The Japanese call it ‘Shinrin-Yoku’ and, simply put, it means spending time outdoors for better mind and body health. Some may think that’s not possible in autumn with its darker days, more frantic pace and increased screen time.

While no more sand in the toes is sad, you can turn it around. Make time to get outdoors, try a new activity, move your body into the Canadian Rockies region, meet some quaint, funky authentic mountain towns and be inspired by this fresh renewal. Besides, there is never enough summertime to do it all, so fall in line with these four adventures in four towns.

A Golden place to saddle up: be humbled by big peaks.

Wrangle into the wild west with a horseback ride into Blaeberry valley, near Golden, B.C., with giant peaks rimming both sides. You’ll want to spend more time gawking, but best to listen to your trail boss who will show you how to ride, taking you back to a pioneering time. Bear Corner Bed and Bale offers time to take in the changing colours and hopefully a glimpse of Kokanee salmon spawning in some of the rivers you will be crossing. Reflect on how humbling it is to feel the goodness of being small in the great outdoors. 

While the trail this time of the year won’t be hot, you’ll still kick up a bit of thirst, and a perfect place to pull up a seat and order your flight of tasters is at the new Whitetooth Brewing Co. Enjoy small-batch Belgian inspired and West Coast-influenced brews. 

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