Singletrack Gems of the East Side
I recently had the chance to hit the Goldbar area in Edmonton on my own for some singletrack fun. Typically I do group rides but by doing this solo I had a chance to really take it all in.
If you are lucky enough to live nearby these trails you have access to one of the most progression friendly trail loops in the city.
A serious rider can likely punch this loop out in about 30 minutes but you can easily turn it into an hour long social ride with a few skinnies to session and some nice views to take in.
This can be quite a busy area so make sure you exercise proper trail etiquette. I find a bear bell helps let people know I am there unless they have the earbuds in…
Where to Start
Parking at Capilano Park is best if you are coming from elsewhere. There is a washroom you can change in nearby and I always find tons of parking to unload the bike and prep for the ride.
From the parking lot head to the west side and look for the manhole cover jump leading singletrack into Moonraker. You really can’t miss it and just remember this jump the way back when you end your ride.
Trails
Moonraker
Moonraker is rated as a blue on Trailforks but there is nothing to crazy here. Just some fun flowy sections with a couple skinnies and a rock A frame to ride over.
All features are optional and super fun to session for some progression. I recently cleaned the long skinny for the first time this week!
This is a great trail to take beginners on as it isn’t to challenging. It has very little risk even in the trickier sections and you can pop out back to pavement in a few areas if the rider is feeling overwhelmed.
Moonraker wraps up right as you hit a pavement access road that heads to Goldbar Park parking lot. From here head straight across to Gold Digger
Gold Digger
Gold digger is rated blue on Trailforks but there is nothing high consequence. It is has a couple steeper climbs and rooty sections compared to Moonraker but still an easy progression for riders. It is a fun and flowy trail which rides ok both directions but is a bit more fun on the return west.
There is a super fun couple of berms and flowy sections that once you get the hang of you can really lean into.
Someone also built a cool little bridge over a tree that once busted up my chain due to a strike. Kudos to them. Super fun and I saved my chain for Hustler this time
Gold Digger wraps up after a few minutes of fun and then we are on to Hustler. You will see access signs to Hustler as you exit the trail and look to your right.
Hustler
Hustler is rated as a blue trail on trail forks and I would say it earns it. There are some more challenging climbs, some exposure and higher consequence trail sections. I would recommend taking it easy if this is your first time riding it as a beginner. This trail is best ridden counter-clockwise for the most fun and least trail interference.
There are a couple long skinny bridges early in the trail that can be walked but the ride arounds are quite wet. Take your time on these if you are not comfortable on bridges as these two could hurt if you go off the side.
Hustler is my favorite part of this loop for two reasons. The flow on the east side is awesome. I had to ride this chainless once, thanks to that log strike mentioned earlier. It can be really fun to try a “no pedal” challenge on this section.
Second is the views. Hustler is one of those trails that makes you feel as if you have left the city. Gold Bar Creek runs through the middle and with that flowing water and the elevation you almost get the feelings you’ve headed much further west for the day.
There used to be a nice bench setup on the west side to take in some of these views but on my last ride that bench was sadly missing.
Once you conquer the west side and climb up the the east the trail gets super fun all the way back down. you will pop out on a footbridge across the creek and will take a left after the bridge to head back to Gold Digger for the return loop. Alternatively you can lap Hustler a few times. I mean you are here already!
Once you head back down Gold Digger and Moonraker make sure you hit the manhole jump!
Wrap up
These three trails makeup one of my favorite quick loops on the Edmonton’s east side.
If you are lucky enough to be able to hop on your bike and hit these daily without throwing your bike in the truck I am jealous. I lived in Capilano in my younger years and miss having quick access to these beauties.
It is clear why these trails are so popular. They even ride great in the winter on Fat Bikes. The locals who maintain these trails work hard and it shows. The trails run great and this route is great for a nice quick lap.
The nice thing with Capilano Park as your starting point is once you wrap up you can head west and keep going!
Make sure you check out my other Trails posts to read up on all my favorite routes in Edmonton and beyond.
