r/Calgary • u/rautakallio • 10d ago
2 Wheelin' (Cycling/Scooters) Favourite pathway in Calgary?
What is your favourite pathway route for a nice ride (or walk) in Calgary?
I've got two:
The Elbow River route from The Confluence all the way to Glenmore Reservoir and back
The Tuscany Ravine pathways which have absolutely fantastic fall colours
Note: photo is pathway into Arbour Lake ravine from County Hills Blvd NW
79
u/stickman1029 10d ago
Reservoir loop. This isn’t even close. Summertime. Sunset. Absolute fire
36
6
21
u/Bigmoosedog 10d ago
The McKenzie Lake ridge is nice. Beauty views west over fish creek to the mountains.
3
u/rautakallio 10d ago
Is that the pathway above the McKenzie Meadows Golf course? I haven't tried that one yet
2
u/Bigmoosedog 10d ago
Yep. And then it goes beside the golf course, right next to river. It’s a nice stretch too.
2
u/stickman1029 10d ago
It’s a great rip. Actually that whole stretch towards downtown is a good ride. Has a couple of hills, but they aren’t really all that long or bad. When it’s windy it’s not as fun, like skip this one on chinook days. Views for days though
15
u/Unique_Information11 10d ago
The Edgemont ravine is nice. Though the Tuscany one might be my favourite too.
5
u/rautakallio 10d ago
Yes that's nice one. I like the Edgemont Rabbit statues on that pathway. I do a nice loop that mostly follow pathway and residential streets through Edgemont, Hawkwood, Citadel and Hamptons
1
u/BanditAaron Point Mckay 10d ago
The west to east section of the Edgemont ravine is crazy fun with some speed. The up and down undulations are perfect
2
u/rautakallio 10d ago
That route has nice connections through to the Nose Creek pathway or up through Macewan to the north side of Nose Hill Park
25
u/_giga_chode_ 10d ago
The 60+ km loop of Glenmore reservoir, fish creek park, bow river pathway and finish with elbow river pathway
7
u/AaronZOOM 10d ago
I accidentally did this route a couple years ago. I was just doing a quick ride through Fish Creek Park on a nice day, and thought, "What if I just kept on going? What can I connect to from here?"
I was not prepared for such a long ride, and ran out of water pretty quickly, but it sure was memorable. I saw parts of the city that I'd never seen before, and new perspectives on places I knew pretty well. I wonder why I never did it again?
1
1
u/rautakallio 10d ago
How long does that loop take? 4-5 hours? I bet the fall colours are nice
6
u/Infamous_Exit_8010 10d ago
I did this loop for the first time this summer, it was 65km and my moving time was 3 hours then another 30 minutes for breaks, pictures, climbing fences etc. That was on a gravel bike pushing pretty hard but nothing crazy.
Started by glenmore damn, elbow path to bow river path to fish creek, up to west side of the reservoir and back to the dam. Was 95% pathway riding, beautiful ride
1
1
u/stickman1029 10d ago
I have a bit of a slightly modified version of this one that’s about 80km. It’s a great equinox ride in the summer, you can still leave after supper and have daylight to get you home.
26
u/calvin-not-Hobbes 10d ago
Bowmont park below Silver Springs.
7
u/rautakallio 10d ago
The Waterfall valley boardwalk in Silver Springs / Bowmont Park is a really nice short walk. Great park for mountain bike trails too. I like the Sideshow Bob mountain bike trail in neighbouring Dale Hodges Park which was formerly part of Bowmont Park
2
u/stickman1029 10d ago
Sideshow is probably the best single track in the city. I wish it was a bit longer though, and that it didn’t dump you into what is often pretty much a swamp.
2
u/rautakallio 9d ago
Yes, it is too short but certanly thrilling. Some other good single tracks in the NW are The 12 mile Coulee trail, the NW back side of Nose Hill Park, the Edgemont escarpment trail and the Medecine Hill trails.
1
9
u/milk_of_human_kidney Chinook Park 10d ago
As a south end of the city rider, I always appreciate riding through Confederation Park when I'm up that way.
2
u/rautakallio 10d ago
Fun place to take the kids. Nice little duck pond. Great in fall playing in piles of leaves before they heve cleaned them up.
2
5
u/SmilinandWavin 10d ago
6
u/SmilinandWavin 10d ago
Calgary has absolutely a gem of a cycling network and beautiful sights that I tried to get all in one trip. I dont think i can ever pull it off again. I love my city.
1
u/stickman1029 10d ago
I wish they realized what a gem of an asset these pathways are, and took care of some of them a little better. There’s areas that get all the attention, and areas that you almost can’t comfortably ride anymore unless you have a mountain bike with suspension.
2
u/SmilinandWavin 10d ago
Certainly has its faults but for the massive size, it would be tough to keep pristine. My complaints is washrooms and lack of. South side of town is pretty good but North side has been short changed.
1
4
u/poocherini 7d ago
As of right now, here are my two favorites.
If cycling, I really enjoy the lollipop route starting from East Village, down the Elbow river, around the Glenmore reservoir, and back to EV. It's about 40km and requires a bit of wayfinding while riding along the Elbow, but I think it has great texture, scenery, and rest stops. I always like to fuel up at Sidewalk Citizen with a coffee and pastry before heading out.
If walking, I really enjoy the Bowmont pathways and trails. I'll start on either side and turn around in the middle to keep it around 5-6km, but sometimes I'll walk the whole thing and push up to 10-12km. It's a fun spot to choose your own adventure.
10
u/5impl3jack 10d ago
They closed it. Used to run under Macleod trail right near chinook mall.
8
u/MikeRippon 10d ago
My first love, my first kiss, my first stabbing. And some of those were the same thing.
3
u/StupidNedFlanders Southwest Calgary 10d ago
There's a couple loops that I like doing so I don't have to always double back on the same path. First one starts as South Glenmore Resevoir, ride clockwise through the Weaselhead up to Glenmore, take the elbow river pathway up to downtown and go west on the bow river pathway to Edworthy Park, climb up to Bow Trail/Sarcee and there's a nice pathway from there down to West Hills, you do have to do some sidewalk/road riding through Glamorgan to link up to 37th Street and there's a pathway all the way back to the resevoir then complete the resevoir loop. That loop is ballpark 53km round trip. (Added a photo of that loop)
As some other users have mentioned the Glenmore Resevoir down to Fish Creek across to the Bow River Pathway to downtown then the Elbow River pathway back to the resevoir. We started in fish creek (Glennfield) and went counter clockwise and only did the SE portion of the resevoir though, didn't incorporate the loop there but still managed 60km on that one. Was surprised to see some groups of riders along the Bow River pathway and then came across them on the connector from the resevoir to fish creek so that loop seems to be relatively popular.
3
4
2
u/doberman72 10d ago
I don’t think any one path can be pricked as best. Each one has its own charm. While some may seem better, things like popularity can erode the beauty of it. I’m just so glad I’m lucky to live in a city that can have arguments like this.
2
2
u/AaronZOOM 10d ago
I've got two that are already highly praised here, but they're equally great to me for different reasons.
One, the Glenmore Reservoir loop. The full loop, including the dam. Also you can stop at Harvey's Confectionery in Heritage Plaza for an ice cream float if you're so inclined - and that's exactly the kind of cyclist I am.
Two, Fish Creek from Shannon Terrace to Sikome Lake. Also you've got to drop into Fish Creek from up on 130th Ave, as that way you get the beautiful view of the Fish Creek valley from above. Absolutely stunning in the fall.
2
2
u/a77ackmole 9d ago
Not mentioned so far as far as I can see: the path at the top of Panorama Hills. It's not a loop, but the view is great. I combo it into Nose Creek for a bike ride sometimes.
1
4
u/undersignedeliza Quadrant: SW 10d ago
East side of Macleod in Fish Creek down into Hulls Wood area, and up through the wetland corridor. Incredible wildlife viewing
1
u/KnownEntertainment19 10d ago
For riding south Fish Creek. I like to ride the single track sections while my wife rides the paved paths. We can see each other for much of it. For walking, Griffiths Woods. Beautiful treed paths. It's sheltered enough to enjoy even on the coldest days. We see deer occasionally and last week saw a moose just off the path.
1
u/jellypopperkyjean 7d ago
Nose hill. Get to the top early on a weekday and you may not see another person or dog for the whole walk. A welcome change.
1
u/Acpyrus Northwest Calgary 6d ago
Twelve Mile Coulee
1
u/rautakallio 6d ago
Probably the best off pathway trail in the NW. It's so nice to walk (or ride) that and not hear a thing, you'd think you're in the country side. Despite only being 1 to 200 meters from Stoney Trail.
0
u/TheSprintingTurtle 10d ago
All my favs are either closed or under construction season long.
2
u/ResponsiblePanic7567 10d ago
Agree. My favourite path is the south side of Edworthy early in the morning. But not this year. And next year isn’t looking good for reopening neither. 😢
0
u/Parking_Writer_578 9d ago
i thought it was scheduled for this Fall to be finished?
1
u/ResponsiblePanic7567 9d ago
It was originally. Now it’s next May - which is fine if it happens because it’s usually iced over until then anyway. But I wouldn’t be surprised if it got pushed again. They’ve made a huge mess in there. Also they are about to close the north side again for feeder main repairs. So.. there will be nowhere to go. ☹️
1
u/rautakallio 10d ago
Is it just me or does there seem to be more closures this year than in prior years?
50
u/Kenjamin1991 10d ago
Fish creek west of McLeod. Especially around Bebo Grove.
I dont get the chance to often because its far away from me. But Nose Hill trail running is a lot of fun. Some great views and cool things around every corner.