Horseshoe Canyon and the Dinosaur Trail
17 km west of Drumheller is Horseshoe Canyon, a spectacular chasm in otherwise flat prairie. Trails lead down from the parking lot (take care, they are steep and slippery) and we set off to see if we could find the end of the canyon. We couldn’t! There were other things we wanted to do that day so eventually we gave up and turned back.
From Horseshoe Canyon, we drove back into Drumheller and crossed the Red Deer River by bridge to follow the 48 km Dinosaur Trail, a loop on both sides of the river. Our first stop was The Little Church which can seat a mere 6 people at a time.
Next, it was on to Horsethief Canyon, once a hiding place for its namesake outlaws, and an opportunity for more hiking.
There is no bridge to cross back over the river – instead the Dinosaur Trail takes you via the Bleriot Ferry, the eponymous Bleriot being André, brother of the more famous Louis who was the first man to fly the English Channel.
Once back on the south side of the river, there was just one last stop at the beautiful Orkney Viewpoint. I’d love to know how it got its name.
Then we headed back to Drumheller for our last night. Despite our misgivings when we arrived, largely because of the terrible hotel, we had a great time and could have spent longer exploring. However, we still had one more Badlands adventure to come, so the next day we were back on the road again.
The Glasgow Gallivanter 
What beautiful landscapes!
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Yes, a change from the Rockies but just as beautiful in its own way.
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Jude of Heyjude just pointed out to me that you’re featuring some of the same places I’ve been highlighting. This summer I finally visited the American Badlands in South Dakota, which I’d always known about, and then became aware of the Badlands in Alberta, which I’d somehow never heard of but which gave us another incentive to visit the place along with the Canadian Rockies. I’ve slowly been showing pictures of both:
https://portraitsofwildflowers.wordpress.com/tag/canada/
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Thanks for the link! I’ve scrolled down and seen so many places that we’ve been, either this recent trip or previously. Amazingly, I seem to have liked a couple at the beginning so maybe Jude tipped me off then, in which case I’m sorry I didn’t follow up further. Later in the day I shall give each post the attention it deserves!
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Wow! Never saw any of this on our trip . . . we missed out on so much. This is just fabulous. So glad John took a picture of you inside the church as couldn’t quite work out why it only fitted six from the first few photos!
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Yes, that was handy for perspective! We loved this area despite it being a lot more low key than the Rockies (much less busy too.)
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Astounding photographs! Amazing, that beyond any doubt is a little church!..
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Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed the post.
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Goodness, that beyond any doubt is a little church! Astounding photographs!..
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Thank you!
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Wow, that sure is a little church! I guess you couldn’t get away with dozing off during the sermon in there, which is a shame, because it looks pretty cozy!
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Absolutely not! Nowhere to hide.
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it seems like we can spend more time everywhere. But, there are so many places to explore that we all have to make choices, unfortunately. It is sometimes a toss-up, knowing that “you are here now and don’t know when and if you’ll ever be back, so let’s do it in depth”, but there are so many other sites in the area as well.
Some of these names sound familiar, as we recently came across a Horse Shoe canyon and a Horsethief trail… in the US. I wonder whether they are Native American names.
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I nearly always wish we had longer! But you’re right, you have to balance it with wanting to see more places.
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Amazing photos! And that is the smallest church I’ve ever seen….
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Thank you! There is a similar church at Niagara on the Lake but I’ve not seen any others.
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Anabel, it would seem I am not the only person who loved that church, what a find 🙂 Plus, what a diverse countryside!
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The church has been a big hit! It just sits in isolation by the side of the road, making it look even more beautiful.
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Yes, I agree I think it is the isolation that makes it look incredible and beautiful.
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Anabel, it is so interesting to read about your travels through my old stomping grounds. However, your photos are ever so much better than any I have taken in the Alberta badlands.
Jude
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Thanks! Or at least – I shall pass your thanks on to my Photographer-in-Chief.
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Enjoyable post and another chunk of landscape I knew nothing about…. probably filled with animals and birds I’ve never seen before. More of this showing unknown parts of the known world and less constant repeats of Top Gear every evening.
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I had never heard of this place either till we started researching this trip. I’d definitely go back.
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What beautiful country! I had no idea that kind of terrain existed in Alberta. I could imagine spending weeks hiking through there!
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It’s quite a contrast to further west – it was great to see both on the same trip.
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You really captured my attention with this post and I had to check where Drumheller was relative to the Trans-Canada Trail. I had hoped I would eventually be trekking nearby. Sadly, it will be a rather large detour … but I’m sure worth the effort!!
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Most definitely!
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Amazing. I’m really enjoying this tour 🙂
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Thanks! Glad you liked the post.
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I love miniatures so, like the others, the tiny church appealed.
I’m sure you did this already, but I just did some checking to see where the Orkney viewpoint got its name. Not a single site explains it. How strange!
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I did, I couldn’t find anything either. I’m guessing that someone from Orkney emigrated to this part of the world.
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I looked too! The only thing that I could find regarding the name “Orkney” was for the Orkney Islands (Scotland) ” The name “Orkney”, as it comes to us today, is simply a corruption of the islands’ Old Norse name – “Orkneyjar”.Pronounced “orc-nee-yahr”, the name is generally taken to mean” Seal Islands. A form of the name dates to the pre-Roman era.”
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Someone naming a place after their homeland, or their ancestors’ homeland.
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Love those huge skies!!! And such an odd little church. I assume it’s not actually consecrated and used for worship?
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The sign says it is “for worship and meditation” which I’m assuming is on an individual basis and not for actual services. However, weddings have taken place there (one way of keeping the guest list down!)
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Love that little church – so quaint and different. I also love the names of all the places – Horsethief Canyon sounds very ominous…
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It does, doesn’t it? Fortunately no actual horse thieves encountered.
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What a funny little church! Don’t get up too quickly or you’ll bump your head.
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I managed to avoid that! I’m usually quite good at bumping into things so that was a bonus.
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Beautiful and what a quaint little church. By the looks of it you would not have been able to stand upright in it ?
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Just about in the middle if you weren’t too tall!
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Wow!
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Hi Anabel – what a delightful little church – amazing place … then Horse Thief Canyon … oh dear poor horses. Fascinating place to visit – love the ferry … and that countryside on the other side – cheers Hilary
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Thanks, Hilary, it was such an interesting day.
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What an amazing landscape. And a wonderful contrast to the peaceful little church.
Have a wonderful week,
Pit
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Thanks Pit, same to you,
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Anabel – Typical North American walks (hikes) contrasted with typical European walks always amaze me. This one was definately North American, easy to tell!
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Yes, it’s like nowhere else.
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The church is adorable. This really looks like a great place to visit.
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It was, I’m so glad we added it on to our itinerary.
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I love that miniature church! Do they hold regular services in it?
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The sign said it was for “worship and meditation”, I assume for the traveller. However, I know you can also have weddings in it.
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I love the rock formations and, from the comfort of my home, the desolation of the place. Not sure how I’d feel if I were there. You have certainly found some very interesting spots. I’m afraid my Canadian adventures were all centred around the main towns apart from our excursion to the icefields.
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It was desolate, but not in a threatening way. The worst bit for me was all the up and down into the valley. Not good for the old knees!
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Lovely pictures and a very interesting trip! Look at that tiny church and all the rock formations. Always love a quick ferry trip. Makes a journey more exciting!
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Yes, the ferry was a quirky extra. I never cease to wonder at the variety of landscapes. Either side of this valley is flat prairie for miles.
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I love this kind of dry landscape with interesting rock formations. I would love exploring here. That Little Church is adorable! It’s no wonder you had a great time here. So much to do and see. 🙂
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It’s a fascinating landscape. We enjoyed this area much more than we expected to, especially after the bad start in the hotel.
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It sounds like you really enjoyed it all, Anabel. I’ve added all of this area to my list. 🙂
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That church reminds me of the chapel we showed you in Niagara On The Lake. How amazing to see this weird scenery…the way the land formed in some of the pictures you show is quite amazing and it would be neat to see this. What a wonderful trip
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It reminded me of that too! I think they both seat 6 so i’m Not sure which is smaller. I think maybe the one we saw with you. I remember having to duck to get in,
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Beautiful pictures. you inspire me to take a trip out there. Haven’t been there in decades!
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I’m glad I inspired! And hope you go.
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What an interesting and desolate looking landscape. That tiny church is lovely.
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The church is like a toy! Desolate is a good description – I still loved it though.
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