Categories: Things To Do

This haunting hike will take you through an abandoned Alberta town

Photo via Frankslide Interpretive Centre / Facebook

With spooky season in full swing, you may be among the many who are looking for some way to get into the spirit of things. One way to do so? By taking a walk on the Lille Ghost Town Trail.

A 6.3 km trek, this well-travelled course is located about a few minutes from Crowsnest Pass in Alberta.

Though it is a little ways away from Calgary’s city centre (approximately 2 hours), here you’ll be able to wander right through an actual ghost town, past waterfalls and wildlife which is surrounded by towering trees and wildflowers.

The coolest thing that you’ll see on this rocky trek though? Old coke ovens – which were used to convert coal into clean-burning fuel.

This trail, while incredibly scenic is a tad rocky though – so make sure that you wear appropriate footwear and only go between the recommended months of May and October.

To get to the parking lot, head to the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre. Once there, continue straight on a gravel road after crossing the metal cattleguard and head 250 metres to the rough road on the left.

Once you’ve reached the ‘Attention Anglers’ sign, follow the road for 100 more metres and park in the meadow, the hiking route continues on this road.

As we mentioned, it’s a rough road but one you’ll have to continue on for about 1.5 kilometres, keeping left until you hit another gravel path. This is the route you’ll take for the remainder of the hike!

As always, don’t forget to bring water, weather-appropriate clothes and your phone – because you’re going to want to take pictures!

It really is the perfect hike, folks, so check it out!