Hiking

HIking in western Canada is the Zen medicine we can never get enough of. From the jagged Rocky Mountains of Alberta to the rugged West Coast of BC, hiking Canada's wild landscapes will instil you with a sense of awe and wonder.

If you're looking to find an escape from the day to day, hiking trails are a place where you can find peace away from the hustle and bustle.

Looking to get off the beaten path? Beyond the classics like Banff, Jasper, Tofino and the Kootenays, ZenSeekers has explored many of the lesser known nooks and crannies to find hidden gems and serve up hiking tips to keep things fresh and exciting.

Check out our many hiking features here for ideas on where to go for your next hike, to rediscover your flow.

You can also find specific stories on Hiking in Alberta or Hiking in British Columbia.

Grande Cache AB Sulphur Gates Smoky River Alberta Rockies

Zag into Grande Cache for uncrowded, hidden Rockies treasures

Updated: Wed. Apr. 24/24

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Wed. Apr. 24/24

Walking through the narrow crack in a giant, house-sized boulder—a crack just large enough for the...

Shop, stroll Port Alberni for healing nature, retail therapy

Posted

Thu. Nov. 16/23

Enjoying fall in the Alberni Valley helped Anita Sutherland heal from a fight with cancer. The new...

Where to catch last of larch season in Alberta

Updated: Wed. Oct. 4/23

Posted

Wed. Oct. 4/23

Larch season is on full display and our #SeekersAmbassador crew have been out gettin' it. Check out...

Five of Vernon's best hikes

Updated: Mon. Aug. 14/23

Posted

Tue. Aug. 15/23

In spring of 2023, Vernon officially received the designation as Trails Capital of BC! To test out...

Rock or fossil: how to tell the difference

Updated: Mon. Jul. 17/23

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Tue. Jul. 25/23

Alberta and BC are rich with dinosaur fossils but they're not always easy to spot. So what is the...

From Secret Beach, kayak secluded Vancouver Island coastline

Posted

Thu. Jul. 6/23

With a connection that puts you on the edge of epic—the western coast of Vancouver Island, on the...

Nitehawk Pam's Point O'Brien Provincial Park Paul Lavoie ZenSeekers

Top 5 hikes in Grande Prairie

Posted

Tue. Jul. 18/23

#seekersambassador and trail guru Drew Rogers fill us in on his fave hikes in Grande Prairie region...

Experience Kiix̣in, a west coast First Nations “dream come true”

Posted

Thu. Jun. 29/23

When Wišqiimit’i was given the role of "speaker" for Huu-ay-aht First Nations, it came with a...

Did you know: you can get oceanside in Port Alberni

Posted

Mon. Jul. 3/23

Port Alberni is your secret inlet access to the ocean, with a 50-kilometre long ocean inlet on a...

Road trip the Vancouver Island coastal route

Posted

Wed. May. 3/23

Follow the winding island roads through Nuu-chah-nulth Homelands (the collective of 14 island-based...

Four soulful Vernon experiences with syilx connections

Posted

Wed. Jun. 7/23

Viewpoints are sacred spaces for the syilx people. “This is where ceremonies are held that remind...

Slow Rise Bakery breadmaking workshop Gabriola Island Logan Moore ZenSeekers

Island-hop to these events on BC’s rural islands

Posted

Fri. Oct. 21/22

These five BC rural islands are some of the most community-oriented, nature-centered, grounded and...

'Namgis First Nation Eli Cranmer Cormorant Island BC Melissa Renwick ZenSeekers

Learn to travel BC's rural islands respectfully, from locals

Posted

Thu. Oct. 20/22

It's easy to travel respectfully when you visit the BC Gulf Islands of Cormorant, Cortes, Gabriola...

Find your way to the nature neverland of BC rural islands

Posted

Fri. Oct. 14/22

Get to know the five rural islands of Quadra, Cortes, Cormorant, Gabriola and Hornby - and how...

Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park fall hiking Chris Istace ZenSeekers

Six scenic fall hiking trails to hit in Alberta, BC

Updated: Thu. Aug. 31/23

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Wed. Oct. 5/22

Whether you’re hiking in the mountains, traversing larch ridges or walking through the forests near...

Davison Orchards cider tasting apple picking Vernon BC Steve MacNaull ZenSeekers

Indulge in carefree fall fun in Vernon

Posted

Wed. Sep. 7/22

Head to Vernon for a carefree fall getaway filled with beach time, hiking, orchard tours and cider...

Haida Gwaii Kay 'Lingaay cultural centre Jim Barr

Ride a reconciliation wave on culturally, naturally rich Haida Gwaii

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Mon. Sep. 12/22

I knew my first visit to Haida Gwaii would leave a significant impression, but I was not ready for...

Grande Cache Passport to the Peaks Alberta Darrel Comeau ZenSeekers

Hike Grande Cache summits, stamp your Passport to the Peaks

Posted

Mon. Jul. 25/22

Grande Cache's Passport to the Peaks program helps summit seekers find those mountaintop zen moments...