Hiking

Downtown Calgary Hike – the River Walk and Bow River Pathway (East)
The Bow River, running east – west through downtown Calgary, is lined with multi-use paths on both sides of the river. Pick a starting point – like the Instagram worthy Peace Bridge and head east past Prince’s Island Park. If it’s a Sunday, consider a stop for brunch at the River Café on the island. Continue walking parallel to the Bow River all the way to Fort Calgary, a distance of roughly 3.2 kilometres. Along the way don’t miss a stop for coffee at Phil & Sebastian and a truly decadent, sinfully delicious, gooey cinnamon bun from Sidewalk Citizen Bakery. You’ll find both in the historic Simmons Building.
Retrace your steps to the George C. King Bridge. Turn the hike into a loop by crossing the Bow River and continuing west on the Bow River Pathway to return to your starting point. If you need a dose of adorable, continue east two kilometres to reach the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo.

 

Inner city hike – Inglewood Bird Sanctuary & Nature Centre and the Inglewood Neighbourhood
Combine a hike through the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary & Nature Centre with a stop at one of the cafés or restaurants in the trendy Inglewood neighbourhood. The sanctuary entrance is located at the end of 9th Avenue SE, just a 10 minute drive from downtown Calgary. Explore 2.5 kilometres of flat, easy hiking trails that meander up and down sloughs through the woods and alongside the Bow River. Keep your eyes peeled for some of the 270 bird species that have been spotted here.
There are two options to return to the Inglewood neighbourhood on foot. Either continue walking west along the pretty Bow River Pathway cutting in and away from the river on either 12th or 15 th St SE or follow 9th Ave SE for a faster, more direct route back.

The second option allows for a stop at the Blackfoot Truckstop Diner, a local favourite, only 10 minutes on foot away from the nature centre. Visit if you’re a fan of all day breakfasts, pie and home cooking specialties at reasonable prices. On your return poke your nose in quirky, locally run shops before stopping for food. Good choices abound and include Gravity Espresso & Wine Bar, The Nash, and Bea’s Eatery inside Bite – Grocer & Eatery.

Inner City Hike – Bow River Pathway West to Edworthy Park with a Kensington Village Layover

Start at the Peace Bridge again, but this time cross it and continue west along the Bow River Pathway until you reach 10th Street NW. This road is the main entrance to Kensington Village, another neighbourhood brimming with restaurants and shops. Take an hour to wander through here, perhaps grabbing a coffee at either Vendome or the Regal Cat Café (if you’re into cats). You might even want to time your visit to have a drink at Container Bar, the only outdoor alleyway patio bar in Calgary.
Return to the Bow River Pathway – continuing as far as your legs will take you. Edworthy Park, 6.3 kilometres distant would be a worthy goal especially as a warm-up for anyone planning to hike in the mountains. In Edworthy Park cross the Bow River again (but if you need a pick-me-up refuel at Angel’s Cafe just before you cross the river) and follow it all the way back to the Peace Bridge, this time on the south side of the Bow River.