National Trail Advocacy

Why and How to add Groups to the List?

To help evaluate the extent of trail use on foot by provincially organized groups, Hike Alberta is searching out and encouraging all such groups to provide brief details of type of activity, frequency and approximation of membership numbers. If requested, contact information will not be published.

The purpose of this information is to substantiate to provincial and municipal authorities the known importance in recreational value of hiking and walking trails to Alberta communities. In recent years, strong representation by wheeled population, both muscular and motorized, has dominated the scene whereas interests of pedestrian traffic need a stronger voice.Multiple use by foot, hoof and pedal is the name of the game, the common leveller that works well in many instances, but dominance by one of the disciplines can ruin for others the trail experience and the trail itself.

Alberta is the birthplace of the national trail movement and Trailminders of the Bow Valley, based in Canmore, is represented on the Board of the National Trail Association which was founded in 1971.

From Calgary the call went out across Canada to meet and discuss the feasibility of establishing a footpath, primarily natural surface, to span the country; and then calling the Toronto meeting in April 1971 which endorsed exploration of the scheme.

At Red Deer in February 1978, representatives of Edmonton’s Waskahegan Trail Association, Calgary’s Rocky Mountain Ramblers Association and Chinook Trail Association (now disbanded) set out the principles and objectives of the newly-formed and incorporated National Trail Association of Canada. Again in Red Deer at the founding meeting of Alberta TrailNet in March 1992, our directors advocated that priority be given to establishing an east-west trail corridor across the province.

Come and join with hikers to enjoy Canmore’s scenic mountain routes or the town’s secluded trail system at the third annual Canmore Walking Weekend, Saturday/Sunday, June 21/22, 2008. Take your own group, organize a hike within your own club program or register on one of the day-long or half-day hikes coordinated by Trailminders of the Bow Valley. There is no charge but on day-long hikes participants need to be fit, well prepared and experienced in mountain hiking. Email trailminders@yahoo.ca for information, stating if applying singly or for group with group identity.