Length: ~ 6.5 km round trip, 1 to 2 hours
Trail conditions: Moderately flat with some inclines, paved and dirt path
Difficulty: Moderate due only to length
Bikes: Allowed
Dogs: Allowed on-leash
Parking: Gold Bar Parking Lot
Ainsworth Dyer Footbridge
This trail route lets you enjoy not one but two gorgeous footbridges over the North Saskatchewan River, with sweeping views both east and west, plus leisurely strolls in two well-treed and shaded parks. This walk could make a great adventure day for the whole family (and dog), especially if you add some of the activities available in Rundle Park, such as Disc Golf and Paddle Boats (closed at the moment due to COVID-19).
For an extra-long adventure, you could extend the route from Gold Bar up the ravine to Tiger Goldstick Park or cross the Rundle footbridge at this route’s turnaround point over to Strathcona Science Park for further exploration.
DIRECTIONS:
PARKING
Drive past the wastewater treatment plant to the final parking lot, marked on Google Maps as “Gold Bar Parking Lot.”
Sign at the trailhead.
ROUTE
1. From the parking lot, head north towards the trailhead. Begin walking and take the first right at the fork. A second trail runs along the riverside as well, but it’s currently closed due to high water levels and erosion. Obey signage if the trail is closed during your visit. Instead, take this paved trail to the right through Gold Bar Park.
The riverside trail is a dirt path with beautiful trees, but due to high river levels, it has been eroded. Obey signage and trail closures.
2. After 750 m, the trail will curve towards the river to the first footbridge. The Ainsworth Dyer Memorial Bridge is named after one of four Canadian soldiers who were killed in a friendly fire incident in Afghanistan. There is a monument to Dyer and his fellow soldiers once you cross the bridge.
Ainsworth Dyer Footbridge
3. After the bridge, turn right and follow the paved trail. You will begin walking through the Rundle Disc Golf course – watch overhead!
Watch for flying discs!
4. After 350 m, the trail will fork. Take the right trail to continue along the riverside, or take the left trail to the paddle boats.
You can enjoy this stroll through Rundle Park.
5. From the fork, it’s 2.6 km to the Rundle Footbridge. Enjoy this longer scenic walk through trees with the river on your right, with plenty of garbage cans and picnic benches to stop and picnic.
Rundle Park footbridge leading to Strathcona Science Park.
6. At the Rundle Park footbridge, turn around and head back the way you came. Cross it to get more river views, or continue once you cross into Strathcona Science Park.
Gold Bar Park offers some beautiful tree cover and picnic sites for the end of your trek as you return to your car.
MAPS
