Trail Traditions
Start Here: Alberta Memories in the Making
Every family has their go-to weekend routine — pancakes, playdates, errands, maybe a walk around the block.
But for many families in Alberta, something simple becomes something special when that routine includes the Trans Canada Trail.
It starts with a favourite section of the Trail. A place close to home where the kids can run ahead, the dog can sniff everything, and no one has to rush. Maybe it’s a shaded loop near a ravine, a wooden bridge where everyone stops to skim a stone, or a bench that’s unofficially “yours.”
Over time, those small moments become something more. They become family traditions.
Photo: City of Leduc Multiway Trail | AB — Jennifer Mahon
What makes the Trail so family-friendly?
The Trans Canada Trail in Alberta winds through quiet forests, busy cities and scenic riverside paths. Whether you’re in Edmonton, Calgary, Lethbridge or Canmore, there’s a spot on the Trail that fits your family’s pace — and your schedule.
There’s no pressure to go far. No gear list. No start time. Just you, your crew and whatever you feel like discovering that day.
It could be wildflowers, puddles, squirrels, a big hill to roll down — or just a chance to catch your breath together outside.
Photo: Peace Bridge | Calgary, AB — Trans Canada Trail
“It was one of those simple, perfect days we’ll always cherish.”
That’s how Van Pham of Edmonton describes a fall morning walk along the Trail with her husband and twin daughters.
“The air was crisp, the leaves were golden, and we had the whole trail to ourselves,” she recalls. “Ivy was so excited to spot a rabbit hopping across the path, and Anna collected the biggest leaves she could find. We ended the morning with a little picnic, wrapped in blankets, watching the river sparkle in the sunlight. It was one of those simple, perfect days that we’ll always cherish.”
For the Pham family, these regular Trail outings became part of their rhythm — a way to stay active, connect with nature and be present with each other in every season.
Photo: Edmonton, AB — Van Pham
Read more about how the Trail became a year-round tradition for the Pham family
Your family’s tradition can start here
Maybe you’re already doing it without realizing — a walk with the stroller that’s become a habit, a weekend bike ride that you can’t imagine family time without.
Or maybe this is the season you pick a trail, pack a few snacks, and see where it leads.
You don’t need a big plan. You just need a few free hours, a sense of curiosity and a desire to show up — again and again.
Because the Trail isn’t just somewhere you go. It’s where memories begin.
Photo: Moraine Lake, AB — iStock
Find your Trail in Alberta
