Easy Hiking Trails Around Calgary

Hiking is a great way to unwind and clear out cobwebs that fill your mind. These hiking trails around Calgary will let you recharge, forget your stressors, and start fresh with a clear mind. Nature’s therapy is the best.

If you live in a big city like Calgary Ab and love the outdoors and nature walks, it is possible to find some wonderful hikes close to home or right in your backyard.

Find your urban oasis without having to drive far.

In this post, I will share my Best Hiking Trails Around Calgary That Are Easy. These trails are nice at any time of year.

Bowmont/Dale Hodges Park

Bowmont Park Environmental Park is a 192 hectare of land across the river from the Bow Crescent area. Fabulous river walks with many water features stemming from the stormwater treatment area. A great place to bird watch with such birds as the red, yellow winged blackbird.

The map below is a 3.6 km scenic walk that loos back starting from 52 St NW.

Shannon Terrace, Fish Creek

Shannon Terrace is another beautiful trail part of Fish Creek Prov park’s trail. This off-the-beaten-path loop was a 4 km nature walk or choose to walk the paved pathway.

So many trails to choose from here, stay on the trail to Votier Flats or cross over the bridge and head toward Marshall Springs.

Brown – Lowery Provincial Park

Wild Rose Loop

Wild Rose is a 4.8 km loop in the Millerville area in the heart of the foothills. This hike can be extended by taking the Old Mill loop or the Perimeter loop.

A Lovely hike with some elevation changes that head up to a picturesque Eagle viewpoint. Meandering through the landscape is a creek where deer are often spotted nibbling the vegetation.

For this winter hike trekking poles and/or micro cleats are recommended.

Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area

Fescue Loop

The Fescue loop is a 4.8 km hike that is nestled in the foothills near Millerville, which has magnificent views of the Rocky mountains. This is a large conservation area with plenty of other trails to follow if you are up for a longer hike. Such as Paradise, Aspen, and Ranchers trail.

This area is great for snowshoeing.

Weaselhead Flats

WeaselHead Flats Loop

The Weaselhead loop is a 4.8 km loop that starts just down from the parking lot off of 37 St SW. On the west end of the Glenmore Reservoir. Many trails connect to the 9.4 km Weaselhead Reginal paved pathway that loops around the reservoir with ample parking throughout the area.

This flat hike is really pretty, that wines alongside the Elbow River with a hop, skip, and a jump to the shores of the Glenmore Reservoir.

Paskapoo Slopes

Paskapoo Slopes at Cougar Ridge –

Paskapoo trail is a 3.4 km loop that is nestled up alongside the slopes of COP. The main loop wines through the treed hillside with many water features. In addition, there is a stunning panoramic view of the city’s NW. There are two old cars partially buried in the creek, creating a mystery of how they got there from times long past.

This hike is pretty in summer.

UPDATED: The cars have since been removed. However, a Buddhist Stupa was built near the top entrance which is cool to see. Please respect this as it is private property. Look for the huge rock formation brought down from glacier activity years ago.

Carburn Park

Carburn Park loop is approx 3 km in Calgary. It is an absolutely lovely park with ponds, a river, benches, fire pits, washrooms, and an abundance of wildlife, deer, ducks, geese, chickadees, and porcupines. Choose the paved walkway or the off-trail dirt paths. One of my favorite city nature walks.

Wyndham Provincial Park

Wyndham park loop

Wyndham is a 4.3 km trail that loops around the campground, where the Bow River runs alongside the campground. Starting at the Weir at the SW end of the campground or the entrance gate.

Nature is so abundant here with Deer, Owls, Squirrels, and Chickadees spotted regularly. Reaching out your arms with or without food often attracts the chickadees instantly. Having many Chickadees landing on your hand at one time. therefore, making this a bird lovers’ paradise.

Although these hikes are rated easy it is still important to have some backpacking essentials with you. Here is a list of items one may need to make hikes more comfortable and safe.

Edworthy Park

Edworthy Park Trails

Edworthy park has so many trails one can never get bored. Walk the river, and hillside, stroll through Christmas Tree Trail or hike along the Douglas Fir Trail. The fir trees here range up to 500 yr old just many of the scenic sights to be had. Feeling thirsty or in need of a bite to eat? Head over to Angel’s Cafe beside the bridge. Watch YouTube Video

Douglas Fir Trail

UPDATED: Unfortunately this trail is closed indefinitely due to heavy erosion.

However all the trails that surround it such a Quarry and Edworthy are good and loop around this to still add a nice long hike.

Douglas Fir trail is approximately a 5 km trail. This trail is best between Late May to Nov. Many streams flow year-round on this trail and once the freeze hits the path becomes slippery and large ice patches form on the trail including the Bow River Bike/walk path below becoming a hazard and unpassable in spots.

Start this trail at Quarry Road trail and meander through the forest up and down the ridge to Edworthy Park. There are numerous sets of stairs, one of which has 145 stairs winding up the path with ropes to help along the way. Is a good workout however there are many areas where you can jump off either west up to Spruce Cliff or back down to the Bow River Pathway. Take the trail back on the west side of the tracks or cross over through the river pathway and back up to Lower Quarry road.

Quarry, Edworthy, and Douglas fir all intertwine so it can make for a long day of hiking without leaving the City.

Quarry Road Trail

Quarry Road trail is approx. 2.7 km. You can access it at two points of entry at 24 St SW, Cedar Cr SW, or the Douglas Fir Trail. If you connect it to the Douglas Fir trail it is just over 4 km depending on the paths chosen. The dotted line on the map that is not marked is a short but really pretty way to connect the quarry loop. This well-trafficked trail has great views of the city and the bow river.

The lush green of summer is a stunning time to visit.

Watch the video here:

Shaganappi Park

Shaganappi Park Is a hidden gem. This trail is a nice addition to Quarry Road Trail if you accessed it from 24St SW. Cross over the red footbridge and follow the path down into the coulee. There is a short little creek that winds beside a dirt path that leads to a tiny waterfall as well as a nice peaceful setting place to sit and relax.

Griffith Woods Park

Griffith Woods Park is found in the Discovery Ridge off Discovery Ridge Link. Many trails meander through this area. Take a dirt trail to the river or stay on a paved path as well as check out Discovery Ridge ponds and all the little subsidiary ponds throughout the area.

Bears, moose, and cougars are often spotted in the area. Keep the bear spray handy.

Fish Creek

Fish Creek Park is a 19km trail that winds alongside the Bow River and the Fish Creek subsidiaries through the City of Calgary as well as many of the trails that extend beyond the Fish Creek Park boundaries. Whichever trail you choose you won’t be disappointed. My favorite trails are around the Bow Valley Ranch.

12 mile Coulee

12 Mile Coulee Is a 4.2 km loop trail in the Tuscany area of Calgary’s NW community which runs alongside Stoney Trail. This trail is a real hidden gem with a meandering creek flowing through as well as numerous bridges and creek crossings through the forested path. Hard to believe it’s a city trail and not in the mountains.

Watch Video Here:

Sandy Beach

Sandy Beach is a pathway full of trails along the river from Elbow River Dam to 38th Ave SW. We started our 7km hike from 50th Ave SW at the dog park and worked our way down. Pick a trail and go.

Inglewood Bird Sanctuary

Inglewood Bird Sanctuary is an easy 2.3 km pathway full of nature with Birds, Geese, and Deer. Visit the Colonel James Walker house, a stunning brick homestead built-in 1910.

Marshal Springs

Marshal Springs is found on the trail west end of Fish Creek Provincial Park just off of Fish Creek Blvd.

Trails are abundant, making this a great place to start if you are biking the provincial park trail. Many trails branch off into the bush where mountain bikers practice their skills for the mountains.

So many places to explore along this trail such as Rocks of wisdom, the wetlands, and the creek leading to the bow river corridor at Hwy 201 (22X) where the Bow Valley Ranch and visitors center is located.

Prince’s Island to St Patrick’s Island

St Patrick’s Island and Prince’s island are equally stunning places to visit so why not hit them both. To walk them both and back is approx. 4 km.

St Patrick’s Island is a hidden gem away from the hustle and bust of busy trails. Bring your family for a picnic or let the kids splash in the little inlet that is protected from the current of the river.

Prince’s Island is one of the busiest parks being city central but beautiful nonetheless. Hundreds of Geese frequent this area swimming in the tributaries of the bow as this seems to be baby boom central where all ages of geese wander the park.

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REMEMBER: Wild animals can be found in any park, especially ones that follow rivers, creeks, and open nature corridors. As an avid mountain hiker, I can honestly say, I have come across more wildlife (bears, Moose, Coyotes, Cats) in the City parks than out in the mountains.

I highly recommend carrying an air horn, and/or bear spray if not many other hiking essentials with you on some of these trails.

Follow me on Instagram @internethousewife for more adventures. See ya there!