Today we’re hiking Mill Creek Ravine in Edmonton and it’s a pleasant stroll through a wooded valley. There’s lots of greenery, a little stream, no traffic noise to speak of, no strip malls in sight and yet we’re deep in the city. Edmonton is cool that way, and there’s lots of places like this where they couldn’t build, so they’re left to nature.
We’ll follow the historic route of the old Edmonton, Yukon & Pacific Railway, SE of downtown, on the down leg. It’s a paved path atop the former roadbed and it even makes use of some railway trestles (one original) along the way. It’s all downhill, but it’s a really gently grade, and this route was chosen by the railway so they could head down to cross the North Saskatchewan River.
Mill Creek Ravine Edmonton Alberta: following a former railway line built over 120 years ago. Urban hiking with Chris and Connie.
On the up leg of this hike, we’ll freestyle it and mostly take to gravel paths further down by the creek that parallel the old railway. There’s lots of offshoot trails, heading up in bordering neighbourhoods, but if one keeps to the ravine close to the old roadbed, no matter the trail chosen, you’ll arrive back at the starting point.
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We began at the Mill Creek Ravine Park sign off 93rd Street at 68th Avenue (Hazeldean Neighbourhood). This is where the old railway line began its descent down to cross the river after coming in from a Canadian Pacific Railway connection directly to the west. That flat section of trail behind is marked by a wide swath of green separating two halves of the neighbourhood.
Head east on the paved pathway and almost immediately it bends left into the trees. This marks the beginning of the gentle grade down. It’s beautiful through here and made all the more wonderful on our visit in mid-May, thanks to all the flowering trees in full bloom (various types of crabapples we think). A week or so later they were probably done.
The first trestle of several seen this day, comes into view and it’s soon followed by two more. Now they support bikes and folks hoofing it, but in the past this was a train corridor. One of these structures is all new and built in the form of a railway trestle, and the other two made use of of salvaged bits off what they replaced, but also kept their same general form (city of Edmonton info).
The third bridge crosses Mill Creek itself. There’s lots of trails below and it’s worthwhile going down there to get a good broadside view of the bridge. It’s easy to picture a steam powered train crossing it a century ago and while nothing more than a romantic daydream, we say what the heck.
Where 76th Avenue dips down into the ravine there’s another railway trestle soon after crossing the road. This one, according to the city, is at the end of its service life and due to be replaced soon. The new structure will look similar.
From the info plaque: “This wooden trestle bridge, built between 1900 and 1902, is one of the last psychical reminders of the existence of the Edmonton, Yukon & Pacific Railway, the shortest railroad with the longest name.
The EY&P Railway was the first to bring rail transportation to Edmonton. It was connected to the Canadian Pacific line south of Strathcona, and travelled north along Mill Creek Ravine, then across the Low Level Bridge. The first train crossed the bridge into Edmonton on October 20 1902. By 1907 the line was extended westward where it connected with the new Canadian Northern mainline.
The EY&P’s passenger service was suspended in 1928. The line was used to haul coal and freight until 1954, when it closed and the tracks were removed.” – Edmonton Historical Board.
So the very first train into Edmonton proper (at the time, this side of the river was not part of the city) passed this very spot over 120 years ago. We love a bit of history with our hikes.
The bridge is historically recoginized, but this will not prevent it from being replaced. That designation carries little weight, in that regard. “Mill Creek Trestle Bridge is a simple wood trestle structure that was an integral part of the early rail connection between the towns of Strathcona and Edmonton.” – Hermis – Canada’s Historic Places.
You’ll note lots of trails and stairs heading in every direction. Some lead into surrounding neighbourhoods and others drop down to creek level. Pass under the 82nd Avenue – you can hear vehicles up there on the span but they’re unseen. Have you ever noticed we spend a disproportionate amount of time under bridges?
Pass Rutherford Park and the Peace Mile monument: “To honour world leaders in their pursuit of Peace, the city of Edmonton has dedicated this measured section of trail as the Peace Mile during 1986, the United Nations International Year for Peace.” How’s that whole world peace thing working? Actually, let’s not go there…
The trail enters a more open area, and it plus a bunch of busy roads converge close to the river. You can get to the North Saskatchewan and the Low Level bridge from here (the same bridge used by the first train into Edmonton), but we elected to turn around here not far from it. Getting there would require running a gauntlet traffic and the thought didn’t thrill us.
Instead we climbed up a road embankment for a nice view of downtown.
On the return leg (not shown in the GPS track), we kept to a well defined gravel pathway the whole way back. At times, where the ravine pinches, it joins back with the paved pathway used when coming down. But then it separates again and is always below and close to the old railway roadbed. Ignore side trails heading up steeply and away, and you’ll be fine.
There’s oddly one house inside they ravine park and perhaps it’s a grandfathered chunk of land. Otherwise, there’s nothing but greenery and the old railway line.
These folks are Oilers fans, but we won’t hold that against them (said while smiling and winking). The Oilers were hot when we did this hike and it seems everyone in town was flying the flag. By the time we posted the piece, things had fallen apart and the Oiler (or COILers as our Edmonton friends call them) were done after just recently losing the Stanley Cup finals. Next year guys.
A nice treed grove made a great lunch spot. We always celebrate a day like this with good eats and the like, since you never know when it’ll end. Grab on tight and enjoy where you are, with whoever you’re with and chow down on something yummy. No need to be in a rush and we take our time here.
Back in motion, we’re passed by an 1890s-esque High-Wheeler (Penny-Farthing) cycle on the route back. How in the heck do you not kill yourself on these things…or even get on and off? A crash could be disastrous given how high you sit, but you’ll sure turn heads doing it.
The last section of the trail, just before the rise up to the street where we parked, was magical. All of a sudden there was no one about (the trail was busy in places), it was dead quiet and we lost ourselves in the moment. Lost in the woods, in the city. Tree fluff seed-pods rained down from above and made it feel as though it was snowing.
That’s the perfect end to the hike and we love days like this. Just because. Other than the occasional road crossing or odd sign of civilization, you’d never even know this is an urban adventure. Now comes the boring drive home…
“These two are amazing!! I love following their adventures and the photography is…jaw dropping. Enjoy your working vacation, Chris & Connie!!…” Dayna Kent. (this job really is like a vacation).
If you wish more information about this adventure or if you love to chat don’t hesitate to contact us!
Date of adventure: May, 2025. Location: Edmonton, Alberta. Distance: 9km out and back. Height gain maximum: 70m. Height gain cumulative: 100m. Notes: only the old railbed portion of the hike is shown on the GPS track. You can return the same way or take to trails down below that stay close to the old line. NOTE: all distances and heights are approximate and may differ slightly from other trip reports (including our own).
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