Our mission is to build community while we explore nature.
Every Saturday at 9:00am (unless otherwise indicated). Trailheads noted below, along with any specific trail notes. This is a time to reconnect with each other and with nature, as we explore a trail at a social pace in or around Edmonton.
General Things To Keep In Mind
Please dress for the weather, wear appropriate footwear, and bring whatever mobility aides you require/prefer. You walk at your own risk, set your own pace, and choose your finish time. The group usually walks for 1 hour. You do not need to RSVP, and there is no cost to join. Dogs are permitted on leash unless otherwise stated. We start with introductions including pronouns and a land acknowledgement, otherwise there is no programming. There is no ASL interpreter and the only language spoken is English. Lisa has CPR, suicide first aid, and naloxone training. Please see the trailhead announcements below for specific notes on accessibility.
UPCOMING TRAILHEADS
June 24, 2023
Emily Murphy Park
Once you enter Emily Murphy Park, take your first right and park here. Here is the Google Map pin. The loop is a mix of unpaved, gravel and dirt trails and paved sidewalks. We are headed east along the river to Kinsmen Park. From here, we will head up and out of the Valley and go back to the park along Saskatchewan Drive. The views of the River Valley and the downtown skyline from here are spectacular! There are public washrooms located within the park, and benches scattered along Saskatchewan Drive.
June 17, 2023
Mill Creek Ravine
The trailhead this weekend is at the Pool Parking Lot in Mill Creek Ravine (click here for the pin drop). We are headed north into the Ravine, and depending on trail conditions, will be taking the lower trail. This is a packed earth trail, with some tree root activity and varied inclines. We walk along the creek, and there are some small wooden bridges to cross. There are no benches along the lower trail, and a few along the upper (paved, multi-use) trail.
June 10, 2023
Whitemud Creek Ravine, from Rainbow Valley
There is a small parking lot at the trailhead here, and “overflow” available at Snow Valley Ski Hill here. This out and back trail is all packed earth. Not technically difficult, but please be mindful of roots and trail conditions. The trail winds in and around Whitemud Creek, crosses a few lovely little bridges, and there are always chickadees flitting about.
June 3, 2023
Terwillegar Park
Meet in the main parking lot (click here for the Google pin drop). The trail is within an off leash dog park, so please keep that in mind when attending. This is an unpaved, grass trail, with varied elevations throughout. No benches. Let’s go exploring today!
May 27, 2023
Victoria Park to 100 Street Promenade, via Grant Notley Park
Stop four on the Blossom Tour is another new trail for the group! The trailhead is a tricky one! It’s the oddball parking lot behind the Royal Glenora Club. (click here for the pin drop). We are heading up for spectacular views of the river valley, and dozens of blossoming trees. This trail is mostly paved, and while there are stairs, there are also detours that avoid the stairs. Along the promenade, there are 100 benches! There are public washrooms close to the trailhead (at the main parking lot for Victoria Park).
May 20, 2023
Rafter’s Landing to Peace Dove
Stop three on the Blossom Tour is a new trail for the group! The trailhead is the parking lot for the River Queen (click here for the pin drop). We are heading toward the grounds of the Muttart Conservatory. This trail meanders through the grounds and up to the Peace Dove, which has a lovely view of the downtown skyline and river valley. We will encounter paved sidewalks, grass, and gravel surfaces. There are a few benches along the trail, and no public washrooms.
May 13 2023
Kinsmen Sports Centre parking lot to Irene Parlby Park
The second stop on our Blossom Tour is Irene Parlby park, what we still think of as a hidden gem in our city, The trailhead is the main parking lot at the Kinsmen Sports Centre (click here for the pin drop). We head across Walterdale Bridge and into the Cloverbar neighbourhood. This out-and-back trail is flat and paved. There are a few benches along the trail, mostly concentrated at the trailhead and Park. There are no public washrooms (unless you pay to access the rec centre at the trailhead).
May 6, 2023
Forest Heights Park to George Hustler Plaza
We are hoping to catch “Blossom Season” in Edmonton, hitting up the popular spots to see cherry and lilac blooms. First stop is George Hustler Plaza. The trailhead is the main parking lot at Forest Heights Park, the one at the tennis courts. (click here for the pin drop). This out-and-back, multi-use trail is completely paved. There is one long incline, that is moderately steep. Non-motorzied wheelchair users might have a hard time with this one. We walk above the river for the first kilometre, and the views of downtown are pretty fabulous. There are few benches along the trail, and no public washrooms.
April 29, 2023
Dawson Park
The trailhead is the main parking lot at Dawson Park (click here for the pin drop). We head north into the park. This is a mostly flat, paved out-and-back trail. There is one steep incline, and few to no benches along the entirety of the trail. We walk alongside the river, and the views of downtown are pretty fabulous. Dogs are welcome off leash. There are no benches along the trail. Public washrooms are located at the trailhead.
April 22, 2023
Victoria Park to Government House Park
This is a super accessible trail! Our trailhead is the parking lot at Victoria Park. This is a gravel lot, but we immediately cross River Valley Road and the majority of our hike will be on the flat, paved, multi-use trail that runs along the river to Government House Park. There are a few benches along the way, and public washrooms at the trailhead.
April 15, 2023
Whitemud Park up to Keillor Point.
This trail starts down low, and heads up to a lovely lookout over the River Valley at Keillor Point. Please park in the first parking lot on the left in Whitemud Park. This out-and-back trail is all paved, and there is a long hill up to Keillor Point, where there are stairs down to the lookout.
April 8, 2023
Buena Vista Park
Meet in the larger parking lot at Buena Vista Park. (Click here for the Google pin drop.) We will be walking on a combination of paved and packed earth trails toward the River. There is a very popular off-leash dog park at the start of the trail. No benches, and the public washrooms are in the adjacent park (Laurier). There is only one incline and no stairs.
April 1, 2032
Terwillegar Park
Meet in the main parking lot (click here for the Google pin drop). The trailhead is an off leash park, but the remainder of the trail is not, so please keep that in mind when attending. This trail is all flat, but the transitions from parking lot to trail and along the bridge are complicated. We will be crossing the footbridge and walking on the paved, multi-use trail on the floodplains.
March 25, 2023
Highlands
We meet at Ada Blvd and 52 street (here is the Google Maps pin drop) and head down and west along the river. We are going to try for a loop today, and explore the neighbourhood as well. These trails are a combination of paved and packed earth. There are some steep, long inclines, and two sets of stairs. Dogs are welcome off leash once we get down to the river.
PREVIOUS TRAILHEADS
March 18, 2023
Hermitage Park into Kennedale Ravine
The trailhead is the main parking lot at Hermitage Dog Park (click here for the pin drop). We head north into the park and then into Kennedale Ravine. This is a mostly flat, paved, out-and-back trail. There is one moderate incline, and no benches along the entirety of the trail. Dogs are welcome off leash.
March 11, 2023
Mill Creek Ravine
Meet at the Argyll Velodrome (click here for the pin drop). There is a large parking lot on site (free), with bus access a few blocks away. The upper trails are all paved, but not reliably groomed. The lower trails are packed earth so they are not groomed, but because of their popularity, the snow will be packed down. When we moved from upper to lower trails there are both inclines and stairs. Dogs are welcome on leash only on the upper trails, and off leash on the lower trails.
March 4, 2023
Rafter’s Landing
The trailhead is the main parking lot at Rafter’s Landing, where the Edmonton Riverboat hangs out (click here for the pin drop). This is a mostly flat, paved trail. We walk alongside the river, and cross Tawatina Bridge. This weekend we will be doing a loop through Louise McKinney Park and back across the Low Level Bridge. Come explore the Chinese Gardens, outside elevator, and funicular with us! There are a few long, moderate inclines, and few to no benches along the trail. There are public washrooms in Louise McKinney Park. Dogs are welcome on leash, and strollers should be manageable (but you know yourself best!)
February 25- “Coldest Night of the Year”
Kinnaird Ravine and Dawson Park
Meet at 78 Street NW and Jasper Ave. Click here for the Google pin drop. Watch for a few steeper inclines on this hike, but we would still invite all skill levels of hikers to participate! This trail is not paved, so the conditions can vary, including ice, slush, mud, etc. so please come prepared with poles and/or cleats as needed. We walk through the Ravine and down into Dawson Park. There is one set of stairs.
This year we are fundraising for the Adeara Recovery Centre. They provide much needed addiction recovery support and programming to women and their kiddos. To donate to the Not Ladylike Hikes Team click here.
February 18, 2023
Whitemud Creek
A perennial favourite of the group, hiking in Whitemud Creek makes you feel like you’ve left the city. The trailhead this weekend is at Alfred Savage Centre (click here for the pin drop). We head south into the Ravine. This is a mostly flat, packed snow trail. We walk along the creek, and there are some small wooden bridges to cross. Dogs are welcome on leash.
February 11, 2023
Emily Murphy Park to Hawrelak Park
Once you enter Emily Murphy Park, take your first left and follow it around to the last parking lot. Here is the Google Map pin. This out-and-back trail is not groomed. There are no major inclines, and no benches along the main part of the trail. There are public washrooms in both parks. Hawrelak Park is closing for 3 years starting on March 13. Let’s go say our goodbyes to some trees, and tell some of our favourite Hawrelak stories.
February 4, 2023
Heath Road Park
Click here for the Google pin drop for parking. There is bus on demand service in this neighbourhood. There are many hilly parts as we head along the River, through the trees toward Terwillegar Park. We get some nice views of the River as we walk. No benches, no public washrooms.
January 28, 2023
Nellie McClung Park to Queen Elizabeth Park and Walterdale Bridge
We meet in the parking lot for the Pioneer Cabin. Here is the Google Map pin. This loop trail is combination of paved and packed gravel. There are some steep, long inclines. Lots of photo opportunities in the Indigenous Park and at Walterdale Bridge. There are a few benches along the trail (in the parks and at the Bridge), and no public washrooms closeby.
January 21, 2023
Fort Edmonton Footbridge
Meet in the main For Edmonton Park parking lot, closest to the park. Click here for directions. Technically simple trails, we follow the paved trail above the park to the bridge and back. There are a few gradual inclines. There are benches at the bridge only, and no public washrooms closeby.
Fort Edmonton Park is closed for the season.
January 14, 2023
Gold Bar Park
Meet in the main parking lot. (Click here for the Google pin drop.) We will be walking on a combination of paved and packed earth trails toward and across the River. There is only one incline and no stairs. There are no benches along the trail, but there are public washrooms closeby.
This area is popular with cross-country skiers!
September 24, 2022 at NOON
Moss Lake Detour in Elk Island National Park
SPECIAL TIME: Meet in the Moss Lake Trail parking lot at 12:00pm for the hike. Click here for the Google pin drop to the trailhead. After our hike, we are having cake at 1:30pm at the Astotin Lake day use area in celebration of Lisa’s 42nd birthday. NOTE: There is a fee to enter the park, and carpooling is strongly encouraged.
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