As a rule I enjoy spending time in smaller cities more than large ones. I just feel safer and more comfortable with the pace of life, and more connected to the local residents. Lethbridge certainly fits that description.
A few years back, during the CoVid epidemic, I spent a few days in July exploring southern Alberta, including a several day stop in Lethbridge. I wanted to do was a walk along the Oldman River, and the Helen Schuler Nature Centre provided a great opportunity to do so.
The Nature Center itself was closed because of the CoVid situation but the hiking paths around it were open so I headed up the trail. There are several nice, fairly flat hiking paths that takes you through the 200 acre nature preserve adjoining the Helen Schuler Nature Center, which is only a short distance from downtown Lethbridge.
(Much of your hike is on floodplain — wet with the snowmelt in spring, but nice and dry during most of the summer)It was a pleasant summer day with perfect weather — typical of Alberta in July. I walked the Nature Quest Trail and Oxbow Loop Trail, the latter an off-shot of the Nature Quest Trail. I hiked in a counterclockwise fashion, ending my walk near the Oldman River, before returning along the footings of the famous Lethbridge Viaduct, one of the longest and tallest train bridges in the world.
(Perspectives of the Lethbridge Viaduct are everchanging during your hike)
My walk took an hour or so — I was not rushing, instead enjoying the pleasant day, the chirping birds, and watching locals floating down the Oldman River on a variety of rafts. Most of the walk is along floodplain, with views of coulees (steep V-shaped valleys).
(Enjoying a float down the Oldman River on a nice summer afternoon)
The trail is open year-round. In the summer it’s popular with hikers and bird-watchers. In the winter you can snowshoe. Dogs are welcome but must be on a leash. There is no admission fee to the Helen Schuler Nature center or to enjoy the hiking trails.
(The last part of the hike takes you near the footings of the trestle bridge)
