Where to go for easy hiking near me? There are many hikes surrounding Edmonton as well as in our city itself and the best part is that it’s all free! West of Edmonton offers hiking at Chickakoo and Clifford E. Lee Nature Sanctuary. North of Edmonton has St. Albert. The river valley and Rundle Park are within Edmonton, with Devon to the south of the city. Fort Saskatchewan, Cooking Lake-Blackfoot and Strathcona Wilderness Centre are east of Edmonton. They all offer different types of trails depending on what you’re looking for but most importantly, the scenery is gorgeous wherever you go outside with your family and partner.
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West of Edmonton
To the west of Edmonton, you’ll find easy hiking near me in Chickakoo and Clifford E. Lee Nature Sanctuary.
Chickakoo
Chickakoo has a total of fourteen kilometres of hiking trails. They have outhouses in the large parking lot. Trails marked in yellow or green are flat, the blue loops have a few hills, while the red loop has the steepest hills for the more adventurous hikers who want more challenge. It’s easy regardless. It might take you longer than other hikes around the city, but you can accomplish it with encouragement, determination and willingness to exercise in nature. The entire trails on the map can be completed in approximately three hours when hiking at a steady pace. It will take longer if you take breaks for lunch and take pictures of the gorgeous scenery and lakes in the area. With all the training and exercise you’ll get from this hike, you’ll be fit for Gorgeous Hiking to Laughing Falls, in British Columbia.
Clifford E. Lee Nature Sanctuary
Clifford E. Lee Nature Sanctuary is a twenty-minute drive west of the city of Edmonton. ”This sanctuary protects 348 acres of marshland…The varied habitats attract a diversity of animals, including more than one hundred bird species“. You’ll hike on a boardwalk that will lead you to different parts of the pond for bird sightings. Further away from the pond, you’ll continue to hike on a dirt path with potential insect and bird sightings as well. This is a unique experience that you don’t typically get on the other walks around Edmonton. It’s a small hike allowing you to enjoy spotting birds while taking a casual walk in the fresh air. When you’ve had enough, you can head home.
Families or couples can have a picnic near the beginning of the trail at picnic tables. It’s a small parking lot so depending on the time of day that you go, it could be busy. They have an outhouse at the trailhead for your needs.
Tip: Be aware that there are no railings on the boardwalks, therefore be careful that you, your partner or your child don’t fall into the water.
North of Edmonton
To the north of Edmonton, you’ll find easy hiking near me in St. Albert.
St. Albert
St. Albert is one of my new favourite places to hike! It’s close to home after a quick drive. The greenery from the trees surrounding the path makes it feel spring and summer-like. It’s so inviting to spend time outdoors and walking in that beautiful part of the city. The path is paved the entire way.
To start, park at Riel Recreation park (a small parking lot with outhouses) and walk northeast. Once you’ve passed the St. Albert Trestle Bridge, the trail opens up to Lions park where you can find picnic tables and a playground. The nice thing about this path is that you can walk for hours. You can choose to do a loop if you wish or turn around when you’ve had enough. The trail does go in the middle of the city at one point but before you know it, you’ll be away from the busy city streets and in nature again walking along the river. When we hiked this trail last summer, we were lucky to spot a pileated woodpecker, shown in the fourth picture.
On gorgeous sunny days, like it was on this day, it’s important to wear a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses to avoid getting a sunburn. If you do get sunburned though, here are 8 Tips to Treat a Sunburn.
Edmonton
In Edmonton, you’ll find easy hiking near me in the river valley and Rundle Park.
River Valley
The river valley offers different areas to hike such as Terwillegar, Whitemud Park, and MacKinnon Ravine Park to name a few. Terwillegar Park is also a dog park so keep that in mind when heading to that park. If you go to the outskirts of this park, there tends to be fewer dogs in that area. The beautiful thing about walking in the river valley is that the North Saskatchewan River is usually within eyesight, making it a pleasurable hike. It’s easy to walk from one park to another since they’re all interconnected. Bridges connect them to both sides of the riverbank. They are easy hikes as they meander along the water typically with a few uphill and downhills to offer a workout and change of scenery.
Whitemud Park
Whitemud Park has a washroom inside the white building and it has lots of parking but it can get busy during peak hours.
MacKinnon Ravine Park
You’ll need to park in the neighbourhood on the street and walk down to MacKinnon Ravine Park to access this area. There aren’t washrooms available here.
Terwillegar Park
Terwillegar doesn’t have washrooms but there is parking. It gets busy on weekends, so you might need to circle around a couple of times before finding a parking spot.
Tip: The parking lot at Terwillegar Park feels like you’re on the moon with the gravel pothole surface; be careful when driving.
Rundle Park
Rundle Park is still part of the river valley but it’s situated further to the northeast of the city. This location has fantastic flat, paved hiking paths throughout the park. It’s possible to walk for many kilometres and get in shape for Jasper Hikes: Best Memories. This place is so large that you won’t feel clustered with many people walking around you. With multiple parking lots that are big, people tend to be spread out throughout the park.
Tip: Watch out for flying frisbees coming your way as the hiking paths tend to be amongst the disc (frisbee) golf course.
You can walk around gorgeous ponds. The Rundle Family Centre can be used if you need a quick washroom break. This place transforms into a warming hut come winter for those who like to skate on the Rundle Park pathway.
If you’re looking for more awesome hikes in a city, you definitely need to check out 4 Spectacular Drumheller Hikes.
South of Edmonton
To the south of Edmonton, you’ll find easy hiking near me in Devon.
Devon
Devon is a popular spot to canoe from Devon to Edmonton by parking in the large parking lot at the Devon Voyageur Park for free. They have washrooms and picnic tables set up to have picnics with your family or partner. This is also a fantastic place to start a hike and head along the river walking up the wooden Legs of Fire Stairs in Voyageur Park toward the Devon Lions Campground to the southeast. It’s a fairly flat hike other than the stairs. There is a steep uphill from the campground to the neighbourhood if you choose to hike that section. The hike takes approximately one and a half hours for the five kilometres there and back.
East of Edmonton
To the northeast of Edmonton, you’ll find easy hiking near me in Fort Saskatchewan, Cooking Lake-Blackfoot and Strathcona Wilderness Centre.
Fort Saskatchewan
Fort Saskatchewan offers a pleasant walk along the North Saskatchewan River. On our outing, we parked in the Turner Park parking lot. They don’t have washrooms there. You can head northeast (to the right of the parking lot) until you hit the campground and then the trail stops. Heading towards the southwest trail (to the left of the parking lot) will lead you to Fort Centre Park with wide open spaces and a walking path above the river. Here are 10 tips to avoid sunburn if it’s sunny out. This is approximately a seven-kilometre loop. There are benches along the way if you need a break to sit and have a snack. The greenery in the trees in the summer makes for gorgeous landscape pictures. The trail is relatively flat with a few uphill and downhills for an extra workout.
Cooking Lake-Blackfoot
Cooking Lake-Blackfoot offers one hundred and seventy kilometres of hiking trails. They have outhouses in the large parking lot and throughout the park.
Tip: Bring toilet paper and sanitizer with you as the outhouses aren’t always stocked.
Islet and Waskehegan staging areas are typically where people start hiking. They offer warming huts to protect you from the elements and warm up on a colder and blustery day. Many lakes can be seen in this area. They have a variety of trails depending on your need for short or long loops. Some offer hills while other trails are flatter. You can hike for hours if you want to, which is really nice. Make a whole day out of it with your family or partner. The scenery is gorgeous with many birds singing, and entertaining hikers with pleasant sounds while walking in nature. This is a wonderful place to hike in the spring, summer and fall. This is especially true in the fall, as one can create gorgeous pictures with the changing leaves.
In the winter, this space is dedicated to cross-country skiing. Here are 10 Reasons to Love Cross-Country Skiing.
Strathcona Wilderness Centre
Strathcona Wilderness Centre has twelve kilometres for hiking. They have two parking lots but they do get busy on weekends; you might need to park on the road inside their gate if the parking lots are full. They have washrooms inside the heated building. This place offers easy hiking near me with a variety of trails that have uphill, downhills and flat parts depending on your fitness level and what you’re interested in hiking that day. The scenery changes everywhere you look as hikers explore different trails. Many animals and birds can be seen here as well. Make sure to keep an eye and ear out for sightings and sounds of potential wildlife.
It’s a great place to bring the family or your partner for a romantic day outside. Strathcona Wilderness Centre offers many shorter loops depending on how long your children want to hike or longer ones if your group has a love for nature and are avid hikers.
For other gorgeous fall hikes, check out my 4 Best Larch Hikes post.
Final Thoughts
Easy Hiking Near Me has so many wonderful options in and around our city. Pick a direction you want to go and you’ll be all set. The scenery is gorgeous, with many opportunities for animal sightings. They offer a variety of trails depending on your fitness level and what you want to conquer that day. Wherever you choose to go, it will feel great to breathe in the fresh air and to spend time outdoors with your family or partner in nature. Time for an adventure! Pick a date, a destination, grab your family or partner and go have an amazing time in the beautiful landscapes that surround us!
If you’re looking to head abroad for some hiking, Mount Batur Sunrise Hiking in Bali and Unforgettable Hiking Holiday in Bolzano in Italy are beautiful places to check out.
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