4 259 3 18 672426 2511 10 27

66

65

55

64

56

60

54

59

61

63

57

58

62

67

470000 480000 490000 500000 510000 520000 530000 540000 550000 560000 570000 580000 5900005930

000

5940

000

5950

000

5960

000

5970

000

5980

000

5990

000

6000

000

6010

000

6020

000

6030

000

6040

000

6050

000

6060

000

6070

000

ROADW AY

Sw

an H

ills

Morse Loop

Moose Loop

Trap

per L

ea's

Loo

p

Golden Triangle

Golden Triangle

Golden Triangle

Golden Triangle

Atha

basc

a La

ndin

g Tr

ail

Klondike Trail (Historic Route)

Klondike

Trail

(Historic

Route)

HolmesCrossing

Public LandUse Zone

Whitecourt SandhillsPublic Land Use Zone

I.R. 134

I.R. 133

Cross LakeProvincial Park

Lois Hole CentennialProvincial Park

Thunder LakeProvincial Park

Wabamun LakeProvincial Park

Pembina RiverProvincial Park

Paddle River DamProvincial Recreation Area

Chrystina LakeProvincial RecreationArea

Freeman RiverProvincial Recreation Area

Trapper Lea’s CabinProvincial Recreation Area

Edith LakeProvincial Recreation Area

Hubert LakeWildland ProvincialPark

Fort AssiniboineSandhillsWildlandProvincialPark

Fort Assiniboine SandhillsWildland Provincial Park

Misty RidgeSki Hill

Central Staging Area

KlondikeStaging Area

Athabasca ViewpointStaging Area

Timeu Off-HighwayVehicle Recreation

Activity Area

Chickakoo LakeRecreation Area

Spruce IslandLake Natural

Area

HighwayNatural Area

WagnerNaturalArea

Noel LakeNatural Area

BilbyNatural Area

VegaNatural Area

Lily LakeNatural Area

Centre of AlbertaNatural Area

Matthews CrossingNatural Area

Isle LakeNatural Area

Park CourtNatural Area

BearLake

NaturalArea

Clear LakeNatural Area

Kakina LakeNatural Area

Majeau LakeNatural Area

Paddle RiverNatural Area

George LakeNatural Area

George LakeNatural Area

Pembina RiverNatural Area

Dussault LakeNatural Area

Lac La NonneNatural Area

Mystery LakeNatural Area

Newton LakeNatural Area

Prefontaine Brock LakesNatural Area

Pembina RiverNatural Area

RoseleaNatural Area

Holmes CrossingEcological Reserve

Riverlot 56Natural Area

Pembina River

Paddle River

Athabasca River

Timeu Creek

Sturge

on R

iver

Freeman River

Tawati

naw R

iver

Morse River

Coutts River

Clearwater Creek

Christmas Creek

Goose Creek

Wabash Creek

Corbett Creek

Mus

keg

Cre

ek

Akuinu River

Fren

ch C

reek

Atim Creek

Rom

eo Creek

Horse Creek

Mud Creek

Red

wat

er R

iver

Moose Creek

Poison Creek

Coyote Creek

Duc

k C

reek

Pric

e C

reek

Toad Creek

Camp Creek

Rainbow Creek

Little Brule Creek

Clark Lake

Lac Ste. Anne

Isle Lake

Majeau Lake

Lac laNonne

Big Lake

SandyLake

Shoal Lake

BaptisteLake

Birch Lake

ManawanLake

Steele Lake

Thunder Lake

BrockLake

George Lake

OldmanLake

MuskegLake

FrancisLake

Five Mile Island

Goose Lake

FreemanLake

DappLake

RocheLake

LessardLake

Foley Lake

LebeausLake

NakamunLake

DuckLake

BolloqueLake

BleakLake

RomeoLake

LeechLake

DeadmanLake

BairdLake

LongLake

ArmstrongLake

SaraLake

Long IslandLake

Long EndLake

HorseLake

WindfallLake

GoodridgeLake

ClearLake

Paddle River

ToadLake

Low WaterLake

RoundLake

GladuLake

Kakina Lake

ArthurLake

Little IslandLake

MatchayawLake

Lobstick River

NarrowLake

HaleyLake

BearLake

NevilleLake

BartonLake

CranesLake

RichmondLake

Nelson Lake

MichaudLake

ArnaultLake

BardLake

DeepLake

HopeLake

DechaineLake

EricksonLake

TeaLakes

EthelLake

TawatinawLake

NewtonLake

PrefontaineLake

HorseshoeLake

FishLake

Helliwell Lake

BananaLake

LilyLake

CaribouLake

TamarackLake

PlungerLake

SpruceIslandLake

Mere Lake

PriceLake

KathrynLake

Sturgeon River

MaxwellLake

Beyette Lake

Beta Lake

ShallowLake

KilsythLake

Tiger LilyLake

GuyLake

TwinLakes

LuckyLake

Timeu Creek

IslandLake

MuirLake

Cameron Lakes

NoelLake

St. ThomasLake

Hubert Lake

Archie Lake

KellyLake

DolbergLake

Dodgson Lake

EmslieLake

MacIntoshLake

DussaultLake

Ring LakeKing Lake

TailorLake

AlphaLake

KippLake

MunyassLake

IceLake

Birston Lake

EdithLake

WhitewoodLake

TrappersLake

PartridgeLake

PeanutLake

No OutletLake

WakomaoLake

PartingLake

Eden Lake

KrauseLake

Kinokamau Lake

CornerLake

MudLake

SoldanLake

BellLake

LakeviewLake

MorseLake

GrassLake

Kettle Lake

DuhamelLake

WormLake

FarmingIsland

HorseIsland

Chickakoo Lake

Salter'sLake

WardLake

SarahLake

French Creek

Glory Lake

CraneLake

DeltaLake

Anna Lake

SchumanLake

MilesLake

GeallLake

GeoffreyLake

Gerharts Lake

FernandLake

AtimLake

Lois Lake

GammaLake

HanlonLake

Freeman River

Athabasca River

Vega

Dapp

Vimy

Balm

Sion

Gunn

Timeu

Doris

BusbyCosmo

Ronan

Jalna

Bilby

ManlyStyal

Jarvie

Analta

Halach

Nestow

Naples

Manola

Lonira

Lawton

Heldar

Peavey

Mearns

Volmer

Ravine

Mackay

LeamanNojack

Fallis

Tieland

Lincoln

Kilsyth

Meanook

Fawcett

Topland

Linaria

Pibroch

Freedom

Campsie

Lombell

Roselea Mosside

Peavine

Arvilla

Roydale

AnselmoHighway

Sangudo

NakamunLisburn

PadstowStettin

CardiffStanger

Calahoo

Darwell

Granada

Acheson

Flatbush

Colinton

Coolidge

Halcreek

Eastburg

Lunnford

Robinson

Cherhill

Glenford

Glenevis

Rangeton

MagnoliaWildwood

Lobstick

Gainford

Perryvale

Rochester

Lone Pine Tawatinaw

Highridge

Fawn LakeGlenister

Belvedere

Dunstable

PembridgeAlcomdale

LakeIsle

Chip LakeEvansburg

Entwistle

White Gull

Neerlandia

Goose Lake

Camp Creek

BloomsburyMellowdale

Tiger Lily Rossington

Blue Ridge

GardenviewMeadowview

Ballantine

Pine Sands

Park Court

Villeneuve

Smithfield

Sylvan Glen

Meadowbrook

Shoal Creek

Green Court

Lake Majeau

Rich Valley

Heatherdown

Moose Wallow

Mystery Lake

Thunder Lake

Pickardville

Stewartfield

Lac la Nonne

Manly Corner

Beach Corner

BaptisteLake

FreemanRiver

Corbett Creek

Lac Ste. Anne

Langford Park

Carvel Corner

Noyes Crossing

Holmes Crossing

Pembina Heights

Rochfort Bridge

Magnolia Bridge

Fort Assiniboine

Pembina Crossing

Riviere Qui Barre

MatthewsCrossing

SunsetBeach

WhisperingHills

BirchCove

SandyBeach

SunriseBeach

NakamunPark

South View

Silversands

WestCove

ValQuentin

Alberta Beach

Sunset Point

Castle Island

Yellowstone

RossHaven

WabamunSeba Beach

Swan HillsAthabasca

Westlock

Barrhead

Mayerthorpe

Onoway

Morinville

Legal

Edmonton

St. Albert

Spruce Grove

Stony Plain

Clyde

Larkspur

2

3

4

5

9

11

14

15

16 17

18

19

20

21 22

23

24

27

28

6

29

Cross Lake Provincial Park

Steele LakeFrench Creek

Fish Ladderand Weir

Bird ViewingPlatform

George’s Point

To Hwy 801

Fort Assiniboine Sandhills Wildland Provincial Park

Wagon

Klondike

Klondike

Klondike Wilfred Schulte

NorthWolf Wolf

HighwayWagon

Wagon

WagonMigration

MuleDeer

Mig

ratio

n

Newcache

Newcache

Newcache

Migr

ation

Mig

ratio

n

RiverValley

Lynx

Wilfr

edSc

hulte

Borg

Moose

Moose

NorthLoop

LookoutLoop

Athabasca ViewpointStaging Area

TrappersCabin Ruin

GraveSite

Klondyke(Vega) Ferry To

Barrhead

661

Ath

abas

ca

River

CentralStaging Area

MuleDeer

Wilfr

edSc

hulte

MuleDeer

RiverValley

SouthWolf

Wolf Highway

Klondike TrailStaging Area

Note: OHVs are not permitted. Wagons and snowmobiles are permitted on designated routes only.

Clea

rwat

er C

reek

VegaNaturalArea

661

661

PrivateLand

HorseCreek Ranch

Special Interest Sites :

1. Alberta Forest Service Museum2. Athabasca Muskeg Creek Trails3. Athabasca “Old Brick School”4. Barrhead Centennial Museum5. Canadian Tractor Museum6. “Geophysical centre of Alberta”7. E.S. Huestis Demonstration Forest8. Forest Interpretive Centre and Heritage Park9. Fort Assiniboine Museum10. Galloway Museum11. George Pegg Botanic Garden12. Hinton Museum of Culture & Heritage13. Hoodoos via the Wild Sculpture Trail14. Lac St. Anne Historical Society Pioneer Museum15. Mayerthorpe Fallen Four Memorial Park16. Mission Hill17. Musée Héritage Museum18. Musée Morinville Museum19. Onoway Museum20. Profiles Public Art Gallery21. St. Albert Botanic Park22. St. Albert Heritage Sites23. Tipple Park Museum and Information Centre24. Westlock Pioneer Museum25. Whitecourt Riverboat Park26. Woodland County Hard Luck Canyon27. World’s Largest Wagon Wheel and Pick Axe28. World’s Tallest Working Weather Vane29. Whiteridge MX Park

Legend - East Half

All terrain vehicle

Backcountry camping

Boat launch

Campground

Canoeing

Cross country skiing

Cycling

Day use area

Equestrian

Farmers market

Group campground

Hiking

Historic site

Hospital

Information centre

Motorcycle

Museum

Picnic shelter

River tubing

Shelter

Snowmobile

Staging area

Viewpoint

TrailsMixed use (motorized & non-motorized)

Non-motorized

Historic Trail Route

Designated winter use

Towns with trails

Off highway vehicle recreation activity area

Non-motorized recreation activity area

Primary highways

Secondary (paved & gravel roads)

Tertiary roads

Rail

Water

Urban

Indian reserve

Metis settlement

Natural area

Forest recreation area

Provincial recreation area

National park

Provincial park

Wildland park

Wilderness park

Public land use zone

Green area

Municipal park

Ecological reserve

Watchable Wildlife sites

Special interest site

Trans Canada Trail

Trans-Canadian Snowmobile Trail

1

All trail distances are one way unless otherwise indicated.

Edson

0 10 20 30 405Kilometres

1:300,000

1:300,000© 2012 Government of Alberta Base Data Provided by the Spatial Data Warehouse Ltd.

The Crown provides this information without warranty or representation as to any matter including but not limited to whether the data/information is correct, accurate or free from error, defect, danger,or hazard and whether it is otherwise useful or suitable for any use the user may make of it.

813

827

663

812

801

663

661

661

661

661

658

763

655

769

776

777

777

654

654

751

647

654757

764

777

651

777

642

751

753

757

765

633

770

633779

663

801

658

552

32

33

44

1818

18

43

22

37

16a

6016

16

31

16

2

2

2

2

2

44

44

33

18

33 18

33

44

37

43

43

43

Grande Alberta NorthTrail Map Boundary

Fort McMurray

Athabasca

SlaveLake

PeaceRiver

HighLevel

GrandePrairie

EDMONTON

Edson

Hinton

RockyMountainHouse

Red Deer

Drumheller

CALGARY

Lethbridge

MedicineHat

Lloydminster

Jasper

National

Park

BanffNational

Park

44

4

3

23

23

24

22

22

22

22

39

1

11

40

2

63

43

35

16

16

2

2

2

41

12

21

9

11

11

54

27

56

56

21

972

32

734

47

734

Cold Lake

West East

EdmontonThe City of Edmonton (www.edmonton.ca 800-463-4667) oversees more than 160 km of paved and gravel trails for walking, jogging, in-line skating and cycling. The heart of this vast network lies in the deep, forested North Saskatchewan River Valley, which winds for 48 km through the city and includes 22 major parks, making it the largest expanse of urban parkland in North America. This allows for long linear trips as well as short outings, thanks to the many access points and feeder trails, the latter often dropping into the valley along quiet ravines. A 28.7 km stretch of the city’s trail system is part of the Trans Canada Trail.

The city and the Edmonton Nordic Ski Club maintain groomed cross country ski trails in a number of city parks, several of them lit for night skiing. One stretch of central river valley trail, along the south side of the river, is designated for equestrian use.

South of Athabasca and just east of Highway 2, the Athabasca Landing Trail (www.athabascalandingtrail.com) is part of the Trans Canada Trail and follows the historic overland route used by 19th century fur traders and, later, missionaries, Klondike gold prospectors and homesteaders. The route covers a patchwork of pathways, gravel and secondary roads, sand tracks and railway beds as it winds through the picturesque Tawatinaw River valley, open countryside and woodlands, passing communities such as Waugh, Tawatinaw and Perryvale.

Along with quiet riverside paths, Athabasca (www.town.athabasca.ab.ca 780-675-2063) boasts 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) to 10 km, offering something for all levels of skiers.

The Athabasca River Runners oversee a large network of snowmobile trails that, on this map, extend west through Flatbush all the way to Swan Hills, again part of the Trans-Canadian Snowmobile Trail. The club features a staging area, just west of town, and a warm up shelter on the Swan Hills route.

Grande Alberta North TrailsGrande Alberta North is a region of stirring contrasts, ranging from the bustling metropolis of Edmonton in the southeast to the wilderness settings of Swan Hills and Fox Creek in the northwest. The southern landscapes of open farm fields and aspen parkland give way, farther north, to dense boreal forest and wetlands. The region contains several major waterways and harbours hundreds of small to mid-sized lakes, many of them popular destinations for camping, boating, fishing and other forms of recreation.

Within Grande Alberta North’s expansive boundaries are well over a thousand kilometres of trail for all types of summer and winter enthusiasts. Nearly all the cities and towns on this map feature networks of non motorized trails, often nestled within river and creek valleys and connected to green spaces. Outside these urban areas are popular trail systems in well established provincial parks, such as William A. Switzer, Carson-Pegasus and Cross Lake, as well as in newer ones like Fort Assiniboine Sandhills Wildland and Sundance. There’s something for off highway enthusiasts, too, particularly in the dedicated Timeu Area northwest of Edmonton.

With its abundant snowpack and long winters, this region features the highest density of managed snowmobile trails in Alberta. Many local clubs maintain signed, groomed trails ranging from short loops to extended rides that connect far flung towns. These clubs typically offer family rides and annual events such as poker rallies. Some communities permit snowmobilers to ride within town limits to reach surrounding trail systems.

The most famous long snowmobile ride is the Golden Triangle, a well marked 350 km route linking Whitecourt, Swan Hills and Fox Creek. Usually tackled over two or three days, the trail features six warm up shelters, staging areas in all three communities and semi alpine terrain that features rolling, forested hills and long, flat stretches along cutlines, forestry roads and creek and river valleys. A good introduction to this route is the Golden Triangle 220 Snowmobile Rally, an organized ride over two days in early March. Phone toll free 800-313-7388 for current snow conditions along the Golden Triangle trail. Parts of this trail are included in the Trans Canadian Snowmobile Trail (www.ccso-ccom.ca/ transcan.html), a coast to coast route that on this map extends west from Athabasca to north of Fox Creek.

Respect the Land

Access 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 Safety

Be 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 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; and

• actively participating in local club and trail stewardship programs.

For more information on responsible recreation and stewardship opportunities, visit www.srd.alberta.ca. and www.albertaparks.ca

Trails Northwest of Edmonton

Athabasca Area

Big Lake is part of the recently expanded, 18 km² Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park, named after Alberta’s late Lieutenant Govenor. The park is also the site of the John E. Poole Interpretive Wetland facility which includes a Ducks Unlimited trail and boardwalk with interpretive signs.

To the north, Westlock (www.westlock.ca 780-349-4849) is an agriculture based community of 5,000 residents. Its paved Rotary Trail meanders around town for 9.6 km, connecting parks and recreational facilities, and is a great place for walking, jogging, in line skating and cycling.

North of Westlock, the Pembina Drift Busters Snowmobile Club (www.pembinadriftbusters.ca) has developed a 150 km network of moderate trails complete with a staging area, warm up shacks and fire pits. These groomed trails are laid out in loops of 30, 40 and 80 km in a landscape dotted with lakes. The 80 km loop skirts the northeast boundary of Cross Lake Provincial Park and provides access to the Trans-Canadian Snowmobile Trail connecting Athabasca and Swan Hills.

Once located along the historic gold rush Klondike Trail, Barrhead (www.barrhead.ca 780-674-5203) is now a 4,200 person town amidst agricultural lands at the south end of boreal forest dotted with numerous small lakes. In town, the Homesteaders Walking Trail follows the quiet Paddle River and is groomed in winter for cross country skiing.

Just west of Barrhead, Thunder Lake Provincial Park is a popular destination for boaters, swimmers and campers. Several km of gravel and grass walking and cycling trails connect campground loops, follow the lakeshore and swing through mixed upland forest.

The Northern Lights Snowmobile Club maintains a system of trails along with two staging areas and a number of warm up cabins. One trail heads northwest of Barrhead to the Misty Ridge Ski Hill, along the Athabasca River, while another goes northeast into Hubert Lake Wildland Provincial Park.

Hubert Lake Wildland Provincial Park features a sand dune complex and numerous lakes and wetlands. It is home to a small caribou herd and is an important nesting area for great blue herons and sandhill cranes.

Just southwest of Fort Assiniboine, the Holmes Crossing Ecological Reserve has 10 km of trails for hiking and cross country skiing. The reserve features transverse sand dunes dominated by stands of jack pine along with marshes and bogs.

High Level Walking Bridge - Edmonton Red Willow Trail - St. Albert Lois Hole Provincial Park

Just north of Stony Plain, the 1.94 km² Chickakoo Lake Recreation Area is a scenic mix of woods and lakes that attracts a diversity of birds. The 14 km of trails are a popular destination for hikers, cyclists and horseback riders in summer and are groomed for cross country skiers in winter (there’s a warm up chalet).

Just east of nearby Onoway, Imrie Park has some 5 km of hiking trails (3 of them groomed for cross country skiing) and a wildlife viewing blind overlooking the west side of Matchayaw (Devil’s) Lake. Southeast of town, the Bilby Natural Area is a good place to watch birds from trails that meander through aspen balsam forest and wetlands. The natural area also allows off highway vehicles.

Some 60 km west of Edmonton, the Alberta Beach Snowmobile Club (http://absnowmobileclub.com) operates a 100 km network of trail loops that head west from Lac Ste. Anne to Isle Lake and the Pembina River, with plans to expand north to Sangudo.

Straddling Highway 16A to the near west, Pembina River Provincial Park is close to a 60 metre deep gorge in the river valley, carved by meltwaters from retreating glaciers some 10,000 years ago. A 3 km walking loop trail along the valley rim offers great overviews of the gorge, with interpretive signage along the way providing information about the area’s geology, ecosystems and wildlife. To the north Mayerthorpe is developing a walking trail system that will connect the town’s communities and parks.

Trails Along Highway 16 West

Protecting 2,000 hectares along the shores of Steele Lake, west of Athabasca, Cross Lake Provincial Park offers visitors camping, swimming, boating and a sandy beach. Hiking trails ranging from 1 to 6.5 km travel through mixed wood forests and wetlands to several bird viewing platforms. One hiking trail swings around the lake’s northern end to a small, secluded campground at George’s Point.

Located along the Athabasca River’s north shore, to the southwest of Hubert Lake, Fort Assiniboine Sandhills Wildland Provincial Park contains diverse landscapes that include steep river valleys, stabilized dunes, grasslands, wetlands, springs and old growth mixed forests. This diversity has produced 436 recorded plant species, 20 of which are provincially rare such as blunt leaved bog orchids. The 66 km² park harbours some of Alberta’s best habitat for cavity-requiring bats,ducks, bank swallows, pileated wood-peckers and flying squirrels. Deer, moose and beaver are also abundant.

This wealth of nature can be experienced via more than 66 km of hiking, cycling and equestrian trails, reached through three staging areas. Backcountry camping is permitted. Highlights include the Athabasca Viewpoint and a portion of the historic Klondike Trail – a major link in the Hudson Bay Company’s19th century transportation corridor. Portions of the historic Klondike Trail are still in use today. Snowmobiles and wagons are permitted on some park trails.

Just north of the park, the 38 km² Timeu Off Highway Vehicle Recreation Activity Area is a mixed use recreation area, featuring sand hills and wetlands, that is primarily focused on off highway vehicle use. To the northwest, along Highway 33, is the so-called Geographical Centre of Alberta. From an information kiosk, a 3 km trail leads through mixed wood forest (good bird watching) to a cairn marking the midway point between Alberta’s four boundaries.

Chickakoo Lake Trails Pembina River Provincial Park Snowmobiling

2

Horseback Riding - Fort Assiniboine PP Snowmobiling - Swan Hills View from Fort Assiniboine Sandhills PP

Muskeg Creek Parks Trails Dog Sledding Walking Trail Perryvale to Meanook

Located on Edmonton’s northwest doorstep, St. Albert (www.stalbert.ca 780-459-631) features a wealth of trails for walking, jogging, cycling, in line skating and cross country skiing. On the city’s eastern outskirts, Riverlot 56 is a natural area with 2 and 3 km loop trails for hikers, bird watchers and cross country skiers. From here, the paved Red Willow Trail winds through the city along the Sturgeon River and surrounding areas for 34 scenic km. It passes through five major parks and extends west to shallow Big Lake, considered one of the 20 most important wildlife habitat areas in Alberta, with a viewing platform on its eastern shore. Here, more than 235 bird species have been recorded, including trumpeter swans, bald eagles, peregrine falcons, short eared owls and, in fall, swarms of migrating tundra swans and pelicans.

A little farther west on Highway 33 is Swan Hills (www.townofswanhills.com 780-333-4477), a 1,800 person community surrounded by a recreational playground of boreal and subalpine forest on public lands. A network of natural hiking and cross country ski trails winds through mainly hilly terrain within town.

At an elevation of 1010 m, Swan Hills is the highest Canadian town east of the Rocky Mountains. This lofty elevation helps ensure a deep and long lasting snowpack, making Swan Hills a popular destination for snowmobilers. Indeed, the local Swan Hills Snow Goers Club maintains some 400 km of signed, groomed trails, many of them accessible from within town. The network includes numerous loop rides, such as one that passes the historic Trapper Lea’s Cabin, southeast of town, and the Tamarack Loop to the west. Longer excursions include the Golden Triangle which connects Swan Hills with Fox Creek and Whitecourt, and the Trans-Canadian Snowmobile Trail to Athabasca. The club maintains a clubhouse and several staging areas and warm up cabins.