The Historic Trail 

The Athabasca Landing Trail (ALT) was first built in 1876 to connect the fur trade networks of the North Saskatchewan and Athabasca Rivers. Nicknamed ‘The 100-Mile Portage,’ it was vital to trade and travel until the arrival of the railway in 1912.

Today’s Trail

The Athabasca Landing Trail is a 160 km non-motorized route from Fort Saskatchewan to Athabasca. Over half has been completed, with bridges, signage, and staging areas in place. Partners continue working to close the gaps and promote the historic corridor.

The Athabasca Landing Trail was built in 1876 by the Hudson’s Bay Company to improve transportation between Edmonton and northern communities. The trail was 100 miles in distance and linked the North Saskatchewan River with the Mackenzie River system, giving it the nickname “The 100 Mile Portage.”

In the late 1800s, the trail was Canada’s busiest northern route and played an important role in the development of northern Alberta, the Yukon and the Northwest Territories. Fur traders, gold rush miners and settlers all followed the trail north, and stopping houses sprang up to accommodate their need for overnight accommodation, meals and stabling of animals.

With the development of railways and roads in this region, the trail became less used. Parts of the trail are still used as roads or recreational trails; others are overgrown or on private land.

Dig deeper into the people, places and stories that shaped the Athabasca Landing Trail. Explore books, articles and historical resources that bring the route’s past to life. 

Athabasca Landing Route

York Boats – Sturgeon Heads – Scows
By Blair Jean · Edited by Allison L. McKinnon

Explore the people, transportation routes and stories that shaped the Athabasca Landing Route between 1882 and 1920. Through historical accounts, maps and more than 70 photographs, the book documents the people, boats and events connected to this important northern transportation route.

Published in 2024 · 2nd Edition