North Glenmore Park & the Weaselhead wilderness, SW
Hit the refresh button on your busy city life with a walk along the North Glenmore escarpment, followed by a descent to Weaselhead’s wilderness pathways. The walk starts in North Glenmore Park and follows the paved path along the top of the escarpment, looking west to the Rockies. Follow the paved pathway and descend into tree cover as you make your way to the Weaselhead wilderness. Watch for beavers swimming near their lodge at the end of the walking bridge, just before you turn right onto the Weaselhead trail system. The mix of dirt trails and boardwalks can be a bit challenging to navigate, so come prepared with maps and guidebook in hand. The untrained eye will spot bald eagles, all kinds of ducks, geese and goslings, and, my favorite birds, the friendly chickadees. Those with binoculars and a birding book in hand will be very busy keeping watch for up to 70 bird species that frequent the park. Loop back to the paved Glenmore Pathway and retrace your steps up the hill. Spin by the playground and take a tasty pit stop at the little cafe in Parking Lot L.
Starting points: Parking Lot F or any parking lot in North Glenmore Park, 7305 Crowchild Trail SW.
Tasty Pitstop: Cafe du Parc, North Glenmore Park, parking Lot L.
Fish Creek Park, Bow Valley Ranche, SE
Vast and peaceful, Fish Creek Provincial Park offers a complete nature immersion. Begin your trek with a stroll past the Artisan Gardens and Annie’s Cafe. Just past the cafe, take the paved pathway uphill to the community of Parkland and walk west along the escarpment pathway. Soak up the expansive views of the park below and the Rockies beyond before you descend back into Fish Creek Park on the gravel path, across from 236 Parkvista Crescent. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife as deer, beaver, and coyotes call the park home, and great blue herons visit the creek to fish. Follow the shale pathway and then the single-track trail at the base of the escarpment as you make your way to Bridge 9. Cross Fish Creek and travel into the wide-open grassland. Connect to the Fish Creek paved pathway, or take the unofficial single track trails alongside Fish Creek, to do some beaver dam spotting as you walk south back to the ranch and your tasty treat at Annie’s Cafe.
Starting point: Bow Valley Ranche parking area. Follow Bow Bottom Trail into Fish Creek Park.
Tasty Pit Stop: Annie’s Cafe, Bow Valley Ranche.
Sunnyside Murals and Prince’s Island Wetlands, NW*
*To help with your mural treasure hunt, you’ll find a Sunnyside art walk map at my Instagram link @lorifitfrog
Take the LRT to Sunnyside or start at Riley Park for this mural treasure hunt and wetland wander. From Riley Park, cross 10 Street and choose a street to explore in the vibrant, colorful Sunnyside. Sunnyside garages have become canvases with over 80 murals and art installations tucked into back alleys and along fences. Kids will be the first to find the fairy houses that sit at the base of the trees, and if they look up, they may see the gargoyles and bicycles on rooftops. Make your way east to the pedestrian bridge to Prince’s Island Park and once over the bridge, turn left to find the wetlands at the far east end of the island. Walk the pathway loop and keep an eye out for beavers and the hundreds of birds, ducks, and geese that enjoy the urban wilds with a downtown backdrop. Continue west along Prince’s Island trails or the Bow River Pathway, making your way to the Peace Bridge, its red and white colors representing the Canadian flag. Cross the Bow River back to Sunnyside, and make the tough decision of which cafe or restaurant to stop at for your post-walk treat.
Starting point: Riley Park official free parking at the end of 8 Avenue. just east of 12 Street or Sunnyside LRT.
Tasty Pit Stop: There are many tasty spots along Kensington Road and 10 Street, and a few tucked into Sunnyside.
Lori is the author of Calgary’s Best Bike Rides: 50 urban cycle tours and pathway pedals and the best-selling guidebook Calgary’s Best Walks: 45 urban jaunts and nature strolls. She is the owner of Fit Frog Adventures where she leads walks and hikes and writes about connecting Calgary & beyond on foot and by bike. Connect with her, see upcoming events, and get signed copies of her books on Instagram @lorifitfrog and at fitfrog.ca and at bookstores and cool shops throughout Calgary.
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