Category: fauna

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Waterton Lakes National Park, Canada

Born and raised in nearby Calgary, Alberta — Waterton is my favourite Canadian National Park. I’ve been there dozens of times over the decades.

Many tourists rush to Banff National Park, missing Waterton. And that’s a shame.

Campsites book quickly, so reserve early. Several months ahead.

Gemma and JR posted their advice:

… a three day Waterton Lakes National Park itinerary, based on our favourite experiences and the activities that I think showcase the best of the park. We’ve explored Waterton multiple times, across different seasons. …

For a quieter (and cheaper) trip, visit in mid/late May, June or September. …

  • A national park pass is required to enter and explore Waterton Lakes National Park
  • From 19th June to 7th September 2026, there are no admission fees for national parks and national historic sites operated by Parks Canada (Canada Strong program)
  • Mid/late May to late September is the best time to visit
  • Facilities, trails and services are more limited outside of this time period, especially during the winter months
  • Reservations for the Townsite campground open in January each year. The date is usually revealed on this Parks Canada page in late November, early December
  • In 2017, a major wildfire swept through the western side of Waterton (39% of the park). Burned trees are still visible in many areas. Learn more about the fire at the Visitor Centre

Waterton Lakes National Park 3 Day Itinerary: Hiking, Wildlife and Waterfalls

Click PLAY or watch highlights on YouTube.

Across the border is Glacier National Park, Montana.

One of our top 10 hikes in the world is Glacier North Circle which can include both parks. You will see a lot of wildlife in both.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

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Visit British Columbia

For a hiker, B.C. is an ideal holiday destination.

  • Whistler
  • Garibaldi Provincial Park
  • Sunshine Coast
  • Vancouver
  • Okanagan Valley
  • Yoho National Park
  • Kootenay National Park
  • Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park
  • Vancouver Island
  • Gulf Islands
  • Squamish
  • Wells Gray Provincial Park
  • Mount Robson Provincial Park
  • Mt. Revelstoke National Park

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

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Englishman River Salmon Run, Vancouver Island

My parents live very near Englishman River — and I hike, run, and cycle these exact trails when I’m visiting.

You can hike year round in this temperate rain forest climate.

VIPaerials captured the annual salmon run … alongside a black bear. I’ve never once seen a bear at this location as there are a lot of people around. BUT the easily available salmon are a great temptation.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

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10 days Solo – Larapinta Trail, Australia

Laura Waddell had a terrific adventure in May.

The Larapinta Trail is an extended walking track in the Northern Territory of Australia. Its total length covers 223 kilometres (139 mi) from east to west, with the eastern end at Alice Springs and the western end at Mount Sonder, one of the territory’s highest mountains. It follows the West MacDonnell Ranges, sometimes along the ridge line, other times on the plain below, in the West MacDonnell National Park. …

During the summer months, temperatures along the trail can exceed 45 °C (113 °F) leading to risk of heatstroke and dehydration. Most people walk the trail during winter when the days are cooler.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. (25min)

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Top of Innsbruck, Austria

Trip report by BestHike editor Rick McCharles

Directly from Innsbruck city centre, you can ride the Nordkette Cable Car to Hafelekar station (2,269m).

I did the surprisingly rugged hike from the Top of Innsbruck to Pfeishütte — for a delicious pasta lunch.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

It’s called Goetheweg: Karstube to Pfeishütte on AllTrails.

  • 6.8km one way (13.6 return plus side trips)
  • 330 m elevation gain one way
  • see Zugspitze: the highest mountain in Germany

You might guess the challenge is ridge walking — but there’s nothing with exposure.

I was wearing trail running shoes in late June. And they were NOT sufficient for the snow, ice, and loose scree. At minimum wear approach shoes. Most Europeans were wearing light hiking boots.

Poles would help for sure. If I did it again I’d carry YakTrax, just in case.

The weather kept changing. My jacket went on and off a dozen times.

Your lift ticket includes entry to the Alpenzoo which we did on the way back to Innsbruck.

It’s small, but well worth the stop. The focus is on animals indigenous to the Alps, though there are over 150 animal species. It’s built on the vertical slope of the mountain.

I was most enthusiastic to see the European Brown Bear and Lynx.

If you get to Innsbruck, this hike is highly recommended. A terrific hiking day.

Note ➙ it’s Europe, so there are easily a dozen variations to this route. You do not need to backtrack, for example. 10Adventures suggests hiking late in the day — sleeping at Pfeishütte — and walking out day two.

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Rathtrevor Beach, Vancouver Island – 4 Seasons 🎵

Rathtrevor Beach near Nanaimo is the most popular Provincial Park on Vancouver Island.

I walk there most mornings at dawn, with coffee.

Year round.

The scenery is different every day.

At low tide, you can walk the ocean bottom nearly a kilometre out into the Straight of Georgia.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

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Camping with PESKY Kiwi Keas 😀

The kea is a species of large parrot found in the forested and alpine regions of the South Island of New Zealand. …

Kea are known for their intelligence and curiosity, both vital to their survival in a harsh mountain environment.

Kea can solve logical puzzles, such as pushing and pulling things in a certain order to get to food, and will work together to achieve a certain objective.

They have been filmed preparing and using tools. …

Called “the clown of the mountains”, it will investigate backpacks, boots, skis, snowboards, and even cars, often causing damage or flying off with smaller items.

Beware.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

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Sea Birds at the Pacific Herring Spawn

Dawn March 16, 2024 at Rathtrevor Beach, Vancouver Island.

Each spring, peaking in March, the Pacific Herring (Clupea harengus pallasi) return to protected inlets on the coast of British Columbia to spawn.

Female herring lay up to 20,000 eggs, which are fertilized when they are laid. On contact with water, the eggs become very sticky, and attach themselves to whatever they come into contact with.

The event draws thousands of marine birds and mammals to feed on the nutritious bounty.

VancouverIsland.com – Pacific Herring Spawning

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

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TOP 10 ➙ Overland Track, Tasmania

The Overland Track in Tasmania is one of our top 10 hikes in the world.

Click PLAY or watch a 1 minute introduction on YouTube.

Overland Track

The best & most famous walk in Australia.

Overland

AT A GLANCE

  • surreal, unique Tasmanian vistas
  • pretty lakes, tarns and waterfalls
  • exiting by ferry it’s minimum 62km (38.5mi) carrying a pack plus many possible sidetrips without a pack.
    • Elevation Gain: +4,793 ft / 1,461 m
      Elevation Loss: -5,160 ft / 1,573 m
  • 8000-9000 walkers / year in the past
    • 60 walkers start / day 2018 in high season
    • Oct 1 – May 31 Overland Track Pass reservations online
  • access by public transportation
  • easy-moderate hiking IF the weather cooperates
  • add challenging sidetrip peak scrambles if the weather is good
  • Nov – early May best months
  • possible to hike year round (snow travel during the winter)
  • 7-nights recommended. Start Ronny Creek. Finish Cynthia Bay.

Read more on our Overland Information page.