Bike, Bites and Brews: A Fun Way to Explore Edmonton

Look out along the ridge of the North Saskatchewan River Valley in Edmonton, and it's hard to ignore the obvious – this is a fantastic cycling city.

Besides being the largest urban parkland in North America – 22 times the size of New York's Central Park – many points along the river valley's edge are perfect jumping off points for exploring the city's cafés, restaurants, local craft breweries and parks.

Bike rentals are available from several outlets: Pedego offers e-bikes while River Valley Adventure Co. rents both regular bikes and e-bikes.

This day-long 15-km (9-mi) itinerary can be done any way you like; make it your own or follow this guided route. Either way, you'll be cruising and exploring Edmonton's diverse bike-friendly neighbourhoods and mingling with locals who have embraced the two-wheeled culture. Along with dedicated cycling lanes downtown and through neighbourhoods, the river valley alone has 160 km (99 mi) of multi-use paths.

100 Street Funicular

Begin your bike ride by hopping on the 100 Street Funicular. It's the only mechanized outdoor "elevator" in Alberta, taking users halfway down the escarpment. The funicular is free and accommodates cyclists and walkers, giving easy access to the river valley pathway system. And the grand views over the North Saskatchewan River are lovely, too.

High Level Bridge

The lower deck of this distinctive steel truss bridge above the North Saskatchewan River is bike- and pedestrian-friendly and connects the north and south sides of Edmonton. You get a whole new perspective on the river valley from up here. If you have time, for just $5 you can ride the refurbished trolley that goes across the upper deck and is the highest streetcar river crossing in the world.

Hawrelak Park

If you want to add more mileage to your bike ride, head west to Edmonton's Hawrelak Park. Take in the beautiful 168-acre park by doing an easy cruise around the 1.9-km (1.2-mi) paved loop that encircles a lake and picnic areas.

Sugar Bowl Café

If you skip Hawrelak Park, leaving the High Level Bridge on the south side of the river, you can then cruise on the trail through Kinsmen Park and slip over to the Sugar Bowl Café on 88th Avenue. This sweet little bistro has been around since the 1940s, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. It does not take reservations, so you may have to wait for a table inside or on the patio.

Old Strathcona Farmers Market/Mill Creek Ravine Park

Making your way east, you'll take the bike lanes through Old Strathcona, a heritage district that was once a separate municipality of Edmonton. Some of the cool historic buildings are more than 100 years old. Here, the city's hip and bohemian Whyte Avenue (82 Avenue) has lots of boutiques, cafés and restaurants teeming with outdoor patios, as well as the nearby theatre district. The Old Strathcona Farmers Market on 83 Avenue is housed in an old brick bus barn.

If it's a Saturday, be sure to pop into this bustling spot, the go-to place for Edmonton locals for 40 years. The market features antiques, fresh local produce, spices, preserves, crafts and homemade Ukrainian foods, owing to the city's large Ukrainian population. Pick up a few items for a picnic at your next destination, pretty Mill Creek Ravine Park South, which is east and south of the market. You could easily spend the whole day biking the paved and unpaved trails in this part of the river valley trail system.

Café Bicyclette

On the edge of Mill Creek Ravine Park, it's an easy cruise over to Edmonton's French Quarter, also known as La Cité Francophone, where you can add more joie de vivre to your ride. One of the businesses in the area is Café Bicyclette, serving pastries and coffee in the morning, lunch, all day brunches on the weekend and fine dining in the evening. The inviting outdoor patio is adorned with flowers and umbrellas all summer.

Ritchie Market

Ritchie Market is a collection of six collaborative food and drink businesses all under one roof. It makes the perfect end to your ride because you are spoiled for choices. Grab a bite to eat, paired with a local craft beer at Biera, or grab a yummy pastry at Little Duchess Bake Shop and pair it with a coffee from Transcend Coffee and Roastery. The market also has a butcher shop, Acme Meat Market, and local brewer Blind Enthusiasm.