3 Best Hiking Trails in Calgary, AB

“Fish Creek Provincial Park is a wilderness area globally, with over 54 miles of hiking trails and over 100 kilometres of paved and unpaved trails. The park preserves the valley of Fish Creek in the southern part. This 9.9-mile out-and-back trail is a moderately challenging route that takes 3 hours and 49 minutes to complete. The trail is great for hiking, road biking, and running. The park covers approximately 12 miles from the Tsuut'ina Reserve at 37th Street to the banks of the Bow River in the east. The park has over 200 bird species and is home to various wildlife. Fish Creek Park offers many opportunities for recreational activities throughout the year, regardless of age and physical ability. Fish Creek Provincial Park Society is a non-profit volunteer society that offers programs such as trail maintenance, bird-watching courses, events like the Ghost Tour, and activities such as park tours throughout the year to help educate users and preserve the park's ecological integrity. You can spend a whole day exploring here and see all sorts of wildlife.”

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“Nose Hill Park is a natural park which covers over 11 km² (4.2 sq mi). This park is the fourth-largest urban park in Canada and one of the largest urban parks in North America. Nose Hill Natural Environment Park lies in the northwest part of the city, surrounded by 12 residential communities. The park covers 1,129 hectares and has various hiking trails and dedicated off-leash areas. There are many trails to explore, ranging from beginner to advanced, with beautiful lookouts and views of Calgary. The trees, shrubs, and wildflowers in the coulees are very different from the species found in the fescue grassland. Nose Hill Park provides a refuge for many wild animals living in the park and is home to porcupines, ground squirrels, northern pocket gophers, and several species of mice and voles. The park contains important archaeological sites, including stone circles, and over 198 wildlife species have been identified on the hill.”

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“Edworthy Park is a large, diverse park and is a great year-round destination. This 1.7-mile loop trail takes an average of 49 minutes to complete. The park has an area of 1.27 square kilometres (0.49 sq mi) and over 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) of hiking and biking trails, part of the Bow River pathway. The Douglas-fir trail is the most popular hiking trail in the park. Edworthy Park also features picnic and cycling facilities. This park is perfect for hiking, running, biking, and picnicking. The park has picnic tables for family or group activities and multiple event BBQ areas. Edworthy Park provides large open spaces for walking, hiking, and jogging along these trails. Lookouts on the hills offer great views of downtown Calgary, making it an excellent spot for sunset photography. There is a more manicured lower park area, and booking sites are based on first-come, first-served spaces. Edworthy Park has plenty of parking.”

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