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Things to See & Do |
Kalyna Country Ecomuseum
Explore Kalyna Country Ecomuseum, a 20,000 square kilometer natural heritage tourism region in the picturesque parkland area of East Central Alberta, Canada, bordering the provincial capital, Edmonton and extending towards Lloydminster on the Saskatchewan border.
Experience our living history, vibrant culture, natural beauty, great recreation, unique and award winning attractions in the “World’s Largest Ecomuseum”.
Kalyna Country is…
Kalyna
Country Ecomuseum is a “living museum”, which showcases the natural and
cultural history of East European farming settlements and Indian Reservations
within and around the drainage basin of the North Saskatchewan River. Unlike
traditional museums, where artifacts are assembled for display in a central
location, an ecomuseum invites visitors to experience historical and natural
attractions in their original settings, while enjoying the modern-day
communities created by today’s inhabitants.
“Kalyna” is the Slavic term for the highbush cranberry or guelder rose, which flourishes in the gently rolling countryside of the mixed parkland and prairie terrain that is characteristic of the north-central Great Plains.
Come with us now as we travel back through time to the present along the information highway!
Driving Tours
Kalyna Country encompasses portions of these primary highways in East Central Alberta. Follow these trails to create your own adventure!
Highways – Bordering East Edmonton
Highways – Bordering North Edmonton
Highway 14 – The Poundmaker Trail
Highway 16 – The TransCanada Yellowhead Highway
Highway 15 – One of Alberta’s Treasures
Highway 45 – Heritage & Recreation
Highway 28 – Sunflowers, Pumpkins, Mushrooms & More
Highway 41 – The Buffalo Trail
The World’s Largest (Roadside) Attractions Tour
The Victoria Trail – Alberta’s Most Historic Trail
Major Attractions
One half hour drive from Edmonton on Hwy 16, Elk Island National Park has one of the highest concentrations of large mammals in North America. More than 250 species of birds visit or reside in the Park. It is an “island” of conservation and home to moose, elk, deer, beaver, coyote, wood and plains bison. With beautiful lakes, ponds, wetland and a wide-variety of plant and animal life, Elk Island is ‘the wilderness next door’. It is the perfect place for urban residents to relax, have a picnic, camp, or reacquaint themselves with nature. Elk Island offers interpretive programs, educational activities and provides numerous hiking trails. For your next outdoor adventure – come to the ‘Island’.
Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village
Just across the highway from Elk Island National Park lies this open air museum which houses over thirty historic buildings. The provincial historic site tells the story of Ukrainian immigrants and the development of the Bloc settlement of East Central Alberta from 1892 – 1930. Stroll through the historic community, meet costumed role players, ride a horse-drawn wagon, sample Ukrainian food and visit our gift shop. You can also take in their numerous events held throughout summer.
This award
winning attraction offers a unique perspective into the personal hardships and
triumphs of the Ukrainian immigrants who came to Central Alberta between 1892 -
1930. The Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village is located directly across from
Elk Island National Park, just 25 minutes east of Edmonton on Hwy 16. This
open-air museum houses over 30 historic buildings, complete with role players
dressed in period costume. An entire lifestyle is recreated to excite your
family's imagination! Tour the grounds on foot or by horse-drawn wagon and
learn about the Ukrainian culture as you go. Guided tours of the farmsteads,
town site and rural community are a popular choice for groups, or explore the
area on your own.
In 2005 the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village won a number of awards including
a special award from the Alberta Museums Association for its on site driving
tours for mobility impaired seniors as well as the highly prestigious Alberta
Pride Alto Tourism Award. The Alto award truly recognizes the Ukrainian
Cultural Heritage Village as offering the essence of tourism experience. The
Village has been a winner in the Communities in Bloom Program for the past four
years. The continued efforts of the staff & volunteers to keep Ukrainian
traditions alive and help educate the public are what make them a 5-bloom
winner. While venturing through yards and gardens, be sure to get a close look
at one of the very unique “pich” (pronounced 'peach') or clay ovens. They are
renowned for baking the best tasting bread
Our Heritage Attractions
Home to aboriginal peoples from ancient times, and to Woodland Cree tribes since the mid-18th century, the Kalyna Country region was the first part of Alberta to be traversed by European adventurers. The North Saskatchewan valley was initially explored by Anthony Henday of the Hudson’s Bay Company in 1754-1755, after which Peter Pond (1778), Peter Fidler (1792) and David Thompson (1812), were among the trailblazers who opened up the territory to the fur trade. As a result, Kalyna Country is also home to several fur trading posts (see map – 98K) formerly operated by the Hudson’s Bay and the North West Companies, such as Fort George-Buckingham House (est., 1792) and Fort Victoria/Victoria Settlement (est., 1864), both of which have been developed as provincial historic sites.
In the late 19th century the Kalyna Country wilderness was heavily settled by an influx of East European immigrants, chiefly Ukrainians and their Old World neighbours, the Poles, Romanians, Slovaks, and “Vlksdeutsche” Germans. To this day, the prosperous rural communities dotting the most historic countryside in Alberta have a distinctly multicultural flavour.
Museums
Much
of the rich multicultural heritage of the region has been preserved in the two
dozen traditional and open air museums of Kalyna Country. Among the more
significant displays of artifacts are those housed at the Regional Museum in
Vegreville, the open air pioneer museum at Shandro, learn about Ukrainian
settlement in the area at the Basilian Fathers Museum in
Mundare
and at the Ukrainian
Cultural Heritage Village Provincial Historic Site.
In the future you can learn about Métis
culture through development of an Interpretive Centre near Victoria Settlement.
To be known as Victoria Landing, the first two phases will be fully operational
and ready to celebrate the Alberta Centennial in 2005.
Museums & Historic Sites – Directory
100+ Byzantine – Style Historic Churches
Among
the architectural treasures of Kalyna Country are more than 100 churches, most
of them built in the “onion-domed” Byzantine style by Kalyna Country devout
Ukrainian pioneers. Whereas late 19th century German-speaking
immigrants established religious communities at Josephburg and
Bruderheim,
Hutterite colonists of more recent origin maintain Old World customs and
traditional dress and modern communal farms in several Kalyna Country districts,
such as in
Lamont County, the
self-proclaimed church capital (PDF
of church brochure) of North America. Other important spiritual
landmarks include the grotto at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, in the polish
district of Skaro; St. Mary’s Romanian Orthodox Church, at Boian,
the Goodfish Lake burial place of the Ojibway evangelist, Henry Bird Steinhauer
(1818 – 1884); the McDougall Methodist Mission at the Victoria Settlement; and
the St. Paul de Cris Catholic Mission founded at Brosseau in 1865 by Father
Albert Lacombe. Inquire about our Church Tours and other Special
Tours.
Land Adventures
Birdwatching & Wildlife Viewing
With over 40 specially-designated recreation or informal natural areas, there is a lot of ground to cover with hiking boots and binoculars, Kalyna Country is especially blessed in terms of its bird population, which embraces 250 migratory species, half of whom settle in for the long days of summer. A particularly popular destination for serious bird watchers is Beaverhill Lake, near Tofield, a protected habitat for a wide variety of shore birds. Endowed with five provincial parks, a generous smattering of wetlands, and major sanctuaries like Elk Island National Park, the ecomuseum is a place for first-hand encounters with a delightful array of wildflowers and wildlife.
Camping
There is no better way to enjoy all that Mother Nature has to offer than to sleep under her starry sky, surrounded by beautiful landscapes. Stay at a lakeside campground and spend the day swimming, boating, water-skiing, or fishing. Camp-out amongst the trees and hike or bike the trails of the surrounding area. If you’d rather be close to the action, stay at a town campsite and take part in the community events. Whether it’s on the lake, in the forest, or in town; Kalyna Country offers a campground for every preference.
Campgrounds & RV Parks Directory
Golfing
An excellent way to enjoy the beauty of Kalyna Country and get some exercise as well, is to play a round at one of the many golf courses in the area. There are over 25 golf courses including Championship Golf Courses like Goose Hummock Golf Resort by Gibbons and the new Northern Bear Golf Club - a Jack Nicklaus signature golf course set to open later this summer in Strathcona County. There are numerous other scenic courses and whether you are a beginner or a seasoned veteran of the links, you will be able to find a course that suits you perfectly.
Plan your very own golfing tour of Kalyna Country. Take a day trip to the courses that are within close driving distance of each other, or take a weekend getaway and stay at one of our local motels or bed and breakfasts. Dine at one of our delightful restaurants and take in the local atmosphere.
Courses range from 9 to 18 holes and offer amenities such as licensed dining lounges, driving ranges and private lessons. Tee times, club rentals, power carts and lessons can be booked directly through the clubhouse.
Hiking & Biking
Over 400 km of challenging hills, intricate forest paths, and peaceful shorelines are just some of the diverse settings available to hikers and cyclists in the Kalyna Country area. Trails vary in difficulty to suit different preferences, from serious athletes to someone who is just looking for a relaxing stroll. Kalyna Country cycling is a unique blend of scenic and technical riding, with an excellent variety of easy rides and challenging rides. Ride along a lakeshore or through thick Aspen Parkland. Hiking trails can be found all across Kalyna Country and vary in length and difficulty. So whether you're out to relax or push yourself to the limits, you'll find the perfect trails to do it in Kalyna Country.
Outdoor Adventures Directory
Other activities in the area include horseback riding, trail rides, orienteering (see Outdoor Adventures Directory), berry picking (see Market Gardens Directory) & more.
Water Adventures
Canoeing & Kayaking
Enjoy the pristine waters of Kalyna Country by canoe or kayak. Canoeing in any one of the numerous bodies of water in the area will guarantee you a peaceful, serene experience. Get a closer look at loons, ducks, and herons as you glide by on the still water. If you're looking for more of a challenge, try the North Saskatchewan River. The next time you're planning a canoeing or kayaking vacation, include Kalyna Country in your plans.
Where’s the Beach?
For a complete list of beaches, places for canoeing, boating, water skiing, swimming and more, see our Chart of Recreation Areas.
Windsurfing & Sailing
Windsurfing in Kalyna Country is growing in popularity. Cooking Lake, Hastings Lake and Miquelon Lake are a few of the lakes in Kalyna Country that are especially popular with windsurfing and sailing because of their size and location.
Recreation Areas Chart
Fishing
Kalyna Country has numerous lakes, creeks, and fishing ponds that are open to anyone interested in fishing. Find pike, walleye, perch, whitefish, rainbow trout and small-mouth bass swimming deep in these waters. For an easier fishing experience, young and old alike enjoy fishing at some of the trout farms in the area.
Winter Adventures
With winter taking up five months of the year, there's plenty of time to get outdoors and enjoy the snow. Snowboard or downhill ski, snowmobile, skate, cross-country ski, snowshoe, and dog sled in and around Kalyna Country. The numerous parks and recreational areas designate certain trails for winter activities so that you can enjoy the wonder of nature all year round. So slip on those mitts and enjoy the vast beauty of the Kalyna Country landscapes, as they lie blanketed with snow.
Cross-Country Skiing
There are over 300 kilometres of trails for cross-country skiing in Kalyna Country. Many trails are packed and groomed regularly, the majority of which are located at Elk Island National Park and Cooking Lake/Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area – the host of North America’s largest Classic Cross-Country Ski race – The Canadian Birkebeiner Ski Festival held the second weekend in February annually.
Downhill Skiing
Long Lake Ski Hill offers up to 100 meters of vertical lift on its 11 downhill runs with a tow rope and T-bar lifts. It operates weekends and all holidays except Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Rentals of the latest technology in ski equipment are available for all ages.
Snowmobiling
There are hundreds and hundreds of kilometers of snowmobile trails maintained by a dozen snowmobile clubs in communities throughout the area. There are numerous rallies, snow drags throughout the region. For a complete list of clubs and their activities, contact the Alberta Snowmobile Association (780) 427-2695.
Other activities in Kalyna Country include ice fishing on numerous lakes, ice skating, dogsledding, skiing, snowshoeing, sleigh rides and more.
Winter Adventures DirectoryAnnual Events
The
ecomuseum is host to a variety of
Kalyna
Events
and provides many
fascinating opportunities for history-buffs, nature-lovers and anyone interested
in taking a scenic drive. Come participate at
the Ukrainian Pysanka Festival
and Exhibition & Country Fair
in Vegreville; the Pumpkin Festival at Smoky Lake; and the
Snow
Goose Festival at
Beaverhill Lake near
Tofield
or the
annual rodeo at Thorhild.
Be it an agricultural fair, homecoming or craft show, you are surely to be
warmly received by local residents. You can similarly enjoy Kalyna Country’s
vibrant native culture at the Saddle
Lake Pow Wow or help celebrate Treaty Days in nearby Goodfish
Lake. While visiting Kalyna Country you
pitch your tent at at campground, stay at a bed & breakfast or savour the
charm of a small town motel.
Accommodations
From basic to luxurious, small cottages to historic hotels, Kalyna Country has the right accommodations to suit your style. Modern motels, bed and breakfasts, and unique retreats are all offered to visitors. A getaway at a bed and breakfast ensures personalized service, attention to detail, delicious food and beverages, and a vast array of amenities. Retreats specialize in providing you with a wide selection of recreational and relaxing activities. A stay in a hotel will keep you close to the action when attending a local festival or fair. Whether in town or out in the country, you’ll find a bed for every budget while staying in Kalyna Country.
Dining & Shopping
When traveling through Kalyna Country it is possible to shop at a growing number of boutiques, like the gallery featuring local arts and crafts in the restored Smoky Lake train station or the ever popular Ukrainian Gifts & Souvenirs in Vegreville. You can also pick up a souvenir Kalyna Country T-shirt, or some highbush cranberry salad dressing, jelly or jam. Afterwards relax in a quaintly-decorated tea house, or coffee shop and later enjoy a hearty country meal or authentic local cuisine in one of our eateries and nearby there’s always a friendly pub to provide refreshment and respite for weary travelers from near and far.
All Roads Lead …
Kalyna
Country is well-served by an extensive network of paved highways and secondary
roads and is easily reached from neighbouring provinces via the famed
TransCanada Yellowhead Route (Highway
16) and the Poundmaker Trail (Highway
14) from Hwy #40 in Saskatchewan. The ecomuseum is a captivating
place to explore, to make new friends, or to reconnect with one’s ancestral
past. Whether you are interested in a day-trip from Edmonton, a weekend getaway,
or a family vacation with a down-home country theme, Kalyna Country has
something to fit most every budget and lifestyle.