24+ of the best Edmonton hiking trails

There are lots of fun things to do in Edmonton and these Edmonton hiking trails are just some of those things.

Edmonton is Alberta’s capital city and sits about 3 hour drive north of Calgary. The two cities are quite different, but what they have in common is great access to nature.

Edmonton has become famous for the West Edmonton Mall which is huge with a range of things to do in Edmonton besides shopping, for its cold winters, and for its scenery.

Though not many people can say they visit Edmonton for hiking, that doesn’t mean there aren’t a tonne of great Edmonton hiking trails nearby.

While there aren’t many waterfalls near Edmonton, Edmonton is surrounded by natural beauty both within the city which has over 150 km of pathways, and along the North Saskatchewan River Valley trails in Edmonton.

Under an hour’s drive away is Elk Island National Park, and then four hours further to the west is Jasper National Park and the brilliant hikes in Jasper such as Whistlers Summit and more.

If you’re planning a trip to Edmonton, here’s what you need to know about Edmonton hiking when to visit, and which trails are the best.

Map of the best Edmonton hiking trails

To get your bearings, I’ve put all these Edmonton hiking trails on the map below – just click to view the interactive map.

The map includes some of the best walks in Edmonton itself, as well as the best hiking trails near Edmonton that involve a bit of a drive.

Walking trails in Edmonton

Below are some of the best hikes in Edmonton City itself. They’re typically a bit shorter but still offer some fantastic views or a chance to get outside and explore the natural beauty of Edmonton.

AllTrails is my go-to hiking app for finding, planning, and navigating while I’m out on the trails. With offline maps on AllTrails+ you can be confident you’re still on the right track, even without mobile signal.

Wolf Willow Stairs & Trail

The Wolf Willow Stairs is a popular place for locals to exercise as they take on the 1 km trail with about 200 steps.

This staircase is definitely a challenge that’ll get your heart pumping but it’s far more fun than using the stair master in the gym in my opinion!

The views art the top make the climb so worthwhile! You’ll get views of the beautiful Saskatchewan River valley below. It’s a great option if you’re looking for the best river valley walks Edmonton.

William Hawrelak Park

William Hawrelak Park in Edmonton is one of the best places in Edmonton for an easy walk.

The park plays host to summer and winter festivals but outside of the festivals, it’s a great place to go for a walk, have a picnic, or explore the forest in the park. In the winter, be sure to check out the Edmonton Ice Castle!

There are plenty of trails within the park as well as the option to extend your walk in Edmonton along the river before looping back to William Hawrelak Park.

The William Hawrelak Park Riverside Walk in Edmonton is about 5 km and is an easy walk around the perimeter of the park.

Whitemud Ravine Nature Reserve

The Whitemud Ravine Nature Reserve which extends south of Whitemud Park is a great place for Edmonton hiking adventures.

The park stretches for several kilometres north-south with plenty of choice for different trails. There are plenty of viewpoints and bridges to cross over the ravine and it’s such a peaceful place to escape from the city.

One of the best trails in Edmonton is found in Whitemud Park is the Whitemud Trail South which is about 5 km long and is a good introduction to the Whitemud Ravine Nature Reserve. There is a lot of urban wildlife, like chickadees and friendly squirrels to look out for too!

The MacTaggart Sanctuary in Whitemud Ravine Nature Reserve is also a lovely little area. It’s great for some birding or just a peaceful walk.

Government House Park

Along the northern edge of the North Saskatchewan River is Government House Park.

This Edmonton Park is great for running, cycling or walking in Edmonton as it has great views of the river.

Head through the park towards MacKinnon Ravine which has a little bit of a climb, or cross over into William Hawrelak Park on the other side of the river to make a loop hike.

Terwillegar Park

Terwillegar Park is a large park to the west of Edmonton city centre which is a great place for hiking in Edmonton or cross-country skiing in the winter!

Walk the Terwillegar Park outer loop which follows the outside of the park along the river over 6 km of trails. It’s an easy hike in Edmonton with great views.

River Valley Trail – Kinnaird Park Highlands

The River Valley Trail in Edmonton stretches a long way – 160 km in total! While I’m not suggesting you cover it all in one go (although that would be an epic bike ride!), it just goes to show how much Edmonton hiking has to offer.

For a shorter section of the Edmonton River Valley Trail, check out the Kinnaird Park Highlands. This trail starts near Concordia University in Edmonton and goes through the lovely Kinnaird Park. It’s a 4.3 km loop which is far more manageable than 160 km!

Rundle Park Bridge Loop Trail

The Rundle Park Bridge Loop trail is a 4.3 km trail where you’ll cross back and forth over the river. There are some hilly sections, lakes and birding opportunities on this Edmonton hiking trail.

The path is pretty easy but since there is some elevation is towards the harder end of easy.

Depending on the time of year you go on this Edmonton walk, you could see lots of butterflies along the way!

Capilano Park Loop Trail

The Capilano Park Loop Trail is just over 9 km long and takes you around almost the entire boundary of Capilano Park. It’s one of the best places to walk in Edmonton.

You’ll get a mix of both nature and urban scenery as you walk, run or bike this Edmonton hiking trail.

Enjoy views of the river and downtown Edmonton as well as the Wayne Gretzky Bridge.

West River’s Edge Wetlands Area Loop

North of Edmonton in Fort Saskatchewan, the West River’s Edge Wetlands loop trail is a great place for wildlife spotting.

On this hike near Edmonton, you’ll get to enjoy the beauty of the river and wetland ecosystem.

There are interpretive trail signs along the trail so you can learn more about the wetlands and why they’re so important too.

Riverlot 56 Loop

The Riverlot 56 Loop trail is one of the best hikes near Edmonton. It’s peaceful with minimal elevation gain making it an easy hike near Edmonton.

In winter, most of the trails in the area are used for cross-country skiing and you can still enjoy a winter’s walk as long as you don’t step on the tracks!

If you visit earlier in the morning or later in the day you may even see moose! Remember to be cautious and don’t startle them. They’re big animals who can be dangerous and need their pace.

Elk Island National Park hiking trails near Edmonton

Elk Island National Park is one of the best-known areas for Edmonton hiking. It’s not particularly mountainous but there are over 80 km of hiking trails to explore so it’ll keep you busy if you’re looking for where to go on hikes around Edmonton.

The park is full of forests, meadows, and marshes and you can also see free-roaming bison!

Besides hiking, there are plenty of activities for all the family including kayaking or canoeing and paddleboarding, bird watching and just chilling out with a picnic!

On a clear night, you can get fantastic star-gazing conditions too since the park is part of the Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve. Time it right and in the winter you may even get to see the Northern Lights above Edmonton.

The best trails in Elk Island National Park are detailed a bit further below.

Hayburger Trail

The Hayburger Trail offers strong chances of seeing Plains Bison. The wildlife and scenery on this popular trail in Elk Island National Park are hard to beat!

The meadows on this hike near Edmonton are the best place to spot bison but you could also see moose too.

In the winter, the Hayburger trail is great for cross-country skiing.

Moss Lake Trail

The Moss Lake Trail is similar to some of the other loops in Elk Island National Park, just a big longer.

It’s largely in the forest and there are some small hill climbs but not too many.

You’ll be hiking through some beautiful scenery and the trails are easy to navigate. As with all Elk Island hiking trails, keep an eye (and ear) open for wildlife!

As 12.6 km long, the Moss Lake hiking trail takes around 2.5- 3 hours to complete on average.

Wood Bison trail

The Wood Bison Trail near Edmonton is great for getting to see the wood bison living in Elk Island National Park.

On this hike, you’ll go through forests, and past lakes and (hopefully!) get the chance to see lots of the wildlife that lives in the park including the bison, deer and birds.

The Wood Bison trail is 16 km long but can be shortened by just turning around whenever you feel like it.

Beaver Pond Trail

For an easy hike in Elk Island National Park, check out the Beaver Pond Trail. Here you may be able to spot a beaver and you’ll definitely see beaver activity (just look for their dams!).

The Beaver Ponds loop trail is about 3.5 km long and rated easy.

Fun fact: the beavers in this area were reintroduced to the park in the 1940s. Previously, the fur trade had eliminated all of the original beaver population.

Amisk Wuche Trail

The Amisk Wuche Trail is great for hiking with children near Edmonton.

It’s a short trail, under 3 km, and has a series of boardwalks across the beaver ponds.

You might catch a glimpse of a beaver at work which is super cool to see! And, of course, you could still see moose and bison roaming in the woods.

Bunchberry Meadows

Bunchberry Meadows lies to the west of Edmonton and is one of the best places for easy hikes near Edmonton.

It’s peaceful and scenic with 4 marked trails spanning over 8 km. You’ll hike through forests and meadows and could see wildflowers and berry bushes ready to harvest depending on the time of year you visit.

The Aspen Loop in Bunchberry Meadows is a popular trail that goes around a small lake in the meadows. It’s quite a short loop that’s still very scenic.

You could also try the Bunchberry Meadows outer loop. At 7 km, this loop is a little longer but it’s a great way to see the best that the area has to offer. There are some interpretive signs along the way where you can learn more about the wildlife you might come across.

In the winter it’s a great park for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing near Edmonton.

Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area

The Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area is perfect for quieter Edmonton hiking trails.

There’s a lot of variety when it comes to hiking here with over 100 km of trails that can be used for hiking, running, biking and horseriding.

Quite often you can go for a hike in Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area and not come across anyone else, so if you’re looking for quiet hiking trails near Edmonton, then check out this area!

The trails at Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Recreation Area are a perfect hiking alternative to Elk Island National Park. Both areas are a similar distance from Edmonton and while there are no bison here you don’t need to pay Parks Canada entrance fees.

Lost Lake and Neon Lake Loop

The Lost Lake and Neon Lake Loop in the Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area is one of the best hikes in this area.

It’s a great loop trail that’s relatively easy but has some good distance for those looking for a longer hike near Edmonton.

There is some beautiful scenery along the way including the two loops and you can lengthen or shorten the loop trail as you wish by taking some of the other paths.

Arrow Head Lake Loop

The Arrow Head Lake Loop is another great trail in the area for hiking near Edmonton.

This trail begins at the Waskehegan Staging Area parking lot and goes all the way to Arrow Head Lake.

You’ll start on the Lost Lake Trail and it’s great all year round as it’s well maintained by parks staff.

The trail is just under 10 km but has very minimal elevation gain so isn’t very difficult.

Highline – Lost Lake – Push Lake

Situated in the Islet Staging Area of Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Prinicial Recreation Area is the Highline-Lost Lake – Push Lake loop trail.

This trail goes through a beautiful aspen forest and you’ll go past several lakes. In the winter it’s a popular option with cross-country skiers but you can still hike on the trails as long as you stay out of the tracks and keep your wits about you.

It’s one of my favorite choices when it comes to picking the best walking trails Edmonton has to offer.

Miquelon Lake Provincial Park

Miquelon Lake Provincial Park is another beautiful Edmonton hiking area that’s popular with locals.

It’ll take about 45 minutes to 1 hour to get here from downtown Edmonton and it’s got around 20 km of trails to explore. It’s also a super popular spot for camping near Edmonton too.

There’s little in the way of hills at this hiking area near Edmonton, but there are plenty of wildlife opportunities, including beaver sightings!

Some of the best trails in Miquelon Lake Provincial Park include the Miquelon Lake Loop which is about 9 km long. It’s an easy hike with some cool abandoned structures to discover. The Shoreline trail is also a great option – especially when combined with some swimming!

The Holdsworth trail is another great option with great views of the wetlands and perhaps a moose or two! You’ll go past one of the historic homesteads in the park too.

One of my favourite things to do before or after exploring Miquelon Lake Provincial Park is to stop off at the town of Camrose on the way.

You can grab a coffee and some pastries or a breakfast sandwich from the cafes, or finish off your hike with a post-hike beer at Battle River Brewery in Camrose. It’s a great option for hiking around Edmonton.

Chickakoo Lake Recreation Area

The Chickakoo Lake Recreation Area is another great place to go hiking near Edmonton.

With 11 km of trails and multiple different routes you can take, these trails are perfect for doing some forest bathing and exploring at the same time.

Some of the best trails in Chickakoo Lake Recreation Area include the Chickakoo Lake Outer Loop and the Dog Leg Pond Loop.

The former, is 6.5 km long and has plenty of spots for picnic-ing or taking a break along the way. There’s also a bit of climbing and, of course, some great views.

The Dog Leg Pond loop is much shorter and just takes you around Dog Leg Lake. It’s great for hiking with kids near Edmonton.

Devon Voyageur Park

Just 30 minutes away from the city, Devon Voyageur Park is a great option for Edmonton hiking trails.

It’s situated on the banks of the Saskatchewan River and so you can get some great views of the river valley while you hike.

Devon River Valley Trail

The best hike in Devon Voyageur Park is the Devon River Valley Trail which is about 3 km long.

On this trail, you’ll get amazing views of the river cliffs that plunge steeply down and you’ll have to tackle the Legs of Fire Stairs. You’ll see where they get this name from pretty quickly!

You can make your hike here as long or short as you want by taking some of the side trails and looping around as you feel like. There are some nice sandy beaches along the river which are perfect on a hot day.

This hike is popular with locals, so be sure to get there early if you’re looking for some peace and solitude.

The Waskahegan Trail

The Waskahegan trail is a 309 km Edmonton hiking trail that goes around and through the city. It’s a great spot for hiking around Edmonton.

It’s maintained by a team of volunteers and runs through private land meaning it has some stricter rules than other hiking trails nearby.

You can tackle the trail in sections (or in one go if you wish!) by stopping over at the public campgrounds along the way.

Free guided hikes are available most weekends and anyone is welcome to join them. It’s a great way to get out and explore this hiking route near Edmonton while learning more about the area too.

Mount Stearn

This is one of the best mountain hikes near Edmonton.

Mount Stearn in Sulphur Gates Provincial Recreation Area is a hard hike with over 1000 m elevation gain over 15 km. However, I think it’s one of the best day hikes near Edmonton.

It’s totally worth the effort though as you’ll hike up through alpine meadows in early summer before scrambling to the summit.

You won’t get much of a break from uphill hiking on this Edmonton hiking trail, but who doesn’t love a bit of a challenge?!

Top tips for Hiking in Edmonton

Before you go hiking in Edmonton there are some things to bear in mind to keep you safe and protect the trails.

• While most of the hikes in Edmonton on this list are free to access, those in National Parks require a National Parks Pass from Parks Canada. You can get these at visitor centres, or online before you travel to Edmonton.
• There are bears, moose, bison, dear and more animals in and around Edmonton. Give wildlife space and do not approach them. Read this post about bear safety.
• Always follow AdventureSmart advice when going hiking and follow the 3 T’s: trip planning, taking the essentials and training.
• Always pack your 10 essentials for hiking to keep you safe + bear spray.
• Remember to leave no trace. Don’t leave trash and stick to trails.

What to pack for the best walking trails in Edmonton

What to pack for this hike depends on what season you’re hiking in.

• Check out my day hike packing list here.
• If you’re hiking in summer you should pack sunscreen, sunglasses, layers, water and bug spray as well as everything in the 10 essentials for hiking list.
• Here is what to wear hiking in hot weather
• Check out this post on the best leggings for hiking or what to wear hiking in summer for more details and my gear recommendations.
• If you’re hiking in winter after the snow has started falling you’ll need microspikes at the very least. If there is a lot of snow you will probably need snowshoes.
• You should also take plenty of layers including a fleece layer, a puffy insulated jacket and a wind and waterproof outer layer. Hats and gloves are also necessary as well as a good backpack to keep everything in.
• You should also pack water and some snacks too to keep you going as they’re part of the 10 essentials for hiking!
• Planning a hiking date? Check out what to wear on a hiking date but still look cool.

Best time to visit Edmonton

Winters in Edmonton are less crowded and can be super pretty on a sunny day with all the snow everywhere.

However, it can be very, very cold and is not the best season for hiking in Edmonton since you’ll have shorter days and need avalanche training for exploring hiking trails in Edmonton on snowshoes.

Late spring (May and June) and early fall (September and October) are arguably some of the best times to visit Edmonton.

There are typically fewer mosquitos and you can get beautiful alpine wildflowers in the late spring and fall colours in the autumn.

Temperatures are still quite warm but not too hot and there’s less humidity.

FAQS about hiking trails Edmonton has to offer

Final thoughts on these walking trails Edmonton has

This guide to Edmonton hikes has covered some of the best hikes Edmonton has to offer. Though the city isn’t considered a hiking paradise in the same way as Vancouver in BC, these Edmonton walking trails show that you can still have plenty of fun in the outdoors.

If you like outdoor adventure, be sure to check out my Rocky Mountain travel guides that cover some of the best things to do in and around Jasper National Park, Banff National Park, and the National Parks in BC such as Yoho National Park. I also have a guide to the best hikes in Jasper Nationale Park such as Whistlers Summit.

Last Updated on August 29, 2023 by Hannah