Nordegg Rail Trail

The Government of Alberta and Clearwater County partnered to develop this trail along the abandoned rail line. Originally envisioned in the 2009 Rocky to Nordegg Trail Concept Plan as a longer route, the project was adjusted due to various constraints. The final developed trail runs from Nordegg east to Chambers Creek. This trail celebrates the area’s coal mining and railway heritage while offering outstanding recreational access in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies.

Uses:

Hiking, biking, horseback riding, snowshoeing, OHV (off-highway vehicles), and snowmobiling (in designated seasons and sections).

Key Features:

Historic trestles, including the key attraction of the Taunton Trestle
Beautiful foothills scenery and river valleys
Connections to the Bighorn Backcountry and other local trails

Trail Access & Staging Areas

Motorized users must access the trail from designated staging areas:

Nordegg Industrial / Nordegg Townsite
Saunders
Harlech
Chambers Creek Provincial Recreation Area (eastern terminus)

The trail is open year-round, but conditions vary with weather and seasons. Always check for current updates before your trip.

Click here to view - Nordegg Rail Trail Map

Planning Your Visit

Best accessed from the Nordegg end for most users.
Popular for day trips and multi-day adventures.
Accommodations and services are available in Nordegg and nearby campgrounds.
Bring bear spray, water, and be prepared for variable trail conditions.

Questions? Contact Alberta Forestry & Parks at 403-845-8250

For more information about Rail Trail and other trails in the area check out Alberta's Public Land Trail Guide. Use this guide alongside provincial trail maps that include rules and regulations and wayfinding information to help you explore Alberta’s public land trails. View provincial trail maps by visiting, Alberta.ca/public-land-recreation-maps.

Questions? Please contact Alberta Forestry & Parks at 403-845-8250.

Click here to view - Jackfish Creek - Saunders Staging Area

Click here to view - Nordegg Industrial Staging Area

Click here to view - Jackfish Creek - Harlech Staging Area

Additional Maps & Resources

Misty Valley By-Pass Trail

The railroad from Rocky to Nordegg, constructed in the early 1900s, was one of the first developments to exist in the area. Following the closure and decommission of the railroad, the old right of way remained, continuing to be utilized as a popular trail that was present prior to the approval and development of the Misty Valley Subdivision.

During the approval process for the development of the Misty Valley Subdivision, a recreation caveat was registered to recognize the existence of the trail and to ensure that future residents of the Misty Valley Subdivision were aware that the adjacent land use included recreation.

The Misty Valley Outline Plan, Section 4.7, requires public access and recreation co-exist with the residential development. Included in this information package is the Misty Valley Development Agreement as well as the outline plan that references and requires Clearwater County and the developer to acknowledge that recreation is an existing use on adjacent lands to the Misty Valley Subdivision.

Clearwater County has been supporting the Alberta Government, Environment and Parks Department (AEP) in upgrading the existing trail and re-routing sections that can no longer utilize the old railroad right of way. AEP has identified and registered a new route for the trail that by-passes the subdivision and re-routes the trail around the community to the north, this route is identified as the red line on the Misty Valley by-pass trail map included in this information package.

When considering the new route, the trail planning team had the goals of minimizing the community impact from the trail, creating the least disturbance and environmental impacts, and ensuring safety for trail users.

As Clearwater County is not the trail owner, adjacent landowner or approval authority for the adjacent land; we are providing this information to the Misty Valley Community only as a notification.

If you have questions regarding this notification, you may email them to RailTrail@clearwatercounty.ca.

Click here for the full information package.

Rail Trail Concept Maps

Current Status (as of May 2026)

The Nordegg Rail Trail is a completed multi-use trail running approximately 85 km from Nordegg east to Chambers Creek Provincial Recreation Area.

The trail follows the historic Canadian Northern Railway corridor.
There are no current plans to extend the trail further east to Rocky Mountain House.
The trail is now open for public use.

View or download the original 2009 Rocky Nordegg Trail Concept Plan.