Enjoy Hiking Trails Fort McMurray

There are so many things to do but if you’re looking for hiking trails in the Fort McMurray region, I’ve narrowed it down to four places to explore. Two of the hikes north of the city are loops with less maintained trails but beautiful areas nevertheless. In the city, the one-directional trails are gorgeous for an afternoon of hiking with wide open spaces to see your surroundings. If you’re looking for less touristy places to hike, the trails outside the city will provide just that. In Fort McMurray, it’s busier with people but not immensely crowded and feels nice to get outside.

Crane Lake Hike

Crane Lake Reclamation Area, a thirty-minute drive north of Fort McMurray was an interesting thirty-minute hike. The parking lot greets hikers with two cranes on each side of the road. The trail head welcomes hikers with an outhouse and a sign about the area and what you’ll see along the way. There is a gravel path to start the trail. Although narrow, it is well marked. At the lake, a sign explains the many different kinds of birds that can be spotted.

Poorly Maintained Trail

A map indicates that it’s possible to go around the entire lake. Unfortunately, when we were there and left the lake view to go further in the bush, the trail became tough to traverse with tall grass overtaking the entire trail. It was poorly maintained, which you can see when scrolling through the pictures. Kris and I weren’t able to go very far. We felt that there was a high chance to encounter a black bear, which is a risk we didn’t want to take, even with our bear horn.

Different Birds

Many bird species can be seen with their families swimming in this lake. We enjoyed checking out the bird shelters at different locations around the lake. When scrolling above, they are marked with different numbers, such as number seven in the eighth picture. It helps scientists identify the different birds.

Tip: Make the best of exploring a new location even though expectations might not be met. Appreciate seeing a variety of birds on a gorgeous lake that isn’t crowded with tourists; we only saw two other people in that area.

Matcheetawin Discovery Hiking Trails Fort McMurray

The Matcheetawin Discovery Hiking Trails (located twenty-seven kilometres north of Fort McMurray) offer various directions to explore. A picnic area is available at the base, close to the parking lot and outhouses. Further to the east, a viewpoint of Wood Bison sculptures can be seen. If you walk north from there, the trail brings you to Sagow Pematosowin meaning living in peaceful co-existence with the land. Further north west, there are two loops: upper and middle trail. The outer three-kilometre loop is longer and the middle 0.8 kilometre loop is much smaller. To hike the entire area, it took me approximately one hour and fifteen minutes.

Picnic Area

This picnic area is set up with a gorgeous green space, picnic tables, and garbage cans. It’s a fantastic place to eat before or after your hike. This spot offers a large space to assemble together if tourists are simply looking for a gathering area. If you decide to explore, the inner loop has plenty of room to hike side by side allowing three people wide on the trail. It might feel good to stretch those legs after a long drive and get some fresh air by doing a small loop.

Tip: Keep an eye out for bears. They tend to stay away if you have conversations with your family members to let the bears know that you’re in the area.

Wood Bison Gateway Sculpture Viewpoint

The Wood Bison gateway sculpture viewpoint is neat to see. Climbing on sculptures is prohibited for everyone’s safety. It’s just a few minutes to the right of the parking lot allowing all families and couples to see it. It’s best to take a few pictures with your partner or family and then head to the picnic tables for a meal or snack.

Sagow Pematosowin Hiking Trails Fort McMurray

Sagow Pematosowin (meaning living in peaceful co-existence with the land) near Fort McMurray offers signs in a circle to show the circle of life that describe different parts of our lives. It shows words in Cree and English such as birth, growth, infant, explore, mature, adult, work, age and elder. Each word is represented by a specific picture that describes it. It’s interesting to stand in the middle and appreciate our entire lives from that spot with earth surrounding us before hiking on the different trails in the region.

Upper Trail

Beware of Wildlife

The upper trail is three kilometres long and starts with many signs warning hikers to beware of wildlife and to use the trails at their own risk. I was even warned about bear poop on the trail close to the start. I made sure to have my bear bells making noise on my backpack as I walked and my horn with me in case I’d have to use it.

Tip: Since I was alone while Kris worked, as additional caution, I often screamed “bear bear bear” to let a potential bear know that I was also sharing its space and wanted to be left alone. Conversations also work if you’re with someone. If you’re alone, singing warns the bear that a hiker is around. It’s important to constantly make noise when you know a bear could be close.

Hiking Trail Conditions Fort McMurray

The upper trail was wide and maintained with the trail cleared from debris when starting. However, as I got further along the way, grass took over the path making it feel enclosed and even more likely to encounter a bear. Not wanting to quit, having just started one of the hiking trails in Fort McMurray, I proceeded forward. The first platform was covered by uncut branches and spider webs. Thankfully, further platforms were cleared and I was able to sit for a few minutes.

Open-Minded to Possibilities

The viewpoints are no longer visible with overgrown trees blocking the sights. It’s probably why many people don’t frequent these hiking trails. But, if you’re interested in a hike in the woods and are open-minded to pushing through the tall grasses, the hike is doable with the right gear (bear bell and horn) to protect yourself against a possible bear sighting. Keep having conversations or make noise to keep the bear away. I never saw a bear. When taking the proper precautions, it’s possible to avoid seeing the bear. I was extremely proud of myself for not quitting and completing the trail! It was also awesome to get exercise in a new environment.

Pushing Past Your Comfort Zone

It’s easy to say no, I won’t take the chance in case I see a bear but then there’s a possibility to miss out on so many things in life. That’s not my personality, so I decided I could succeed with the right course of action. I can’t promise you that you won’t see a bear but maybe consider saying yes and trying something new? I was nervous but I pushed through because I didn’t want to miss out on another trail since we didn’t go very far around Crane Lake.

Middle Trail

The middle 0.8-kilometre trail was shorter but maintained. It allowed large groups to travel together side by side while enjoying many different conversations. There aren’t many viewpoints, but offers the opportunity for some exercise.

Tip #1: If you feel more confident hiking on a maintained trail, this one could be hiked multiples times if you want.

Tip #2: I also had a bell to help make noise while I walked by myself in the woods.

Birchwood Hiking Trails Fort McMurray

Well Maintained Hiking Trails in Fort McMurray

The Birchwood hiking trails in the middle of the city are maintained. If this is more your style and you would feel more comfortable hiking here than the previous two hikes I’ve mentioned outside the city, consider going there. To find a place to park, I googled Birchwood hiking trails in Fort McMurray and went to maps to find a location to park in the neighbourhood. When zooming into the map, green dotted lines become visible showing you the trails. If you move the orange guy to a selected spot on the map, it indicates where the trails start to help pick a parking spot.

Tip#1: If possible, I try to park along the grass, away from houses since I’m not a visitor, to be courteous.

Tip #2: I put my Samsung tracker on to keep track of where I’m going, to track the total kilometres hiked but also so that I know where I started. It’s easy to get lost if you don’t know your surroundings in an unfamiliar city.

Maps

Maps are located throughout the Birchwood trails to help figure out your current location. It also warns you of possible bears in the area. Fort McMurray is known for their black bears so be bear prepared with your loud voice, bear bell and horn. Seats and picnic tables are available throughout the park if you need a break for a snack or a place to eat your lunch.

Enjoyable Hiking Trails

The trails are nice and wide, a fantastic place to bring your family or partner. It’s easy to choose different trails to take and explore. Depending on your hiking destination and how long you have, hiking in a loop could be possible, otherwise you’ll have to backtrack. The trails offer some shade through parts of the trail depending on the position of the sun. The trails offer a variety of difficulties to accommodate many hikers of varying skills. There are trails for everyone. It’s a wonderful place to spend a couple of hours; I hiked for one and a half hours.

Tip #3: Depending on the weather, if it’s sunny, make sure to apply lots of sunscreen to prevent a sunburn.

Hiking Trails along Clearwater River Fort McMurray

To hike along Clearwater River, I started near Snye Point Boat Launch (which offers plenty of free parking) and walked to MacDonald Drive and back. The path is paved the entire way with lots of room to hike. There are picnic tables and green spaces along the way if you want to stop and eat.

Tip: Bring a MEC seat cushion for a comfy place to sit on the grass or on a picnic bench.

The trail is gentle and easy offering a view of the golf course and the river to the north. It can be quite sunny in the direct sunlight without shade. Make sure to bring sunscreen with you if it’s a nice day outside. It took forty-five minutes to walk there and back. Not a super long hike but enjoyable to be walking in the city to get some exercise. You’ll be required to go back through a south side neighbourhood to make it into a loop.

Final Thoughts

Where would you like to hike around Fort McMurray? Outside to the north of the city, on the Birchwood hiking trails, or near the river? They offer a place to get away from the hustle and bustle of life and enjoy time outside. All of them require bringing a bear horn and bells to encourage black bears to stay away. Bring conversations to talk to family or your partner. If you’re hiking by yourself, singing can help notify the bears that you’re sharing their space in the outdoors.

Crane Lake offers awesome sightings of so many birds and waterfowl enjoying life with their families. Matcheetawin Discovery Hiking Trails Fort McMurray offers many awesome places to explore depending on your comfort level and what you want to see. The river is a short hike if you want a quick place to walk and the Birchwood Hiking Trails in Fort McMurray allow you to hike a short distance or many kilometres if you choose. The choice is yours, go have fun!