Get Back to Nature: Kinnaird Ravine, Edmonton

I have lived in Edmonton for over 10 years now and I only heard of Kinnaird Ravine (also known as Rat Creek Ravine) for the first time last fall. Tucked into the residential neighbourhood of Cromdale, just off 82 Street and south of Borden Park, this quiet dirt trail through the forest meets up with the paved River Valley Kinnaird trail, or you can head east on the trails around Highlands Golf Club. There are a few hills through the woods and little kids should be careful around the edges of the trail because it is steep in places, but the noises of the city are distant and replaced by sounds of squirrels and birds. We watched a woodpecker for quite a few minutes on one visit.

There is no parking lot that I have found, but I have parked on 111 Ave at the west entrance of the trail (there is Sheriff Robertson Park Playground here as well that the kids enjoyed after the walk), and on 112 Ave S on the north side of the creek (there are stairs down at 78 Street).

I first heard of Kinnaird Ravine when I read an article about newly installed murals along the trail, with the paintings created by inner city youth. The murals are located just a short distance downhill from the entrance by the playground, or right / west when you come down the stairs from 78 Street. On our first visit to the ravine we turned left and went on a long, but scenic walk through the woods and along the river valley. It wasn’t till our second trip that we seen the beautiful murals in person. I visited earlier this week and they are still up and worth the trip.

The River Valley trail south of Kinnaird Ravine offers stunning views of the North Saskatchewan River and Downtown Edmonton. Climb one of the narrow paths for even more breathtaking sights.