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Walking Banff’s Rivers in Winter

By BestHike editor Rick McCharles.

In Banff, Alberta for medical tests — all labs in the big city of Calgary booked for weeks — I made time to walk all the hikes available directly from the Rocky Mountains townsite.

Gorgeous.

I’m now convinced that April is the best month for the local town hikes. It’s fascinating to watch the spring breakup of rivers.

One night I saw elk crossing on Bow River ice. A few days later it was liquid.

Click PLAY or watch 1 minute of River highlights on YouTube.

related – more Banff winter hikes

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Pipers Lagoon, Nanaimo at LOW TIDE

Pipers Lagoon Park is a 1.8 kilometer loop trail in Nanaimo, British Columbia.

It’s good year round. But BEST at low tide.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Built on an isthmus that extends out to a rocky headland, this 8 hectare park features twisting trails that lead to a number of seaside lookouts.

From the headland you’ll have a great view of historic Shack Island and the southern point of Neck Point Park.

Beware Spurge-Laurel (Daphne laureola) which can cause skin rash on contact.

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Pyramid Point Trail, Michigan

Pyramid Point Loop is a 4.5 kilometer heavily trafficked loop trail located near Maple City, Michigan that features a lake and is rated as moderate.

The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, running, and nature trips and is best used from September until November.

AllTrails

If you have never visited the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore — add it to your list.

GREAT dunes. Bring shoes for both hiking and the sand.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

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Whatever happened to the Chilean Trail?

The Sendero de Chile (“Chilean Trail”) project was launched in the year 2000 by the Chilean government to celebrate the country’s 2010 bicentenary of independence from Spain. …

 It was announced that the national trail network … signposted paths through the length of Chile covering approximately 8,500 km of trails. …

The ambitious plans suffered substantial setbacks and no continuous longer trail was created. 

wikipedia

As of 2021 there are still dreams of continuing the project.

In 2020 the Foundation was looking at connecting the Aconcagua and Maipo rivers, through the cordillera de la Costa, between La Calera and Melipilla, passing through another 13 communes on their way, of approximately 170 km of length.

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Banff’s Marsh Loop Trail in Winter

Trip report by BestHike editor Rick McCharles.

A very popular short walk out of Banff townsite in the Canadian Rockies, the highlight is seeing song birds, waterfowl and amphibians.

Not so much in winter. 😀

Yet I’d argue it’s even more beautiful with snow and ice.

Click PLAY or get a glimpse on YouTube.

10 Adventures has a great write-up calling it the Marsh Loop Hike. (3.4km)

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Banff Hoodoos Trail in Winter

Trip report by BestHike editor Rick McCharles.

There are many ways to enjoy this popular trail right from Banff townsite in the Canadian Rockies.

I started on the Bow Falls Trail.

Continued on to Hoodoos Trail.

The route recommended on AllTrails.

I enjoyed it more in winter than summer — though was happy I wore Yaktraks.

Click PLAY or watch my April hike on YouTube.

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Thru-Hiker Clara “Redfeather” Hughes

In Canada, Clara Hughes is a household name.

A legend, she won multiple Olympic medals in both Summer and Winter Games — 6 medals total. The only person ever to have won multiple medals in both.

BUT she met her husband, Peter Guzman, on the AT.

And went on to become a legendary thru-hiker.