We love it when old things get a new life, especially when it gives us a chance to celebrate our heritage.
The latest example is a historic railroad track in Alberta being transformed into an epic 109-kilometre multi-use trail that runs from Nordegg to Rocky Mountain House.
The Rail
The Rocky Mountain House to Nordegg Rail Trail traverses a section of the historic Canadian Northern Western Railway, which was used to carry coal from the Nordegg Colleries to Rocky Mountain House and beyond.
The Nordegg Colleries produced coal briquettes to fuel trains. It is now a Historic Mine Site that you can tour from May to September.
The Mine, the railway and the town of Nordegg were built starting in 1911. The railway began use in 1914, and the mine was active until 1955 when the conversion from coal-fired train engines to diesel-powered engines killed the need for industrial coal briquettes.
The railway line was used until 1985 and then was abandoned.
The Trail
Now, with funding from the provincial government and Clearwater County, the trail is being rejuvenated for recreational activities and will be accessible to hikers, mountain bikers, and off-highway vehicles, and in winter, for activities like cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and dog sledding.
The Trail has been planned since 2009.
The multi-use Trail will feature amenities like rest stops, picnic sites, and remote campsites.
Phases 1 and 2 have been completed, with construction beginning at the Nordegg end of the railway and ending with refurbishment of the Taunton Trestle near Saunder’s Creek and the old Saunders Townsite about 30 kilometres east of Nordegg.
These two phases connect Nordegg to Saunder’s Creek.
To date, $2.4 million has been invested to develop 45 kilometres of trails in the project’s first two phases
The Taunton Trestle is named after the creek it crosses over and provides epic views across the foothills to the mountains in the distance.
Phase 3 involves linking Saunder’s Creek to Chambers Creek Provincial Recreation Area, including a large parking area near Taunton Trestle so that road traffic can access the trestle, with completion expected by late 2025.
Phase 4 will connect Chambers Creek to Rocky Mountain House with an additional 20 kilometres of access trails, pending approvals, with construction starting in fall 2026.
Clearwater County has contributed $900,000 to the project, two industrial lots in Nordegg valued at $90,000 and nine kilometres of trail valued at approximately $60,000.
The Alberta government has pledged about $6 million for design and construction work over the next three to five years.
Once complete, the Rail Trail will be another epic destination for Albertans to enjoy the scenic foothills.
