Tap into Whitecourt scene for festivals, events and community
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Whitecourt trails tie nature, urban adventure together
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Whitecourt, AB — On your first descent into Whitecourt, you might not notice how the town’s trails and rivers weave together community. Passing through on your way between Edmonton and points north (Grande Prairie, Peace River), it’s easy to breeze through town without catching onto the hidden gem that is the Whitecourt river valley.
Or to be more accurate, valleys—given that Whitecourt sits at the confluence of the McLeod and Athabasca rivers.
“At one part of the trail, I said this looks exactly like BC,” says Ashley John, who recently relocated to Whitecourt from Vancouver. “The trees may be a little different but it was so beautiful! I didn’t know Whitecourt had anything like that.”
Of course, the highlight for Ashley was a trip to Hard Luck Canyon (pictured above), but more on that in a bit.
WATCH > Whitecourt adventures from trails to town
It all started when Ashley popped open the Loop For Municipalities 2 app one fine morning, triggering some stunning realizations about her new home as she set about exploring the trails with her new friend Brooke Sabourin. From boreal single track to interpretive history to riverside views, Whitecourt trails connect you from outdoor adventure to urban fun with hardly a beat in between.
The pair started the day out of the Forest Interpretive Centre on the southeast edge of Whitecourt. Jumping on their mountain bikes, they headed down Cougar Ridge loop, soon finding all the challenge they could want on hard-packed dirt trails winding through pine, fir and aspen.
Photo:
Spencer Vandermeer
Ashley and Brooke look out over the McLeod River Valley, from Cougar Ride Loop (accessed from the Forest Interpretive Centre) in Whitecourt.
The trails here connect all the way to town and northwest to Whitecourt’s mountain bike park. You’ll find impressive development for bikers along the entire trail system thanks to an avid mtb scene here.
Photo:
Spencer Vandermeer
Whitecourt's Mountain Bike Park boasts impressive features, from beginner to intermediate/advanced.
After a good ride, the women shook off their saddle legs by walking through the Enchanted Forest Trail, an easy walking loop that ties in natural boreal features and local history.
Find adventure in Whitecourt, from trails to town
Old cabins, historic buildings and early agricultural equipment line the boardwalk section where they peered in at Whitecourt’s past.
Photo:
Spencer Vandermeer
Walk into Whitecourt's past on the Enchanted Forest Loop.
“It was cool to learn where the trails are," Ashley said. "I take my dogs out, so I liked getting to know where we can go for an outing."
Also key to know when first exploring a new town is where to find food, treats, locally made goods and entertainment.
Photo:
Spencer Vandermeer
Beaver Creek General Store serves up locally made fudge, ice cream and crafts.
Here Brooke took the reins, as a Whitecourt local, showing Ashley some of the local faves, including Buckles and Blues (for fashion wear), White Wall and Just Peachy (local artisanal outlets), Beaver Creek General Store and Hadler, Ashley and Elliot’s Candy Emporium (your candy connections). Plus, for good measure, a matinee stop at Vista Theatre.
Each is a discovery worth making on your Whitecourt visit, connecting you to the local scene. At Just Peachy, a new arts and crafts outlet that just opened in August of 2023, owner Sandy Lovelace explained:
“We have about 90 vendors that are pretty much local to Whitecourt—within a 100-metre radius—and local artists who teach classes here every week.”
Photo:
Spencer Vandermeer
A sampling of the over 90 regional artists whose work is on display at Just Peachy Arts and Crafts in Whitecourt.
“I have always loved art, and I find it’s very therapeutic, so the more we can support that the happier everyone will be… there are so many artistic people here and they each bring their own different ideas. You’ll find something unique here.”
In a nutshell, that’s the Whitecourt experience. A unique community, set against an epic natural backdrop.
Which is where Hard Luck Canyon comes in. Located in Woodlands County, just a 20-minute drive from town, access to the canyon is a short hike to a wooden staircase, where you descend into a canyon with thousands of years of geological history revealed in its rock walls.
In summer months, a beaver pond at the top of the canyon spills down over the moss-covered shale and sandstone ledges.
After a full day on the trails and in town, the peaceful trickle and the cooling breeze of the falls brought Ashley's and Brooke's adventures to a satisfyingly Zen conclusion.
WHEN YOU GO
Whitecourt is a short 2h drive from Edmonton, or 2h 45min from Grande Prairie.
Whitecourt’s annual Summer Street Fest, Aug 10, 2024, is a perfect way to get acquainted with the creative scene in Whitecourt with a free day of activities and entertainment.
Check out the Loop for Municipalities 2 app (Whitecourt) for local trail information, in the app store on Apple or Google Play.
Hard Luck Canyon is a 20-minute drive from downtown, to a 0.8km loop, with a 43 metre descent mostly via staircase to access the lower falls viewing area.
For more things to do in Whitecourt, check out Whitecourt Tourism. Check out the Town of Whitecourt's website for a list of all businesses, services, activities, attractions, and more.
Take a road trip and #exploreNWAB
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