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Trans Canada Trail in
Central Alberta
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The
Trans Canada Trail in Central Alberta
(revised 2010)
Several communities in Central Alberta have developed trail systems,
portions of which have been registered as Trans Canada Trail links,
including those in Red Deer, Lacombe, Ponoka, Wetaskiwin and
Innisfail. The towns of Blackfalds and Penhold will
also soon have TCT trails. Plans are underway to link these urban trails
with each other by rural trails through the counties of Red Deer,
Lacombe and Ponoka.
Red Deer
The Trans Canada Trail marker in Red Deer is at Bower Ponds near Cronquist House. The trail
extends along the Red Deer River in each direction, much of it within
the excellent Waskasoo Park trail system.
 To the northeast, it goes to Taylor Drive and north to the
city limits, eventually to be extended into Red Deer County along the C & E
Trail to the Blindman River where a new pedestrian bridge is under
construction.
To the southwest, the trail heads from Bower Ponds along
Great Chief Park and west past Red Deer Golf & Country Club to the
pedestrian bridge across the Red Deer River.
From there it heads east
through Heritage Ranch, along the river in a northeasterly direction to
the reconditioned former CPR bridge across the river and north to 67 St.
where it again crosses the river.
From there it heads south to the Kerry
Wood Nature Centre and Gaetz Lakes Sanctuary, along the river to Piper
Creek.
From there it heads south past the Arena and Curling Club to
Rotary Park and on to Kin Kanyon past Bower Mall to Westerner Park and
the city limits.
The Proposed Route of the Trans Canada Trail in Central
Alberta
The Central Alberta portion of the TCT will eventually connect with Pigeon Lake
and Wetaskiwin and
further north to Edmonton. In the south, it will eventually connect with the east-west TCT
at Calgary. (Many specific sections of the proposed route may be
adjusted as plans are finalized.)
(PDF Penhold to Wetaskiwin Section
General Map as at April 2007)
 Penhold to Red Deer
The Penhold to Springbrook section is currently being built by Red Deer
County through a treed area immediately south of Springbrook and will
extend along Range Road 281. The
proposed trail north may proceed through the centre of Springbrook to Range Road 280 (which is
expected to be upgraded) north to the C & E Trail and west along 32 St.
to connect with the Red Deer TCT.
(PDF
Penhold to Red Deer map 1)
 Red Deer to Lacombe
North from Taylor Drive in Red Deer along the C & E Trail to the
Blindman River where a pedestrian/bicycle bridge is being constructed,
continuing north to Blackfalds. North of Blackfalds, the trail may
follow Range Road 272 towards Red Deer Lake and into Lacombe.
(PDF Red Deer to Blackfalds map 2)
(PDF
Blackfalds to Lacombe map 3)
 Lacombe to Ponoka
North of Lacombe, the route follows the C & E Trail to Milton Road, then
north along Range Road 262 to the JJ Collett Natural Area, continuing
along Range Road 262 to the C & E Trail to Highway 2A and into Ponoka
where a bridge is being built across the Battle River.
(PDF Lacombe to Collett Natural Area map 4)
(PDF Collett Natural Area to Ponoka map 5)
 Ponoka to Wetaskiwin
From Ponoka, the proposed route may follow the Battle River along Range Road 252A
and 251, and north to Highway 2A, following 2A to at least Secondary
Highway 611 and possibly through Hobbema north to Wetaskiwin.
(PDF
Ponoka to Samson IR map 6)
(PDF Hobbema
area map 7)
(PDF
Ermineskin IR to Wetaskiwin map 8)
Farther south:
Innisfail to Penhold
The detailed route is currently being configured and will likely use
portions of the historic C & E Trail and some country roads.
Olds to Innisfail
This portion is projected for the future and may be configured to use
portions of Highway 2A and country roads.
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