BOW VALLEY – Those searching for more challenging family friendly hikes and walks will have to look no further, as a new guide book from Rocky Mountain Books offers a selection of routes in the Canadian Rockies.
Family Walks and Hikes in the Canadian Rockies Volume 2 was recently released and follows up on last year's first volume by Calgary author Andrew Nugara.
Nugara said the first guide book offered a selection of hikes that were relatively close to the city of Calgary and surrounding region. It focused on excursions in Kananaskis Country, Bragg Creek and included a few in Banff National Park.
"After the first one, I got a lot of people asking why I didn't include Jasper, Yoho or Lake Louise," he said.
"With my second volume, that was my goal – to venture out a little bit further."
One of the key factors that went into choosing hikes initially was the amount of travel time it takes. Especially for families with smaller children looking for a walk or day hike in the region, getting to and from the trail can be a factor that determines where they venture.
But Nugara said for families with older children, or those camping overnight in the mountains with closer access to different trails, he was able to expand upon his first book with the second volume.
"The feedback I got was [some families] don't mind the extra driving and may be going camping out there anyway," he said.
"The focus for this one was to really include the different areas. Jasper was a big one for me and all those amazing hikes along the Icefields Parkway and in Yoho National Park."
Volume 2 also offers a selection of more difficult hiking options for families to consider. Nugara said in researching the routes to include, he was often surprised to see children on some more challenging hikes like Paget Peak Lookout, or Sherbrooke Lake in Yoho National Park.
Other factors that were important when putting together the guide included finding trails that are well-known, maintained for the entire route and would be engaging for children to enjoy.
"The scenic potential of the hikes was really important when I was picking these," he said.
"A walk in the forest is great, but there has to be some open view, or a lake or something, for kids to enjoy.
"Adults can handle an hour through a forest without any views, but kids not so much."
Nugara often hikes with his nieces and nephews, or other families, and has used those experiences to inform the guide book's content. Each hike includes details on location, distance travelled, elevation gain, difficulty, and notes on what may be of special interest for children and lots of colour photographs.
He said the release of the second volume comes at a difficult time for many due to the COVID-19 public health crisis. While national parks remain closed until at least May 31, Alberta's provincial parks and recreation areas began reopening on May 1 to the public.
"This is the perfect way to social distance within your family – to get out and do some of these hikes," he said.
"The physical benefits, and mental health benefits more than anything at this time, I don't think you can beat that.
"When you are out there, you forget everything else that exists. When you are in the mountains, it is just you and what is around you."
Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw has encouraged Albertans to get outdoors and be active, but also asked people to maintain social distancing from others, even when out on a walk or hike.
"Spending time outside and enjoying outdoor activities is a great thing to do, both for mental and physical health," she said during a press conference May 8.
"But we need to do so while being mindful of each other's safety."
Volume 1, with a focus on hikes in Kananaskis Country, contains a variety hikes and walks options that are currently accessible in the provincial park system.
Regardless of ability, Nugara said there are options in both volumes for families to consider spending a day enjoying the outdoors together.
"There is no better way to bond as a family than to go out to the mountains," he said.
Family Walks and Hikes in the Canadian Rockies Volume 1 and Volume 2 are both $20 and available through Café Books in Canmore. The store is currently closed due to COVID-19 restrictions, but offers free home delivery in the Bow Valley, Cochrane, Bragg Creek and Calgary.
