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By Jenn Smith Nelson.

Escape the hustle of city life and head for the trails to experience the best of solace and snow just minutes from Calgary’s downtown core.

The snowy trails of Inglewood Bird Sanctuary make for serene walking and birdwatching experiences. (Photo: Jenn Smith Nelson)

Nestled between the prairies and the foothills of the Canadian Rockies lies Calgary, Alberta’s largest city known for its cleanliness, liveability and a top destination for winter sports. However, while many winter hikers might be inclined to skip the bustle of Calgary in favour of the nearby mountains, they’d be remiss, passing up the opportunity to experience diverse trails blending urban delights and tranquil nature.

With more than 1000 kilometres of regional pathways and 96 kilometres of trails, Calgary is seamlessly connected, making it simple for hikers (and leisure walkers) to travel between the city’s communities and natural park areas. Complementing its rich roster of outdoor activities (such as skating, snowshoeing and skiing), Calgary’s thriving arts, culture, and food scene offers the best of all worlds. Whether meandering on foot, speeding on skates or cycling on fat bikes, Calgary’s trail system is ideal for connecting with the city’s vibrant natural surroundings.

 

Park it in East Village

Begin your adventure at the revitalized river trails of St. Patrick’s Island, a 12.5-hectare park where the city originated between the confluence of the Bow and Elbow Rivers in the hip area of East Village. Take in city views by hiking or biking the 1.6-kilometre urban oasis on paved and groomed trails. Easy to navigate, the island features family-friendly attractions, including a playground and an outdoor curling rink. If walking isn’t your style, visitors can rent a fat bike or e-bike from nearby Bow Cycle to make plowing through the snow even more exhilarating. Don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled among the forests and wetlands for great horned owls, black squirrels, and other wild residents.

Chilled? Warm up at the trailhead’s welcoming Hygge Hut or grab a latte from neighbouring local roasters Phil & Sebastian found in the historic waterfront Simmons building and the popular restaurant Charbar.

“You can’t beat the trail system here,” says John Jackson, a daily bike commuter, co-owner and chef of Charbar. After a long walk, what better way to unwind than with a cocktail and delectable offerings from the Argentinian-influenced menu? Highlights include fresh and sustainable West Coast seafood and Alberta beef prepared on the wood-fired grill.

Mouthwatering sushi courses are served at Nupo restaurant, which features vegan cuisine with fresh and aged sushi. (Photo: Jenn Smith Nelson)

Alternatively, just across the street is Nupo, an Omakase sushi bar displaying pure artistry. The intimate six-seat experience features an exceptional display where 15 to 18 seasonal, delectable dishes are cut, formed, dressed and individually served. Indulge in PEI sashimi-grade bluefin tuna tartare, smoked oyster bao and kimchi gyoza, then finish with a delectable red miso carrot cake. 

With walkable, art-lined streets, hop off the trails and appreciate the architecture of stop-worthy indoor attractions, including the award-winning Calgary Central Library or Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre featuring Canadian artists, which offers a variety of interactive music experiences.

 

Inglewood Bird Sanctuary and Nature Centre

A haven for migratory birds, the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary offers a serene 2.3-kilometre hike where visitors can catch sight of a whole host of species, even in the winter. Home to more than 270 species of birds, during the snowy season, visitors can expect to see Canadian geese, ducks, downy woodpeckers, starlings, white-breasted nuthatches, and the city’s friendliest, black-capped chickadees. Hike, snowshoe, or stroll the trail system adjacent to the Bow River at your own pace. Before leaving, don’t forget to learn more about the park’s history and inhabitants at the Nature Centre.

Calgary’s official bird, the friendly black-capped chickadee, is one of the 270+ species that call the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary home. (Photo: Jenn Smith Nelson)

 

Nose Hill Park

Offering unparalleled hiking and sprawling city views, Nose Hill Park is hands down the best spot for true trekking. With 1129 hectares of land to explore, this massive park is located in Calgary’s northwest and is Canada’s fourth largest, covering 11 square kilometres. “Lots of people say, ‘Why would you go there? It’s nothing.’ Then you get up here and see the beauty in everything. In the summer, it’s all wildflowers,” says Lori Beattie, guide and owner of Fit Frog Adventures. “You can have this place to yourself and have nature anytime you want it.”

Atop Nose Hill Park is a prime location in Calgary to take in panoramic downtown and city views. (Photo: Jenn Smith Nelson)

Even in the snow, park visitors can view the sacred site of the Nose Hill Siksikaitsitapi Medicine Wheel, a persevered and ancient symbol of Indigenous culture. (Photo: Jenn Smith Nelson)

Though you won’t spot the park’s abundant wildflowers in the winter, visitors can still appreciate the beauty of the park’s fescue grassland and the large variety of flora, including willow and trembling aspen. Coulees, valleys, and ridgetops are home to wildlife like mule deer, porcupines, and coyotes, with Swainson’s hawks often seen circling overhead. 

From the plateau on a clear day, hikers can see the Bow River Valley and plains to the east and the majesty of the Rocky Mountains to the west. As a testament to Alberta’s long-standing Indigenous history, more than 40 Indigenous archaeological sites can be seen throughout the park, including the Nose Hill Siksikaitsitapi Medicine Wheel, which offers a unique way to learn and engage with Indigenous culture.

For experienced mountain bikers, hikers, snowshoers, and birders, the East Nose Hill Loop is a popular 12.2-kilometre trail that takes about three hours to complete on foot. 

Recommend: For visitors with less hiking experience, this park can be daunting because of its size and number of trails and pathways. Some people may hire a guide to learn more and engage with this beautiful slice of wild hiking heaven to make things less stressful.

 

Fish Creek Provincial Park

A testament to Calgary’s rapid growth and ability to mesh nature with city life is Fish Creek Provincial Park, found in the city’s south. One of Northern America’s largest urban parks and the second largest in Canada, Fish Creek extends 19 kilometres from east to west. Its 80 kilometres of pathways (both paved and shale) attracts hikers, snowshoers, and bird watchers hoping to catch a glimpse of the 200 species found among the park’s spruce and aspen forests. Park patrons shouldn’t miss the ice caves that can be accessed quickly across from the parking lot.

After hiking, refuel at the historic Bow Valley Ranche, an expansive property built along the Bow River in 1896 by businessman and cattle rancher William Roper Hole. Restored to its original opulence in 2014, the Ranche offers a unique tea experience and fine dining.

Ice caves can be found during the winter months at Calgary’s only urban provincial park, Fish Creek Park. (Photo: Jenn Smith Nelson)

 

Bowness Park

For visitors looking for the best way to integrate family fun into your winter trip, Bowness Park has enough for everyone to enjoy the coolness of the season. Busy year-round, Bowness Park features boating on the lagoon in summer and free skating along the eastern portion of the month from mid-November to mid-March. Skating brings out all ages and levels, and the park features a 4.3-kilometre Bowness Park Look trail that circles the whole area.

Known as a refuge for locals, the 30-hectare urban park is northwest along the Bow River. Beyond skating, other amenities include a playground, three full-sized crokicurl rinks (a mix of the old wooden board game crokinole and curling), groomed cross-country ski trails and ice bikes to try. The single-speed, wide-based bikes make it easy to balance with skates in front and a tire on the back. Choose from the 730-metre trail connected to the skating rink or the 1.6-kilometre skating trail. Enjoy the park’s winter wonderland atmosphere with live music, firepits, and an onsite café.

Skate sharpening and rentals, along with ice bike rentals, are on site.

Bowness Park is ideal for a (free) winter skate featuring a 4.3-kilometre loop to zip around. (Photo: Jenn Smith Nelson)

 

Other cool, “off the trails” stops to consider in YYC

1. Earning an A+ in innovation, Chop Value upcycles one-use chopsticks and recreates anything wood can produce. In partnership with local restaurants, used chopsticks are collected and creatively repurposed to make tables, wall art, crib boards, shelving, décor and more.

2. Appreciate beautiful views and a warm environment at River Café, #22 on Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants list in 2023. Sustainably focused, the café offers seasonal and locally sourced food, making it a sublime spot to enjoy weekend brunch.

3. Get up close and personal while learning about rescued low and high-content wolfdogs at Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary. Located near Cochrane, it’s worth the trek to hang out with the wolves.

4. Make your way to Paper Lantern, nominated for Best International Cocktail Bar at the 2022 Spirit Awards. Find this hidden Vietnamese speakeasy in Chinatown using only a paper lantern to guide patrons. Highlights include a tropical atmosphere, innovative cocktails, and delicious sharing plates.

5. Mô Tô Vietnamese provides the perfect place to warm up. Try Pho Sate, a spicy peanut soup or for those who love grilled cheese sandwiches; the Pho Grilled Cheese features beef, caramelized onions, and basil to be dipped in pho broth – can’t miss!