lori While most Calgarians head to the Rocky Mountains for adventure, it seems unlikely that Calgary could be an outdoor destination in itself. For intrepid urban hikers, Calgary’s concrete jungle is more than office towers, SUVs and suburbia. It is a mix of funky shopping districts, architecturally-interesting neighbourhoods, pockets of nature, parks, pathways and tasty local eateries. It’s the vast range of treasures in a small, easily navigated space that makes exploring the city on foot so appealing. And if you are one of those time-crunched urbanites that are over-booked and under-vacationed, urban hiking is your ticket to being a tourist in your own city. Self-propelled urban mini-vacations keep your body fit and your mind intrigued. And there’s no better time than the long days of summer to start your walking habit. You’ll get landscaping and gardening ideas en route, soak up the smells of wild roses and barbecued steak, shade yourself under the canopy of full grown poplars that line inner-city streets, and enjoy a picnic lunch or supper that you purchased at a local shop. A cultured walk could include pit-stops at galleries, the Glenbow Museum or, yee haw, the Stampede grounds in July.
Mother Nature is easy to find in Calgary, so if you prefer solitude and earthy terrain then point your walking shoes to the Glenmore Reservoir, Nose Hill Park in the north, or Fish Creek Park in the south. And for the ultimate mix of the urban vibe, breathtaking vistas and architectural variety, start your travels on the populated shopping streets of Kensington, Inglewood, Bridgeland, Mission, 17 Avenue SW or Marda Loop. Keep walking year–round and see how neighbourhoods change with the seasons and with renovations.
Planning Your Urban Adventure
When you travel to Paris you take maps and guidebooks to help you choose the areas to investigate. This is the same approach to take with your Calgary adventures. Pick the area of the city that you’d like to explore, grab the map and guidebooks, and start to walk. Check my route suggestions to get started!
