← Beyond the Highway
Trails of Wood Buffalo hero

TRAIL DIRECTORY

Trail Name
Area & distance
Length
Source
β‰ˆClearwater River TrailSnye Point Park, downtown Fort McMurray · in town~3 kmAllTrailsβ†’
β‰ˆ

Clearwater River Trail

Directions

Begins at Snye Point Park; parking lot and boat launch at the trailhead. Paved path follows the Clearwater River north.

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Length

~3 km

Approximate
Source

AllTrails

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About this trail

Paved, easy riverside recreation path with interpretive signs, picnic tables and green spaces along the Clearwater River. Gentle grade with open river and golf-course views; little shade, so bring sun protection.

Trail type
WalkingRunningBiking
🌲Abasand Trail LoopAbasand / city centre, Fort McMurray · in town~3.4 kmExplore Magazineβ†’
🌲

Abasand Trail Loop

Directions

Riverside loop near the city centre along the Athabasca River; benches overlook the water.

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Length

~3.4 km

Approximate
Source

Explore Magazine

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About this trail

An easy riverside walking and running escape close to downtown, with quiet spots to sit and watch the Athabasca River in any season.

Trail type
WalkingRunning
β‰ˆHorse River Valley TrailFort McMurray / Abasand · in town~1.5 hoursFMWBβ†’
β‰ˆ

Horse River Valley Trail

Directions

Access via Oil Sands Discovery Centre area / Abasand historic walking tour; follow local trail map.

Get directions β†—
Length

~1.5 hours

Approximate
Source

FMWB

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About this trail

Historic Abasand Oils Ltd. area; steep sections.

Trail type
HikingWalking
🌲TOTAL Aboriginal Interpretive TrailMacDonald Island Park, Fort McMurray · in town~1.2 km loopsTravel Albertaβ†’
🌲

TOTAL Aboriginal Interpretive Trail

Directions

On the west (Athabasca River) side of MacDonald Island; small parking lot at the end of MacDonald Drive. Also reachable on foot from Thickwood across the river.

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Length

~1.2 km loops

Approximate
Source

Travel Alberta

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About this trail

Riverside art walk showcasing Western Canadian Indigenous artists. The Sacred Teachings Project features seven sculptures β€” wisdom, love, humility, courage, honesty, respect and truth β€” alongside the Miquwahkesis project of 28 hand-painted foxes. Easy, wheelchair-friendly packed surface; first of its kind in Fort McMurray.

Trail type
WalkingBirdingCross-country skiing
β‰ˆCrane Lake LoopFort McMurray area · in town3.1 kmExplore Magazineβ†’
β‰ˆ

Crane Lake Loop

Directions

Use local Crane Lake access/parking; verify on Google Maps before publishing.

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Length

3.1 km

Approximate
Source

Explore Magazine

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About this trail

Interpretive signs and bird viewing noted.

Trail type
WalkingNature viewing
🌲Birchwood Trails systemFort McMurray · in town135 km systemRMWBβ†’
🌲

Birchwood Trails system

Directions

Start at Doug Barnes Cabin, 190 Tamarack Way; access also from Thickwood, Timberlea and Dickinsfield.

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Length

135 km system

Approximate
Source

RMWB

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About this trail

Municipal maintained trail system.

Trail type
WalkRunBikeSkiInline skate
🌲Deer Trail to Bear Trail LoopBirchwood / Fort McMurray · in town4.8 kmExplore Magazineβ†’
🌲

Deer Trail to Bear Trail Loop

Directions

Access through Birchwood Trails from Thickwood/Timberlea/Dickinsfield trailheads.

Get directions β†—
Length

4.8 km

Approximate
Source

Explore Magazine

View source β†—
About this trail

Shorter Birchwood loop option.

Trail type
WalkBikeSki
🌲Deer, Lynx and Wolf TrailBirchwood / Fort McMurray · in town10.8 kmExplore Magazineβ†’
🌲

Deer, Lynx and Wolf Trail

Directions

Access through Birchwood Trails from neighbourhood trailheads in Thickwood/Timberlea/Dickinsfield.

Get directions β†—
Length

10.8 km

Approximate
Source

Explore Magazine

View source β†—
About this trail

Linked Birchwood route.

Trail type
WalkBikeRunSki
β‰ˆThickwood Falls TrailThickwood, Fort McMurray · in town~1.4 kmAllTrailsβ†’
β‰ˆ

Thickwood Falls Trail

Directions

Well-travelled path from Timberline Drive down to Conn Creek; ropes help on the steep section down to the falls. Uphill on the return.

Get directions β†—
Length

~1.4 km

Approximate
Source

AllTrails

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About this trail

A waterfall spilling over a layered cliff, with a small pool at the base β€” wade in on a hot day, or catch the icicles in winter. The area is sprayed with herbicide, so avoid touching the plants. Short but steep in spots.

Trail type
HikingWalking
β‰ˆThickwood River Valley trail networkThickwood / Fort McMurray · in town25 trails; longest 2.8 kmTrailforksβ†’
β‰ˆ

Thickwood River Valley trail network

Directions

Use Trailforks Thickwood River Valley map for parking/trailhead details.

Get directions β†—
Length

25 trails; longest 2.8 km

Approximate
Source

Trailforks

View source β†—
About this trail

Trailforks lists trail status and segments.

Trail type
BikeHikeTrail runSnowshoe
β‰ˆThickwood River Valley: HeaderThickwood River Valley · in town2.8 kmTrailforksβ†’
β‰ˆ

Thickwood River Valley: Header

Directions

Within Thickwood River Valley trail area; verify trailhead on map.

Get directions β†—
Length

2.8 km

Approximate
Source

Trailforks

View source β†—
About this trail

Trailforks says this is the longest trail in this area.

Trail type
BikeHikeTrail run
β‰ˆThickwood River Valley: Malcolm Young (AC/DC)Thickwood River Valley · in townnot listed in sourceTrailforksβ†’
β‰ˆ

Thickwood River Valley: Malcolm Young (AC/DC)

Directions

Within Thickwood River Valley trail area; verify trailhead on map.

Get directions β†—
Length

not listed in source

Approximate
Source

Trailforks

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About this trail

Listed as one of the best hiking trails in the area.

Trail type
HikeTrail runBike
β‰ˆThickwood River Valley: Swamp ThingThickwood River Valley · in townnot listed in sourceTrailforksβ†’
β‰ˆ

Thickwood River Valley: Swamp Thing

Directions

Within Thickwood River Valley trail area; verify trailhead on map.

Get directions β†—
Length

not listed in source

Approximate
Source

Trailforks

View source β†—
About this trail

Listed as one of the best hiking trails in the area.

Trail type
HikeTrail runBike
🌲Thickwood Trail LoopThickwood, Fort McMurray · in town9.8 kmExplore Magazineβ†’
🌲

Thickwood Trail Loop

Directions

Start from Thickwood neighbourhood access points into the Birchwood ravine trail network.

Get directions β†—
Length

9.8 km

Approximate
Source

Explore Magazine

View source β†—
About this trail

Urban-wilderness loop.

Trail type
HikingMulti-use
🚲Wood Buffalo Bike Park trail networkFort McMurray · in town~8 km / 5 miles totalTrailforksβ†’
🚲

Wood Buffalo Bike Park trail network

Directions

Use Wood Buffalo Bike Park trail map for parking and trailhead details.

Get directions β†—
Length

~8 km / 5 miles total

Approximate
Source

Trailforks

View source β†—
About this trail

Trailforks lists 26 trails; current access/status should be checked.

Trail type
BikeHikeTrail run
🚲Wood Buffalo Bike Park: Decision TimeWood Buffalo Bike Park · in town~0.92 km / 3,031 ftTrailforksβ†’
🚲

Wood Buffalo Bike Park: Decision Time

Directions

Within Wood Buffalo Bike Park; verify exact trailhead in Trailforks/Google Maps.

Get directions β†—
Length

~0.92 km / 3,031 ft

Approximate
Source

Trailforks

View source β†—
About this trail

Trailforks says this is the longest in the bike park.

Trail type
BikeHikeTrail run
🚲Wood Buffalo Bike Park: Sick B'Wood Buffalo Bike Park · in town~0.24 km / 787 ftTrailforksβ†’
🚲

Wood Buffalo Bike Park: Sick B'

Directions

Within Wood Buffalo Bike Park; verify exact trailhead in Trailforks/Google Maps.

Get directions β†—
Length

~0.24 km / 787 ft

Approximate
Source

Trailforks

View source β†—
About this trail

Popular trail.

Trail type
BikeHikeTrail run
🚲Wood Buffalo Bike Park: Wood Buffalo TrailWood Buffalo Bike Park · in town~0.3 km / 1,010 ftTrailforksβ†’
🚲

Wood Buffalo Bike Park: Wood Buffalo Trail

Directions

Within Wood Buffalo Bike Park; verify exact trailhead in Trailforks/Google Maps.

Get directions β†—
Length

~0.3 km / 1,010 ft

Approximate
Source

Trailforks

View source β†—
About this trail

Green/easy trail.

Trail type
BikeHikeTrail run
🚲Wood Buffalo Bike Park: You TurnWood Buffalo Bike Park · in town~0.20 km / 669 ftTrailforksβ†’
🚲

Wood Buffalo Bike Park: You Turn

Directions

Within Wood Buffalo Bike Park; verify exact trailhead in Trailforks/Google Maps.

Get directions β†—
Length

~0.20 km / 669 ft

Approximate
Source

Trailforks

View source β†—
About this trail

Short trail segment.

Trail type
BikeHikeTrail run
β‰ˆHangingstone Provincial Recreation AreaHighway 63 South · ~20 kmvariesFMWBβ†’
β‰ˆ

Hangingstone Provincial Recreation Area

Directions

Highway 63 South, about 35 km south of Fort McMurray.

Get directions β†—
Length

varies

Approximate
Source

FMWB

View source β†—
About this trail

Small campground and day-use setting.

Trail type
Short walksCampground access
β‰ˆGregoire Lake Provincial Park trailsGregoire Lake · ~35 km~6 km loop/trailsExplore Magazineβ†’
β‰ˆ

Gregoire Lake Provincial Park trails

Directions

Take Hwy 63 south then Hwy 881 east/south toward Gregoire Lake Provincial Park.

Get directions β†—
Length

~6 km loop/trails

Approximate
Source

Explore Magazine

View source β†—
About this trail

Park also confirms walking/cycling trails.

Trail type
WalkingCyclingHiking
β‰ˆGregoire Lake Campground / Park accessGregoire Lake · ~36 kmvariesAlberta Parksβ†’
β‰ˆ

Gregoire Lake Campground / Park access

Directions

Campground on northwest shore of Gregoire Lake, about 29 km southeast of Fort McMurray on Hwy 881.

Get directions β†—
Length

varies

Approximate
Source

Alberta Parks

View source β†—
About this trail

Use Alberta Parks for official park access information.

Trail type
WalkingCycling
🦬Wood Bison Getaway & Matcheetawin Discovery TrailReclamation area north of Fort McMurray · ~38 km~4 kmExplore Magazineβ†’
🦬

Wood Bison Getaway & Matcheetawin Discovery Trail

Directions

North of Fort McMurray off Highway 63 in the oil-sands reclamation area; begins at a stone Wood Bison herd sculpture.

Get directions β†—
Length

~4 km

Approximate
Source

Explore Magazine

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About this trail

Interpretive trail named after the Cree word Matcheetawin, β€œbeginning place.” Winds through reclaimed land rich with wildflowers; family-friendly. Pair it with the nearby Wood Bison viewpoint.

Trail type
HikingInterpretive walking
β‰ˆAnzac Day Use AreaAnzac / Gregoire Lake · ~40 kmvariesAlberta Parksβ†’
β‰ˆ

Anzac Day Use Area

Directions

West shore of Gregoire Lake, about 1 km northwest of Anzac.

Get directions β†—
Length

varies

Approximate
Source

Alberta Parks

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About this trail

Part of Gregoire Lake Provincial Park.

Trail type
Day-use walkingLake access
Beyond 50 km · road trips & remote parks
β‰ˆEngstrom Lake Provincial Recreation AreaHwy 881 area · ~100 kmvariesFMWBβ†’
β‰ˆ

Engstrom Lake Provincial Recreation Area

Directions

Access from Alberta Highway 881; verify current park directions before publishing.

Get directions β†—
Length

varies

Approximate
Source

FMWB

View source β†—
About this trail

Provincial recreation area listing.

Trail type
Day-useNature access
β‰ˆMaqua Lake Provincial Recreation AreaChard / Stony Mountain · ~115 kmvariesFMWBβ†’
β‰ˆ

Maqua Lake Provincial Recreation Area

Directions

85212 Range Road 90B, Chard; about 50 km from Fort McMurray.

Get directions β†—
Length

varies

Approximate
Source

FMWB

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About this trail

Lake and day-use area; good recreation listing.

Trail type
Day-use walkingPaddling access
❄Birch Mountains Wildland Provincial Park designated winter trailsNW of Fort McMurray · ~120 kmdesignated routes varyAlberta Parksβ†’
❄

Birch Mountains Wildland Provincial Park designated winter trails

Directions

About 135 km northwest of Fort McMurray; summer fly-in only, winter road plus snowmobile access.

Get directions β†—
Length

designated routes vary

Approximate
Source

Alberta Parks

View source β†—
About this trail

Access is limited and remote.

Trail type
BackcountryWinter trail
🦬Wood Buffalo National Park trail systemWood Buffalo National Park · ~290 kmvariesParks Canadaβ†’
🦬

Wood Buffalo National Park trail system

Directions

Access via Fort Smith / park roads; confirm conditions with Parks Canada.

Get directions β†—
Length

varies

Approximate
Source

Parks Canada

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About this trail

Short strolls and long loops.

Trail type
Day hiking
🦬Karstland Interpretive TrailWood Buffalo National Park / Salt River · ~292 km750 mTravel Albertaβ†’
🦬

Karstland Interpretive Trail

Directions

Trailhead at Salt River Day Use Area on Pine Lake Road near southern park entrance.

Get directions β†—
Length

750 m

Approximate
Source

Travel Alberta

View source β†—
About this trail

Karst landscape boardwalk/loop.

Trail type
Interpretive hiking
🦬Salt River Meadows LoopWood Buffalo National Park / Salt River · ~293 km1.5 kmTravel Albertaβ†’
🦬

Salt River Meadows Loop

Directions

Access from Salt River Day Use Area parking lot.

Get directions β†—
Length

1.5 km

Approximate
Source

Travel Alberta

View source β†—
About this trail

Short loop near Salt River.

Trail type
Hiking
🦬Salt River South LoopWood Buffalo National Park / Salt River · ~294 km9 kmTravel Albertaβ†’
🦬

Salt River South Loop

Directions

Access from Salt River Day Use Area parking lot.

Get directions β†—
Length

9 km

Approximate
Source

Travel Alberta

View source β†—
About this trail

Longer loop option.

Trail type
Hiking
🦬Salt River North LoopWood Buffalo National Park / Salt River · ~295 km7.5 kmTravel Albertaβ†’
🦬

Salt River North Loop

Directions

Access from Salt River Day Use Area parking lot.

Get directions β†—
Length

7.5 km

Approximate
Source

Travel Alberta

View source β†—
About this trail

Longer loop option.

Trail type
Hiking
🦬Benchmark Creek Trail / Grosbeak Lake RouteWood Buffalo National Park / Salt River · ~296 kmnot listed in sourceParks Canadaβ†’
🦬

Benchmark Creek Trail / Grosbeak Lake Route

Directions

Salt River Day Use Area map; includes the Grosbeak Lake Route section.

Get directions β†—
Length

not listed in source

Approximate
Source

Parks Canada

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About this trail

Shown on Parks Canada Salt River map.

Trail type
Hiking
🦬Salt Pan Lake TrailWood Buffalo National Park / Salt River · ~297 kmnot listed in sourceParks Canadaβ†’
🦬

Salt Pan Lake Trail

Directions

Salt River Day Use Area map.

Get directions β†—
Length

not listed in source

Approximate
Source

Parks Canada

View source β†—
About this trail

Shown on Parks Canada Salt River map.

Trail type
Hiking
🦬Wetland Lookout TrailWood Buffalo National Park / Highway 5 · ~300 kmshort interpretive trailParks Canadaβ†’
🦬

Wetland Lookout Trail

Directions

Highway 5 trail access in Wood Buffalo National Park.

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Length

short interpretive trail

Approximate
Source

Parks Canada

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About this trail

Lookout over whooping crane habitat.

Trail type
Interpretive hiking
🦬Pine Lake Lakeside TrailWood Buffalo National Park / Pine Lake · ~305 kmnot listed in sourceParks Canadaβ†’
🦬

Pine Lake Lakeside Trail

Directions

Pine Lake Day Use Area / campground area; use Parks Canada Pine Lake map.

Get directions β†—
Length

not listed in source

Approximate
Source

Parks Canada

View source β†—
About this trail

Shown on Parks Canada Pine Lake map.

Trail type
Hiking
🦬Lane Lake TrailWood Buffalo National Park / Pine Lake · ~306 kmnot listed in sourceParks Canadaβ†’
🦬

Lane Lake Trail

Directions

Pine Lake area; use Parks Canada Pine Lake map.

Get directions β†—
Length

not listed in source

Approximate
Source

Parks Canada

View source β†—
About this trail

Shown on Parks Canada Pine Lake map.

Trail type
Hiking
Trail conditions and access may vary. Always check local sources before heading out.
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