PlanetSKI’s Autumn Adventures in Canada Take to the Road
4th September 2026
We have been in Calgary and its surrounding area for the past few days.
Getting over jet-lag and sampling what the city, that most people by-pass, has to offer.
It is rather more than most think:
A road trip in Canada is one of life’s great experiences if you like traveling and mountains.
We’re heading past Banff and driving part of the Icefields Parkway – one of the greatest mountain roads of them all.
We have driven it in the winter a few times.
Icefields Parkway, Lake Louise to Jasper. Image Image © PlanetSKI
Now it is time for a late summer/early autumn drive.
PlanetSKI’s Autumn Alberta road trip. Image © PlanetSKI
PlanetSKI’s Autumn Alberta road trip. Image © PlanetSKI
PlanetSKI’s Autumn Alberta road trip. Image © PlanetSKI
PlanetSKI’s Autumn Alberta road trip. Image © PlanetSKI
We are not doing the full length of the Icefields Parkway to Jasper.
We are taking a right turn about a third of the way along it onto Highway 11 and heading off the tourist route.
We staying a few days in Nordegg.
Where?
It is pretty much off-the-radar for international visitors, and that is exactly why we are here:
PlanetSKI’s Autumn Alberta road trip. Image © PlanetSKI
This what the Lonely Planet Guidebook has to say:
“The small town of Nordegg doesn’t offer much beyond fuel, food and an insight into the area’s coal mining history.
“But really what more do you want when the mountains are calling?”
Spot on.
This is Main Street.
PlanetSKI’s Autumn Alberta road trip. Image © PlanetSKI
Nordegg has one coffee shop, one restaurant/bar, one general store and two petrol pumps.
Rather surprisingly there is a golf course, but it was designed when the town was a mining town – more of that later.
It also has the Shunda Creek Hostel.
Our home for three days.
PlanetSKI’s Autumn Alberta road trip. Image © PlanetSKI
PlanetSKI’s Autumn Alberta road trip. Image © PlanetSKI
First up breakfast at the Miner’s Cafe – who says competition produces the best results?
PlanetSKI’s Autumn Alberta road trip. Image © PlanetSKI
We planned our day’s hike sipping coffee before setting off to the All Stones Trail.
PlanetSKI’s Autumn Alberta road trip. Image © PlanetSKI
This is the view from the start looking over Abraham Lake.
PlanetSKI’s Autumn Alberta road trip. Image © PlanetSKI
It begins steeply and carries on so.
But the views keep you going.
PlanetSKI’s Autumn Alberta road trip. Image © PlanetSKI
2kms of steep terrain to start with, but the tree roots acted like steps and it rather resembled walking up a rather steep and wobbly staircase.
PlanetSKI’s Autumn Alberta road trip. Image © PlanetSKI
PlanetSKI’s Autumn Alberta road trip. Image © PlanetSKI
When hiking in Canada there is a constant, and hopefully unseen threat – bears.
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It is actually £80 for a pack of two bear-sprays.
The video operator, Mrs Cove, needed one too.
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Here’s a couple more views on the All Stones Trail with Lake Abraham left long behind:
PlanetSKI’s Autumn Alberta road trip. Image © PlanetSKI
PlanetSKI’s Autumn Alberta road trip. Image © PlanetSKI
The hike was 12.2kms and took us 5 and half hours.
Tomorrow we are doing a more gentle hike to the Crescent Falls then walking round the wonderfully named, Lake Fish.
Before visiting the Nordegg Discovery Centre to find out about the history of Nordegg.
Specifically its coal mining history.
The mine opened in 1909 and closed in 1955 as oil replaced coal.
It is one of Canada’s largest industrial heritage sites.
PlanetSKI’s Autumn Alberta road trip. Image © PlanetSKI
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