Five Fine Trails for Fall

Take the path less travelled. Easily done in Northeast Alberta, where, relative to busy trails further south, all of them are lesser travelled. Whether you are walking, biking or skiing, revel in having these fine trails in the Lakeland to yourself.

Beaver River Trestle on Alberta’s
Iron Horse Trail, 11 kms

The 450m Beaver River Trestle is the largest among 18 trestles along the Iron Horse Trail, and is a marvel to walk across.

Alberta’s Iron Horse Trail is the longest and oldest trail in Alberta, in existence since the mid 1800s. Once a crucial trail in Indigenous and settlement history, its 300kms of trails are now part of an amazing year round recreational corridor.

While Iron Horse Trail is well used by ATV riders and snowmobilers, shorter portions make for a great hike or bike ride taking in scenic sections, such as to the Beaver Trestle Bridge near Cold Lake, Alberta, home to one of Canada’s largest inland marinas.

This 11km out and back trail starts in Cold Lake South at the Northeast end of the Iron Horse Trail at 50 St. and 47 Ave. and leads to the Trestle Bridge. Some gravelly sections may be challenging for bikes. Read about the Trestle Bridge fire at a sign on one end of the trestle and marvel over the meandering Beaver River 60 metres below. Walk down to the Beaver River under the trestle to get a closer look at the trestles and see the 1931 date on the concrete supports.

Glacial Esker Trail, 4.6 kms

The forested gem that is Whitney Lakes Provincial Park protects an esker, a winding narrow ridge of gravel and sand formed when glaciers retreated more than 10,000 years ago. Hike the esker for raised and sweeping lake views.

Thirty kilometres of trails connect three of the lakes, but the 4.6 km Glacial Esker Trail at Borden Lake is provincially significant and the park’s pièce de résistance. The kids will get a kick knowing that pilots have been known to navigate by the longest, biggest eskers— like giant worm tunnels from the air—all over northern Canada.

This trail is accessible by hiking the backcountry trails from the northern parking lot. Around this quieter lake, listen or watch for deer, moose, beaver, as well as for frogs and the elusive tiger salamander. Watch for the Northern Flicker, a large predominantly brown woodpecker with a long, slightly downcurved bill.

Old Growth Trail Loop, 7 kms

Wander this lesser travelled loop trail along the edges of Sir Winston Churchill Island in Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park, Alberta’s only island park. The trail, at close to seven kilometres long, runs along the edge of the island, situated on massive Lac La Biche, or Deer Lake. It’s mostly shaded with lookouts and sandy beaches and is good for birding.

Saskatoon, Lakeside, Wildrose and Aspen Loop, 9.5 kms

Explore this 9.5-km loop trail near Vermilion at Vermilion Provincial Park. This popular year round trail is used for hiking, running and cross-country skiing. Vermilion Provincial Park has about 35 km of trails, some of which are paved. In the winter the park grooms and sets all 35 km for skate and classical cross country skiing. You can still enjoy some solitude, however, during quieter times of the day, typically in the morning.

Muskeg Trail to Lakeshore Trail, 4 kms

This well marked trail in Moose Lake Provincial Park, near Bonnyville, offers stunning views of Moose Lake all year round. It’s easy terrain and, depending on the season, you’ll see lots of blueberries, cranberries and raspberries. In the fall, most of the parks are closed, so check maps online on where best to access trails. For this one, park at the boat launch and access the trails on foot from there.

Otherwise, start at the parking lot in the group use camping area and access Muskeg Trail to reach Lakeshore Trail then follow it along the lakeshore heading back on Jackpine Trail. There, it intersects with Muskeg Trail again, heading back to the parking lot. You can mix and match to make your outing as short or as long as you and your group likes.