Interest Surges in Nordegg as 109km Rail Trail Takes Shape

A developing rail trail between Nordegg and Rocky Mountain House has started drawing more questions from cyclists and hikers, according to Discover Nordegg Tourism Association. 

“We’ve received increased international inquiries related to cycling, bikepacking, and hiking, along with a noticeable rise in website traffic,” said Jennifer Ariano, secretary of Discover Nordegg Tourism Association. 

Ariano said the full route is not finished yet as crews are building it in phases. “Currently, approximately half of the 109 km corridor is complete,” she said.

Once completed, the full trail will run between Nordegg and Rocky Mountain House.

How To Do The Trail 

1) Start with an official map

Clearwater County posts staging-area maps that show where the trail runs and where you can access it. The maps also mark the Taunton Trestle Bridge, which is a popular landmark along the trail, and the main parking areas. 

2) Choose a place to park

The province says users can access the trail at several points, including Saunders, Harlech and the Nordegg Industrial Park. 

Discover Nordegg lists coordinates for two of those access points:

• Saunders staging area: 52°27’25.62″N, 115°43’30.70″W 

• Nordegg staging area: 52°27’9.04″N, 116°5’52.05″W 

Clearwater County also posts staging-area map links for Saunders, Harlech and Nordegg Industrial on its rail trail page.

We recommend downloading an outdoor map app like Gaia and entering the coordinates above to get real-time location information on your phone. 

The section of the trail that’s currently open is listed on AllTrails, but the map doesn’t show the different access points where you can enter or exit.

3) Pick a realistic plan

Ariano suggested keeping the first trip simple: start in Nordegg, ride out, then ride back, and treat Nordegg as a basecamp rather than a pass-through.

“For the first few seasons, we recommend planning shorter out-and-back rides from Nordegg to the Taunton Trestle Bridge, rather than end-to-end travel,” she said.

Ariano’s advice is solid, but it may not be for everyone. While the Taunton Trestle Bridge is the main draw right now, not everyone will feel up to tackling the route from Nordegg.

Starting in Nordegg, the ride to the bridge is about 25 km one way. Most people will want to do it by bike, but keep in mind that an out-and-back makes it a 50 km day, so it’s important to be realistic about your fitness.

If that feels like too much, you can shorten the trip by starting at Harlech Staging Area. That cuts roughly 28 km off the total distance, bringing the ride to about 22 km return, which makes for a more manageable moderate day trip on a bicycle.

4) Know what you will share the trail with

Clearwater County says the trail is open year-round and allows several types of use, including hiking, snowshoeing, bicycles, horses, off-highway vehicles, and snow vehicles. 

The province also describes it as a shared trail for hikers, mountain bikers and off-highway vehicles, with winter use that can include cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and dogsledding.

So expect to share the trail with all sorts of trail users. 

5) Check for construction notices before you go

A provincial construction map warns that people may encounter temporary closures and may need to use alternate routes as work moves through the area. 

Clearwater County points visitors to Alberta’s public land trail resources and maps for rules and directions. 

Getting there from Banff and Canmore

Nordegg Adventures recommends this route from Banff: take Highway 1 to Lake Louise, then Highway 93 to Saskatchewan River Crossing, then Highway 11 east to Nordegg. It also warns that there are no gas stations or services between Lake Louise and Nordegg in winter. 

What the trail is, and why it is getting attention

Alberta’s government says the project follows a historic railway line and has been “30 years in the making.” It says $2.4 million funded 45 km of trail in the first two phases, with more work planned. 

What Discover Nordegg wants visitors to understand

Ariano said Nordegg’s biggest difference from Banff and Jasper is the lack of services.

“Our defining distinction is Nordegg’s true remoteness,” she said. “Unlike Banff or Jasper, visitors should not expect the same level of infrastructure or convenience.”

She said the region offers a quieter trip for people who plan ahead and bring what they need.

What visitors get in return, she said, is a Rockies experience that feels less curated.

“Here, the landscape remains expansive and largely untamed… offering a quieter, more self-directed mountain experience whose beauty easily rivals the national parks, yet lacks the crowds,” Ariano said.