Castle Special Place

Castle Special Place Hiking Guide - Exploring the Castle: Discovering the backbone of the world in Southern Alberta

Exploring the Castle: Discovering the Backbone of the World in Southern Alberta is a new hiking guide for the Castle Wilderness written by Robert Kershaw and published last fall. The guide, produced with the help of CPAWS and other foundations is a comprehensive yet brief guide to the culture, natural history, climate, flora and fauna, as well as explanations of present day uses and developments. Information on the hiking trails of the Castle Wilderness are also featured alongside colour photographs and maps of the area.

The book is now available from the CPAWS Southern Alberta office for $25 (Cdn) or at most bookstores for $26.95 (Cdn).

If you live in Canada and are unable to come to our office, please consider buying it online by clicking on the Buy Now button (additional shipping and handling charges apply). Once you have made your online payment you will be returned to this page.

For shipping outside Canada, please send an e-mail message with your address to info@cpawscalgary.org, so that we can calculate the proper shipping fees.

“In supporting this project, CPAWS hoped to spread appreciation and concern for the Castle, by providing a credible writer from the region a chance to explore the Castle in guidebook form. We believe readers will find in Rob’s writings much of what is admirable in him as person. He’s a friend of the land, an insightful philosopher on cultural and natural history, and a provocative questioner – inquiring about what has taken place, what's happening now and what may happen in the future of the Castle region – just the sort of person you’d like to hike with. The next best thing is this book, into which he has poured his much of his life and passion. Keep it with you in the Castle and, like time spent with Rob, you’ll be richer for the experience. For all his efforts here CPAWS expresses our heartfelt, abiding gratitude to Rob for the hundreds of hours of effort he has put into Exploring the Castle: Discovering the Backbone of the World.”

- Joe Obad, Former Conservation Director of CPAWS Calgary/Banff Chapter

“In these pages you will find the beginnings of new wilderness adventures embedded in a deep history of Alberta culture. Hiking in the Castle isn't like hiking in Kananaskis Country, this place is for people who appreciate and hunger for a more challenging hiking and wilderness experience. The trails are narrow and sometimes slightly overgrown, the vegetation is thick, and the terrain is steep. All this provides the hiker with an abundance of sights and smells unique to the Castle. More wild flowers than you can count and views to rival Waterton. With the cultural and historical perspectives provided in this book combined with a true wilderness hiking experience, it's easy to see why the Castle is such a Special Place.”

- Sarah Elmeligi, Senior Conservation Planner for CPAWS Southern Alberta Chapter

Return to Main menu