No matter where a tour in Northern Alberta takes you, there is always something to delight the senses. The Mighty Peace Country is full of attractions to see while travelling the many hundreds of kilometres here. Everything from heritage homes to jaw-dropping scenery have made this area popular with motorcyclists.
Get started in Grande Prairie
Grande Prairie is one of the largest communities in the Mighty Peace Country. There are no lack of parks, campgrounds, lakes and golf courses in the area. Make sure to check the time as you pull out if town on the world’s largest sundial. The sundial is located at Centre 2000, a visitor centre, making it a great starting point for a trip.
Follow the road along the river
Make your way up to Peace River, where the 3.65-metre (12 foot) Davis Memorial statue greets you from the corner of 102 Avenue and 101 Street. If you’re in town on July 9 or 10, jam to some country music during the 2010 PeaceFest. The nearby Sagitawa Lookout is a fantastic lookout over the town and surrounding valley.
While in Peace River, take a side trip onto the Shaftesbury Trail, an excellent route for sightseeing, picnicing and camping. There are multiple stops along this trail, including the Mackenzie Cairn, a site dedicated to Sir Alexander Mackenzie. If you’re interested in crossing the Peace River, hop aboard the Shaftesbury Ferry.
If you’re in the vicinity of Peace River between July 19 and 25, catch some high-calibre sports during the 2010 Alberta Summer Games.
A taste of Alberta’s history
From Peace River, head north towards some of Alberta’s pioneer settlements. Tourist sites include La Crete’s Mennonite Heritage Village. To relax, use the day use areas or go fishing at Lake Tourangeau, or detour to the Tompkins Ferry, which crosses the Peace River free of charge.
Within an hour’s drive of La Crete lies Fort Vermilion, which contains a rich slice of Alberta’s heritage. This is one of the oldest communities in the province, and thus is full of historic sites within the town—even the visitor information centre is located within a home dating back to 1923.
If the legs need stretching, try the Fort Vermilion Nature Trails that. Golfing and fishing are also available.
This is just the beginning
These are but a few of the spots to see in the Mighty Peace Country—why not also plan a stop at Dunvegan Park or in Manning, where there’s a two-headed moose?
Wherever your trip in the Mighty Peace Country leads, rest assured that you won’t have a dull moment during your travels.
Extra details: To order a free waterproof map of this region, go to www.ridenorth.ca/motorcycle-trip-map
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