There are plenty of great walks in Calgary, whether you want a stroll through nature, interesting points in the city, or a guided tour. Let’s take a look at some of our favorite walking trails and tours in the city.
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Natural Walking Trails in Calgary
Calgary has plenty of natural walking trails for different skill levels. Some of the best ones worth checking out are the Christmas Tree Trail, Prince’s Island Loop, and Glenmore Reservoir Trail.
Christmas Tree Trail
Christmas Tree Trail is a great trail with partial paving and a path that will take you through stunning trees, the Bow River, and peaceful wildlife. It’s open all year but it’s especially magical in the winter.
The area is very peaceful and quiet, with enough shade to protect you from the sun without making it too dark. You can even see and hear birds in the area.
Another perk is that you are allowed to bring your dog, as long as it is leashed at all times. If you really want to avoid crowds, by the way, you’ll want to go early in the morning or on a weekday.
Prince’s Island Loop
The Prince’s Island Loop is a relatively short walk that you can finish in under an hour. It actually starts out as a city walk and transitions into a more isolated nature walk.
You can easily bring your dog here on a leash. And if you have kids, the path is very traversable even with a stroller.
Considering its popularity, you may come across other people enjoying the area but it’s never too crowded. It’s a very nice wetland trail that won’t take the wind out of you just to get through.
Just make sure to pack some sunscreen and bug repellent to maximize your experience and be able to focus on your scenic walk. Otherwise, you may end up suffering under the sun and facing off against some bugs going for your legs.
Glenmore Reservoir Trail
The Glenmore Reservoir Trail is a great walk if you’re looking for a long stroll amidst wildlife, plants, and a view of the river. There are lots of interesting elements to see when walking here, and you’ll even likely come across some of the local fauna.
It’s a very easy walk, but it’s still best to stick to the paved paths for safety. You should also bring a light coat or hat (unless, of course, it’s winter) as it tends to be pretty sunny.
Certain sections also have shared trails with cyclists, so you’ll want to be aware to avoid any unexpected collisions. That shouldn’t stop you from going at a leisurely pace, though!
It’s worth going through the whole loop to see the wide variety of views and natural splendor. Bring enough water as well so you can stay hydrated for the long walk.
Guided Walking Tours in Calgary
The best guided walking tours in Calgary are largely agreed to be the Discover Banff National Park tour, Street Art & Craft Beer Tour, and Mohkinstsis Walking Tour.
Discover Banff National Park
This is a fun walking tour that you should go on if you’re looking for some fascinating sights to see in the Canadian Rockies. The path will take you through Canmore, Lake Minnewanka, Banff, Castle Mountain, and Lake Louise.
The tour takes some time because the guides take care to let you fully immerse yourself in the experience. You can really enjoy the wonders of nature because you get to take your time.
There are tons of hiking trails along the way, but guides will usually ask you what path you are comfortable taking. They are also generally very helpful and informative.
Street Art & Craft Beer Tour
If you’re looking to explore the culture and creativity of Calgary, the Toonie Street Art & Craft Beer Tour is the best option. It’s an easy walk that takes you through the city’s centers for street art and lets you taste curated local beers.
You’ll get a good grasp of the Downtown Calgary scene and look into the background of some of the most eye-catching murals in the streets. As you appreciate the work of Calgary’s artists, you also get to taste some of the refined craft beers at select bar stops.
What’s better than having a few tasty brews and checking out some awesome art? It’s a very relaxed, enjoyable, and informative walk that won’t tire you out easily.
The starting point is Bottlescrew Bill’s Pub, and you’ll eventually loop your way back after checking out some murals and a few more craft beer gems.
Mohkinstsis Walking Tour
The Mohkinstsis Walking Tour is a historically enlightening experience that delves into the indigenous history of Calgary. Your guide is a local indigenous individual, so choose this for an authentic peek into the lives of Calgary’s original natives.
The path itself is very relaxing, and you’ll really be able to take in the significance of these beautiful spots to the people that first held them as territory. The walk is not too long, so you won’t feel too tired by the end of it.
The cultural factors in this walking tour are hard to match, and children aged 11 and under can join for free if accompanied by a paying adult. Although most of the path will be paved, you should make sure you’re wearing comfortable shoes.
Nice Walks in the City of Calgary
If you’re looking for an urban walk right in Calgary city, then you’ll want to check out the Calgary ArtWalk Festival, East Village and Inglewood Loop, and Stephen Avenue Walk.
Calgary ArtWalk Festival
The Calgary ArtWalk Festival is a free public display of the city’s wide range of visual art pieces. It only happens every September, but you can still explore the art spaces featured outside of that time.
Even during the festival, you are meant to walk the path yourself, so you can actually choose what order to see the venues in. This freedom is really great as you can set your own pace and choose the route you feel most comfortable with.
It’s a nice way to walk around the city and check out the local art scene. The best part is that it’s free!
East Village and Inglewood Loop
If you’re looking to immerse yourself in Calgary’s local quirks, cultural diversity, and a nice blend of nature and city structures, you’ll want to take a loop around East Village and Inglewood.
There are plenty of parks and natural water bodies with animals to see, and there are also great mom-and-pop shops to stop by and explore. There’s even a large dog park you can visit if you want to bring a pet.
If you’re looking for landmarks, you can pass through the Bow River, National Music Centre, Fort Calgary, and the Esker Foundation.
More than those go-to spots, you will also notice that Inglewood and the East Village are home to plenty of indie shops, diverse restaurants and eateries, and cool collectives for art and vintage goods.
Stephen Avenue Walk
There are plenty of things to see and do in Stephen Avenue, which is why it offers one of the most popular city walks you can do in Calgary. It’s considered a major pedestrian mall, so there’s a wide and eclectic range of goodies you can check out.
Whether you’re looking to shop at specialty stores or just bask in the ambiance, the Stephen Avenue Walk is a pretty entertaining experience. It’s aesthetically pleasing and you’ll get to see a blend of the old and the new here.
Do note that there can be thousands of people here at once during peak hours, so be prepared to either go at less busy hours or just wade through the crowds. There are tons of pubs, coffee shops, and eateries you can chill at if you want a break from walking, too.
There are no cars and it’s not a very long walk compared to the others mentioned in our selection, so you should have a breezy time going through Stephen Avenue.
