Backpackerz BUZZ: Issue 63

I’m not originally from Edmonton. In fact, it was with a fair amount of anxiety that I made the decision to move here. I was moving from one of the most beautiful, outdoor-activity-friendly cities in all of Canada. Peterborough is the heart of the Kawarthas, where outdoor activities of all varieties are never more than a few minutes away. Edmonton, to me, seemed like the middle of nowhere. I imagined a great big industrial smudge on the prairie.

Fortunately, I’ve been proven wrong. Edmonton is a superb destination for outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds.  Kayaking, canoeing, biking, hiking, skiing, snowshoeing—it’s all here. There are a ton of opportunities to get outside within the limits of the city itself, and most of these activities are accessible by bike, bus, or the trusty shoe.

Edmonton’s so-called ‘Ribbon of Green,’ a 48-kilometre stretch of parks and trails that borders the North Saskatchewan River, is North America’s largest expanse of urban parkland. It cuts right through the heart of Edmonton and forms a network with other city parks, providing easy access to green spaces for Edmontonians and visitors alike.

And the best part: trails—mile upon mile of trails, in every size and shape. There are flat, well-maintained summer walkways for roller-bladers, those in wheelchairs, or baby-joggers; and rough and partially overgrown paths for hikers and runners. Being a runner myself, a variety of destinations and loops is vital to my sanity on the daily run. In the  months that I’ve been here, I’ve covered only a fraction of what the river-valley trail network has to offer. And contrary to popular belief, it’s not flat! There are tons of steep hills and long staircases that will provide a challenge for those looking to up the ante a little.

One of my favourite spots in the city is a small park at one end of the High Level Bridge, one of Edmonton’s oldest railcar routes. At night, from this vantage point, the city skyline steals the show, highlighting the incredible changes that the city has undergone over the past century. During the day, the towers and buildings seem puny compared to the rolling hills, the vast prairie sky and the wide, tumbling river. The best parts of Edmonton are those that have been here since before there even was a city. Let’s hope that they’re here forever. -By Erin Krekoski

Edmonton’s Favourite Summer Festivals
2008 Edmonton International Street Performers Festival
Buskers from around the world entertain in downtown streets
Friday, July 4-Sunday, July 13

20th Annual River City Shakespeare Festival
Shakespeare in the amphitheatre in Hawrelak Park
Friday, June 27-Wednesday, July 23

A Taste Of Edmonton 2008
Try out the best dishes of 38 restaurants, plus A Taste of Wine and A Taste of Beer
Friday, July 18-Sunday, July 27

Edmonton Heritage Festival 2008
Eats, music and dancing from 60 cultures. Free entry, but bring a food bank donation.
Saturday, August 2-Monday, August 4

Edmonton Folk Music Festival 2008
One of the best in the world. Get your tickets in June—they sell out fast!
Thursday, August 7-Sunday, August 10

Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival 2008
The continent’s largest with more than 1,000 performances and 500,000 attendees. Conveniently, just around the corner from HI-Edmonton.
Thursday, August 14-Sunday, August 24

Blues International Presents: The 10th Annual Edmonton’s Labatt Blues Festival
Western Canada’s premier blues event, in Edmonton’s scenic River Valley at the Heritage Amphitheatre.
Friday, August 22-Sunday, August 24

Visit www.festivalcity.ca for more information on all of Edmonton’s festivals.

This entry was posted on Friday, April 18th, 2008 at 12:29 pm and is filed under Hostelling International. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site. Add to del.icio.us.