The Cowboy trail

Packed with scenery, wildlife and the province's rich ranching history, The Cowboy Trail (Hwy 22) is a fantastic way to explore old-fashioned ranches, working cowboys, antiques and the beautiful rolling landscape.

Begin at Mayerthorpe and head south just east of the Rocky Mountains to Rocky Mountain House-the home of Alberta's fur trade history. Check out the Museum and National Historic Site for reenactments of the voyageur life.

Stop in Sundre for a browse of their Pioneer Museum, then keep on to Cochrane's Western heritage Centre, dedicated to the rodeo and livestock industry. The 60-hectare Cochrane Ranch is one of the first large-scale cattle operations in Western Canada.

For more Wild West, detour east to Calgary for the annual Calgary Exhibition and Stampede (July 9 - 18), and check out the Glenbow Museum's current exhibit on western painters.

Head further south through towns such as Priddis, Millarville (great farmers' market every Saturday), Turner Valley (where Canada's first crude-oil discovery was made in 1914), Black Diamond and Longview through the impressive hills of ranching country.

South of Longview is the Bar U Ranch (c. 1882), a National Historic Site which features original buildings, exhibits and archaeological digs. Past Pincher Creek (known for Kootenai Brown's Pioneer Village), head south on Hwy 6 to Waterton Lakes National Park for scenic hikes and wildlife. Distances: Mayerthorpe to Rocky Mountain House 196 km (123 mi). Rocky Mountain House to Calgary 229 km (143 mi). Calgary to Waterton 269 km (168 mi).