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Outdoor adventures in Nordegg and the Bighorn backcountry of Alberta offer up a wilder, more remote getaway experience. The small former mining town of Nordegg is about halfway between Banff and Jasper National Parks at the edge of the foothills and Rockies.
This outdoor haven is well-known for its exceptional front and backcountry campgrounds for the summer. And during the winter, this rugged region becomes even more serene, peaceful, and beautiful.
For some, the Nordegg and Abraham Lake area might be the destination. As most of the large lake’s shores run alongside Highway 11, the area is also perfect as a day trip or roadside adventure destination.
Ice Bubble Hunting
The frozen expanse of Abraham Lake, and the scenery it creates, are what regularly draw visitors into the Nordegg and Bighorn area during Alberta’s coldest months. In the later part of winter, bubbles appear under the surface of the ice as a result of methane that gets trapped during the freeze. With Abraham Lake’s size and the clarity of the ice, these bubbles have the potential to create other-worldly scenery.
There are several rest areas along this section of highway that follow the lake shores, but a handful are better for getting close to the ice than others. Use the Abraham Slabs stop area for ample parking, outhouses, and a short trail that leads to the ice. Other things to watch for include the incredible ice formations over the large rocks, wildlife like bighorn sheep and deer, or sunsets and sunrises over the lake.
Guided Winter Adventures
There is a wide array of exciting adventures to consider booking on the next trip to the Bighorn, Nordegg, or Lake Abraham areas. Nordegg Adventures has ice walk tours, guided wild ice skating on Lake Abraham, photo tours, moonlit tours, and waterfall hikes. Many of the tour options centre around getting visitors to the ice to view the bubbles, walking over them, or skating over them.
The Best Winter Trails near Nordegg
The wild and wilderness areas of Nordegg or the Bighorn Public Land Use Zone see heavy snowfalls, deep freezes, and constant changes in the weather. Any hike out here needs preparation, including solid footwear like cleats or snowshoes, maps, water, and sufficiently warm clothing. With all that at the ready, these are some of the area’s simpler hikes for a snowy or colder winter day.
- One of the area’s best cross-country ski trails for all ages is also across the highway from Nordegg at the Shunda Meadows. This 2.5km loop is open to hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.
- The Siffleur Falls are 3.5km into the trail, making this a 7km out-and-back hike with several other highlights like the suspension bridge and the Siffleur River bridge crossings. The trailhead is about 60km west of Nordegg.
- The Allstones Lake is about the same length as the Siffleur Falls trail but offers more of a challenge from the elevation gain. The trailhead is about 30km west of Nordegg.
- The shores of Abraham Lake create a perfect winter hiking opportunity with several parking areas located along Highway AB-11. In a few instances, getting to the lake’s shore will require a bit of a hike.
Cozy Winter Cabins in Nordegg
In this part of Alberta’s Rocky Mountains, you’ll be hard-pressed to find food or hotel chains. Instead, there are lodges, cabins, and other accommodations, and a handful of local dining spots.
Stay right in town with the Nordegg Lodge Hotel or right near the lake with the Aurum Lodge or David Thompson Resort.
More options are available across the highway from Nordegg with the Cheekako Cabins or the HI Nordegg Shunda Creek Wilderness Hostel.
Crescent Falls Provincial Recreation Area
Many of the features of this Provincial Recreation Area may be closed for winter like the campground, lower parking, or washrooms. However, the road into Crescent Falls is plowed for the winter with the Upper Parking Lot open year-round. This is good news as Crescent Falls is one of the top waterfalls to see in Alberta at any time of the year.
The Upper Parking Lot allows safe access to viewing areas at the top of the falls via the 0.8km trail from the park’s main gates (closed for winter). Crescent Falls alone is quite impressive, but its location along the Bighorn Canyon on the Bighorn River adds to the beauty of the scenery. The waterfall plunges into a deep canyon before making a second dip further into the rock bed. This is all visible from the same viewing platforms. These upper falls areas also have several picnic spots to utilize!
Planning Your Trip – Winter Getaway to Nordegg
What: Nordegg is a small town on the south side of Highway AB-11 to the east of Lake Abraham. As a once-busy mining town, Nordegg has artifacts all around town that reflect its history. The town combined with the nearby Lake Abraham to make it a winter destination for anyone who wants to appreciate the quiet of nature, the remoteness of the area, and the scenery of the mountain lake. As with the warmer months, a major activity in the area remains hiking the wilderness trails or spending time around Lake Abraham.
Location and how to get there:
Nordegg is 90km west of Rocky Mountain House on Highway AB-11.
- Abraham Lake is 40km west of Nordegg on the same Highway.
- Crescent Falls is located 26 km from Nordegg.
Nordegg is located approximately 170 km (2 hr drive) from Red Deer, and 300 km Calgary and Edmonton (3 hour drive).
Best time to go: year-round; December to March for winter activities
Cost: free for Day use.
For more information:
Nordegg Trail Society – Trails
Crescent Falls Provincial Recreation Area Winter Access Advisories
