Walking the Hiking Trails of Edmonton's Mill Creek Ravine Park

Mill Creek Ravine is a pretty park that runs north south in a wide ravine in NW Edmonton.  The creek itself runs north into the North Saskatchewan River.  A big attraction of this park are the many old trestle railway bridges that cross the ravine, and the paths with the many footbridges that cross over the creek all along its length.  It is a semi-wild park - not quite as wild as Whitemud Creek Park, and it has lots of woods and pretty creek-side scenery.

I meant to visit this park years ago but it was always getting put off and my trip to it this summer was cancelled because I broke my foot (it figures).  When I was better, I made a determined effort to get there.  Access to the park can be done from multiple locations, but it was actually kind of difficult to figure out a good place to access the park.  There are trail guides and all that, but the simplest information like where is a good place to park and see the best bits was difficult to find.  It makes you wonder if this is deliberate.  Anyhow, it is a very accessible park with wide trails that are well groomed.

The main part of the park with the old railway trestle bridges is located due west of the intersection of 75th Avenue and 89th Street. There is street parking here just south of the Observatory condo apartments.  To get to the first two rail bridges, walk west on the path, staying south of the Observatory condos.  Plenty of people walk in this section of the park along the edges of the ravine and in the ravine here.  You can go south or north from here to visit various parts of the park.  The largest trestle runs along the north side of 76 Ave.

Mill Creek Ravine Park sign at 75 Ave and 89 Street.

"The creek's name is derived from a flour mill that was established by William Bird in 1878 near where the creek flows into the North Saskatchewan River.  The ravine was once home to part of the Edmonton, Yukon & Pacific Railway line. The line ran from the Canadian Pacific line (the Calgary & Edmonton Railway) at about 67 Avenue, across 99 Street and down into Mill Creek ravine. The rail-line went down through the ravine and across the Low Level Bridge, built in 1900. The railway carried passengers and also served ravine industries -- a brickyard, a coal mine and two meat packing plants. Gainer's meat packing plant, a large scale meat packing facility, was once located on the western edge of the ravine at 79 Avenue.  In 1954 most of the railway through the ravine was abandoned, with only the section serving Gainer's, running from 79 Avenue to the CPR line, remaining in use. This section as well was abandoned, by 1980." Wikipedia.

Looking west from 75 Ave, and 86 St at the first of two large trestles running east west.

This trestle was recently repaired and quite a wide platform.

The trestle bridge running over the ravine.

Down in the ravine.

One of the many small bridges that cross Mill Creek.

There is a wide variety of terrain around the ravine from groomed park, to brush, to woods, and wide creek beds and scenic bends.  This is quite a pretty park to walk through with many viewpoints from the bridges and along the creek.  There were some coyote problems reported, but the city took care of them.  One of the more scenic stretches is from area just south of the trestles on 75th ave to 76th ave.  Its a larger area than you think.  Go south along the edge of the ravine and then duck into it and head back north in the ravine.  You'll get to use many of the bridges that cross the creek.  You can do short loops for your walks or do really long, hours long walks if you run the entire length of the ravine.

Wooded trail.

Creek bridge

Trestle spanning a wider section of the creek.

The creek in an open area where it bends south of 76 ave.

This is a great place to go and relax and spend a few hours strolling and absorbing nature.  I finally made it there and definitely plan on revisiting on another nice sunny day.

Other Edmonton Sights

A Tokyo Excess Guide To Edmonton Canada
Exotic Trees on the University of Alberta Campus
Walking in Whitemud Ravine Park and I Want To Visit Mt. Takao Someday
Walking the Hiking Trails of Edmonton's Mill Creek Ravine Park
Blackmud Creek Ravine Hike