Recreation

Canadian Rockies Trail Guide. Banff: Summerthought Publishing, 2007. Now in its eighth edition, this is the ultimate authority for hiking in the Canadian Rockies [1]. It covers 230 trails and 3,400 kilometers (2,100 miles) in the mountain national parks as well as in surrounding provincial parks. A full page is devoted to each trail, making it the most comprehensive hiking book available.

Chavich, Cinda. High Plains: The Joy of Alberta Cuisine. Toronto: Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2001. Authored by a Calgary writer with impeccable credentials, this guide proves there’s more to the province than beef and berries. Includes information on food sources, recipes, restaurants, and shopping tips.

Corbett, Bill. Best of Alberta: Day Trips from Calgary. Vancouver: Whitecap Books, 2006. Multiple books have been written about the things to do and see in Banff [2], which this book covers, along with dozens of ideas for day-tripping south and north of the famous park—all within a two-hour drive of Calgary [3].

Eastcott, Doug. Backcountry Biking in the Canadian Rockies. Calgary: Rocky Mountain Books, 2001. Details over 220 bicycling routes using simple maps, road logs, and black-and-white photography.

Gadd, Ben. The Canadian Hiker’s and Backpacker’s Handbook. Vancouver: Whitecap Books, 2008. Whether you’re interested in learning the basics or a seasoned traveler, this is the best book for reading up on your backcountry and hiking skills.

Jones, Jon, and John Martin. Sport Climbs in the Canadian Rockies. Calgary: Rocky Mountain Books, 2006. Enthusiastic sport climbers will love the ease of using this compact guide covering 1,600 routes, including maps.

Kane, Alan. Scrambles in the Canadian Rockies. Calgary: Rocky Mountain Books, 1999. Routes detailed in this guide lead to summits without the use of ropes or mountaineering equipment. A second volume, More Scrambles in the Canadian Rockies, was published by the same company in 2007.

Mitchell, Barry. Alberta’s Trout Highway. Red Deer: Nomad Creek Books, 2001. “Alberta’s Trout Highway” is the Forestry Trunk Road (Highway 40), which runs the length of Alberta [4]’s foothills. Entertaining and useful descriptions of Mitchell’s favorite fishing holes are accompanied by maps and plenty of background information.

Patton, Brian, and Bart Robinson. 50 Walks and Hikes in Banff National Park. Banff: Summerthought Publishing, 2008. The authors of the Canadian Rockies Trail Guide detail their favorite short walks and day trips in this full-color guidebook.