A new place-to-be for outdoor enthusiasts is currently being built along a former 1920s railroad line. Cyclists can now discover the impressive natural surroundings on the route network that was once used by wagons carrying coal.
Canada is currently very popular with vacationers - especially many Germans. At the top of the to-see list are the blue-green lakes, gigantic glaciers and snow-capped peaks of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. New paths are opening up for outdoor enthusiasts and cyclists and now a former railroad line is gradually being converted into a hiking and cycling trail.
The new trail follows a disused railroad line from the early 20th century, which was once used for coal mining and was considered the lifeline of the region. The trail stretches 109 kilometers from Rocky Mountain House to Nordegg and follows the former route of the "Canadian Northern Railway". The 50-kilometer western section, which is located in Clearwater County in Alberta, is already passable. Full completion is planned for the end of 2026.
The route shows a quieter, less well-known side of the Canadian Rockies - away from the two most famous national parks, Jasper and Banff. Those who come here not only travel through impressive landscapes, but also through Alberta's past. Old railroad tracks, abandoned settlements and relics of the mining era tell of a time when trains transported coal across Canada and brought small communities to life.
The trail winds its way through Clearwater County and the extensive Bighorn Backcountry, where the landscape is characterized by mixed forests, open valleys and wetlands. If you're lucky, you might spot moose, deer or roe deer, while grizzly bears and black bears are at home in the more remote areas. Ghost towns such as Saunders or Alexo, which once lived from mining and are now slowly being reclaimed by nature, give the route a special atmosphere.
The trail is designed as a multimodal route: In summer, hikers, cyclists and horse riders share the route, and off-road vehicles are also permitted. When winter arrives, the landscape is transformed into a snowy paradise for cross-country skiers, snowshoe hikers and dog sledders.
