Lethbridge Pathways: Under the Viaduct

It’s time for a little fun on the Lethbridge Pathways system! On the route shared today, you’ll be under the cottonwoods, down by the the Oldman River and always in the shadow of the Canadian Pacific Railway’s towering Viaduct (aka the High Level Bridge). There’s wooded groves, open green spaces, playgrounds, historic attractions and plenty of nature – right there in the city.

Most of the hustle and bustle is higher up and not really in view so that’s s good thing. For this outing we followed a trunk pathway in, then free-styled it on the return leg and used what ever dirt or paved trail was heading back our in our direction. It worked well and this carefree approach is recommended.

It begins at the parking lot at the Oldman River crossing and on the south side off Highway #3. This is the main road through town and it dips down to river level here before heading back up into town. Backtrack to the access road, point south and in a short distance intercept the Coal Banks Walking Trail. Right away the giant train Viaduct comes into view and for the rest of the trek is often visible.

This section of trail is through the Lethbridge Nature Reserve, keeps to the base of coulees, with many side trails heading up and into downtown (just above, but unseen). Other trails head into the treed river flats to the right.

Pass the Helen Schuyler Nature Centre and soon after there’s a display that touches on the coal history of Lethbridge. There were many mines right within town limits and starting in the 1880s. There’s little evidence to show they were ever here but if one had x-ray vision, you’d see they made Swiss-cheese of ground underneath much of the old city.

Pass under the Viaduct/High Level Bridge. It’s a monster and no less impressive today, than when it was finished back in 1909. An incredible feat of engineering, it’s over 1.6 kilometres long and at the high point, almost a hundred metres above the valley. As such it holds title as the biggest in all Canada and is one of the largest in the world.

This structure allowed the CPR a direct line to the west, verses the long tortuous, steeply graded route used before. It went down to river level and then climbed back up, south of town.

The Viaduct costs $1.3 million, which today might get you a fairly decent home in one of city’s more affluent neighbourhoods. The bridge is still in use and sees a fair number of trains per day. If you’re lucky you might catch one passing by, high overhead, and most fit on the structure in their entirety.

Note the concrete bridge piers and each is uniquely numbered. Then look up and be in awe – train crews must have an amazing view from up there.

Enter Indian Battle Park, in reference to a conflict between the Cree and the Blackfoot that took place close to here in the 1870s. In more recent times, before it became a park, this land was the site of coal mines and the community of Coal Banks.

The area has been a public green space since the 1960s and home to a replica of Fort Whoop-up, a whisky trading post from long ago once located somewhere down here on the floodplains. We’ve never been but would love to check it out sometime.

The trail passes under Whoop-up Drive, one of the few times when the noise of the city becomes noticeable, soon after passes a boat launch, ducks in behind police training grounds, parallels a side channel for a bit and then it’s into the a cottonwoods. These trees thrive on the river flats, help stabilize the soil, provide homes for countless critters and were in full fall colours on our visit.

The paved pathway turns west and then does a small loop back on itself. At this point you can retrace your steps or like us, simply take the next side-trail (and there’s many) heading back the way you came. With the river on one side, and bluffs on the other, you can’t go wrong.

Look for Lethbridge University across the river and it’s the most prominent building on that side of town. The Lethbridge Peace Shrine can be seen on an island to the west from the side-channel area. We knew it was somewhere in the valley, but didn’t know the actual location of this labyrinth-type structure until it was spotted. Next time.

The world is still at odds, there’s hate and conflict at every turn, more so than ever it seems, so it might not be working. Just sayin…

Back under Whoop-up Drive we make a line for the picnic areas in the centre of Indian Battle Park. There, almost under the Viaduct, we say thinks to the city, the people, the pioneers, the railway crews, the guys down on the reserve across the river, and anyone else we could think of. We raise a toast…cheers…for what it’s worth.

There’s a number of graves in the area and these go back to when there were homes and such down here on the flats. One is still marked and it’s just down from the playground in a fenced compound. The inscription reads:

In
Memory
Of
Henry Stafford.
Son Of
William & Jane Stafford.
Born in Scotland Aug 29th 1866.
Died At Lethbridge, ALTA Aug 4th 1883.
Aged 17 Years.
He Is Not Lost But Gone Before.

It seems Henry lived nearby, died of typhus and is one of the earliest recorded burials in the city. It’s suggested that Henry’s remains were moved to Mountain View Cemetery in town, at some point, but that’s unconfirmed. Of the other folks interred down here, it’s not clear if they were right close by nor what became of them.

If only Henry could see what’s happened Lethbridge since his demise. Back then is was a remote outpost with few residents and and now a dynamic city home to over one hundred thousand. The Staffords were connected with the early coal mines of the area and have quite the legacy here but that’s another story.

Duck under the Viaduct for a second time (look up, again, and be blown away at this marvel of steel-work), and before long you’re back at the parking lot. All trails lead that way. It was gorgeous fall day for us, but we’ve done this same route (roughly) during the heights of summer or depths of winter and it’s been great each time. Different in personality, but otherwise no less interesting.

This is just one possibility in the extensive Lethbridge Pathways system and you can bet we’ll be back to try other routes. We visit Lethbridge often enough, it’ll happen and we look forward to it.

Know more: (new tab): Lethbridge Pathways.

They’re saying…

”Thank you for all the engaging write ups and pictures…you two are a national treasure!” Bonnie & Gerald McDonald (some mighty fine and humbling praise).

Urban walks…
Three Hills Pathways & Sidewalks.
Chestermere Town Loop.
Mirror Lake & Stoney Creek Loops Camrose.

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

Date of adventure: October, 2023.
Location: Lethbridge Pathways, Lethbridge Alberta.
Distance: 8km there and back.
Height gain maximum: Negligible.
Height gain cumulative: See above.
NOTE: all distances and heights are approximate and may differ slightly from other trip reports (including our own).
Reference: City of Lethbridge Pathways system

Lethbridge Pathways: it begins!

The Viaduct is always in view.

Visited on a gorgeous fall day.

Lethbridge was built on coal (literally).

Many mines once operated within the city.

It’s a sight to behold & one of the biggest bridges anywhere.

The structure dates back to 1909 – each pier is numbered.

The Oldman River is never far away.

Hello!

Under the Cottonwoods.

The trees were a brilliant yellow.

Leaving the pavement behind for a bit.

The University of Lethbridge is seen in bank.

The Lethbridge Peace Shrine across a channel.

Back on pavement…for now.

A toast to the city, its people, and that big old bridge.

The grave of Henry Stafford at Indian Battle Park.

An engineering marvel, it’s still in use to this day.

In the Lethbridge Nature Preserve just before the car park.

It happens on the flats down by the Oldman River…