This trail was built in the early 2000's by local residents, including a number of mountain biking enthusiasts. It passes through a number of different types of environment as it travels up one side of Swift Creek, across a footbridge and down the other side. It can be combined with other trails to make a longer hike, by travelling it clockwise at the beginning of a long hike or counterclockwise at the end. In the clockwise direction, the Swift Creek Loop starts from Main Street in Valemount and travels upstream along a dike on the northwest side of Swift Creek. At the end of the dike, it ascends an old road and then turns to the right onto a sandy ridge, climbing steadily through open pine forests to an excellent viewpoint above the creek. The slopes below the viewpoint are a small sample of Interior Grassland. Although this type of grassland environment extends north well into the Yukon in drier areas, this viewpoint may well be its northern limit in the Rocky Mountain Trench. At Valemount's latitude in the trench, the grassland ecosystem exists only on warm, dry south- facing slopes that are steep enough to absorb an unusual amount of the sun's heat early and late in the season. Grassland plants such as Early Yellow Loco Weed and Pasture Sage can be found here. Blanket Flower, absent from the area since a plant poaching episode in the early 2000's, has returned and these brown and yellow flowers can be seen on slopes below the viewpoint in late June and early July.

Another vest-pocket grassland at a somewhat higher elevation may be seen along the South Ridge Trail.

From the viewpoint, the trail enters somewhat more dense forest where more shade-loving plants typical of the montane forests in this area can be found. It follows various benches and finally descends to the Swift Creek bottomland and the Columbian Forest zone - the home of, among other things, big Western Red Cedar trees and Devil's Club. Crossing the creek on a sizeable footbridge, the trail turns downstream through magnificent old cedars and evidence of early-day logging. A short distance downstream it turns away from the creek and ascends a moss-covered north-facing slope where plants of cool, damp places can be found. Arriving at a logging road of 1950's vintage, the trail turns to the right and passes through an area of large old hemlock and other trees. Younger hemlocks are advancing into the old road right-of-way on both sides of the trail.

Eventually an early-day road junction is reached. The trail is signed to indicate that it enters a much more recent logging trail between two of the older roads. Following this trail uphill, it arrives at the Swift Mountain Forest Road about 1.2 km below the Selwyn Traverse trailhead. For a longer hike, ascent to the Selwyn trailhead or one of the mountain bike trails described below. To complete the Swift Creek Loop itself, descend the Swift Mountain road. It will take you to Hillside Drive and thus back to downtown Valemount.

Cross the railway tracks at the east side of the town of Valemount and park in a convenient location near the Swift Creek Bridge, the only bridge on this street.

Park along Main Street as above. The southeast end of the Swift Creek Loop is accessed from the south end of Main Street where it becomes Whisky Fill Road and continues out of town. At this point, close to the 5th Avenue railway crossing in Valemount, you will find Hillside Drive. Ascend this road about 1.5 km. to the Swift Mountain Forest Road. Ascend the Swift Mountain Forest Road about 2.5 km, watching for the Swift Creek Loop trail sign on your left.

When you arrive at the Swift Mountain Road and the Selwyn Traverse ends, descend about 1 km. to the Swift Creek trail sign and turn to the right onto a recent logging skid trail which forms the beginning of the loop.

Allow about 2 to 3 hours for the round trip to/from your vehicle.