5 Beginner-Friendly Mountain Bike Trails in Edmonton’s River Valley
- Good Time Ride Co.
- Mar 25
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 26
If you’re new to mountain biking in Edmonton, you’re probably wondering where to start.
The good news? Edmonton’s River Valley is packed with incredible trails, and many of them are perfect for beginners getting comfortable on their bikes. You don’t have to go far to find great terrain.
The catch? Not all trails are created equal. Some are smooth and almost flowy (we said almost), while others are full of roots, tight turns, and punchy climbs that can feel a bit… aggressive when you’re just starting out.
The really good news? You can build a ton of confidence right here in Edmonton by choosing the right trails and progressing at your own pace.
If you’re not sure what “flowy” or “punchy” mean, check out our guide to common mountain bike terms.
Here are five of our favourite beginner-friendly spots to help you get started, explore new areas, and have a good time on your bike. The links for the trail names go to Trailforks.
Where to start riding around Edmonton’s River Valley
West Beach in Terwillegar Park
If you’re brand new to mountain biking, this is a great place to start. West Beach in Terwillegar Park is wide, well-travelled, and doesn’t throw anything too surprising at you.
No big climbs, no tight corners, no tricky features. Just enough roots to remind you that yes, you’re still in Edmonton!
It’s a perfect spot to ride back and forth while you get a feel for your bike, build confidence, and settle into the whole mountain biking thing.
Once you’re feeling ready, you can cross the footbridge and head over to Flat Pete and Flatter Pete.
Flat Pete and Flatter Pete in Terwillegar Park
As the names suggest, these trails are… flat.
Flat Pete and Flatter Pete are beginner favourites because they’re low-risk and easy to navigate. You can put a foot down anytime, reset, and keep going.
The constant twists and turns are great for practicing steering and control, and the short climbs and descents are perfect for building confidence before tackling Edmonton’s more punchy terrain.
Flatter Pete is especially great if you’re just starting out or riding with kids.
If you're comfortable here, you can move onto nearby Logarhtymic to practice your log rolls!
Walter’s Folly in Kinsmen Park
Located right by the river, Walter’s Folly is a short, gently rolling trail with smooth, flowy turns.
Riding it both directions is a great way to practice body position, cornering, and gearing without feeling overwhelmed.
It’s a great “repeatable” trail where you can try things a few times and feel them start to connect in a way that feels really, really good!
Once you get comfortable here, ride over to the Old Timer’s trail network for progressively more challenging trails. Or, check out the green flow trail at the new bike park in Edmonton!
Not sure about trail etiquette yet? Here’s a quick guide to sharing Edmonton’s trails safely.
Jasper Ave Traverse in Dawson Park
You’ll need to climb up Baker’s Folly to get there, but Jasper Ave Traverse rewards you with a long, relaxed green-rated descent.
It’s wider than most singletrack and more open, which gives you time to look ahead, plan your line, and feel more in control.
If you want to mix things up, try riding it in reverse to practice your climbing!
Moonraker in Gold Bar Park
Moonraker is short, varied, and perfect for sessioning.
There are a few very short rooty climbs to challenge you, plus some gentle undulating terrain that keeps things interesting without feeling overwhelming.
There’s also a low wooden bridge and an old skinny (with a ride-around), which makes it a great place to start building confidence on wooden features with very low consequence.
Once you feel comfortable here, ride on over to nearby Golddigger for slightly longer climbing and descending practice!
Want to explore these trails with us?
If you’re looking at these trails and thinking they seem fun but a little intimidating, you’re not alone. And you don’t have to figure it out on your own.
Firstly, here's a helpful guide to trail etiquette in Edmonton to help keep you and everyone safe out there!
Our group rides are a great way to explore the river valley, meet other riders, and get more comfortable on the trails.
If you want more structured support, our skills clinics will help you build confidence on exactly this kind of terrain.
Private lessons are a great option too if you prefer one-on-one or small group instruction, and the flexible scheduling works especially well for shift workers
We’ll help you discover more new trails
We regularly share ride ideas, new trail finds, and upcoming group rides in our newsletter, along with other good bike stuff we believe you’ll find valuable.
