Steve and Lyn Hessels of Edmonton, Alberta, love the Iron Horse Trail and have ridden their ATV on two stretches of it. The trail, which is part of the Trans Canada Trail, is well appointed with campsites and washrooms. There are special quad cattleguards through the fences so that ATVers don’t have to stop and open gates, something the couple appreciated.

Smoky Lake to Bellis—winter

In February two years ago, the Hesselses rode a stretch from Smoky Lake to Bellis; the terrain ranged from fields to sandhills. Near the trail were old farm sites, which Lyn enjoyed seeing.

“We couldn’t go too fast because we were on hard-packed snow,” said Steve. The couple were safely prepared with warm clothing, extra food, a jerry can full of gas and fire-starting material. “It was a good little trip to wring out spring fever,” said Steve.

St. Paul to Heinsburg—summer

On a hot, sunny day last summer, the couple camped behind the police station in St. Paul and rode east, enjoying marshlands, creeks and beautiful countryside. They had lunch at Elk Point, where a woman at the visitor centre watched their ATV. They followed the trail into the North Saskatchewan River coulee and saw old Métis wagon trails and fur-trading forts.

“It was a magical area,” said Steve. “You could visualize the coureurs de bois, the voyageurs, the fur traders, trappers and Indians. My imagination gets fanciful with stuff like that.”

Another interesting section of the Iron Horse Trail is the northeast arm. This route passes through Bonnyville, which has excellent birding opportunities and a lovely downtown.