Spring in Calgary is beautiful, these three walks will take you to blossoming trees and spring flowers.
Nose Hill Park, NW
Pack a picnic and head to Nose Hill Park for a big nature outing that is all running, climbing, and exploring. From afar, Nose Hill seems plain, a bump on the horizon. It is only when you take the first step that the abundance and variety of vegetation is visible. Over 200 flowering plants color the hill’s landscape, starting with the prairie crocus in April. Continue along single-track trails that dip into coulees full of trembling aspens with their fresh, green leaves in early spring.
And watch for the resident deer that call the park home, they love to settle in amongst the aspen groves. Soak up the views of downtown and Calgary’s northeast as you climb to the top of the plateau. Pull up a bench or settle into a grassy spot and enjoy your lunch on the top of the world.
Starting points: There are six official parking lots on Nose Hill. All start with a climb to the plateau except for the Shaganappi Trail parking lot.
Britannia Slopes, Elbow River Pathway, Stanley Park, Rideau Gardens, SW
Walk the Britannia escarpment and enjoy river valley views before descending via the slope side stairway to Riverdale Avenue. Trek east past impressive homes and budding gardens to the Elbow River Pathway. Leafing-out trees line the riverbank as you walk past Stanley Park, and then decide if you want to climb to Parkhill for Rockies and river views or stay low along the rolling river pathway. Both options meet at Rideau Road, where you’ll walk past a stunning private garden across from the pedestrian bridge that will take you to Elbow Drive. Loop back along blossoming streets to the bridge at Elbow Park School, or navigate to the Christ Church stairs to continue to River Park off-leash park for impressive views.
Starting point: Anywhere near Britannia Plaza, SW
Carburn Park, Beaverdam Flats & Lynnview Ridge, SE
Deer, pelicans, ducks, and bald eagles, that’s just some of the wildlife you encounter while walking along the Bow River in the southeast. Start the walk at Carburn Park or at Sue Higgins off leash park. From Sue Higgins, cross over the Bow River and walk north along the pathway to Carburn Park. Continue along the forested trails on the west side of the lake while keeping watch for the resident deer. Balsam poplars offer shade while shrubs like saskatoon, chokecherry, American silverberry, and Canada buffaloberry provide textures and colors along the trail. For a longer walk, continue south under Glenmore Trail, and up the escarpment to Lynnwood for stunning views of the Rocky Mountains and southwest Calgary. Continue to Beaverdam flats Park and then follow single-track trails at the base of the escarpment for the return.
Starting point: Carburn Park or Sue Higgins Park
Lori Beattie is the author of Calgary’s Best Bike Rides and the best-selling guidebook Calgary’s Best Walks. She is the owner of Fit Frog Adventures where she leads walks, hikes, and snowshoe days. 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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