There is no better way to soak up the fall colors than an urban trek, a picnic in the wilds, and a tasty post-walk pit stop at a cozy cafe. Let’s walk!
Confederation Park, NW
Creek crossings, duck pond, paved pathways, and a natural play space playgroundSerene, peaceful, and pleasant, Confederation Park is a break from the city’s bustle and a wonderful place to recharge, take a playground break, or have a picnic. Paved pathways that wind beneath the poplars and alongside the creek, Confederation Park is a popular year-round destination for walking, running, and biking and is the perfect spot for kids to soak up some nature while burning off energy. Once known as the North Hill Coulee, Confederation Park became a more manicured recreational park in 1967 and is now a popular destination for outdoor fun. The paved pathway that runs through the park parallels a stream and managed wetland. Creekside balsam poplars thrive, and shrubs like water birch, red-osier dogwood, and several species of willow provide habitats for a variety of ducks, geese, and gulls, along with muskrats and many winged invertebrates like butterflies and dragonflies. There are many parking lots, and you can start your walk at any of them and walk as far as you’d like before stopping to enjoy a snack along the creek.
Starting point: Confederation Park (30 Avenue and 7 Street NW)
Public washrooms: Yes, in the north office building just west of the parking lot
Tasty pit stops: The Bullet Coffee House (728 Northmount Drive NW), Weeds Café (1903 20 Avenue NW), Edelweiss Village for German fare; Ola Luna Café and Bakeshop (1047 40 Avenue)
Jackrabbit Trail and the Glenmore Reservoir, SW
Big wilds, cheery chickadees, and a musical garden
This single-track wilderness gem is hidden below the very popular paved Glenmore Pathway. From South Glenmore Park playground, walk east along the paved Glenmore pathway. The kids will want to make some music at the Quinterra Legacy Garden, an interactive musical park, before dropping down to the treed single-track Jackrabbit trail. Chickadees are your constant companions on this wilderness trail that dips and climbs through the forest, just below the popular paved Glenmore Pathway. All along, you enjoy intermittent views of the Glenmore Reservoir. Bring birdseed if you’d like some cheery chickadees to land on your hands. Continue all the way to the paved pathway at the end of the trail for a 7km round-trip walk. Alternatively, you can backtrack along the single-track trails and then drop down to the trail that skirts the reservoir to get the big water views. Add a walk to Glenmore Landing along the paved pathway that follows the reservoir and you will be immersed in stunning fall colors in October.
Starting point: South Glenmore Park (24 Street and 90 Avenue SW)
Public washrooms: Yes
Tasty pit stops: Stop at Good Earth Café at Glenmore Landing for snacks and drinks, or grab local produce and picnic supplies at the Apple Lady (3109 Palliser Drive SW)
Nose Hill Park
Glacial erratics, Siksikaitsitapi Medicine Wheel, coulees, and wildlife
Pack a picnic and head to Nose Hill Park for a big nature outing that is all running, climbing, and exploring. Soak up the views of downtown and Calgary’s northeast as you climb to the top of the plateau. Make your way to the Siksikaitsitapi Medicine Wheel in the southeast end of the park. Centuries ago, First Nations people used Nose Hill as a lookout spot to keep watch over the rolling land below. The wheel was built as part of a conference of the Blackfoot Confederacy and recognizes the area as traditional Blackfoot territory. Walk further north and you’ll find a massive boulder that makes for great climbing near the 64 Avenue parking lot. When the glaciers carved their way across Nose Hill, they left behind many large boulders known as glacial erratics, which bear no compositional resemblance to local rocks. One hundred years ago, buffalo roamed Nose Hill. In the spring, the buffalo would rub against these stones as they began to molt, trying to remove irritating hairs. You can see the evidence in the form of deep, smooth depressions and shiny spots that remain on the stones today. Continue along single-track trails that dip into coulees and watch for the resident deer that call the park home. Pull up a bench or settle into an earthy spot and enjoy some snacks on Calgary’s highest point.
Starting points: Nose Hill parking lots (14 Street andJohn Laurie Boulevard NW, behind the Winter Club orany of the southern parking lots along 14 Street up to 64 Avenue NW)
Public washrooms: Yes, in the official parking lots behind the Winter Club, at Brisbois Drive, Shaganappi Trail and Berkley Gate
Tasty Pit stops: Friends Café in Edgemont or walk through the tunnel under 14 Street NW to get to Haven House Café
Lori is the author of Calgary’s Best Bike Rides: 50 urban cycle tours and pathway pedals and Calgary’s Best Walks: 45 urban jaunts and nature strolls. She is the owner of Fit Frog Adventures where she leads year-round urban walks, hikes, and snowshoe days. Lori presents about all things walks and biking. 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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