A 109 km Trail Set to Open in the Canadian Rockies

Away from Banff and Jasper, a new rail trail opens a remote corner of Canada, teaching visitors about history. I hike the forested path, boots crunching gravel beneath pine and spruce, passing mossy slopes, wetlands, and quiet streams. A rabbit rustles nearby, and my senses sharpen as I scan for wildlife, while birds above restore my calm. After thirty minutes of walking, I notice I haven’t met another person, enjoying rare solitude in the Canadian Rockies.

The Rocky to Nordegg Rail Trail stretches 109km, tracing the historic Canadian Northern Railway from Nordegg to Rocky Mountain House. Built in the early 1910s, it hauled coal and served homesteaders, shaping communities before highways replaced the railway’s vital role. Now designed for hikers, cyclists, skiers, and equestrians, the trail moves visitors through valleys, forests, and previously inaccessible wilderness areas. Nature reclaims the land once dominated by steam engines, offering travelers quiet landscapes far from Banff’s and Jasper’s crowded paths.

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Explore Alberta’s Hidden Wilderness on a Newly Revitalized 109km Rail Trail Steeped in History and Natural Beauty

More than 50km of trail from Nordegg to Jackfish Creek is complete, while the remaining sections continue under active construction. Visitors like Calgary’s Maddy Tailor discover the trail by chance, inspired by fellow travelers who shared stories of biking sections. She returned with her grandfather, a history enthusiast, hoping to explore the route and learn about Alberta’s rich coal mining past. Placards along the trail detail the railway’s history, preserving memories of towns and mining communities that once thrived in the Rockies.

The CNoR railway brought coal, people, and prosperity to remote settlements, but traffic slowed after World War Two and ended entirely by 1985. Preservation efforts began in 2009, with construction starting in 2012, and the Alberta government contributing $8.5 million for trails and infrastructure. Unlike Banff and Jasper, this trail offers slower-paced experiences, gentle gradients, and long sightlines suitable for adventure without extreme exertion. Visitors can paddle rapids, fish for trout, camp near wetlands, and observe wildlife, immersing themselves in Alberta’s wilderness and history simultaneously.

Trail highlights include the Taunton Trestle Bridge, a 220-meter iron structure renovated with a viewing platform in August 2025 for scenic exploration. Locals describe the fall colors and valley views as spectacular, while tourism operators highlight fewer crowds and stunning natural landscapes throughout. Nordegg itself preserves coal-mining history, with the Discovery Centre and Brazeau Collieries Mine Heritage Site offering guided tours and underground experiences. Visitors can also enjoy nearby trails, cabins, and local cafes, connecting with the community while exploring the region’s forgotten railway corridors.

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