After researching great hikes throughout
Calgary since the spring of 1997 I have chosen my favourite places to hike and
have listed some below. Many more, each with a map, are in my book
Symbols
Kid's love it! 
Great coffee-shop!
Calgary Map and Route
Numbers
The route descriptions are located below the map.
North
Hikes
Trail Training
& Nature Hikes
Hike 1: Twelve-Mile Coulee,
NW
Parking: This is street parking. In the
neighbourhood of Tuscany park on Tuscany Hills Crescent or Mews. Hike starts at the end of Tuscany Hills
Mews on the paved path.
Take Note: Twelve Mile Coulee
has no official trails.
Since this wild area is not owned by the city (it is still part
of the Stoney right-of-way) it has no status as a park. That
means there are no garbage cans for doggie do-do and the trails are not
maintained. There are many narrow paths that are frequently used by hikers and mountain bikers. My route follows the creek along the bottom of the coulee. The creek may be dry in the summer and fall so just imagine water trickling along. In the spring and winter the trails can be slippery and muddy.
Description: This wild walkabout takes a dip into a
coulee that runs parallel to Stoney Trail. The treed valley bottom hides you from the city’s hustle and
sets you up for some exciting hill climbing if you need some hiking
training! If you'd like a leisurely stroll than you can forget the hills
and enjoy the creek walk. Eventually you'll climb to views of the
Rocky Mountain ranges, Canada Olympic Park and Calgary's city core.
The Route:
From the end of Tuscany Mews, follow the
paved path until you see a set of stairs that head down into the coulee. Follow
them and cross the creek. Follow the creek to end of the coulee at which point
you'll see Canada Olympic Park. At the end of the coulee you can backtrack along
the creek or climb west up the hill to a fence. Hike north along the fence. When
the fence makes a sharp turn left drop down into a side coulee and then all the
way down to the main coulee.
Hike 2: Nose Hill Berkley Gate
,
NW
Parking: Use the official parking lot at
the intersection of Berkley Gate
and 14th Street, NW.
Description and Route: Grasslands,
coulees, wildflowers and mushrooms as big as your head! Nose hill has great
views, wildlife, and an abundance of wildflowers. There are no
maps for the trails of Nose Hill but there are many landmarks to use so you
find your car at the end of the trek. Use the power lines, the airport view,
the mountain view and the city core view to keep you on track.
Hike 3: Bowmont Natural Environment Park,
NW
Parking: Park at the official parking area on Scenic Bow
Rd. just off 85 St. The parking area is a pull-off on a sharp corner. A Bowmont Park sign hangs on the fence at the park entrance.
Take Note: Bowmont
Park has one official paved path and no other official trails. There are many narrow paths that are frequently used by hikers and mountain bikers.
There are many hills and this is great hiking training. If you want to avoid
knee problems you should bring your hiking poles on this trek. The hills are
steep and there are lots of them! Trails can be slippery and muddy in the winter
and spring.
Description: No matter what the season
this is one of my favourite places to hike in Calgary. Single track dirt paths
take you along the escarpment overlooking the Bow River. You descend into
Waterfall Valley and you'll think you've left the city! The summer wildflowers
are breathtaking and so are the hills!
The Route: Hike east through the fence
from the parking area. Continue on the paved path under the CPR tracks. Once
past the next parking area on your right and over the road I
suggest getting off the pavement and following the narrow dirt paths along the
escarpment edge. You are rewarded with Bow River views to the east and
mountain vistas to the west. The icing on the cake is when you drop down into waterfall valley! Hard to believe you are in the city. You
can continue as far as Home Road or make a loop and head back to your car at
any point.
Hike 4: Edworthy Park & the Douglas Fir Trail,
NW
South Parking: From Bow Trail turn north on 45 St. Turn west on Spruce Drive and follow Edworthy Park road down the hill.
North Parking: At
the corner of Shagannappi and Memorial Drive turn onto Montgomery View and
park in the parking lot near the Boothman bridge
(a foot bridge).
Description:
This is another of my favourite places to get away from it all and to sweat
profusely! I
often meet many a hiker who is training for Nepal on the hill behind the
south parking lot. The Douglas Fir Trail
is beautiful in the summer and fall and treacherous in the winter and spring
due to huge ice flows that cover the stairs. Dogwood and violets are some of
the shady summer wildflowers you'll see on this trek. It is a birders
paradise so bring your binoculars. At dusk in the Fall I saw three
Great-horned Owls fly across the path in front of me and then the coyotes
started to howl. A wilderness trek in the heart of the city!
The
Route:
From the north parking area, you cross the walking bridge and follow the
paved Bow River pathway over the tracks to the south parking area. Hike east
along the paved path and watch on your right for the Douglas Fir trail sign.
A hill of stairs leads us into a Douglas fir forest. Follow this signed
route to Crowchild Trail and then loop back on the
paved pathway or backtrack through the trees for more stairs. Once back at the
south parking lot make sure to try the steep hill that overlooks the parking
area.
Coffee
Shop Stop: The
Lazy Loaf & Kettle Café (Memorial Drive and Parkdale Cres.) will tempt
your taste buds with cinnamon buns as big as your head, and scrumptious
lunches! Definitely a favourite!
Neighbourhood &
Trail Training
Hike 5: Riley Park / Crescent Heights Loop,
NW (great
trail training!)
Parking:
At the
intersection of of 8 Ave and 12 St continue along 8 Ave. to the official
parking area for Riley park.
Description: This route is a perfect
combination of neighbourhoods and parks. Riley park has cheery gardens in the
summer. The downtown view from Crescent Heights is spectacular and in
the winter the Christmas lights along Crescent Road make this a festive
trek. And for those of you keen to work up a sweat you'll enjoy the
stairs across from Princes Island. If you climb the Crescent
Heights 130 times you will have climbed the elevation of Everest!
The Route: Hike east towards 10th
street, cross over and continue under the LRT tracks. Follow the stairs
to the top of the escarpment and continue uphill, heading east. The best route
for hills and stairs is to follow this green space to 7A St. and then east on
Crescent Road. McHugh Bluff is the name of the green space that
appears on your right. Zigzag on dirt paths up and down this hillside until
you reach the stairs across from Princes Island. Do them a few times or make a
loop of stairs and paved path and then loop back through Princes Island to Kensington
and Riley Park.
South
Hikes
Neighbourhood Trek
Hike 6: Roxboro Natural Park,
SW
(includes Stanley Park,
Elbow Park and Mount Royal)
Parking: Access Roxboro Rd. off 4th
St just south of 26th
Ave. over the Mission Bridge. Park on the street at the corner of Roxboro Rd. and Roxboro Glen Rd.
Description: Hidden pathways, stairs and hills, river trails, interesting architecture,
great gardening ideas and wonderful Christmas
lights in the winter! There are also some great hills and stairs for those
of you addicted to sweat.
The
Route: Hike east into the park, keeping the Elbow River on your left. At
the base of the escarpment you'll come to a Roxboro Natural Area sign. Follow
the dirt trail uphill into the trees. Continue along the escarpment and back
down to Mission Road. Hike through Parkhill and then down to the Elbow River
and through Stanley park. Continue on the paved Elbow River Pathway under
Elbow Drive to 8 St. At 8 St., cross the Elbow River on the walking bridge and
continue across 38 Ave. onto 8 St. Follow the any street through the community
of Elbow Park to the Glencoe Club for some great stairs. Hike through Mount
Royal and Mission. From 4th St., cross the Mission Bridge and turn onto
Roxboro Road. Hike to the end to find your car!
Neighbourhood,
Nature & Trail Training
Hike 7: Sandy Beach and River Park,
SW
Parking: At
the intersection of 14A St & 50 Ave,SW (River Park), follow 50th
Ave past the Emily Follensbee Centre and down the hill to the last parking lot at the bottom of the hill.
Description
and Route: You are
surrounded by hills! How exciting! Grab your pack and explore both
sides on the Elbow River valley . There are great hiking trails below the
Glenmore Dam to the south. All-in-all, this is a great route for training and
for views of the downtown core, the mountains and the Elbow River. Oh yah, the
hoar frost is the winter is spectacular!
Coffee
Shop Stop: Bell's Bookstore Cafe (14 St and 34 Ave., SW) is a great place
for home-made goodies and well roasted coffee.
Nature Hikes
Hike 8: North Glenmore and the Weaselhead,
SW
Parking: From
Glenmore trail turn south onto 37 St and follow to either
of the parking areas. If you want a shorter hike start at the Weaselhead parking area. A sign marks the parking lot. The longer hike starts at parking lot “E” in North Glenmore Park.
Description:
If you want solitude then hike in the Weaselhead. Many birds, deer,
coyotes and the occasional black bear all populate this wilderness area.
Listen for the piliated woodpecker who rocks his noggin making huge holes in
dead trees. Stay on the paved path or venture off into the series of trails
along the Elbow River. This is true wilderness.
Take
note: The official Weaselhead trails can be confusing so be prepared to
pay attention. It can be a mosquito nightmare in the heat of the summer
so be prepared!
Shorter
Route:
From the Weaselhead parking area head down the paved path, across the bridge
to the signs for the Weaselhead. I should warn you that the trails are very
confusing once you have entered. The signage is not good and you can't see out
of the forest to get your bearings. Watch for my hiking guidebook in Spring
2002 since it will have a detailed map of this route.
Longer
Route: From parking lot E you hike towards the reservoir and come to a set
of stairs. This route takes you down the stairs and north along the water
until you hit the paved path. If the water is high the trails will be covered
so you should follow the paved path at the top of the escarpment. From the
parking area walk to the paved path and turn right (north). Follow until you
hike down a long hill and cross the walking bridge. The signs are just after
the bridge.
Coffee
Shop Stop: Primal Grounds Cafe (3003, 37 St. SW ) has great home-made
organic food. I love the cakes. Do an extra hill or two if you have a sweet
tooth!
Hike 9: Fish Creek
Park West End,
SW
Parking: Shannon Terrace parking lot at
the west end of the park). Take Anderson Road west to 37 St; turn south or left
onto 37 street (near Sarcee Reserve) and then turn east or left onto 130 Ave.
Take your next right onto Wood Path Road to enter Fish Creek Park. Keep to the
left when the road splits and continue to the first parking lot.
Description:
Canada's largest urban provincial park! There have been some major changes in
the park since the flood in 2005. The west end of the park is still under
construction but you can follow the paved path east to Bebo Grove and then
loop back over some newly constructed bridges. Link to the parks website to
get the latest trail map: http://tprc.alberta.ca/parks/fishcreek/ewmap.asp
Great-horned owls in the bare-branches of
Poplar trees, mule deer, rabbits and the sometimes a black bear; I've encountered
them all on this route. This is a wonderful park to explore. Bring a picnic
lunch, find a spot by the creek and enjoy a getaway in the heart of the
city.
The
Route: Fish
Creek trails are quite well-marked. Follow the paved path and
cross bridge # 2. Follow the sign to the Ridgeview Trail. At the Evergreen
Estates sign there is a great hill. Follow the road uphill and climb the
obvious steep slope to a bench. Once back on the main path ,you can continue
to Marshall Springs and then Bebo Grove (signed) and follow a flat route back to Shannon Terrace.
