9 easy spring hikes near Edmonton to explore this season
Spring is making its way into Edmonton, and with above-zero temperatures forecast for the foreseeable future, the shift in seasons is finally settling in.
The ice is melting, birds are returning from their seasonal trip south, and we’re loving all this extra sunshine. Before long, the leaves will turn green, and summer will be in full swing.
If you’re eager to get outside, here are nine great hiking spots to explore around the Edmonton area:
Mill Creek Ravine Park
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The Mill Creek Ravine is a slice of nature right in central Edmonton, featuring extensive walking trails and a creek. With so much space to explore, you could almost make it look like you took a little road trip out of the city for the day without even leaving.
Where: 96th St. and 76th Ave. 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 of wildlife conservation.
Where: 54401 Rge. 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 walk, but it’s also one of the most picturesque spots in Edmonton!
Where: 1307 Woodward Pl. NW
Hard Luck Canyon
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It’s a bit of a drive compared to other spots on this list, but this unique canyon near Whitecourt is well worth the trip. Carved by Hard Luck Creek through the sandstone layers of the Paskapoo Formation, it features a bridge spanning the falls, which are usually at their peak during the spring melt. A set of stairs leads right into the canyon, offering an up-close look at the falls and towering rock walls.
Where: Rge. Rd. 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 Rge. 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. 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 Rd., Spruce Grove
Strathcona Wilderness Centre
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The Strathcona Wildnerness Centre is a gorgeous spot in Strathcona County that features 12 kilometres of trails and tons of opportunities for wildlife viewing. After a long, cold winter, it’ll feel amazing to take in all that fresh spring air!
Where: 52535 Rge. Rd. 212, Uncas