Bragg Creek Loop

Making a broad loop around the little foothills community of Bragg Creek, this trail will have you pounding the pavement in town and at other times you’ll be deep in the woods. It’s a real nice mix and is super easy in terms of effort. It’s still a good number of clicks but there’s no hills to speak of, only gently rolling terrain and that makes doing it a breeze. In spite of being fairly close to Calgary, it feels like you’re well out in the county and that’s certainly worth bonus points.

Come summer expect Bragg Creek and area to be busy with people, but in the off season it’s all pretty mellow. We shared the trail with no one this wonderful late fall day – not a soul.

You’ll see the route is well signed and there’s maps here and there to help you along should you need it. Made up of a number of linked trails, we’ll collectively call the route the Bragg Creek Loop. In town, if you’re craving a some chow or a mocha-frappa-roadtar-achino, there’s plenty of options at the Bragg Creek mall, which you can’t miss. We often carry our own meals, but at the same time like to patronize local eateries if and when we can (even if it’s not much money we have to spend), which it what we did this adventure. In 2021 doing this seems even more important.

We started at Bragg Creek Provincial Park just west of town on Highway #758. It’s small wooded recreation area, a great place to get to know nature. The route begins at the south side of the parking area and is marked Alder Trail. Easy going, it’s always in the trees. At a junction soon after crossing the highway, take the trail straight ahead. Along this section there’s some interpretative signage – learn about plants and animals that live in the area.

Given there’s no views for the next while, keep busy watching for deer (we saw more than a dozen this trip) or birds. Or chat among yourselves as we always do – on any number of interesting subjects. Or enjoy nature and the solitude. It’s all good. You know, one day we should really learn how to ID ‘shrooms and fungus – there was some great variety along the trail. Memo to self…

Continue on the Banded Peak Connector trail at the the next junction – the route heading left is continuation of the Alder Loop Trail. Rise and fall with the land, but the going is never too steep or difficult. Revel in the peace and quiet found along this section. BPC was the final link in the chain, put in not all that long ago and allowed the loop to be completed. There was good-sized patches of ice underfoot on our visit along this stretch (in hollows well shaded from the sun) and so if you visit in winter as we did, some spikes might be a good idea.

Come to a fence and a sign reminding you to keep an eye open for cattle. No where to be seen, they did leave some old calling cards on the ground for us. Out of the trees arrive at Banded Peak School a couple clicks from the community. At Highway #22, aka the Cowboy Trail, take the dirt path heading north (called Banded Peak Trail now) that parallels the road. In no time you’re in Bragg Creek. Search out a place to eat, go shopping at the many boutiques, or just continue on. Us, we we’re going through buffalo wing withdrawals and so desperately searched out somewhere to get a fix. This was before all the Covid mess..

Heading west on White Avenue, this is the oldest part of town. There’s some cabins from the early days in the trees but most are kind of hidden from view. This section of the route is called the Heritage Mile Trail. Pass the Bavarian Inn, a place we were fortunate enough to eat at a couple times. Top notch in every way, we thank God we weren’t the ones paying! A couple blocks after it’s the Bragg Creek Trading Post. This business has been at this location since forever. They sell Native Crafts and the like, but in the old days operated as a service station.

We saw some photos from the 2013 flood and this place took a big hit (all of Bragg Creek did). That’s the placid Elbow River to your right, that for a short time during that fateful spring turned devil and ran roughshod through the community. Notice how the banks have been shored up in answer to that event. That’s a lot of big boulders that hopefully will keep things from washing away should it happen again.

On the Centennial Trail now, you’ll be beside the highway for a bit. That aforementioned flood made a mess here too and the roadway had to be rebuilt. Cross the road, only to it again and where it starts bending away from the river take the trail heading right into the trees. Next, wander the woods for a a few minutes and soon you’re back from where you started.

This is one of the more laid back hikes on this website and was a literal stroll in the woods (town too). That’s not a bad thing and a lazy day outing like this has its place and is fine once in a while. Getting out of the city is good for the mind and spirit, so here it was just what was needed.

Till the next trip report, keep on keeping on!

They’re saying…

”…I sure enjoy reading about their travels!” James Churchill.

Easy ones…
Turner Valley – Black Diamond.
Jumpingpound Loop Clockwise.
Sandy McNabb Hills.

If you wish more information about this route, by all means contact us!

Date of adventure: October, 2019.
Location: Bragg Creek, AB.
Distance: 9km loop.
Height gain maximum: 100m.
Height gain cumulative: 150m
NOTE: all distances and heights are approximate and may differ slightly from other trip reports.

Starting out at Bragg Creek Provincial Park.

Along the Alder Trail.

Blurry deer.

Don’t go left.

Time for a little learnin’.

On the Banded Peak Connector section.

One day we’ll learn to ID fungus like this.

It’s an in-the-trees type trail.

Forest floor litter up close.

That’s a heck of a burl.

It’s literally a stroll in the woods.

Keep an eye open for cattle.

Things you learn.

In behind Banded Peak School.

Wind powered.

Those who donated – on the Banded Peak Trail now.

Bragg Creek Community Trails map.

A most pleasant outing.

Beside Highway #22, the Cowboy Trail.

Lunch stop ahead.

The blue piano.

There’s a “me waiting for Covid to end” joke in here.

Along the Heritage Mile.

That’s the world’s best play fort ever!

The count was about a dozen by this point.

Bragg Creek Trading Post has been here since forever.

They shored up the Elbow after the last flood.

Almost done, along the Centennial Trail.

Nine clicks when you’re done. Star=start.