Things To Do

Hiking Trails

Yellowhead County offers a multitude of trails for hiking, biking or quadding. Please pay attention to signage as some trails are not for multi-use. Check out some of the beautiful hiking trails available in Yellowhead County below and view the Northern Rockies Trail Map (PDF) for additional information!

  • Ogre Canyon

    Southwest of Brule lies the Ogre Canyon. The canyon and the sinkholes within it were carved out by streams and underground water. In the 1900s the Ogre Canyon trail was used as a packhorse trail, transporting explorers and their goods through the mountains. The mountain consists of many switchbacks, which rise up to a height of over 900 meters!

    Once at the top, hikers descend down until the trail ends at Bedson Ridge. The climb is quite a hairy one, and only experienced climbers with proper climbing gear should attempt this hike. The gravel road to the Canyon is treacherous so four-wheel drive is advised.

    Guided tours are available through Black Cat Ranch.

    More information on hike difficulty and hike time can also be found at TrailForks and AllTrails.

  • Athabasca Lookout Nordic Centre

    The Athabasca Lookout Nordic Centre and trail hike is a highlight of William A. Switzer Provincial Park.

    Details on accessing the trail can be found on Adventure Alberta. More information on hike difficulty and hike time can also be found at TrailForks and AllTrails.

  • Hornbeck Trails

    The Hornbeck Trails span a total distance of 37.4 km. Located only 14 km northwest of Edson, this area offers superb cross-country ski trails, that are maintained by the Muskeg Flyers. 

    While the trails are primarily used for skiing, they are taken over by hikers and mountain bikers in the summer. More information on the Hornbeck Trails can be found here.

  • Willmore Park (Edson)

    Willmore Park is located 6 km south of Edson. With trails from 1.5 km to 5 km, scenic views, and lots of fishing, you’re sure to find something you love to do.

    The park offers 41 non-serviced auto access campsites and one large backcountry campsite. Campsites and group use areas can be booked by reservation. Potable water and firepits are supplied.

    You can find a hiking and biking map here (JPEG) or at TrailForks.

  • Sundance Valley – Wild Sculpture Trail

    Breathtakingly beautiful, this is one trail you want to take. Located only a short jaunt from Emerson Lakes (about 8 km) the Wild Sculpture Trail system located in Sundance Provincial Park is an approximately 9 km hike (one way). There are three trails that are a part of the system (Lake Trail, Skyline Trail, and Hoodoo Trail).

    The hike will allow you to see some of Alberta’s wildest natural sculptures, the Sundance Hoodoos, about 1 km into the trail. These hoodoos are unique to Alberta. Created by erosion on hard rock with sandstone beneath, the hoodoos are a magical hiking phenomenon. This site also offers much unique flora and wildlife to observe, such as an old-growth white spruce forest, as well as a couple of walk-in camping stalls, along the way.

    More information on the trail can be found at To Do Canada and AllTrails.

  • Brule Lake Public Land Use Zone

    There are two great hiking trails in the Brule Lake PLUZ: Folding Mountain and Brule Lake Trail. 

    The Folding Mountain trail, located about a 15 minute drive west of Hinton, is almost 15 km long and promises incredible views over the Athabasca River. It is  great option for hikers who are looking for a challenging but rewarding hike.

    The Brule Lake Trail is an approximately 7.4 km out-and-back hike. The trail does notlead to Brule Lake as the name suggests, but rather follows a beautiful clearing in the forest.

    Check out the following links for more info on difficulty and hike time: AllTrails Folding Mountain and AllTrails Brule Lake Trail.

  • Emerson Lakes

    These five lakes, located 64 km northwest of Edson, are a hiker’s dream.

    With lush trails and a stunning view, the Emerson Lakes are enclosed by over 7 km of trails. The hiking trails wind around all of the small lakes and offer beautiful sunset and sunrise views. 

    The Emerson Lakes Campground is found in Sundance Provincial Park.

  • Bighorn Trail

    The beautiful Bighorn Trail offers an out-and-back hike that is approximately 13.4 km, with some great views from the top. The scenic trail also offers beautiful views to the west of the Rocky Mountains all along the trail.

    Check out AllTrails and the FRMA Bighorn Trail brochure (PDF) for more information.

  • Canyon Creek Trail

    This trail is a 4.2 km loop trail that includes a nice picnic area, a creek, and a descent down the canyon. A quick walk to the river can also be accomplished from this trail!

    The trail also offers beautiful mountain views from the Athabasca River and rock formations along the way.

    Check out AllTrails for more information on the beautiful Canyon Creek Trail.

  • Trails in William A. Switzer Park

    There are several beautiful trails in William A. Switzer Park, which is located on both sides of the Bighorn Highway, between Grande Cache and Hinton.

    These include:

    Check out AllTrails for a ranking and other information related to these beautiful hiking spots.

  • Trails in Whitehorse Wildland Provincial Park

    Whitehorse Wildland Provincial Park (located near Hinton) has a number of beautiful trails for hikers to enjoy.

    These trails include:

    Among others! Check out AllTrails for information on some of the best trails in Whitehorse Wildland Provincial Park.

  • Willmore Wilderness Park

    Willmore Wilderness Park is located southwest of Grande Cache and is boredered by BC and Jasper National Park.

    Willmore offers well-established trails that follow in historic footsteps of Aboriginal hunters, fur traders, coal miners, and trappers.

    Most trips into Willmore require a multi-day excursion (such as the Seep Creek Trail or traveling to Eagle’s Nest Pass), however there are day trip options such as the trail from Sulphur Gates to Eaton Falls (2.5 km).

    For more information on Willmore Wilderness Park, check out their Park Map (PDF) or go to the Hiking section on Alberta Parks’ Willmore page.

There are countless other trails for hiking and other recreational activities all across Yellowhead County. There are several great resources for finding these including:

Alberta Parks

AllTrails.com

Backroad Map Books

As well, there are often several brochure maps available at Visitor Information Centres.