Edmonton’s Best Bike Trails

If you like beautiful scenery, want to leave your house but not travel outside the CIty. Here are some of Edmonton’s best bike trails to get you just that. Taking a bike ride on one of these trails will give you a sense of our beautiful Edmonton River Valley and the skyline of downtown. Make sure you pack a camera, water, and a snack and then hit the trails.

Edmonton Bike Trail # 1: Emily Murphy Park to Low-Level Bridge Loop

Emily Murphy Park to Low-Level Bridge (Loop) Start and Finish Point: Emily Murphy Park (other convenient starting points on the route could be Kinsmen Park or Victoria Park)

If you are looking for an easy ride with some sweet Edmonton city views, then this is the one I recommend. There are many stopping points along the way to take photos of our gorgeous skyline of downtown and the Walterdale Bridge. This trail has a perfect combination of forest-like settings with some open areas where you can get some great river valley and city views.

This route starts in the heart of Edmonton’s river valley at Emily Murphy Park, Kinsmen Park or Victoria Park). To begin you will follow the trail past the parking and into a treed area. Following this will lead you along the North Saskatchewan River, giving ample opportunities to take photos of our downtown city skyline, the High-level Bridge, and the dome of the Legislature building thru sun-filled openings within the trees.

Edmonton Bike Trail #2 Hawrelak Park to Groat Bridge River Valley Loop

Here is another of my favorite mountain bike treks. Starting at Hawrelak Park, try to find parking near picnic site #2 which is close to the Hawrelak Park Foot Bridge. Off load your bike and head north on Hawrelak Otter Trail, which is located next to the river. Stay on this trail going past the Royal Mayfair golf course until you reach the intersection with Groat Bridge. Proceed over the bridge and head west on Mackinnon Ravine Access Trail. You will want to stop and take in the scenery and snap photos of the amazing views. Head west, up the hill leading you to the 142 Street overpass, then take a quick left on to Summit Drive. Here you will find one of Edmonton’s most prestigious neighborhoods. Summit Drive turns into Riverside Drive, follow this until you see a trail on your left called Medicine Man which connects you to Riverside Traverse, which ultimately leads to the Buena Vista Park Access (North). Stay on this trail until you reach Hawrelak Park Foot Bridge which you will cross to make it back to your vehicle.

Edmonton Bike Trail #3 Fort Edmonton to Hawrelak Park Foot Bridge Loop

This route I would start at the “Fort Edmonton” parking lot or the “Whitemud park” parking lot. I then head towards the river on the “No Horse Trail” and then head to either the Belgravia Access North Trail or the Slinky North Trail. This trail will get you to William Hawrelak Bridge where you will cross the river. From there follow the Buena Vista Trail South. You will then hit an intersection where you can decide to go straight onto Zoo Access Trail or take a left towards the river and Laurier Park Access Trail. Continue South where both trails will inter-connect. Make sure you take the trail towards the Quesnell Bridge so you can cross the bridge and head back south. This will take you back to your parked vehicle.

Edmonton Bike Trail #4 Fort Edmonton to Terwillegar Dog Park

I would park the Vehicle at Fort Edmonton Park and head West on your mountain bike on Fort Edmonton Park Double Track Trail. Follow that trail South to Whitemud road, then 1 block down take a right on Fort Edmonton Foot Bridge. Cross the bridge taking a right on Wolf Willow Access Trail. Follow it North to capture some of the breathtaking views. When you reach the stairs, you can decide to either carry your bike up to continue on some other trails at the top or you can decide to head back towards the bridge and follow the BDSM Trail. This trail will head past the bridge and take you to the Terwillegar Park Footbridge.

This is a very popular area for people walking their dogs or just hanging out. If you decide to cross over the bridge you may find food trucks here so do not forget your wallet! After that, you can head back to your vehicle.

Map continued…

Edmonton Bike Trail #5: Lower-Level Bridge to Dawson Bridge Loop

I like to park at the Edmonton Queen River Boat parking lot located on 98 Ave and roughly 97 Street. Then I jump onto Edmonton Queen Access Trail and head East. I then take a slight right on Henrietta Muir Trail continuing East which will connect with Birdhouse Trail on East-leading to Rattlesnake Trail. This may be closed, depending on the time of year you go. If it is closed, then I suggest taking a right at the intersection of Rattlesnake and Birdhouse. Take a quick left turn on Seminary Hill Trail and immediately slight left on Lower Ewok. Proceeding North stay on the lower Ewok, you will eventually intersect with the Forest Height Access Trail. Keep North for a few more minutes until you reach Rowland Road “Dawson Bridge”. I then cross over the river taking a left on Dawson Park/Riverdale Traverse Trail. Head South until you reach 87 street then head left for about 1.5 blocks. On the left you will take the Riverdale Park Access Trail, make sure you hug the trail left this will get you to River Valley Adventure Co. This is a nice area to take in the Scenery and have a quick break. Proceed West on this trail which will lead you to Fredericks G. Todd Lookout. This is another must-stop spot to take in the amazing views. From there you will exit left staying on the trail until you reach the Low-Level Bridge. Crossing over the river you will take a left on 98 avenue which will take you back to your vehicle.

Edmonton Bike Trail #6: Dawson Bridge to Capilano Bridge

My other favorite bike trail is between Dawson Bridge and Capilano Bridge, which is the Wayne Gretzky Drive overpass. What I do is park at the Rowland Road parking lot which is near the Dawson Bridge. I then proceed North on Riverside Golf Course Double Track Trail, which is right along the North Saskatchewan Rivers’ edge. There are some beautiful trails through the trees. There may be some puddles to navigate around, but a little mud should not deter you from this breathtaking experience. Eventually, you will intersect with Riverside Access Trail which will take you to the Capilano Bridge. Cross over the river and take a left on Highlands Golf Club Double Track Trail which runs West along the rivers edge. You will eventually head slightly left which is either the Dawson Gravel Multi or the Dawson Park Access trail. Continue following the trail West which will bend with the river curvature pointing you South. You will reach an intersection with a trail name Dawson Park/River Dale Traverse which will take you right by a dog park and some public washrooms. Continue South until you reach the Dawson Bridge which you will cross over to get you back to your vehicle.

All 5 of these Edmonton bike trails are between 1 – 1.5 hours long, very easy to fit in your day. This is great for exercise and to take in some of the most amazing scenery the Edmonton River Valley has to offer. This is a huge bonus and I highly recommend it!

I always bring a backpack with the following items:

Mosquito repellant, light jacket, sunglasses, sunscreen, water, multi-tool, cell phone, wet wipes, mask, sanitizer, mini first aid kit, and my wallet.