With all of the available hiking trails and parks available in the Ridge Meadows area, today we decided to take a walk through one of our favourite areas, Allco Park, at 248th Street and Alouette Road.

Although the skies off to the east were looking pretty menacing, we managed to avoid any rainfall the whole time.  One thing that we really enjoy about Allco Park is that even though the parking lot is rarely empty, it’s actually pretty uncommon to meet anyone out on the trails.  So if you’re looking for peace and solitude, this is the place for you.

We went with the idea that we were on a hunt for fall colours, but unfortunately found mostly evergreens in the area, and not a whole lot of the rich, vibrant colours that you normally expect for early October.  Unless, of course, we headed in the wrong direction, which is entirely possible.

Once you get away from the river and the picnic area, there’s a multitude of trails to follow, almost all of which will lead you back to the Rivers Heritage Centre, maintained by the Alouette River Management Society.  There’s a number of holding areas for horses as well, although I can’t remember ever seeing one in the whole time that we’ve been going to the park.

Allco Park is one of those places that seems to be a great place no matter what time of year it is.  In the summer, cool down by laying out by the river, or taking advantage of the picnic area.  Spring and fall are great times to go exploring the trails covering the 10ha park.  And hiking the trails covered in fresh snow makes it seem like a completely different place from what it is during the rest of the year.

Without a doubt, Allco Park is a place that you should visit if you’ve never been.  Or even if you have.  It’s time to go back.

Andrew Douglas (ad@ridgemeadowspost.com)