Two-day itinerary – Hike to the top of a turtle

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A ZenSeekers' road trip isn't complete unless the destinations include outdoor adventures and culinary and cultural experiences. During the summer and through fall 2019, create your #BucketlistAB itinerary in Southern Alberta and explore the hidden adventures.

A ZenSeekers Expedition: #BucketlistAB

Our itinerary makes the Crowsnest Pass your hub for human-powered outdoor adventure.

Getting to the Crowsnest Pass

Drive from Calgary: It’s about a 2.5-hour drive south on the AB-2 S to the Crowsnest Pass using the Cowboy Trail (Highway 22). Follow AB-2 S to Nanton and turn west on the scenic AB 533-W to AB 22-S.

Get your map here

Drive from Edmonton: It’s about a 5.5-hour drive south on the AB-2 S to the Crowsnest Pass using AB-2 S to Nanton, then turn west on the scenic AB 533-W to AB 22-S – the scenic Cowboy Trail.

Get your map here

Drive from Moose Jaw: It’s about a 7.0-hour drive west on the Trans-Canada Hwy/SK-1 W, Crowsnest Hwy/AB-3 W to the Crowsnest Pass.

Get your map here

Watch Human Powering Through The Crowsnest Pass on YouTube.

Day One: Climb to the top of the Turtle

This is going to be a big day so fill up on healthy choices at the Stone’s Throw Café in Blairmore. Feast on an all-day breakfast and pack a lunch and water bottles. Then, head for the trail for Turtle Mountain that rises over the town of Frank. The trail is under 7 km (return) but the elevation gain is a real kicker. Standing at the top of either of the peaks is breath-taking and worth the effort. More details can be found on our story here. We also suggest a stop at the famous Frank Slide Interpretive Centre before the hike to learn about the significance the mountain has to the community.

Dinner suggestion: Bamboo Bistro in Blairmore or Chris’ Restaurant in Colemen.

Overnight in the Crowsnest Pass

Day Two: Swing the clubs or take to the trails on fat tires

Morning: You can pretty much follow your nose to the Cinnamon Bear Café in Coleman. At the  pastry bar, order up a fresh, gooey and delicious jumbo cinnamon knot. Check out the new nine holes at the recently re-opened 18-hole Crowsnest Pass golf course. Over winter, nine new holes were created in a setting far from the highway making it one of the best mountain golf experiences in Canada.

Lunch suggestion: Pass Powderkeg Ski Area is open for mountain biking and so is the day lodge where the chef is famous for his daily specials.

Afternoon: For the fat tire crowd, you’ve come to the right place. The Crowsnest Pass is quickly becoming an epic area with trails for every ability. From the single-track grinds on Pass Powderkeg Ski Area to the endless trails in the backwoods, you’ve landed in nirvana. A great source for information is from Sweet Riders in Blairmore.

Maybe, just maybe your legs are tired from the climb up Turtle Mountain but you’d still like a ride. Check out here how you can take a tour through the area on an e-bike by renting them at Pass Powderkeg.

If you go:

Read more about your human-powered Rocky Mountain adventure options here.

Then, check our ZenSeekers and SnowSeekers websites for more information about the Crowsnest Pass in any season.

Begin planning your trip to Southwest Alberta throughTravel Alberta or the Explore Southwest Alberta website.

Uncover more adventures and places to stay for your #BucketlistAB by checking out the #BucketlistAB webpage.

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