Edmonton 
We are lucky in Edmonton, and many other Canadian cities, as we have many nearby places for a natural escape.
Bernadette Gallagher
In Edmonton, you can ‘escape’ to the river valley, the surrounding provincial parks, Elk Island National Park, or a handful of conservation areas. While the river valley might instantly come to mind for somewhere in the city for a fall nature walk, there are also many ravines in Edmonton that offer the same scenery of mature trees, wildlife activity, and photo opportunities.
These ravines make for convenient adventures, too, as they connect to the North Saskatchewan River Valley via the trails.
The Whitemud Ravine is one of the larger of these ravines (like Mill Creek or Gold Stick Park) and branches off even further into the Blackmud Ravine around 23rd Avenue. This part of Whitemud Ravine is home to the Larch/Mactaggart Nature Sanctuary, an incredible place to visit for many reasons.
Bernadette Gallagher
The MacTaggart Sanctuary is in the south-most part of the Whitemud Ravine between two residential neighbourhoods. On each side of the ravine are steep and high embankments. So, once you walk down the trails away from any of the main roads, you truly feel like you’ve escaped the city and noise. Bikes of all kinds are prohibited, but this keeps the trails nice and neat for hikers and joggers and keeps the area safer and quieter for wildlife.
While there are a few entry points for the ravine in the MacTaggart neighbourhood (a huge bonus for the residents!), you’ll find the most parking opportunities on the south side of 23rd Avenue. From here, you can create a loop in the distance of your choosing. But, if you venture in from the main parking, take your time and make your way to Oxbow Lake; follow rugged ravine trails behind the neighbourhood, and you’ll find yourself in a gorgeous forest of gold poplar trees.
Trip Planning – Larch/MacTaggart Nature Sanctuary
Bernadette Gallagher
What: The MacTaggart Sanctuary is a joint effort between the Mactaggart family, the City of Edmonton, and the University of Alberta which aims to protect the natural beauty of the Whitemud and Blackmud ravines.
On your hike, you may come across many small critters like squirrels, hares, and many different species of birds. Larger wildlife, like coyote or deer, can be spotted on rare occasions.
The trail loops through the Sanctuary for 2.9km, with several steep hills and photo opportunities. Oxbow Lake is a peaceful place to stop for a rest and is where you’ll truly feel as though you’ve left Edmonton for a rural hike.
Where: MacTaggart Sanctuary Trail loop — 23rd Avenue NW, west of 111th Street (bottom of the hill), Edmonton
When: open year-round
How much: free
