Métis Crossing Voyage Wagon Trek on the Iron Horse Trail North Sask. River from Iron Horse Trail

Boardwalk - Elk Island National Park X-Country Skiing - Elk Island National Park Pysanka Festival - Vegreville

Trans Canadian Snowmobile Trail Smoky Lake CN StationSnowmobiling

Gibbons River Valley Trail and Park Area Quadding French Mural - Legal

White Earth Valley Natural Area Long Lake Provincial Park Athabasca Landing Trail

Dog Sledding Old Peace River Trail Snowshoeing

Redwater

Long Lake -White Earth

Cross Lake

Poacher’s Landing

CP

CP

CNR

CNR

CN

R

CN

R

320000

320000

330000

330000

340000

340000

350000

350000

360000

360000

370000

370000

380000

380000

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6120

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6130

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60

71

67

68

52

64

70

63

59

56

69

61

57

53

65

55

62

66

58

54

73

24 23 212219

25

15161820 17 13

26

858

813

812

663

827

663

663

855

855831

661

827

656

829

644651

803

857 652

645

645

855

857

637

831

830643

830

825

642

628

627

824

634

855

834

55

55

55

36

63

2

1818

28

4538

28

28A

28A

3715

16A

14

15

63

216

100

16

16

1616A

Big Lake

North S

aska

tchew

an R

iver

Lac La Biche

Calling Lake

Flat Lake

Missawawi Lake

North Buck Lake

Whitford Lake

Lyle Lake

Athaba

sca R

iver

Atha

basc

a R

iver

Fawcett Lake

Athabasca River

Charron Lake

BaptisteLake

Lawrence Lake

North Saskatchewan River

Beaverhill Lake

HanmoreLake

Alberta’s IronHorse Trail

Atha

basc

a La

nding

Tra

il

Trans

Can

ada T

rail A

rctic

Water R

oute

Peace River Trail

1

31

34 35

3224

11 12

30

39

29

41

18 19

20 23

9

CPR

CNR

CNR

Analta

I.R. 183

Calling Lake

Calling LakeProvincial Park

Calling River

DeepCreek Pleasant

View

RichmondPark

Big Coulee

Grosmont

IslandLake

Island LakeSouth

Lahaieville

White Gull

WhisperingHills

SunsetBeach

SouthBaptiste

Lincoln

Baptiste

WanderingRiver

Breynat

Amesbury

La Biche RiverWildland Provincial Park

Amber Valley

GrasslandAtmore

Plamondon

Donatville

Paxson

Sir WinstonChurchill

Prov. ParkBig Island

LongIsland

Lac La Biche

Beaver Lake

HareIsland

Hylo

Venice

Noral

Caslan

Bondiss

MewathaBeach

Boyle

Halasa

Kinikinik

Colinton

Meanook

Coolidge

Larkspur

Perryvale

Ellscott

AlpenSiding

Alpen

Danube

Halcreek

Halach

Rochester

Mapova

Clearbrook

Elbridge

Clyde

AntonLake

Halfway Lake

JeffreyCrippsdale

Thorhild

WeaselCreek

HollowLake

Sprucefield Barich

Radway

Egremont

Waugh

Vimy

Legal

Opal

Kerensky

Buffalo Lake

Metis Settlement

BellisEdwandSmoky Lake

Kahwin

Wasel

Hunka

Warspite

Waskatenau

Northbank

Delph

LobstickSMT.

Skaro

EldorenaRedwater

Amelia

StrathconaHeights

Fedorah

Coronado

Bon Accord

Morinville

Peavey

Gibbons

ExcelsiorCFBCardiff

Cardiff

Carbondale

VolmerNamao

CFBEdmonton

LancasterParkSt. Albert

I.R. 135

Enoch

EDMONTON

Whitecroft

HulbertCrescent

Sherwood Park

Clover Bar

Wyeclif

Ardrossan

Lindale

QueensdalePlace

Akenside

Griesbach

Uncas

NorthCooking Lake

AntlerLake

Duagh

Lamoureux Joesphburg

Scotford

Elk Island

Gaudin

BruderheimBeaverhill

Star

St MichaelWostok

Andrew

Lamont

Chipman

Willingdon

Hairy Hill

Krakow

Hilliard

Mundare

RoyalPark

Vegreville

Fitzallen

Warwick

Norma

Whitford

Lac La BicheMission

LongLake

Long LakeProv. Park

Cross LakeProv. Park

Elk IslandNational Park

of Canada

CNR

CNR

CNR

DNDRiverbend

CNR

CN

R

CN

R

Abee

Newbrook

Nestow

Tawatinaw

Vilna

Fort

Saskatchewan

CNR

Beamer

Ukrainian CulturalHeritage Village

VictoriaSettlement

Athabasca

MetisCrossing

Poacher’s LandingProvincial Recreation Area

Sawdy

StrathconaWilderness

Centre

Cooking Lake-BlackfootProvincial RecreationArea

Half MoonLake

Kikino

Metis Settlement

Kikino

Metis

Settlement

Half MoonLake Natural Area

Black BearGrazing Reserve

Trails

Louis BartelCross CountrySki Trails

North BuckLake

Hanmore Lake

CPR

CNR

CNR

CN

R

CNR

CN

R

CNR

Lois HoleCentennialProv. Park

Legend - West Half

0 3 6 9 121.5km

Mixed Use (motorized & non-motorized)

Non-motorized

Designated winter use

Towns with trails

Trans Canada Trail

Trans-CanadianSnowmobile Trail

Legal

All terrain vehicle

Campground

Cross-country skiing

Cycling

Day use area

Equestrian

Farmers Market

Group campground

Hiking

Historic site

Hospital

Information

Motorcycle

Snowmobile

Staging area

Primary highways

Secondary & gravel roads

Rail

Water

Township

Urban

Indian reserve

Metis settlement

Natural area

Provincial recreation area

National park

Provincial park

Wildland park

Green Area

Watchable wildlife site

Special interest site1

Special Interest Sites:

1 Athabasca Heritage Tours2 Bonnyville & District Museum3 Jessie lake4 Giant Angus Shaw 5 Cold Lake Museum6 Kinosso Totem Poles7 Dewberry Valley Museum8 Giant Chuckwagon9 Tawatinaw Valley Alpine and Nordic Centre10 100 Foot Historical Mural11 Toula’s House of Clay12 Sturgeon River Historical Museum13 Giant Perogy14 Heinsburg Historic Railway Theme Park & Water Tower Campsite15 Innisfree Prairie Bank of Commerce Museum16 Heart Lake Beach17 Kikino Silver Birch Beach18 McArthur Park19 McArthur Place20 Portage College Museum of Aboriginal Art & Artifacts21 Spruce Point Beach22 Young’s Beach23 Giant David Thompson24 Legal French Murals

25 Paradise Valley Climb Through Time26 The Barr Colony Heritage Cultural Centre27 Mallaig Museum28 Mannville Historical Telephone Exchange Museum29 Musee Morinville Museum30 Giant Sausage31 Plamondon and District Museum32 Redwater and District Museum33 Saddle Lake Cultural Museum34 Smoky Lake Pioneer Museum35 The Great Pumpkin36 Musee-St. Paul-Museum37 Musee Historique de St. Paul Historical Museum38 Two Hills and District Museum39 Vegreville Regional Museum40 Vermillion Heritage Museum41 Giant Mushrooms of Vilna

Trails

Redwater

Redwater Natural Areanon-motorized area

non-motorized area

To the northeast of Edmonton, Bruderheim has new cycling trails and a heritage trail, dotted with playgrounds, leading to a wetland interpretive centre. Not far away, Gibbons (www.gibbons.ca) offers 2 km of walking trails - part of the Trans Canada Trail’s (www.tctrail.ca) northern leg along the Sturgeon River in Echo Glen Park. Trails can be found in nearby Lily Lake Village Resort, north of Bon Accord. Further northeast, Redwater (www.town.redwater.ab.ca) is home to North America’s largest oil derrick and close to Redwater Natural Area, popular with both orienteers and off-highway vehicle enthusiasts. Nearby, rustic trails – including a section of the Trans Canada Trail – wind through tamaracks in Half Moon Lake Natural Area.

Just north of Edmonton along Highway 2, Morinville (www.town.morinville.ab.ca) provides 6 km of paved paths and a historic downtown walking tour; more trails can be found in nearby Cardiff Park. Further north, Legal (www.town.legal.ab.ca), billed as the National Capital of French Murals, has trails in its Centennial Park.

Trails Northeast of EdmontonNortheast Alberta is blessed with an extensive system of multi-use trails. These range from long linear routes along old rail beds to networks of park paths and quiet strolls through the region’s small cities, towns and villages. There’s something here for everyone: hikers, cyclists, off-highway vehicle enthusiasts, equestrian riders, snowmobilers, cross-country skiers, snowshoers, dog sledders and even wagon trekkers.

A significant portion of the sprawling, 53,000 km2 area covered by this map is lightly populated, and so are the trails. One can often travel alone for long stretches of time – perfect for quietly admiring the passing scenery, pausing at sweeping vistas or stopping to scan the woods, marshes and skies for an abundance of bird and animal life. Still, civilization intervenes sufficiently for trail users to restock supplies, enjoy a well-earned meal and sample the area’s rich, diverse culture and history.

Alberta’s Iron Horse Trail, the Trans Canada Trail and the Trans Canadian Snowmobile Trail figure prominently in the trails in this map region. The Trans Canada Trail route includes some connecting roads as well as portions of the Athabasca River along its northern land and water legs.

The landscapes the trails on this map traverse are a pleasant mix of rolling farmland, heavier, wetter forests, wandering rivers and one of the largest concentrations of lakes in Alberta. Some of the most magnificent terrain is set aside in national and provincial parks, recreation and natural areas and ecological reserves.

This region embraces two primary natural regions. Aspen parkland – the transition zone between grasslands to the south and boreal forest to the north – reaches into the southern portions of the area. It is characterized by open stands of aspen with wildlife ranging from deer and coyotes to blue herons and Swainson’s hawks.

Boreal forest is the region’s predominant landscape. Aspen groves give way to dense forests of white spruce broken by lakes and large areas of muskeg dominated by black spruce and tamarack. This is one of Alberta’s most productive habitats, home to such animal species as moose, black bear, snowshoe hare, lynx, wolf and weasel.

Elsewhere, there are surprisingly extensive pockets of sand dunes, often covered in jack pine forests. Many of these are found in natural areas, provincial parks and recreation areas.

The 20,000 km2 Kalyna Country (www.kalynacountry.com), which covers the parkland drained by the North Saskatchewan River, has been declared the world’s largest ecomuseum. This unique region promotes heritage, cultural and natural attractions and outdoor adventures east/northeast of Edmonton. Much of the area covered in this map is also included in Alberta’s Lakeland (www.albertaslakeland.com), a region with a rich mosaic of history, culture and natural settings, featuring more than 250 lakes, spectacular boating, camping, fishing and hunting opportunities and over 400 km of multi-use trails.

(www.ironhorsetrail.ca or phone toll-free 888-645-4155)

Alberta’s Iron Horse Trail

Just east of the busy metropolis of Edmonton, refuge can be found in several dense systems of trails. The Strathcona Wilderness Centre, on the eastern doorstep of Sherwood Park, has 12 km of hiking, cross-country skiing and snowshoe loops of varying difficulty that wind through aspen forest and along Bennett Lake.

A bit further east along Highway 16, the 194 km2 Elk Island National Park of Canada (www.pc.gc.ca/elkisland, phone 780-992-2950) protects free-roaming herds of wood and plains bison, along with moose, elk and more than 250 bird species. The park’s 100 km of trails feature 11 hiking and cross-country ski trails – ranging from short strolls to several in excess of 10 km – that wind through aspen parkland and past spruce bogs and small lakes. A park pass is required.

Immediately to the south, Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Recreation Area boasts a sprawling, 170 km network of hiking, mountain biking, equestrian, cross-country skiing and snowmobile trails – ranging from less than one kilometre to 25 km in length and offering something for all levels of ability. The area hosts the annual Canadian Birkebeiner each February, (www.canadianbirkie.com) the largest classic cross-country ski race in North America.

Near the junction of Highways 16 and 15, the Parkland Conservation Farm has hiking trails amongst its demonstration crops and wetlands. Just beyond, Vegreville (www.vegreville.com) is noted for its amazing World’s Largest Ukrainian Pysanka (Easter egg), historic train station and walking and cycling trails through town. Close to Innisfree, Wapasu Lake Conservancy Project is a migratory stop for white swans and has 8 km of nature trails that pass bird viewing and native botanical sites. (continued on other side)

Trails Along Highway 16 (west to east)

Snowmobile TrailsThe area covered by this map contains more than 600 km of interconnecting snowmobile trails, supported by usually thick snowpack, that traverse a scenic mix of parkland, boreal forest and rolling farmland. These range from networks of trails near and between towns and villages to long rides along the 300 km Iron Horse Trail and the Trans-Canadian Snowmobile Trail, which on this map stretches from Cold Lake west to beyond the Athabasca area.

Most of these winter trails are maintained, signed and groomed by the region’s local Alberta Snowmobile Association (www.altasnowmobile.ab.ca) clubs, which often provide warm-up shelters along the way. These trails are supported through the ASA Trail Pass Program, and passes may be purchased through local snowmobile clubs or dealers.

Alberta’s Iron Horse Trail is a superb, 300 km multi-use (except for two-wheeled motorized vehicles and four-by-fours) trail. Of mostly moderate difficulty, the trail follows a former Canadian National Railway line through the heartland of northeast Alberta. Part of the Trans Canada Trail (www.tctrail.ca) and Trans Canadian Snowmobile Trail (www.ccso-ccom.ca/transcan.html), it bisects a mosaic of farmland, wetlands, and aspen and boreal forest – connecting many communities, attractions and even a few ghost towns along the way. Shaped in a horizontal Y, this year-round trail branches at Abilene Junction, with one leg angling northeast to Cold Lake and the other southeast to Heinsburg. With 15 roadside staging areas, travellers can choose any number of start and finish points to design a short outing or multi-day trip. Snowmobilers riding between communities on the trail can also connect to hundreds of kilometres of club trails for a pleasant detour.

Western Iron Horse Trail: Smoky Lake County to Abilene Junction – 92 km

The trail’s western leg starts just east of Waskatenau (www.waskatenau.ca), which has a paved, creekside nature path, a magnificent 1919 wooden railway trestle and a rare, working grain elevator. The trail heads east through level, open farmland dotted with sloughs, passing through Warspite before entering the Smoky Lake Valley.

Noted for its restored CNR train station and Great White Northern Pumpkin Fair in early October, Smoky Lake (www.smokylakeregion.ca) is also the gateway to Victoria Settlement Provincial Historic Site (www.culture.alberta.ca/museums/historicsiteslisting/victoriasettlement) and Métis Crossing (www.metiscrossing.com) both to the near south along the North Saskatchewan River. Victoria Settlement is the site of a Methodist mission and a Hudson’s Bay Company fort, both established in the 1860s, and of a river crossing used for thousands of years by Aboriginals. Besides historic buildings and interpretive facilities, these two sites have walking trails.

Victoria Settlement was also the eastern terminus of the old Victoria Trail (www.kalynacountry.com/victoriatrail)– part of the historic Carlton Trail, a major nineteenth-century Red River cart and wagon route that connected fur trading posts situated between today’s Edmonton and Winnipeg. A 57 km section of the Victoria Trail, including the Kalyna Country interpretive trail, has been preserved in Sturgeon, Smoky Lake and Thorhild Counties and can still be roughly followed along country roads northeast of Edmonton. Snowmobile trails can also be accessed from Victoria Settlement.

The ensuing section of Iron Horse Trail is an enchanting mix of hilly farmland and wet lowlands, crossing the winding White Earth River on several trestles and passing ancient sand dunes covered in pines. The hamlet of Bellis features a 200 m trestle and good late-summer blueberry and bog cranberry picking. 16 km to the east is Vilna (www.historicvilna.ca), boasting Alberta’s oldest pool hall and barber shop, the World’s Largest Mushroom and a historic village walking tour on boardwalks. (continued on other side)

Respect the LandAccess to recreational opportunities on public and private lands is built on a foundation of responsible use. By focusing your activities on managed trails, you are

contributing to the sustainable enjoyment of Alberta’s magnificent natural landscapes.

Trail Etiquette and SafetyBe a leader and ambassador for your favourite outdoor activity. Join the many hikers, cyclists, horseback riders, cross-country skiers, off-highway vehicle users, snowmobile enthusiasts and other recreationists who proudly take a stewardship role by:

• Knowing and abiding by applicable regulations and trail signs

• Staying on designated trails and restricting your use to approved activities

• Sharing trails with courtesy and respect – Wheels yield to heels; heels yield to horses. Motorized users should pull over to the right side of the trail, turn off the engine and remove helmets when horses are approaching

• Respecting landowners by leaving gates and fences as found and avoiding livestock

• Leaving artifacts and natural features undisturbed

• Controlling pets and keeping them on leash

• Properly disposing all waste in provided facilities and following the pack-in, pack-out philosophy

• Avoiding the spread of invasive species by cleaning recreation equipment (vehicles, tents, packs, boots, etc.) after every trip and using certified weed-free feed for pack animals

• Minimizing the threat of wildfire by ensuring flammable debris is kept away from hot exhaust systems, and by keeping campfires small, contained and in designated areas, and ensuring they are fully extinguished

• Respecting wildlife by observing from a distance and properly managing food and garbage

• Avoiding recreation use during sensitive times (e.g. wet conditions, wildlife mating and rearing seasons) and in sensitive areas (e.g. watercourses, stream banks, wetlands and alpine areas)

• Ensuring motorized vehicles are licensed and insured, and that all vehicles and equipment are operated with care

• Wearing an approved helmet for your particular activity

• Actively participating in local club and trail stewardship programs.

For more information on responsible recreation and stewardship opportunities, contact Alberta’s recreation associations or visit www.srd.alberta.ca.

West of Athabasca, Cross Lake Provincial Park has extensive hiking trails that pass through forests of pine, spruce and poplar that skirt bogs and marshy wetlands. The park provides good opportunities for glimpsing deer, moose, beaver, loon, nesting osprey and bald eagle, and perhaps a black bear.

Just north of Athabasca at Sawdy is the start of the Old Peace River Trail, (www.albertatrailnet.com) a historic route that follows the Athabasca River north for 60 km to nearby Moose Portage. A section of the Trans Canada Trail, this multi-use trail travels on a natural surface through superb old-growth boreal forest teeming with moose, elk, deer, wolves and black bears. This is a remote trail with few access points, primitive campsites and no services north of Athabasca. Use is not recommended during hunting season. Except for steeper creek valleys, the trail generally consists of gently rolling terrain with corduroy in some wet areas.

The Athabasca River is also part of the Trans Canada Trail’s northern water route, heading downstream from the town of Athabasca all the way to Lake Athabasca and then on to the Northwest Territories. (Note: This is a challenging, dangerous river with significant rapids that require numerous portages.) Between the river’s big looping bend, north of Athabasca, Calling Lake Provincial Park has a number of hiking trails, along with white sand beaches, fine bird watching and some of the best large walleye fishing in Canada. (continued on other side)

To the northeast, and just south of Boyle in Thorhild County (www.thorhildcounty.com), Long Lake Provincial Park sits in a spectacular remnant of ancient glacial activity, with steep, irregular terrain harbouring mixed forests and willowy bogs – creating some of Alberta’s most productive moose habitat. A lakeside hiking trail provides excellent views, while nearby to the north, the Long Lake Ski Area has snowmobile trails. Directly south of Long Lake, White Earth Valley Natural Area offers fine wildlife

viewing and ideal terrain for hiking, mountain biking and trail riding, with snowmobiling and cross-country skiing in the winter.

Just east of Highway 2, along the North Saskatchewan River near Fort Saskatchewan, is the start of the Athabasca Landing Trail (www.albertatrailnet.com), part of the northern leg of the Trans Canada Trail. It closely follows the historic overland route of the same name – between Edmonton and the southern loop of the Athabasca River at the town of Athabasca – used by 19th-century fur traders, followed by missionaries, Klondike gold prospectors and homesteaders. This 170 km route follows a patchwork of pathways, gravel and secondary

roads, sand tracks and railway beds as it winds through valley bottoms, open countryside and woodlands, passing communities such as Waugh, Tawatinaw and Perryvale. Highlights include the scenic Sturgeon and Tawatinaw River Valleys, pine-studded sand dunes and abundant wildlife. In spring, be prepared for some boggy sections between Perryvale and Athabasca.

Besides vibrant historic riverside paths, the town of Athabasca (www.town.athabasca.ab.ca) offers 17.5 km of non-motorized trails in the wooded Muskeg Creek Park. In winter, its groomed cross-country ski trails are considered among the best in Alberta, with loops ranging from 1.2 km (lit at night) to10 km, providing something for all levels of skiers. From Athabasca, the Trans Canadian Snowmobile Trail heads west to Swan Hills and beyond.

Northeast of town, Poacher’s Landing Provincial Recreation Area features a network of trails on the south side of the Athabasca River. (www.athabascacountry.com)

Northeast Alberta Trails

Long Lake - White Earth

Long LakeProvincialPark

White EarthValley NaturalArea

Northeast AlbertaTrail Map Boundary

W E

Fort McMurray

Athabasca

SlaveLake

PeaceRiver

HighLevel

GrandePrairie

EDMONTON

Edson

Hinton

RockyMountainHouse

Red Deer

Drumheller

CALGARY

Lethbridge

MedicineHat

Lloydminster

Jasper

National

Park

BanffNational

Park

44

43

23

23

24

22

22

22

39

1

11

40

2

63

43

35

16

16

2

2

2

41

12

21

9

136

11

54

27

56

56

21

972

32

734

47

734

22

Cold LakeKakwa WildlandProvincial Park

41

41

Poachers’ Landing

Poacher’s LandingProvincial Recreation Area

Cross Lake

Cross LakeProvincial Park