Edmonton River Valley Complete Geo Discovery Tour

Embark on the complete Edmonton River Valley Geo Discovery Tour experience, where you’ll uncover a diverse array of knowledge spanning Edmonton’s fur trade history and its geological wonders, stretching as far back to the time of dinosaurs. This Complete Geo Discovery Tour combines the hidden gems from the Askiy-Geo and La Tayr-Geo Discovery Tours, along with a visit to the last Fort Edmonton V historical site that was occupied during the height of the fur trade (1830–1907) where the Alberta Legislature grounds are located today.

We also delve into the recent geological past by visiting a Glacial Lake Edmonton outcrop deposited by the Laurentide Ice Sheet and discover where the thin Mount Mazama ash bed was deposited from a volcanic eruption that took place 7700 years ago, known today as Crater Lake, Oregon. Lastly, the bedrock that the mighty North Saskatchewan River is eroding into is the Late Cretaceous where the dinosaurs once roamed. Keep your eyes peeled on a future personal or family geo-adventure and be one of the lucky few who have found dinosaur remains in Edmonton’s river valley.

Your geo-adventure begins near the John Walter Museum. From there, the journey unfolds beneath the Walterdale Bridge, guiding you through the river valley’s boreal forest to connect you with nature and learn about the hidden medicines hiding in plain sight. Our path leads to Edmonton’s renowned INIW / River Lot 11 / Indigenous Art Park.

Bring an open heart/mind and come walk with us in the spirit of reconciliation.

Length: ~7 km

Time: 5–5.5 hours; weekends (1300 to 1830 hrs)

Level of Difficulty: Moderately Easy with a minor elevation gains, however, the majority of the trails are paved and makes for an easy hike.

Significant Features:

• John Walter Museum
• Walterdale Bridge
• Fort Edmonton IV historical site
• Sacred First Nations’ Burial Ground / Fort Edmonton Cemetery / Alberta’s first Catholic and Methodist Cemeteries
• Reconciliation Garden
• Fort Edmonton V historical site / Alberta Legislature grounds
• Glacial Lake Edmonton outcrop / Mount Mazama ash bed
• Boreal forest medicine walk
• INIW / Métis River Lot 11 / Indigenous Art Park

Trailhead Location: Kinsmen Sports Centre Parking Lot – East Side (Free parking).
Address: 9100 Walterdale Hill, Edmonton, AB T6E 2V3