Mountain Biking Glencoe
Living in Calgary: Best Hikes in South Calgary
As per my first post about the best hikes in the North end of Calgary, here is the follow up post with the best hikes in the South end of Calgary. Personally we love to get out and enjoy the paths and hikes in Calgary…
With the 2011 here, we want to help you and give you some great ideas for getting out and enjoying Living in Calgary. So…here is a list of the best walking and hiking paths in the South end of Calgary. These came from a great local site www. fitfrog. ca where Lorie Beattie has compiled a quality book of all the great walks, hikes and bike paths in Calgary.
Hike 1: Roxboro Natural Park, SW Parking: Access Roxboro Rd. off 4th St just south of 26th Ave. over the Mission Bridge. Park on the street at the corner of Roxboro Rd. and Roxboro Glen Rd.
Description: Hidden pathways, stairs and hills, river trails, interesting architecture, great gardening ideas and wonderful Christmas lights in the winter! There are also some great hills and stairs for those of you addicted to sweat.
The Route: Hike east into the park, keeping the Elbow River on your left. At the base of the escarpment you’ll come to a Roxboro Natural Area sign. Follow the dirt trail uphill into the trees. Continue along the escarpment and back down to Mission Road. Hike through Parkhill and then down to the Elbow River and through Stanley park. Continue on the paved Elbow River Pathway under Elbow Drive to 8 St. At 8 St., cross the Elbow River on the walking bridge and continue across 38 Ave. onto 8 St. Follow the any street through the community of Elbow Park to the Glencoe Club for some great stairs. Hike through Mount Royal and Mission. From 4th St., cross the Mission Bridge and turn onto Roxboro Road. Hike to the end to find your car!
Hike 2: Sandy Beach and River Park, SW Parking: At the intersection of 14A St & 50 Ave,SW (River Park), follow 50th Ave past the Emily Follensbee Centre and down the hill to the last parking lot at the bottom of the hill.
Description and Route: You are surrounded by hills! How exciting! Grab your pack and explore both sides on the Elbow River valley. There are great hiking trails below the Glenmore Dam to the south. All-in-all, this is a great route for training and for views of the downtown core, the mountains and the Elbow River. Oh yah, the hoar frost is the winter is spectacular!
Coffee Shop Stop: Bell’s Bookstore Cafe (14 St and 34 Ave., SW) is a great place for home-made goodies and well roasted coffee.
Hike 3: North Glenmore and the Weaselhead, SW Parking: From Glenmore trail turn south onto 37 St and follow to either of the parking areas. If you want a shorter hike start at the Weaselhead parking area. A sign marks the parking lot. The longer hike starts at parking lot “E” in North Glenmore Park.
Description: If you want solitude then hike in the Weaselhead. Many birds, deer, coyotes and the occasional black bear all populate this wilderness area. Listen for the piliated woodpecker who rocks his noggin making huge holes in dead trees. Stay on the paved path or venture off into the series of trails along the Elbow River. This is true wilderness.
Take note: The official Weaselhead trails can be confusing so be prepared to pay attention. It can be a mosquito nightmare in the heat of the summer so be prepared!
Shorter Route: From the Weaselhead parking area head down the paved path, across the bridge to the signs for the Weaselhead. I should warn you that the trails are very confusing once you have entered. The signage is not good and you can’t see out of the forest to get your bearings. Watch for my hiking guidebook in Spring 2002 since it will have a detailed map of this route.
Longer Route: From parking lot E you hike towards the reservoir and come to a set of stairs. This route takes you down the stairs and north along the water until you hit the paved path. If the water is high the trails will be covered so you should follow the paved path at the top of the escarpment. From the parking area walk to the paved path and turn right (north). Follow until you hike down a long hill and cross the walking bridge. The signs are just after the bridge.
Coffee Shop Stop: Primal Grounds Cafe (3003, 37 St. SW ) has great home-made organic food. I love the cakes. Do an extra hill or two if you have a sweet tooth!
Hike 4: Fish Creek Park West End, SW Parking: Shannon Terrace parking lot at the west end of the park). Take Anderson Road west to 37 St; turn south or left onto 37 street (near Sarcee Reserve) and then turn east or left onto 130 Ave. Take your next right onto Wood Path Road to enter Fish Creek Park. Keep to the left when the road splits and continue to the first parking lot.
Description: Canada’s largest urban provincial park! There have been some major changes in the park since the flood in 2005. The west end of the park is still under construction but you can follow the paved path east to Bebo Grove and then loop back over some newly constructed bridges. Link to the parks website to get the latest trail
Great-horned owls in the bare-branches of Poplar trees, mule deer, rabbits and the sometimes a black bear; I’ve encountered them all on this route. This is a wonderful park to explore. Bring a picnic lunch, find a spot by the creek and enjoy a getaway in the heart of the city.
The Route: Fish Creek trails are quite well-marked. Follow the paved path and cross bridge # 2. Follow the sign to the Ridgeview Trail. At the Evergreen Estates sign there is a great hill. Follow the road uphill and climb the obvious steep slope to a bench. Once back on the main path,you can continue to Marshall Springs and then Bebo Grove (signed) and follow a flat route back to Shannon Terrace.
About the Author
Jared and Rebecca Chamberlain are Calgary REALTORS® who are changing how real estate is done in Calgary by utilizing social media, online marketing and advanced tools to sell your home in Calgary faster and for far more money than many other Calgary real estate agents. Both Jared and Rebecca focus on educating their clients on how to buy a house in Calgary or sell a home in Calgary works as they want to give their clients the knowledge and confidence to make the right decisions. Their number one goal is that you will have a “wow” experience. What a “wow” experience is, is one that leaves you wanting to refer them to your friends and family as the service and education you received is one that is second to none.
Devil’s Staircase Glencoe MTB
