10 easy hiking spots around Edmonton for your next spring adventure
While a quick glance out the window may not look like it, spring is on the way in Edmonton, and as the days grow longer, it’s really making us want to find our hiking boots.
The birds are singing, the air has less of a bite to it, and we’re loving all this extra sunshine. Before we know it, summer will be here.
For those who want to get outdoors this season, check out these 10 amazing hiking locations in the Edmonton region.
William Hawrelak Park
City of Edmonton
Officially reopening to the public on Friday, March 13, this gorgeous 68-hectare park is sure to be a popular spot this spring. After a three-year closure (which, let’s be honest, has felt far longer), we cannot wait to get back on the trails at Hawrelak Park. With fresh amenities including new natural play structures, renovated picnic shelters, and more, it is the perfect place to spend the first beautiful sunny day of the season and take it all in.
Where: 9330 Groat Rd. NW
Mill Creek Ravine Park
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The Mill Creek Ravine is a slice of natural beauty right in central Edmonton, featuring extensive walking trails, a creek, and plenty of space to stretch out. There’s so much to explore that it almost feels like you’re on a little road trip out of the city without even leaving.
Where: 96th Street and 76th Avenue NW
Elk Island National Park
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Just 35 minutes east of Edmonton is an outdoor lover’s paradise with wildlife, starry skies, and incredible natural views. Elk Island National Park is also a wildlife photographer’s dream, thanks to roaming herds of bison, elk, and more than 250 bird species that have made this national park a mainstay for wildlife conservation.
Where: 54401 Range Rd. 203, Fort Saskatchewan
Fort Edmonton Park footbridge
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Sandwiched between Fort Edmonton Park and Wolf Willow Ravine, the Fort Edmonton Park footbridge provides stunning views of the North Saskatchewan River on a lovely footbridge. Not only is this a fantastic chance for hiking around, but it’s also one of the most picturesque spots in Edmonton.
Where: 1307 Woodward Place NW
Hard Luck Canyon
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This canyon near Whitecourt was carved out by Hard Luck Creek through the sandstone layers of the Paskapoo Formation. A bridge spans the canyon’s falls, which typically are at their highest during the spring melt. You can venture down a set of stairs right into the canyon and get an up-close look at the falls and canyon walls. It’s totally worth the day trip!
Where: Range Road 125A, Woodlands County
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Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area
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Located 60 kilometres east of Edmonton, the Cooking-Lake Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area boasts 97 square kilometres of peaceful forests, pastures, and wetlands. It’s a great place to view wildlife, as the park supports habitats for tons of wildlife species, including coyotes, deer, elk, foxes, moose, and lynx.
Where: 52365 Range Rd. 210, Sherwood Park
Anywhere in Edmonton’s River Valley
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Edmonton’s River Valley is vast, and boy, are we ever lucky to have the largest urban park in North America. With more than 160 kilometres of maintained pathways and 20 major parks, the River Valley is a gem and a natural wonder for all. From Emily Murphy Park to the Northeast River Valley Park, it’s the perfect place to spend a bright spring afternoon.
Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park
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This stunning provincial park between Edmonton and St. Albert has one rather large feature: Big Lake. The lake makes up nearly 60% of the park’s total area, and its wetlands are considered ecologically significant. Spend a sunny spring day walking along the boardwalks of this incredible park, and take in the wildlife viewing platform on the eastern shore of Big Lake.
Where: 1 Ray Gibbon Dr., St. Albert
Clifford E. Lee Nature Sanctuary
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This scenic nature sanctuary near Devon has trails and boardwalks that allow you to pass through different landscapes, including marshland, pine forest, meadow, and parkland. Over 100 species of birds can be found in this protected area.
Where: Sanctuary Road, Spruce Grove
Strathcona Wilderness Centre
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The Strathcona Wilderness Centre is a gorgeous spot in Strathcona County that features 12 kilometres of trails and tons of opportunities for wildlife viewing. It’s nice and secluded from the hustle and bustle of Edmonton, and has so many hiking trails to explore!
Where: 52535 Range Rd. 212, Uncas