Explore Magazine

Ah, the alpine—a place that sometimes feels like another planet. You’re high above the treeline, the road looks minuscule, iridescent turquoise tarns, rugged ridgelines and exposed rock make this ecosystem a true treasure to hike in. The air is thinner, therefore making your lungs work a little overtime, but the overtime work is worth the extraordinary views. What makes the alpine unique is that no visit is ever the same—each visit can be a completely different experience.

There are two kinds of September treks: students trekking back to school and hikers trekking into some of the best conditions of the year. From elementary to university, the end of summer means giving up holiday spontaneity for the regime of timetables. Meanwhile, the trails are quieter, the temperatures are cooler and the scenery is arguably better. School and outdoors need not be mutually exclusive. Here at explore, we believe that settling into a back-to-school routine is best done with a hea...

I deliberately slow my pace as I wander towards the lake. The movement of my feet is the only sound breaking the silence of dawn across the still water. Behind me, the stunning castle-like silhouette of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is bathed in a pearly pink glow as the rising sun filters through the morning mist. For the first time in a long time, I’m on a hike where I don’t have to catch my breath. In fact, I’m moving so slowly I wonder if I’ve covered any distance at all.

Welcome to Ask Explore, Explore Magazine’s new outdoor advice column. We’re here to answer all of your wildest questions about Canada, the outdoors and our place in it. Here’s how it works: send us your questions and outdoor writer and expert Cam Fenton will draw on his years of experience as a guide, paramedic, journalist and outdoor educator to try to answer them. If he doesn’t know the answer, he’ll interview experts.

Photo by Ashley Drody Photography For 45 years, explore magazine has inspired Canadians to get outside, to paddle, hike, camp and discover more of the country we call home. To mark this milestone anniversary, explore is taking that mission beyond the page, screen or podcast with our first ever technical apparel collaboration.

Nicaragua beckons adventurous minds. The country is full of trails that wind through thick forests and volcanic wonders. Picture blissful mornings admiring colourful birds while sipping locally produced coffee. This Central American gem has that… and much more. Visit Nicaragua Nicaragua is also a place where volcanic peaks graze the sky and the verdant cloud forests of the highlands north of Managua bring refreshingly cool mists and fresh air perfect for mountain biking and hiking.

The summer camping season is close to wrapping up. Tent campers and RV lovers have endured it all once again in Ontario Parks, from continued booking reservation nightmares to obnoxious behaviour throughout the campground. Campfire wood still seems to be soaked in a bucket of water before you pay more than a rib-eye steak at the grocery store. Beyond that you have the “beer on the beach” program introduced by the Ontario government, which now makes it legal to drink alcohol off your campsite.

Join over 70,000 readers getting trail conditions, gear analysis and industry news—written by the team behind Canada’s longest-running outdoor magazine. By providing us your email, you will be signed up to receive emails from Explore and agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions. READ MORE: Adventure, Camping Gear, ExploreNOW Exclusive Adventure, Ask Explore, Editors’ Picks, ExploreNOW Exclusive This is the disparity between wanting to get outdoors and actually doing it.

Our RV road trip began in Vancouver and continued across the interior region of BC until we arrived at Fernie, located within the Elk Valley of the East Kootenay region. It was our goal to reach this Rocky Mountain paradise known for its natural beauty and abundance of outdoor activities before beginning our journey back. I had flown out to Vancouver in anticipation of joining my friends on a truly Canadian adventure like no other.

Photo by Entree Destinations, Paul Dussault In 1981, scientist James Hansen and colleagues published a study in Science examining how rising atmospheric carbon dioxide could affect Earth’s climate. Today, 45 years later, the scientific community knows a lot more about climate change, and that’s why we are highlighting 45 climate conscious outdoor adventures in Canada as part of Explore Magazine’s 45th anniversary.