Keystone Heritage Trail: Hwy 39 and Ab-616
- Route distance: 110 km
- Drive time: 1hr 22 minutes
- Road trip time frame: Full day
Mix cultural history with leisure on this road trip to Breton.
The Village of Breton has a number of amenities that could make it a destination all on its own but in the spirit of road trips this 100 km round trip from Drayton Valley out to Breton and the larger region is a delight.
Leaving Drayton Valley head East on Hwy 22 over the North Saskatchewan Bridge. Hwy 22 turns into Hwy 39 and continues east.
If you are interested in learning what the Eagle Point Provincial Park at the North Saskatchewan Bridge has to offer, check out our road trip on the “North Cowboy Trail”.
When you are about 15 minutes out of town you are going to take a left at the Junction of Hwy 39 and AB-759N. This scenic township road leads you all the way through to the communities of Tomahawk and onto the lakeside village of Seba Beach. However, we are going to take right on to Twp 494 heading to the communities of Birchwood and Lindale. Birchwood and Lindale straddle Modeste natural area. The creek runs alongside the Birchwood golf course and is an ideal spot for an early stop and stretch on your road trip.
Continue through to Lindale and heading south on RR52 will take you back to Hwy 39. If you are wanting to get out in nature and stretch your legs you can check out the Coyote Lake Natural Area near Alsike.
The natural area is approximately 6km North on RR43. It is a beautiful wetlands area that has an information kiosk and a dock.
If you decide to keep driving, go just past Alsike heading East and you will come across an “Alberta History” rest stop and kiosk that talks about the immigration history and agricultural history of the Breton area.
Heading into the Village of Breton, there are a few key attractions to note including the Breton Museum and two golf courses. The Village of Breton has a unique historical role played in the black migration of the early 1900’s, the museum showcases the history and families of that era, as well as celebrating the pioneering history of the community. If you are interested in all the sites relating to Breton’s black history click to read “A Self Directed Tour of the Keystone Legacy.“
Leaving Breton, head west on AB-616W. This is the scenic route back to Drayton Valley, take the drive and take it slow.
Crossing Hwy 22 (Cowboy Trail) take AB-616W past the community of Buck Creek and head North on RR71.
RR71 is a beautiful secondary highway that leads to the Blue Rapids Recreation Area, and affords glimpses of the North Saskatchewan River. The Blue Rapids Recreation Area is an ATV hot spot during the summer. Un-marked trail systems cater to all skill levels. There are flat trails, hillside trails and systems that have been developed for even the young family ATV enthusiast.
If ATV-ing is not your thing, stopping off at the recreation area is still recommended, it is a beautiful natural area worth a free-wheel exploration.
Range road 71 will connect you back to Hwy 22, heading West back to Drayton Valley.
The joys of winter camping
Last winter some gals and I embarked on a trial cross country skiing/winter camping adventure on the Pembina River. The experience was amazing and left me wishing that winter was not coming to such an abrupt end.
The back 40
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Ten winter experiences close to home
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Spaaah Experience
This prompted me to wonder what other hidden gems we had in Drayton Valley that could be used to make an at home spa day.
Rural Watering Hole Tour
Before there were clubs, and ultra lounges there was the rural bar. The rural bar was a place people would go to have a drink, eat some food, get a bit of news and maybe even get a haircut. The rural bar was usually built alongside or attached to the lone hotel in the community.
Rural rodeos you don’t want to miss
Rodeos have been a big part of the Brazeau and Beyond region since the Buck Lake Stampede first ran in 1929. The rural rodeo experience is not the circus you see in the larger locales. You’re closer to the action and it’s much more intimate.
