed list of trails to find your new favourite lookout.
Dinosaur Provincial Park may have more prehistoric fossils underground than visitors on their trails.Embark on the easy Coulee Viewpoint Trail for a short climb to a ridge top. From here, you’ll see unique landforms shaped over centuries of weather and sweeping views of the Canadian Badlands. Visit Alberta Parks’ website to learn more about the provincial park and to pick your next hike.
Alberta’s largest man-madereservoir is just as strikingly blue as our famous glacial lakes. There are numerous spots just off the David Thompson Highway to pull over and admire Abraham Lake. If you want to get closer, go to Preachers Point and take a short walk down to the shoreline.
You won’t meet many people on your visit to Red Rock Coulee, but you will have great chances ofcrossing paths with wildlife like mule deer and pronghorns.The boulder area lies just off the parking lot, where giant rocks up to 2.5 m (8.2 ft) in diameter dot the hillside. From this lookout, the skies and sloped grasslands stretch as far as your eyes can see.
You may want to pack a lunch for this lookout. The top of the 3.5-km (2.2-mi) White Buddha hike offers panoramic views of Kananaskis, a gorgeous undisturbed region at the foothills of the Canadian Rockies.This journey is considered moderately challenging with a 278-m (912-ft) elevation gain, but you’re rewarded at the end with a bird’s-eye perspective of picturesque valleys. Stay a while and soak in the wilds—there are flat rocks where you can sit and enjoy your lunch.
Many people heading northwest in Banff National Park will stop when theyreach Lake Louise, but the equally arresting Peyto Lake sits only 40 km (25 mi) further. The Peyto Lake Viewpoint is just off the Icefields Parkway (one of Canada’s most scenic drives), and a short, slightly steep hike through the forest. The gem-coloured, glacier-fed lake is just as beautiful as Lake Louise and offers far fewer crowds.
