Walking the Lac Ste. Anne Trail - St. Albert to Lac Ste. Anne Pilgrimage

Why the Lac Ste. Anne Trail? ... Dave has been curious about local travelling and trading routes in the Edmonton area, specifically what was the traditional route from St. Albert to Lac St. Anne? We've known about the Lac St. Anne Pilgrimage for a long time, but have never attended. After having experienced pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago Compostella, we dug a bit deeper into what this pilgrimage might entail and learned a bit about the route along the Sturgeon River that connected the two missions and was used by trappers, traders, and Indigenous communities. There are sign boards (below) along the river in St. Albert that share some information and interesting photos and maps. Why not take a 3-day pilgrimage from St. Albert to Lac Ste. Anne and explore it for ourselves? So we did!

Scouting Mission: Dave's mom joined us for a walk by the river in St. Albert to visit a beautiful rose garden and have an ice cream while we planned the beginning of our route.

Father Lacombe's log chapel. The oldest surviving wooden structure in Alberta.

First Steps: We left our car at sister Joan's home, and walked to St. Albert Parish - better known as the "church on the hill", where we began our pilgrimage. We were still in the parking lot when we encountered Cathy Comeau who shared with us that her husband Frank walked to the LSA pilgrimage from Riviere Que Barre several times when he was a young man.

Scouting Mission: Dave's mom joined us for a walk by the river in St. Albert to visit a beautiful rose garden and have in ice cream as we planned where our route would begin.

Discover the Lac Ste. Anne Trail, a historical route connecting Lac Ste. Anne and St. Albert.

A Trail Unlike Others

The Lac Ste. Anne Trail stands out as a historical route connecting the serene Lac Ste. Anne and the vibrant town of St. Albert, offering a journey through Alberta's rich history and natural beauty.

Navigating the Terrain

The Lac Ste. Anne Trail presents a diverse landscape, a journey that blends urban and natural settings. While it isn't a single, continuous path, hikers can expect a mix of paved roads, gravel paths, and dedicated walking trails that offer a relatively flat and accessible experience for all skill levels.

Discover Hidden Gems

Along the Lac Ste. Anne Trail, you'll encounter must-see spots like the iconic St. Albert Parish, historical grain elevators that dot the landscape, the expansive Big Lake, and the scenic Sturgeon River. These landmarks provide glimpses into the region's past and present.

Plan Your Adventure

Embarking on the Lac Ste. Anne Trail promises a journey filled with discovery and exploration. As we continue to explore the trail ourselves, stay tuned for more insights and recommendations to enhance your hiking experience. Adventure awaits!