Skip the Crowds in Banff and Ride the Rocky to Nordegg RailTrail (RTNR) in Alberta, Canada

If you live in the United States and you’re not feeling motivated to pack up for an international cycling adventure, you can still experience something with an international flair in Canada. It turns out Canada has its own “rails to trails” program, specifically the Rocky to Nordegg Rail Trail in Alberta.

About the Rocky to Nordegg Rail Trail

Located two hours from Jasper National Park and four hours from Banff National Park, the multi-use trail is for walkers, hikers, and bicyclists. The trail will be 109 kilometers (68 miles) once completed and will be open year round. Currently, only 50 kilometers (31 miles) of the trail can be accessed at this time, although people do hike and bike the unpaved sections.

According to a recent BBC article, the rail line was built around 1910 and was part of the Canadian Northern Railway that stretched from Nordegg to Rocky Mountain House. Nordegg was a coal mining town. Coal and the rail system that transported it were absolutely essential. Rail services stopped in 1985 after the demand for coal decreased.

Creation of the Rocky to Nordegg Rail Trail

Amazingly, with all the time that passed between the creation of the RTNR, the rail line remained intact. Construction of the trail started in 2012, fully supported by the Alberta government by 2018. The trail gives visitors the chance to experience the Rockies minus the large influx of tourists in Jasper and Banff National Parks.

Plus, while in Nordegg, cyclists or other visitors can see the preserved mine that was built there in the 1950s. The town offers lodging, cabins, and camp sites as well. So, the RTNR is not only a trail for hikers, walkers, cyclists, and others, but a historical view into the past where coal played such an important part of Nordegg’s and the region’s development.

Last Thoughts

So, if you think you’ll be in Canada this spring, summer, or fall and you want to avoid the tourist traps of Jasper and Banff National Parks, bring your bike, take the drive to Alberta, and check out this trail. The scenery and history around the area are definitely worth your time.