Sundre Loop

The location: Sundre Alberta. The mission: To hike! Today’s target: What we’ll call Sundre Loop, taking in a couple sections of town, the Snake Hill recreation area and with a final stretch paralleling the Red Deer River. It’s sounds about perfect for a lazy day, and in spite of where it takes place, most of the time it feels more wildernessy (like that’s a word) than first appearances might suggest. You’re in town but won’t always know it.

Where to start…where to start…how about downtown? Got it! Find some parking and head towards Centre Street and turn left (north). There was not much going on the day of our visit, a chilly spring day, but there was a Covid lockdown in effect at the time, so that may have been a factor. Cross over a little creek (you’ll revisit it a bit later) and leave downtown behind.

Come to Joko Convenience on your left and since it’s a mom & pop, you know what that means for us…lotto time! Once again we didn’t win (one day, one day) and no we’re not addicted, so stop asking. While furiously scratching away, dreams of riches in our heads, a moment of pause…wait, what’s this? A payphone…and a mailbox? These seem like anachronisms today, even if familiar to us. Non-chain corner stores like this aren’t exactly common either, so it fits too. We try and patronize local businesses every chance we get.

Find the trail opposite (north) of the store and head up Snake Hill. This little treed bump is home to a maze of trails used by hikers, bikers and XC skiers come winter. We’ll take the outer loop that travels the perimeter of the property. If unsure, there’s maps at junctions to help you along.

In places there’s a couple nice viewpoints but most of the time, it’s in the trees. Not that there’s anything wrong with that – nature’s awesome. The path rises and falls in a most gentle way and on turning east becomes arrow straight (it follows the property fence line) before dropping back down into town.

Continue to Centre Street (James River Boulevard on some maps) then turn left and at the edge of town, on Twelfth Avenue, turn right into a new residential neighbourhood. When you get close to the river duck around houses by going left into an alley and look for any number of faint paths going into the trees. In no time you’ll intercept the Riverisde Trail, where you’ll turn right.

The path braids so keep an eye on your heading or you might end up back on the street. If you take the most beaten down option, as we did, you’ll do fine, however. It was nice and muddy in places, on our visit, just as an FYI. Where the trees thin, check out the Red Deer River. It’s wide here and meandering much like the trail and splits into multiple channels flanked by wide gravel bars.

We know this waterway well and have visited it at points along most of its entire length. It flows all the way from the Alberta Rockies to Saskatchewan. There’s some links below you might want to check out, of our adventures that have taken place close to it, at various points in the province.

Sometimes you’re by the river and sometimes in the trees, but it’s all good. Come to Bearberry Creek (remember it?) and head back up to Centre Street in order cross over, then double back to the river. Soon after duck under the highway (we, for one, spend a disproportionate time under bridges), the head right into the campground. Watch out for that bear! He’s a killer.

Back in downtown, the adventure comes to an end. Remember where you parked? There you go, just under nine clicks, a trail that’s easy going, time in the woods and a nice river setting…all wonderful things. Sometimes something simple like this outing is just the medicine needed.

Know more (new tab): Sundre Alberta Hiking.

We’ll see you out on the trails!

They’re saying…

”…I sure enjoy reading about their travels!” James Churchill.

These take place along the Red Deer River…
Drumheller Pathways – We’ll do anything for ice cream.
Shoulder Season @ Dino Provincial Park – Glamping in the badlands.
East Coulee Alberta then and now – Some things change, some stay the same.

If you wish more information about this route or if you love to chat don’t hesitate to contact us!

Date of adventure: April, 2021.
Location: Sundre, AB.
Distance: 8.5km loop.
Height gain maximum: 50m.
Height gain cumulative: 100m-ish.
NOTE: all distances and heights are approximate and may differ slightly from other trip reports (including our own).
Technical stuff and notes: Don’t let the bear fool you…he’s a killer.

Location: Sundre Alberta.

Mission: To Hike!

It’s starts in downtown.

No luck today & a backdrop of strange anachronisms.

Heading up Snake Hill.

Looking south towards town.

And the view west.

Obligatory nature shot.

We’ll circle the whole property.

Close to town but you’d never know it.

Icy patches ahead!

This section of trail is arrow straight.

Dropping down and soon to leave Snake Hill behind.

Cutting through a new subdivision.

Back in the woods.

Along the Red Deer River.

It’s wide and meandering here.

An old tree becomes a picnic table.

We know the river well (see links in post).

From here it flows all the way to Saskatchewan.

It’s a killer.

What we all need more of…lots more.

This is the Sundre Loop.