Alberta's Sulphur Gates Hike Will Take You Straight To Middle Earth
There is no shortage of surreal landscapes to be found in the province. This Albertan trail and campground are so jaw-dropping, they could've only come out from the mind of J.R.R. Tolkien himself. Between beautiful mountain outlooks and vivid, green forests, you'll feel as if you've stepped out of this world and into one of pure magic.
Located in Grande Cache, Alberta, the Sulphur Gates are a ridge of cliffs overlooking the Smoky and Sulphur Rivers. The charming hamlet is found near the B.C. border, roughly 430 kilometres from Edmonton.
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From there, the park and hiking spot is just a 15-minute drive away. It's a must-visit for any road trip to the Rockies.
The views here are breathtaking. A short half-kilometre hike good for all skill levels takes you right along the cliff's edge, where visitors can look out at the glory of Alberta. Just watch your footing and make sure to stay behind the guardrail.
Sulphur Gates is also open for camping between Monday, June 1 and Thursday, December 31. There are 15 campsites in total, which go for $29 a night.
From the campground, a smaller trail leads past the parking lot to several lookout stations with spectacular views of the forests below.
As if this place couldn't get any more high fantasy, there are also hitching rails and equestrian campsites for horseback adventurers and backpacking travellers to Willmore Wilderness Park.
Good news for the tough-as-nails ultramarathon runners out there, because every year, the famous and scarily named Canadian Death Race is held in the area.
Noted as one of the world's toughest ultras, tons of extreme athletes migrate here every year to run 125 kilometres across the cliffs.
But if you're more the casual-stroll type of person, the area's still worth visiting for the chill trails and beautiful scenery.
Sulphur Gates
Address: Grande Cache, AB
Why You Need To Go: Take your precious out on an unforgivable adventure to these cliffs right out of Lord of the Rings.
We strongly advise that before you go swimming or visit any location, you check the most recent updates on potential hazards, security, water quality, and closures. If you do plan to visit a location, respect the environment and obey any local laws.