Calgary's Best Walks Guidebook

Calgary’s
Best
Walks
45 urban jaunts and nature strolls
Lori Beattie
2 nd edition,
updated and
expanded

Calgary’s Best Walks
2nd Edition December 2020
copyright © 2015, 2020 Lori Beattie
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system
or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording, or otherwise,
without prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of a reviewer, who may
quote brief passages in a review to print in a magazine or newspaper, or broadcast on radio
or television. In the case of photocopying or other reprographic copying, users must obtain a
license from Access Copyright, the Canadian Copyright Licensing Agency.
Published by: Fit Frog Adventures
Calgary, AB
www.fitfrog.ca
Social: @lorifitfrog
lorib@fitfrog.ca
Connect with the author on Instagram and Facebook @lorifitfrog or at calgarysbestwalks.ca
Order books! Contact the author or booksellers can order directly from Sandhill Book
Distributors, www.sandhillbooks.com
For permissions to reproduce the works of art in this volume, grateful acknowledgement is
made to the copyright holders thereof.
Maps, book design, layout and illustration by Sergio Gaytán
Front cover artwork and interior artwork, as marked, copyright Sheila Kernan,
www.sheilakernan.com
Interior artwork, as marked, copyright Terra Simieritsch, www.terrasimieritsch.com
Interior artwork, as marked, copyright Mandy Budan, www.budanart.com
Photographs by Lori Beattie except in Walk 2 and Walk 30
Photograph in Walk 2 (leaves with raindrops) and Walk 30 (feature) by Keith Dewing
Editing by Meaghan Craven
Author photo by Trudie Lee, www.harderlee.ca
1 2 3 4 5
Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication
Calgary’s best walks: 45 urban jaunts and nature strolls / Lori Beattie.
2nd edition, updated and expanded.
Beattie, Lori, author.
ISBN 9780993953514 (softcover)
1. Walking—Alberta—Calgary—Guidebooks.
2. Hiking—Alberta—Calgary—Guidebooks. 3. Calgary (Alta.)—Guidebooks.
GV199.44.C22 C33 2020 | DDC 917.123/38044—dc23
Printed in Canada
3

Dedication
I dedicate the second edition of my book to my mum
and dad, Marg and Don Beattie. Leading through
example they taught me many things, but the biggest
lesson was to find your passion and follow it. For my
mum it was music. Portable piano in tow, my mum is
the life of the party.
And to the memory of my dad, who’s entrepreneurial
spirit and creativity in business taught me to say
yes and figure it out later. He instilled confidence by
encouraging me to step out and take chances.
And lastly, to the memory of my brother Garry Beattie
whose positive outlook despite a devastating diagnosis
taught me to Always Look on the Bright Side of Life
(Monty Python fans please sing along) because the
only thing you can control is your attitude.
5

Lori Beattie
www.fitfrog.ca

Contents
Acknowledgements ....................10
Introduction .........................11
How to Use this Book. ..................12
Map Legend .........................14
Category Descriptions. ..................15
Category Descriptions Chart ..............16
Overview Maps by Quadrant -
NW and NE routes .....................19
Overview Maps by Quadrant -
SW and SE routes. .....................20
The Routes ..........................23
The Artists. .........................270
The Author .........................271
The Designer ........................272
CONTENTS
9

Acknowledgements
Introduction
A huge thanks to Sergio Gaytán, map maker, illustrator, and
layout and design expert, for making my book as beautiful
as it is functional. The gorgeous paintings that are placed
throughout the book and on the cover make me very
happy. Thanks to artists Sheila Kernan, Terra Simieritsch
and Mandy Budan for these beautiful pieces!
I love to walk, everywhere and anywhere. Walking makes me happy.
I enjoy the fresh air, the time to think, and the freedom to explore. I also
love the simplicity. You don’t need special gear or skills to go for a walk,
just practical footwear, a few layers of clothes, and the ability to put one
foot in front of the other: left, right, left, right.
Thanks to all the people who I have chatted with while on
walkabout all over Calgary. The conversations with fellow
walkers and the random interactions with gardeners, front
porch sitters, snow shovelers, dog walkers and passers-by
are what makes walking in the city so enjoyable.
A special thanks to my mum and dad, Marg and Don
Beattie, who encouraged me to be creative and make
things up. Don’t follow the rules.
A million thanks to my family, Keith, Oscar, Eve and our
dog Wall-E who have happily joined me on walks all over
Calgary, The Rockies and in every city we visit.
Exploring Calgary on foot is ideal for
anyone, no matter their interests. Taking
a walk in the city can help you satisfy
your desire to explore and experience
wilderness, art, and gardens; rivers,
reservoirs, hills and flatlands; as well as
the urban core and quiet communities, on
trails that end at a local café, restaurant
or ice cream shop. It is this vast range
of treasures in such a small space that
makes walking in Calgary so enjoyable, so
stimulating. Walk through neighbourhoods
and observe or interact with gardeners,
front-porch sitters, or other walkers.
See and be seen on a walk along a
bustling commercial street. Or log off and
reconnect with nature by getting off the
beaten track and onto a more remote one.
Walking outside is the perfect way to
clear your head, to shake up your routine
and put things into perspective. It’s
also a great activity to engage in with
your kids, your family, and your friends.
Conversations flow when you walk. What
else is there to do but chat and observe?
And all that fresh air and Alberta sunshine
does wonders for your mood.
The routes included in this book introduce
you to parts of the city that may be new
to you. Use the routes as guidelines and
then expand on them. The “Suggested
Detours” encourage you to change your
route midstride because the fun part
about urban walking is the unknown, the
surprises around unexplored corners.
Hidden stairways, little free libraries, a
spectacular garden or a neighbourhood
café – all waiting to be found. Happy
walking and be sure to say “Hi” if you
see me while on walkabout!
See you out there!
10 CALGARY’S BEST WALKS
INTRODUCTION
11

5 St.
5 St.
How to Use this Book
NW
SW
NE
SE
Walks are colour-coded by quadrant.
Walk Details
All the walk’s details are included in this section. You’ll
find information on route categories, public transit options,
parking, and the locations of public bathrooms. For current
trail updates, including closures, check the City of Calgary
website. (www.calgary.ca)
I provide route distances measured in kilometres. A person
who walks regularly has an average pace of 5 km per hour.
If the route is hilly, generally speaking, for every 100 m
gained in elevation, you should add 10 minutes to your
walk-time estimate. You gain between 35 and 60 metres
in elevation when you climb from the river valley to the
top of Calgary’s escarpments. For those of you who enjoy
counting steps as part of the 10,000/day step challenge,
take note that with an average step length of 80 cm, you
will walk 1,312 steps/km. If you complete a route that is 7.5
km or more, you will walk at least 10,000 steps.
See Category Descriptions (page 15) for information on the
walk categories.
Walk
number
Riley Park - Kensington - McHugh Bluff
Walk 17
NW
Walk at a Glance:
This downtown urban hike criss-crosses the escarpment on the
north side of the Bow River. Views of the Bow River Valley, the Rocky
Mountains, and city-centre skyscrapers that reach up and out of the
concrete are constant.
Riley Park is a hive of activity in the summer, with its
playground, impressive wading pool, open park space
for playing Frisbee or picnicking, and colourful flower
beds. And for those wanting to watch some cricket
matches, visit the east end of the park where cricket has
been played since 1919. Ezra Hounsfield Riley donated
the park land to the city in 1910 and then secured a
permit from parks superintendent William Reader to
create the still-popular cricket pitch.
Route Details
Categories: C-Train, Café, Dog Friendly, Hilly, Home and
Gardens, Neighbourhoods and Parks, People Watching
and Shopping, River, Stroller, Vistas.
Starting-Point Parking: Park in the official three-hour,
free, Riley Park parking area. 800 Twelfth Street NW.
C-Train Start: Sunnyside.
Transit: Bus access at various points along the route.
Check Calgary Transit at www.calgarytransit.com.
Facilities: Seasonal bathrooms at Riley Park and Princes
Island Park. Year-round bathrooms at Eau Claire.
Distance: 7 km
Degree of Difficulty: Moderate, with some challenging
hills and stairs.
Suggested Detour/Seasonal
Highlights/Cautions
Year-Round: Search for the Sunnyside garage art and folk
art located throughout the neighbourhood. Find a map
of the art on my blog at www.fitfrog.ca.
2 1
Winter: Bring your skates and enjoy free outdoor skating
on the lagoon in Prince’s Island Park.
Summer: Enjoy the spectacular flower gardens in Burns
Memorial Park and Riley Park.
Suggested Detour:
Detour 1: Navigate through Rosedale and Crescent
Heights to see beautiful homes, gardens and Christmas
Lights in December.
Detour 2: For a hit of nature, walk the wetlands trail at
the east end of Princes Island Park.
From Riley Park, continue your walk onto the streets of
vibrant colourful Sunnyside, a community with character.
Older renovated homes painted in primary colours line
the side streets. Some handyman delights still exist
for those hoping to find a somewhat-affordable innercity
home, but most of the area has been rejuvenated
and renovated already. Travel along Kensington Road,
a hotbed of shops and restaurants. Grab a pre-hike
coffee and then walk to the impressive Poppy Plaza war
memorial at the intersection of 10 Street and Memorial
Drive. A dynamic public space, the plaza is perfect place
at which to sit, reflect, and watch the river flow by.
Continue east along the Bow River Pathway. If you
walk here during Calgary’s commute –at 7:30 am or 5
pm– be prepared for an onslaught of cyclists peddling
into or out of the downtown core. Cross the tubular
112 CALGARY’S BEST WALKS
RILEY PARK-KENSINGTON-MCHUGH BLUFF
113
Peace Bridge, a pedestrian bridge
that accommodates both walkers and
cyclists in harmony. Designed by Spanish
architect Santiago Calatrava, the bridge
was built to accommodate the six
thousand-plus per day users who walk
and bike for recreation and transport.
Functional and artistic, it is a testament
to the city’s commitment to increasing
its residents’ pleasure in walking and
cycling. Well lit for twenty-four-hour,
year-round use, its red and white colours
represent the Canadian flag.
Continue past Prince’s Island, or take a
side trip onto the island and follow one of
the many trails. In the winter, the frozen
pond in Prince’s Island is cleared and
maintained for skating.
Training on the Crescent Heights Stairs
The Crescent Heights stairs on McHugh Bluff have become a yearround
freeway full of Calgarians in training. Climbing stairs can make
your muscles burn. When the intensity of an activity increases and
you stop breathing comfortably, your cells start to rely on anaerobic
(oxygen-free) respiration to function. A by-product of anaerobic
exercise is an accumulation of lactic acid in your muscles. That burn
you feel is caused by this accumulation; slow down or stop when
you feel the burn. Fitness levels determine lactate thresholds so the
fitter you are the more you can climb before your legs burn. If you
want an alternative to the Crescent Heights stairs, try the paved path
that gradually climbs the escarpment. Gradual hills are perfect for
quadriceps training. Those big muscles in at the front of your legs are
used constantly when alpine skiing or climbing a hill on a bike. Build
quad strength by walking uphill backward for twenty steps and then
forward for twenty steps. Keep alternating until you reach the top. The
bigger the step you take, the tougher the workout.
Onward past China Town, cross the Bow
River and climb up the McHugh Bluff
Title
escarpment. Named after Felix McHugh,
who homesteaded this property and was
a prominent early entrepreneur, the bluff
host views extending downtown west to
the mountains. On a winter evening, the
sights are dramatic and impressive. With
every step up the hillside, the downtown
skyscrapers rise into view, bright,
compact, and towering. In December
the colourful light displays on the houses
makes this area the perfect spot for a
Christmas lights hike. Follow the pathway
to the popular Crescent Heights stairs,
where a hotbed of sweaty Calgarians
regularly keep fit. Across from Prince’s
Island Park, these stairs are easy access
for downtown office workers –or visitors
staying at downtown hotels– needing a
quick, outdoor, training session.
Quadrant
Continue to the hillside trails and walk
into the trees: willows, ashes, balsam
Walk
Details
poplar, and white spruce. This is a
popular dog-walking area, so you’ll likely
meet a furry friend or two while following
these treed escarpment trails. Or, if you
Tea, cupcakes, books and café’s
Kensington and Sunnyside have no shortage of
restaurants, cafés and shops. Be sure to walk
along Kensington Road and grab some loose leaf
tea at my favourite friendly tea shop, the Naked
Leaf. Owner Jonathan will brew you up a cup
and then you can grab a cupcake from Crave, and
perhaps a new book from Pages Books. Time to
sit and sip and enjoy life. Vendome Café is my
favourite for its scrumptious, made-from-scratch
food and cozy warm atmosphere. Tucked into an
old brick two-storey, the walls are red-brick warm,
the patio is comfy and the food made on site is
simply delicious. Al Forno Bakery & Café is across
choose to stay on top of the slope, you’ll
the river, a stones throw from the Peace Bridge.
A mix of café and upscale casual restaurant, Al
Forno is bright and warm and the food is fresh and
tasty. I love dropping in there for a hot drink and
pastry or lunch on a cold winters day. Be sure to
grab a loaf of bread to take home!
continue to enjoy the Rocky Mountain
and Bow River vistas before descending
to Sunnyside and deciding where to go
for a nice meal or a social drink.
114 CALGARY’S BEST WALKS
RILEY PARK-KENSINGTON-MCHUGH BLUFF
115
Riley Park - Kensington - McHugh Bluff - Start
Map layout
on pages
Location:
Naked Leaf Tea: 1130 Kensington Road, NW
Crave Cookies & Cupcakes: 1107 Kensington
Road, NW
Pages Books: 1135 Kensington Road, NW
Vendome: 940 Second Avenue NW
Al Forno: 222, Seventh Street SW
Finder tab
Route’s general
information
Suggested Detours/
Seasonal Highlights/
Cautions
Route spread 1
Information
sidebars
Route spread 2
Suggested Detour/Seasonal Highlights/Cautions
12 CALGARY’S BEST WALKS
The Highlights/Cautions section of each walk summarizes
seasonal or general highlights or warnings. The Suggested
Detour section provides ideas for the urban explorer to
extend and expand walks routes.
Walk at a Glance
The Walk at a Glance is a route description that provides
you with an overview of the walk, as well as information
on items of note relative to the area the walk covers.
14 St.
14 St.
Riley Park - Kensington - McHugh Bluff - Start
SAIT Station
8 Av.
7 Av.
Alberta University
of the Arts
Community
centre
tennis
courts
13 St.
12 St.
12 St.
14 St.
11A St.
SAIT Station
Southern Alberta
Institute of
Technology
88 Av. Av.
7 Av.
RILEY
Wading Pool PARK
Community
centre
tennis
courts
13 St.
11 St.
Kensington Rd.
HILLHURST
Dine and Shop
Memorial Dr.
Alberta University
of the Arts
3 Av.
5 Av.
Burns
Memorial
Gardens
11A St.
10 St.
Gladstone Rd.
10A St.
Poppy
Plaza
10 St.
Dine and Shop
10 St.
Walk through
Poppy Plaza and
Community
continue under
10 Street.
centre
tennis
courts
Southern Alberta
Institute of
Technology
8 Av.
of the Arts
RILEY
Wading Pool PARK
4 Av.
11 St.
3 Av.
3 Av.
2 Av.
Kensington Rd.
9A St.
HILLHURST
Memorial Dr.
5 Av.
5 Av.
9 St.
N
SAIT Station
Southern ROSEDALE Alberta ROSEDALE
Institute of
BurnsTechnology
Memorial
Gardens
4 Av.
Sunnyside
Station
Gladstone Rd.
Vendome
Café
Poppy
Plaza
3 Av.
8 St.
4 Av.
3 Av.
2 Av.
4 Av.
Crescent Rd.
2 Av.
8 St.
9 St.
7A St.
SUNNYSIDE
5 Av.
7 St.
1 Av.
Memorial Dr.
4 Av.
6 St.
Vendome
Café
7 St.
Al Forno
Café & Bakery
3 Av.
3 Av.
Peace Bridge
Walk through
Wading Pool
Poppy Plaza and
continue under Community
10 Street.
centre
tennis 100 m
courts
6A St.
2 Av.
1 Av.
2 Av.
N
9 St.
Crescent Rd.
5A St.
6 St.
CRESCENT
HEIGHTS
CRESCENT
HEIGHTS
Get your PARK heart rate
up on these popular
training stairs.
Only 140 times and
you’ve climbed
Everest!
Eau Claire
Market
Inglewood route
116 CALGARY’S BEST WALKS
RILEY PARK-KENSINGTON-MCHUGH BLUFF
117
13 St.
SAIT Station
8 Av.
7 Av.
Alberta University
12 St.
12 St.
12 St.
Dine and Shop
12 St.
14 St.
10A St.
11A St.
10 St.
10 St.
Dine and Shop
10 St.
9A St.
9 St.
13 St.
11 St.
8 St.
4 Av.
8 St.
7A St.
7 Av.
SUNNYSIDE
7 St.
1 Av.
Memorial Dr.
6 St.
Downtown route
N
CRESCENT
HEIGHTS
MCHUGH Southern MCHUGH Alberta
BLUFF PARK BLUFF PARK
Institute of CRESCENT
Technology HEIGHTS
PARK
9 Av.
Alberta University
of the Arts
Sunnyside
Station
88 Av. Av.
7 Av.
Crescent Rd.
12 St.
RILEY
PARK
12 St.
5 St.
B O W R I
Eau Claire Av.
7 St.
Al Forno
Café & Bakery
100 m
5 Av.
3 Av.
Peace Bridge
6A St.
Memorial Dr.
V E
1 Av.
5 St.
2 Av.
4A St.
Burns
Memorial
Gardens
R
Crescent Rd.
4 St.
11A St.
10 St.
adstone Rd.
5A St.
6 St.
4 St.
7 Av.
4 St.
River Café
4 St.
10 Av.
9 Av.
5 St.
B O W R I
8 Av.
10 St.
Crescent Rd.
3 St.
Memorial Dr.
V E
PRINCE’S
ISLAND
Eau Claire Av.
5 St.
4A St.
4 St.
Water Park
4 St.
4 St.
Eau Claire
Market
River Café
4 St.
2 St.
100 m
DOWNTOWN DOWNTOWN
Wading Pool
4 Av.
11 St.
R
Riley Park - Kensington - McHugh Bluff - Continued
10 Av.
Downtown route
Crescent Rd.
3 St.
MCHUGH
BLUFF
PARK
SIEN LOK
PARK
RILEY
PARK
Riverfront Av.
N
Burns
Memorial
PRINCE’S
ISLAND Gardens
5 Av.
5 Av.
Water Park
100 m
Memorial Dr.
4 Av.
Sunnyside
Station
adstone Rd.
2 St.
10 St.
Get your heart rate
up on these popular
training stairs.
Only 140 times and
you’ve climbed
Everest!
ROSEDALE
Bridgeland route
Center St.
MCHUGH
BLUFF
PARK
Center St.
10 St.
SIEN LOK
PARK
Riverfront Av.
3 Av.
8 St.
Memorial Dr.
4 Av.
Inglewood route
Bridgeland route
Center St.
2 Av.
Center St.
Crescent Rd.
N
9 St.
7A St.
SUNNYSIDE
5 Av.
7 St.
4 Av.
Sunnyside
Station
Map
MCHUGH
BLUFF PARK
Continuity-marks show
map’s overlapping points
from one page to the next
6 St.
6A St.
ROSEDALE
3 Av.
8 St.
Crescent Rd.
2 Av.
N
9 St.
7A St.
Crescent Rd.
5A St.
7 Av.
SUNNYSIDE
7 St.
Route spread 3
6 St.
5 St. 5 St.
9 Av.
Memorial Dr.
I V
6A St.
E R
CRESCENT
HEIGHTS
4A St.
Crescent Rd
4 St.
5A St.
4 St.
7 Av
4 St.

Map Legend
Category Descriptions
Route pathway
Paved road
Paved path
Symbols
Uphill/Downhill
LRT station
LRT start
Commercial Area
Foot bridge
Traffic bridge
LRT
Railroad
Powerline
Walk start
Parking
Restrooms
Stairs
Interpretative sign
Other sign
Viewpoint
Picnic area
Playground
Unpaved path
Alternate route
Art
On-leash area
Off-leash area
Coffee shop
Ice cream parlor
Convenience store
Connection to
another route,
should you want a
longer walk
Nearby pathway
Paved road
Paved path
Unpaved path
Park Office
Landmark building
School
Church
House
Continuity-marks
show map’s
overlapping points
from one page to
the next
Families and children
All of the routes in the book are great for
kids, which is why I have not added a
“kids” category. The varied terrain and the
sights make all of the walks interesting.
Make the walk more fun for kids by
stopping for a picnic lunch, taking the
single-track trail with the chickadees, or
enjoying a playground. Of course, a postwalk
ice cream guarantees success!
Café
If I include “café” in my description,
you can be sure that a recommended,
independent, coffee shop is along the route
or close by.
Dog Friendly
The routes are mostly on-leash with the
occasional off-leash park. Dogs are welcome
on all routes except those in the Sandy
Cross Conservation Area, Weaselhead
Flats, the Jackrabbit Trail, and Inglewood
Bird Sanctuary.
Hilly
If I use the word “hilly” in the category
description, know that there is more than
one significant hill climb.
Historic
Inner-city community walks are always
historic.
Home and Gardens
The route travels through residential
communities with canopies of trees, as well
as varied landscaping, architecture, and
colourful gardens from spring through fall.
C-Train
If “C-Train” is included in the category
description, a LRT stop is along the route or
close to it.
Nature
The word “Nature” indicates that most of or
the entire walk is in the wilderness.
Neighbourhoods and Parks
This description tells you that the route will
take you through natural area parks and
green spaces, as well as along sidewalks
through neighbourhoods.
People Watching and Shopping
The route passes by or travels along a
pedestrian-friendly shopping street with
independent shops, restaurants, and cafés.
River
You’ll enjoy flowing water when walking
“River” routes.
Trail Running
Much of the route is along earthy trails.
Stroller
This category description is one to watch
out for if you are walking with a toddler
or baby. Big-wheeled strollers can easily
manage “Stroller” routes. Small-wheeled
strollers should stick to the neighbourhood
walks, not the natural areas with
gravel pathways.
Vistas
If you want to see the Rocky Mountains
and some river valley views, choose a route
with “Vista” in the category description.
14 CALGARY’S BEST WALKS
CATEGORY DESCRIPTIONS
15

Category Descriptions Chart
NW
NE
NW
SW
SE
Walk #
1 Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 1
2 Royal Oak Wetlands and Ravines ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 2
3 Twelve-Mile Coulee Natural Environment Park ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 3
4 Baker Park - Bowness Park - Valley Ridge Douglas Fir Trail ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 4
5 Bowmont Park West ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 5
6 Bowmont Park - Bowness Loop ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 6
7 Bowmont Park East and Dale Hodges Park ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 7
8 The Botanical Gardens of Silver Springs ✔ ✔ ✔ 8
9 Varsity and Dalhousie Ravines ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 9
10 Edgemont Hills and Ravines ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 10
11 Nose Hill Park, Porcupine Valley and Aspen Grove ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 11
12 Nose Hill Park, Meadowlark Prairie and Many Owls Valley ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 12
13 West Nose Creek / Confluence Park ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 13
14 Vista Heights - Nose Creek - Renfrew - Winston Heights ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 14
15 Bridgeland - Bow River - Nose Creek ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 15
16 Confederation Park - Capital Hill - Mount Pleasant ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 16
17 Riley Park - Kensington - McHugh Bluff ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 17
18 Briar Hill - Hounsfield Heights - West Hillhurst - Westmount ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 18
19 Bow River - Parkdale - St. Andrews Heights ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 19
20 Patterson - Coach Hill - Paskapoo Slopes ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 20
21 Douglas Fir Trail and Wildwood 21
22 Strathcona and Aspen Ravines ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 22
23 Beltline- Bankview - ScarboroSunalta- Kilarney - South Calgary ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 23
24 Sunalta - Scarboro - Kilarney - South Calgary ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 24
25 Downtown - East Village - Beltline Murals and Art ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 25
26 Roxboro - Erlton - Ramsay ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 26
27 Stanley Park - Roxboro - Mount Royal - East Elbow ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 27
28 Sandy Beach - Elbow Park - Britannia ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 28
29 Garrison - Glenmore Dam - Altadore ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 29
30 Weaselhead Flats Park - North Glenmore Park ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 30
31 Jackrabbit Trail - South Glenmore Park ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 31
32 Glenmore Reservoir Circumnavigation ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 32
33 Griffith Woods Park ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 33
34 Ann and Sandy Sandy Cross Conservation Area ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 34
35 Shawnessy - Somerset - Bridlewood Creek Wetland ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 35
36 Fish Creek Park West: Votiers Flats to Shannon Terrace ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 36
37 Fish Creek Park, Bow Valley Ranch ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 37
38 Fish Creek Park and Douglasdale Escarpment ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 38
39 Fish Creek Park and Mountain Park Escarpment ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 39
40 Fish Creek Park - Rotary Nature Park - Cranston ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 40
41 Carburn Park and Beaverdam Flats ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 41
42 Dover ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 42
43 Elliston Park ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 43
44 Inglewood - Pearce Estate Wetland - Inglewood Bird Sanctuary ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 44
45 Inglewood - East Village Riverwalk - Bridgeland ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 45
16 CALGARY’S BEST WALKS
Ctrain/ LRT
Hilly
Nature
Home & Garden
Neighbourhoods & Parks
Stroller
Café
Dog friendly
People watch & shop
Historic
CATEGORY DESCRIPTIONS CHART
Vistas
River
Trail running
Walk #
17

Overview Maps by Quadrant -
NW and NE routes
1 2
N
13
10
11
3
12
5 6 8
9
4
7
16
20
19 18
21
22
24
14
17
15
25
45
44
23
26
27
33
28
29
30
41
31
32
Walk Page
1 Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park 24
2 Royal Oak Wetlands and Ravines 30
3 Twelve-Mile Coulee Natural Environment Park 34
4 Baker Park - Bowness 34 Park - Valley Ridge Douglas Fir Trail 40
5 Bowmont Park West 36
46
6 Bowmont Park - Bowness Loop 46
37
7 Bowmont Park East and Dale Hodges Park 52
8 The Botanical Gardens of Silver Springs 58
9 Varsity and Dalhousie Ravines 35
64
10 Edgemont Hills and Ravines 70
11-12 Nose Hill Park - Overview of two routes 76
11 Nose Hill Park, Porcupine Valley and Aspen Grove 80
12 Nose Hill Park, Meadowlark Prairie and Many Owls Valley 86
16 Confederation Park - Capital Hill - Mount Pleasant 110
17 Riley Park - Kensington - McHugh Bluff 116
18 Briar Hill - Hounsfield Heights - West Hillhurst - Westmount 122
19 Bow River - Parkdale-St. Andrews Heights 128
Walk Page
13 West Nose Creek / Confluence Park 92
14 Vista Heights - Nose Creek - Renfrew - Winston Heights 98
15 Bridgeland - Bow River - Nose Creek 104
42
NW
38
39
40
NE
N
43
18 CALGARY’S BEST WALKS
OVERVIEW MAPS BY QUADRANT - NW AND NE ROUTES
19

Overview Maps by Quadrant -
SW and SE routes
Walk Page
20 Patterson - Coach Hill- Paskapoo Slopes 134
21 Douglas Fir Trail and Wildwood 140
22 Strathcona and Aspen Ravines 146
23 Beltline- Bankview - Scarboro 152
24 Sunalta- Kilarney - South Calgary 152
25 Downtown - East Village- Beltline Murals and Art 160
26 Roxboro - Erlton-Ramsay 166
27 Stanley Park- Roxboro - Mount Royal- East Elbow 172
28 Sandy Beach - Elbow Park-Britannia 178
29 Garrison - Glenmore Dam-Altadore 184
30 Weaselhead Flats Park - North Glenmore Park 190
31 Jackrabbit Trail - South Glenmore Park 196
32 Glenmore Reservoir Circumnavigation 202
33 Griffith Woods Park 208
34 Ann and Sandy Sandy Cross Conservation Area 212
35 Shawnessy - Somerset - Bridlewood Creek Wetland 218
36-40 Fish Creek Provincial Park - overview of five routes 224
36 Fish Creek Park West: Votiers Flats to Shannon Terrace 228
Walk Page
1 37 Fish Creek 2 Park, Bow Valley Ranch 234
38 Fish Creek Park and Douglasdale Escarpment 240
N
39 Fish Creek Park and Mountain Park Escarpment 13 240
40 Fish Creek Park - Rotary Nature Park - Cranston 240
41 Carburn Park and Beaverdam Flats 246
42 43 Dover 10
11
252
3 Elliston Park 252
44 Inglewood - Pearce Estate Wetland - Inglewood 12 Bird Sanctuary 258
45 Inglewood 5 - East Village
6 8 Riverwalk - Bridgeland 9
264
4
7
16
20
19 18
21
22
24
14
17
15
25
45
44
23
26
27
33
28
29
30
41
31
32
34
36
37
35
39
SW
SE
42
38
40
N
43
20 CALGARY’S BEST WALKS
OVERVIEW MAPS BY QUADRANT - SW AND SE ROUTES
21

The Routes
Center Tower Lights by Sheila Kernan
Walk
Page
1 Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park 24
2 Royal Oak Wetlands and Ravines 30
3 Twelve-Mile Coulee Natural Environment Park 34
4 Baker Park - Bowness Park - Valley Ridge Douglas Fir Trail 40
5 Bowmont Park West 46
6 Bowmont Park - Bowness Loop 46
7 Bowmont Park East and Dale Hodges Park 52
8 The Botanical Gardens of Silver Springs 58
9 Varsity and Dalhousie Ravines 64
10 Edgemont Hills and Ravines 70
11-12 Nose Hill Park - Overview of two routes 76
11 Nose Hill Park, Porcupine Valley and Aspen Grove 80
12 Nose Hill Park, Meadowlark Prairie and Many Owls Valley 86
16 Confederation Park - Capital Hill - Mount Pleasant 110
17 Riley Park - Kensington - McHugh Bluff 116
18 Briar Hill - Hounsfield Heights - West Hillhurst - Westmount 122
19 Bow River - Parkdale - St. Andrews Heights 128
Walk
Page
13 West Nose Creek / Confluence Park 92
14 Vista Heights - Nose Creek - Renfrew - Winston Heights 98
15 Bridgeland - Bow River - Nose Creek 104
Walk
Page
20 Patterson- Coach Hill- Paskapoo Slopes 134
21 Douglas Fir Trail and Wildwood 140
22 Strathcona and Aspen Ravines 146
23 Beltline- Bankview - Scarboro 152
24 Sunalta - Kilarney - South Calgary 152
25 Downtown - East Village - Beltline Murals and Art 160
26 Roxboro - Erlton-Ramsay 166
27 Stanley Park- Roxboro - Mount Royal - East Elbow 172
28 Sandy Beach - Elbow Park - Britannia 178
29 Garrison - Glenmore Dam - Altadore 184
30 Weaselhead Flats Park - North Glenmore Park 190
31 Jackrabbit Trail - South Glenmore Park 196
32 Glenmore Reservoir Circumnavigation 202
33 Griffith Woods Park 208
34 Ann and Sandy Sandy Cross Conservation Area 212
35 Shawnessy - Somerset - Bridlewood Creek Wetland 218
36-40 Fish Creek Provincial Park - overview of five routes 224
36 Fish Creek Park West: Votiers Flats to Shannon Terrace 228
Walk
Page
37 Fish Creek Park, Bow Valley Ranch 234
38 Fish Creek Park and Douglasdale Escarpment 240
39 Fish Creek Park and Mountain Park Escarpment 240
40 Fish Creek Park - Rotary Nature Park - Cranston 240
41 Carburn Park and Beaverdam Flats 246
42 Dover 252
43 Elliston Park 252
44 Inglewood - Pearce Estate Wetland - Inglewood Bird Sanctuary 258
45 Inglewood - East Village Riverwalk - Bridgeland 264
THE ROUTES
NW
NE
SW
SE
23

Riley Park - Kensington - McHugh Bluff
Walk 17
NW
Route Details
Categories: C-Train, Café, Dog Friendly, Hilly, Home and
Gardens, Neighbourhoods and Parks, People Watching
and Shopping, River, Stroller, Vistas.
Starting-Point Parking: Park in the official three-hour,
free, Riley Park parking area. 800 Twelfth Street NW.
C-Train Start: Sunnyside.
Transit: Bus access at various points along the route.
Check Calgary Transit at www.calgarytransit.com.
Facilities: Seasonal bathrooms at Riley Park and Princes
Island Park. Year-round bathrooms at Eau Claire.
Distance: 7 km
Degree of Difficulty: Moderate, with some challenging
hills and stairs.
Suggested Detour/Seasonal
Highlights/Cautions
Year-Round: Search for the Sunnyside garage art and folk
art located throughout the neighbourhood. Find a map
of the art on my blog at www.fitfrog.ca.
2 1
Winter: Bring your skates and enjoy free outdoor skating
on the lagoon in Prince’s Island Park.
Summer: Enjoy the spectacular flower gardens in Burns
Memorial Park and Riley Park.
Suggested Detour:
Detour 1: Navigate through Rosedale and Crescent
Heights to see beautiful homes, gardens and Christmas
Lights in December.
Detour 2: For a hit of nature, walk the wetlands trail at
the east end of Princes Island Park.
Walk at a Glance:
This downtown urban hike criss-crosses the escarpment on the
north side of the Bow River. Views of the Bow River Valley, the Rocky
Mountains, and city-centre skyscrapers that reach up and out of the
concrete are constant.
Riley Park is a hive of activity in the summer, with its
playground, impressive wading pool, open park space
for playing Frisbee or picnicking, and colourful flower
beds. And for those wanting to watch some cricket
matches, visit the east end of the park where cricket has
been played since 1919. Ezra Hounsfield Riley donated
the park land to the city in 1910 and then secured a
permit from parks superintendent William Reader to
create the still-popular cricket pitch.
From Riley Park, continue your walk onto the streets of
vibrant colourful Sunnyside, a community with character.
Older renovated homes painted in primary colours line
the side streets. Some handyman delights still exist
for those hoping to find a somewhat-affordable innercity
home, but most of the area has been rejuvenated
and renovated already. Travel along Kensington Road,
a hotbed of shops and restaurants. Grab a pre-hike
coffee and then walk to the impressive Poppy Plaza war
memorial at the intersection of 10 Street and Memorial
Drive. A dynamic public space, the plaza is perfect place
at which to sit, reflect, and watch the river flow by.
Continue east along the Bow River Pathway. If you
walk here during Calgary’s commute –at 7:30 am or 5
pm– be prepared for an onslaught of cyclists peddling
into or out of the downtown core. Cross the tubular
116 CALGARY’S BEST WALKS
RILEY PARK-KENSINGTON-MCHUGH BLUFF
117

Training on the Crescent Heights Stairs
The Crescent Heights stairs on McHugh Bluff have become a yearround
freeway full of Calgarians in training. Climbing stairs can make
your muscles burn. When the intensity of an activity increases and
you stop breathing comfortably, your cells start to rely on anaerobic
(oxygen-free) respiration to function. A by-product of anaerobic
exercise is an accumulation of lactic acid in your muscles. That burn
you feel is caused by this accumulation; slow down or stop when
you feel the burn. Fitness levels determine lactate thresholds so the
fitter you are the more you can climb before your legs burn. If you
want an alternative to the Crescent Heights stairs, try the paved path
that gradually climbs the escarpment. Gradual hills are perfect for
quadriceps training. Those big muscles in at the front of your legs are
used constantly when alpine skiing or climbing a hill on a bike. Build
quad strength by walking uphill backward for twenty steps and then
forward for twenty steps. Keep alternating until you reach the top. The
bigger the step you take, the tougher the workout.
Peace Bridge, a pedestrian bridge
that accommodates both walkers and
cyclists in harmony. Designed by Spanish
architect Santiago Calatrava, the bridge
was built to accommodate the six
thousand-plus per day users who walk
and bike for recreation and transport.
Functional and artistic, it is a testament
to the city’s commitment to increasing
its residents’ pleasure in walking and
cycling. Well lit for twenty-four-hour,
year-round use, its red and white colours
represent the Canadian flag.
Continue past Prince’s Island, or take a
side trip onto the island and follow one of
the many trails. In the winter, the frozen
pond in Prince’s Island is cleared and
maintained for skating.
Onward past China Town, cross the Bow
River and climb up the McHugh Bluff
escarpment. Named after Felix McHugh,
who homesteaded this property and was
a prominent early entrepreneur, the bluff
host views extending downtown west to
the mountains. On a winter evening, the
sights are dramatic and impressive. With
every step up the hillside, the downtown
skyscrapers rise into view, bright,
compact, and towering. In December
the colourful light displays on the houses
makes this area the perfect spot for a
Christmas lights hike. Follow the pathway
to the popular Crescent Heights stairs,
where a hotbed of sweaty Calgarians
regularly keep fit. Across from Prince’s
Island Park, these stairs are easy access
for downtown office workers –or visitors
staying at downtown hotels– needing a
quick, outdoor, training session.
Continue to the hillside trails and walk
into the trees: willows, ashes, balsam
Tea, cupcakes, books and café’s
Kensington and Sunnyside have no shortage of the river, a stones throw from the Peace Bridge.
restaurants, cafés and shops. Be sure to walk A mix of café and upscale casual restaurant, Al
along Kensington Road and grab some loose leaf Forno is bright and warm and the food is fresh and
tea at my favourite friendly tea shop, the Naked tasty. I love dropping in there for a hot drink and
Leaf. Owner Jonathan will brew you up a cup pastry or lunch on a cold winters day. Be sure to
and then you can grab a cupcake from Crave, and grab a loaf of bread to take home!
perhaps a new book from Pages Books. Time to
Location:
sit and sip and enjoy life. Vendome Café is my
Naked Leaf Tea: 1130 Kensington Road, NW
favourite for its scrumptious, made-from-scratch
Crave Cookies & Cupcakes: 1107 Kensington
food and cozy warm atmosphere. Tucked into an
Road, NW
old brick two-storey, the walls are red-brick warm,
Pages Books: 1135 Kensington Road, NW
the patio is comfy and the food made on site is
Vendome: 940 Second Avenue NW
simply delicious. Al Forno Bakery & Café is across
Al Forno: 222, Seventh Street SW
poplar, and white spruce. This is a
popular dog-walking area, so you’ll likely
meet a furry friend or two while following
these treed escarpment trails. Or, if you
continue to enjoy the Rocky Mountain
and Bow River vistas before descending
to Sunnyside and deciding where to go
for a nice meal or a social drink.
choose to stay on top of the slope, you’ll
118 CALGARY’S BEST WALKS
RILEY PARK-KENSINGTON-MCHUGH BLUFF
119

5 St.
Riley Park - Kensington - McHugh Bluff
Riley Park - Kensington - McHugh Bluff
14 St.
Community
centre
tennis
courts
13 St.
SAIT Station
8 Av.
7 Av.
Alberta University
of the Arts
12 St.
12 St.
11A St.
Southern Alberta
Institute of
Technology
8 Av.
Wading Pool
11 St.
Kensington Rd.
HILLHURST
Dine and Shop
Memorial Dr.
RILEY
PARK
3 Av.
5 Av.
Burns
Memorial
Gardens
Gladstone Rd.
10A St.
Poppy
Plaza
10 St.
10 St.
Dine and Shop
10 St.
4 Av.
3 Av.
2 Av.
Walk through
Poppy Plaza and
continue under
10 Street.
9A St.
5 Av.
4 Av.
Sunnyside
Station
9 St.
Vendome
Café
ROSEDALE
3 Av.
8 St.
4 Av.
Crescent Rd.
2 Av.
8 St.
N
9 St.
7A St.
SUNNYSIDE
7 St.
1 Av.
Memorial Dr.
Al Forno
Café & Bakery
100 m
6 St.
Peace Bridge
3 Av.
7 St.
6A St.
1 Av.
2 Av.
Crescent Rd.
5A St.
6 St.
7 Av.
MCHUGH
BLUFF PARK
9 Av.
5 St.
B O W R I
Eau Claire Av.
Memorial Dr.
V E
R
5 St.
4A St.
CRESCENT
HEIGHTS
4 St.
4 St.
4 St.
River Café
4 St.
Downtown route
DOWNTOWN
10 Av.
Crescent Rd.
3 St.
PRINCE’S
ISLAND
N
CRESCENT
HEIGHTS
PARK
Water Park
Eau Claire
Market
100 m
2 St.
Get your heart rate
up on these popular
training stairs.
Only 140 times and
you’ve climbed
Everest!
MCHUGH
BLUFF
PARK
SIEN LOK
PARK
Memorial Dr.
Riverfront Av.
Inglewood route
Bridgeland route
Center St.
Center St.
120 CALGARY’S BEST WALKS
RILEY PARK-KENSINGTON-MCHUGH BLUFF
121

Royal Oak Wetlands and Ravines
Walk 2
NW
Route Details
Categories: Nature, Dog Friendly, C-Train, Hilly, Trail
Running, Vistas, Neighbourhoods and Parks, Home and
Garden
Starting-Point Parking: Park on Royal Oak Point near
Royal Oak Way
C-Train start: Tuscany Station
Transit: Bus access to Royal Oak. Check Calgary Transit at
www.calgarytransit.com.
Facilities: None. Royal Oak Plaza is a great spot to stop
and grab a pre or post walk coffee or a picnic lunch for
the trail.
Distance: 6 km
Degree of Difficulty: Moderate, with rolling hills.
Seasonal Highlights/Cautions
1
Spring, Summer, and Fall
Birdlife is abundant in the wetlands.
Walk at a Glance:
Wetlands, ravines and Rocky Mountain views are the highlights on
this nature intensive suburban walkabout. Tucked into the ravines of
northwest Calgary, Royal Oak was established in 1997. A mix of starter
family homes and luxury abodes, this family friendly community was
built for walking.
Begin your walk along the paved path through the
manicured Royal Oak Pointe Park. A quick zig zag on
quiet side streets leads to forested single-track trail
in a wild ravine park. Connect to the paved pathway
network and listen for the birdcalls as you approach the
first of many wetlands. Continue along neighbourhood
streets and cut through pathways. A short climb leads to
expansive Rocky Mountain views from the green space
that parallels Stoney Trail. Continue along the route
or take a detour over Stoney Trail on the pedestrian
overpass and explore the community of Arbour Lake.
Paved pathways lead to Crowfoot Crossing where you
can grab some picnic supplies.
Next up, more big nature. Listen for the birdlife as you
close in on more wetlands. Circle the ponds before
connecting to Elina Ravine followed by the forested
single-track trails of Mitra Natural Ravine Park. Climb to
the top of the ravine and navigate past homes and along
pathways back to your starting point.
30 CALGARY’S BEST WALKS
ROYAL OAK WETLANDS AND RAVINES
31

Rocky Ridge Rd.
Royal Terrace
Royal Oak Wetlands and Ravines - Complete
Take the
gravel path
into the trees.
Royal Oak Cir.
N
Royal Oak Terr.
Cut through the
school yard.
Royal Oak Way
Country Hills Blvd.
Turn left on
paved path.
Royal Oak
Park
Royal Elm Rd.
Mitra Natural
Ravine Park
Royal Oak Way
Royal Oak Cres.
Royal Birkdale Cr.
ROYAL OAK
Near the end of the
Aspen forrest, walk
uphill to paved path.
William D. Pratt
School
Royal Birkdale Dr.
R oyal Birkdale Cr.
Royal Ridge Mt.
Elina
Ravine
Basketball
Playground
Birch
Lake
Sarina
Pond
Royal Oak
School
Royal Birch Way
Royal Birch Hill
Royal Birch St.
Continue on single
track path.
Take the
paved path
Royal Birch Blvd.
Royal Birch Cir.
Royal Birch Paint
Royal Oak Dr.
Royal Birch Cres.
Royal Birch Gate
Tara Field
Park
Community
Garden
Royal Oak Dr.
Royal Birch Grove
Take the single track
path through
opening in fence
Wetlands at work
Marshes, ponds, swamps, fens and bogs- these are the five types of Alberta wetlands. You’ll know what to
call a wetland by assessing its source of water, presence of peat and the types of vegetation in and around
the water. In Royal Oak the wetlands are ponds, and like giant sponges they soak up rain and snowmelt and
slowly release the water in the dry season. A variety of soils and microorganisms help to filter the ponds’
water of toxins making it safer for animals and humans to drink. The grasses, shrubs and trees provide
food and shelter and when you get up close you may see fish and frogs, muskrats and beavers, paddling
ducks and brightly coloured migratory birds. Slow the pace for a pond ponder on your Royal Oak walkabout
and watch the wetland world at work.
Royal Terrace
Storm
Pond
200 m
Stoney Trail
32 CALGARY’S BEST WALKS
ROYAL OAK WETLANDS AND RAVINES
33

The Artists
The Author
Sheila Kernan
Local Calgary artist Sheila Kernan finds beauty in large
urban centres as well as on remote mountaintops. She
believes that paintings should be alive, filled with energy
and excitement. They should bring a sense of joy. The world
is breathtaking and, as Sheila says, “I just have to capture
it. The possibilities are endless!”
Connect with Sheila at www.sheilakernan.com
and on Instagram @sheilakernanartist
Terra Simieritsch
Terra Simieritsch is a Calgary-based artist with a seasonal
approach. Her inspiration comes from time spent in the
natural world and her work ranges from landscapes to
portraits of the bugs, birds, and found objects she admires.
She teaches workshops to people of all ages with a focus on
creative expression.
Connect with Terra at www.terrasimieritsch.com
and on Instagram @tsimieritsch.
Mandy Budan
Finding inspiration from the parks and conservation areas
in her home province of Ontario, Mandy paints abstracts of
the landscape, emphasizing and rearranging the elements
to show the beauty of the landscape in unexpected ways.
Inspired by nature, she uses strong colour, discrete shapes
and rhythmic patterns to create paintings which can be
enjoyed for both their abstract and realistic qualities.
Connect with Mandy at www.budanart.com
and on Instagram @budanart
Lori grew up in Woodstock, New Brunswick in the
Saint John River Valley. After university Lori headed
west, arriving in Calgary in October of 1992. She created
Artistic Adventures in 1993, a business that offered
courses in creative writing, travel writing, playwriting
and improvisation, while hiking or in nature. In 1997
she realized that the two things she loved the most
were walking and running a business, so she started
Fit Frog Adventures, a walking business. Since then she
has been organizing and leading city walks, mountain
hikes, and snowshoe days. Her best-selling guidebook
Calgary’s Best Hikes and Walks hit the stores in 2002
followed by Calgary’s Best Bike Rides and Trails in 2004
and in 2015 she published the first edition of Calgary’s
Best Walks. In partnership with the Calgary Public Library
and the Centre for Newcomers Lori created the multilingual
Walk 150 for Canada’s 150th anniversary in 2017.
She presents to groups on the pleasure of taking a walk,
getting to know your neighbours, building communities
through walking and making Calgary feel like home, one
step at a time.
Connect with Lori at lorib@fitfrog.ca
or on Instagram and Facebook @lorifitfrog
270 CALGARY’S BEST WALKS
271

Take a mural walk through the Beltline followed by a café
stop along 17 th Avenue. Walk from Bowmont Park’s Waterfall Valley
to the colourful Botanical Gardens of Silver Springs. Disconnect
and recharge in the Weaselhead wilderness or alongside the Royal
Oak wetlands. Stroll the East Village RiverWalk before stopping for
a craft beer at a microbrewery in Inglewood. Soak up some big sky
views from Bridgeland’s Tom Campbell’s Hill, the Paskapoo Slopes
or Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park.
Bring your kids, your dog and your sense of adventure. Detailed
maps lead you through neighbourhoods and pocket parks, through
off leash areas to hidden staircases, along paved river pathways
and onto people-populated walking streets. Calgary’s Best Walks
has something for everyone, including Lori’s favourite coffee shop
suggestions for a post-walk treat.
Absorb Calgary’s sights, scents and sounds on these 45 urban jaunts.
Intrepid urban walker Lori Beattie is back with an
expanded edition of her best-selling guidebook now
with 45 Calgary walking routes plus 40 suggested
detours. Surprises await!
Lori Beattie is Calgary’s urban hike queen,
exploring the city on foot in search of big
nature, hidden stairways, gardens, cafés,
folk art, and murals. She presents to groups
on the pleasure of taking a walk and is the
host of CTV Morning Live Walks. Lori leads
Calgarians on walks, Rocky Mountain hikes
and snowshoe days with her company
Fit Frog Adventures. Some might call it a
walking addiction, a pedestrian passion.
Lori (and her dog) would agree.
$29.95