An adventurer picks the 5 best bike trails in Edmonton
When I finally saved enough to buy my first bike, the first thing I did was ride all over the city. With little cycling experience, though, the bike didn’t last long and broke down after a few long rides.
That experience taught me to take cycling more seriously. I also discovered just how many trails Edmonton has—and that not all of them are beginner-friendly (learned that the hard way).
To help you avoid the same mistakes, I’ve put together a list of the best bike trails in Edmonton, covering different difficulty levels and even family-friendly routes!
Victoria Park Loop
– Media from shelleybeaubien
Starting Point: 12030 River Valley Rd NW, Victoria Park
Difficulty Level: Easy
Trail Length: Around 5.3 kilometres
Average Time: 1 hour
Contact Details: +1 780 442 5311
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 5:00 am to 11:00 pm
The Victoria Park Loop is a great introduction to easy bike trails in the city. It will take you about an hour to complete it, and I highly recommend you take your time cycling around the green spaces of the park and along the North Saskatchewan River.
Since the trail and park are open year-round, this spot is also ideal for those who love to go on bike rides during the winter. The paths can get slippery, though, but take as much time as you need to really enjoy the views and serene riverside surroundings.
| Tips: The trail and park are dog-friendly, by the way. You just need to make sure that you keep your dogs on a leash at all times since many other bikers and hikers bring their pets to the area. If you need to freshen up or change your clothes, there’s a section of public washrooms near the parking lots. These are open from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm only, so time your biking session accordingly. |
Emily Murphy Park Loop
– Media from ronaldsuguitan
Starting Point: 11904 Emily Murphy Park Rd NW
Difficulty Level: Easy to moderate
Trail Length: Around 10.7 kilometres
Average Time: 1 hour to 1 hour and 30 minutes
Contact Details: +1 780 442 5311
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 5:00 am to 11:00 pm
Just upstream from Victoria Park lies Emily Murphy Park, a scenic gem perfect for those craving a more challenging ride. Its bike trail loop mirrors the charm of the Victoria Park loops but stretches farther, demanding a bit more stamina and endurance.
If you love long riverside trails that lead you across bridges, this route won’t disappoint. The trail weaves through Emily Murphy Park, down into Kinsmen Park and Queen Elizabeth Park, across the river, and circles back to where you started.
| Tips: Along the trail, you’ll encounter the Walterdale Bridge and a great view of Downtown Edmonton. I recommend flowing down in this area of the trail, especially since many other bikers stop to rest and take pictures here. Be careful! Toward the park’s end, the trail divides, giving you the choice to head straight or ascend toward Scona Road. If you opt for Scona Road, follow the sidewalk or pass through the Old Timers Cabin parking lot, then turn left onto 95a Avenue. From there, you’ll find a scenic viewpoint overlooking downtown Edmonton, the river, and the James MacDonald Bridge. |
Gold Bar Park Loop
– Media from yeg.trails
Starting Point: 10955 50 St NW, Gold Bar Park
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Trail Length: Around 11 kilometres
Average Time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Contact Details: +1 780 442 5311
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 5:00 am to 11:00 pm
If you enjoy wooded trails and riding by the river, the Gold Bar Park Loop is a great pick. It combines paved and dirt paths, with two river crossings offering skyline views.
I usually start at Gold Bar Park on the east end of the River Valley. From the north corner of the parking lot, head toward the river and take the dirt path at the first fork. At the next intersection, turn left to ride west along the North Saskatchewan River.
You’ll also pass two golf courses and off-leash dog areas—always fun if you like spotting playful pups.
| Tips: At the top of the hill, you can choose between staying on the paved path or switching back to the dirt trail. Both routes lead to the same destination, but the paved path takes a longer route, following Hardisty Drive before looping back toward the river and Capilano Bridge. If you want to make the most out of your visit here, you can use any of the picnic tables in the park and host a BBQ party. The picnic areas have pits for BBQ, so bring along what you need for a feast after finishing the trail! |
Terwillegar Park Loop
– Media from ronaldsuguitan
Starting Point: 10 Rabbit Hill Rd NW
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Trail Length: Around 6 kilometres
Average Time: 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours
Contact Details: +1 780 442 5311
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 5:00 am to 11:00 pm
Terwillegar Park is a favourite among avid cyclists due to its expansive multi-use trails that are perfect for mountain biking. There are some areas that are beginner-friendly, but many of them are designed for thrilling rides on off-road slopes.
While it’s only 6 kilometres long, it can take almost two hours to complete the park’s whole perimeter if you’re a newbie to mountain biking. If not, this spot may be a breeze for you (unless you want to take your time to explore the woodsy area!).
| Tips: Keep in mind that hikers and some who also use the bike trail may bring along their dogs. You might come across dogs off their leashes near the river banks, so be careful and mindful of them when you’re biking through there. The best time to visit this trail is during the summer. It’s open all year, but the paths can be slippery due to ice sheets forming below the snowy paths. It’s best to skip biking here in the winter for your safety! |
Mill Creek Ravine Loop
– Media from lushy83
Starting Point: 76 Ave NW, Argyll Park
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Trail Length: Around 6 kilometres
Average Time: 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours
Contact Details: +1 780 944 5555
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 5:00 am to 11:00 pm
The Mill Creek Ravine Loop is perfect for cyclists who enjoy a blend of creek-side gravel paths, dirt trails, and wooden bridges. The route also passes through the Muttart Conservatory, a renowned botanical garden in the heart of the city.
I love this trail for its refreshing scenery, with plenty of trees and diverse flora along the way. The standout features are the historic wooden bridges, including the Low Level Bridge and the James MacDonald Bridge, which add charm to the ride.
| Tips: Exercise caution when crossing the creek bridges. Though they’ve withstood the test of time, the wooden surfaces can become slippery, especially after rain. It’s always wise to take it slow and stay safe. Wild coyotes are often spotted in some areas of the loop. Don’t try to pet them or interrupt them while they pass through the ravine to avoid any accidents or attacks. Just stay put and let them pass through until the coast is clear! |
Fort Edmonton Park to Hawrelak Park Loop
– Media from fortedmontonpark
Starting Point: 7000 143 St NW or 13204 Fox Dr NW (Whitemud Park)
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Trail Length: Around 9.7 kilometres
Average Time: 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours
Contact Details: +1 780 496 7381
Opening Hours: Saturday and Sunday, 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm (Fort Edmonton Park)
For bikers who want a little more challenge and uphill climbs, consider testing your stamina at the Fort Edmonton Park to Hawrelak Park Loop. This 9.7-kilometre trail features pavement pathways coursing through many of the city’s river valley parks.
Since most of the trail is made of pavement, you can bike here using any sort of bicycle type. Just note that there’s a long but steady uphill climb once you reach the Whitemud Equine Centre, so prepare your body for a little workout!
| Tips: On 87 Ave, there’s a steep downhill stretch where you can gain some serious speed. However, keep in mind that the sidewalk is shared with pedestrians, and you’re riding alongside a busy road. Note that Fort Edmonton Park is only open on weekends from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm. That said, you need to time your biking session accordingly. If you reach the park after it closes, you can start the trail from Whitemud Park instead. |
Strathcona Loop
– Media from mggrau
Starting Point: 8650 17 St NW
Difficulty Level: Moderate to hard
Trail Length: Around 6 kilometres
Average Time: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Contact Details: +1 780 672 7274
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 7:00 am to 11:00 pm
The Strathcona Loop is a blend of paved paths and dirt singletracks that bikers with a little bit of experience riding through steep climbs will enjoy. The route starts at the Strathcona Science Provincial Park and ends near the river.
You’ll be surrounded by lots of lush greenery by the river, which I think is best enjoyed early in the morning. If you’re a beginner, you can completely skip the steep climbs and just continue via the paved paths instead of the dirt road!
| Tips: The southern section and walking paths remain accessible year-round, while the northern part operates as a ski area in winter. I recommend doing this bike trail in the summer to enjoy the dry dirt trail when you want to attempt it! If you’re up for it, tackle the ski hill under the lifts for an extra challenge near Sunridge Ski Area. |