Forestry Trunk Road — Hwy 734 Nosehill Creek to Brazeau Collieries Ghost Town
Coal Branch ghost town run through Alberta's forgotten foothills.
The Coal Branch country west of Drayton Valley is one of Alberta’s most overlooked overland corridors. Picking up Hwy 734 near Nosehill Creek and driving southwest, you’re threading through cutblocks and old-growth spruce before the road drops toward the Brazeau River valley and the ruins of Brazeau Collieries — an entire coal mining town that burned and was abandoned by the 1950s. Concrete foundations, collapsed tipple structures, and the eerie silence of a place that once housed hundreds of workers make this a legitimate ghost town run. The road itself is maintained gravel transitioning to two-track clay in the lower sections; wet weather turns the clay stretches greasy fast.
A capable high-clearance rig handles this in dry conditions, but don’t trust a dry forecast in the foothills — carry traction boards and a recovery kit regardless. The ghost town site requires some short hiking from the road to fully explore the ruins. Best season is June through October, with mid-summer offering the driest road surface. No permits required, but the area is active timber harvest country so watch for logging trucks on blind corners. Fuel at Drayton Valley or Nordegg before you head in — there’s nothing out here.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 54 mi / 86.9 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 4800 ft |
| Best season | June-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Drayton Valley, Alberta |
| Land manager | Alberta Environment and Protected Areas — Green Area |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle this trail, or do I need a lift?
A stock high-clearance 4WD is the minimum and will get through under normal conditions. Mud season or recent rain can change that fast — low-range and all-terrain tires are strongly advised on this 87km stretch of mixed dirt and gravel through the foothills.
When does this section of Forestry Trunk Road typically open and close for the season?
June through October is the reliable window. Spring thaw turns the dirt sections into deep ruts and mud traps well into May, and early season snowfall can hit the Coal Branch country in October. Check Alberta's forest road conditions before you go.
Do I need a permit to drive or camp along this route?
No permit is required to drive Hwy 734. Dispersed camping is allowed in Alberta's Green Area managed by Alberta Environment and Protected Areas — no fee, no reservation, but fire restrictions can be in effect, so check current conditions through Alberta Wildfire before you leave.
What's the hardest section to expect on this route?
Sections closer to Brazeau Collieries can involve rutted two-track and soft shoulders after rain — nothing technical in dry conditions, but the combination of isolation and potential mud makes it a real problem if you're not self-sufficient. No bailout options exist mid-route, so if you get stuck, you're sorting it yourself.
Is there any place to refuel or get water between the start near Drayton Valley and the Brazeau end?
There is no fuel or services on this route — zero. Top off in Drayton Valley before you head in. Cell service is nonexistent the entire run, so water treatment gear and enough fuel for 90+ km of slow, rough driving plus a reserve margin is not optional.
Trail track
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