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Things to Do in Calgary - Hiking in Calgary

By Jonathan Meier

The City of Calgary has somewhere in the vicinity of 600 kilometres of walking trails. Some of these are in areas that require a bit more preparation and commitment than your average walk in the park. However, the necessary equipment can easily be furnished. Apartments in downtown Calgary make for an excellent reference point to gauge access to all of the City's recreation areas. So, I'm basing this guide on a couple of hikes that are easily accessible using downtown Calgary as a center point.

Nose Hill Park:

Nose Hill has long been denounced as 'not a real hike' by many who would rather be off hiking in the nearby Rocky Mountains (more on that later). I believe they're half right. There is much better hiking to be had in the Mountains than there is to be had in the prairies; that is true. However, I formally challenge everyone who says Nose Hill doesn't count as a real hike to run from the base of the hill, to the top. Without stopping. Go ahead, I'll wait.... For those who are interested in getting to know this little gem I've attached a brochure for you here. Weaselhead Park Natural Area:

Incredibly, one out of every five Albertans gets their water from these wetlands. Located just west of the Glenmore reservoir, this area is home to a staggering variety of flora and fauna. There are a lot of designated hiking trails that allow you to get up close and personal with the inhabitants of the park. In fact, bird watchers in particular will be pleased with this area. For more in-depth information about this amazing area, get in touch with The Weaselhead Society. Fish Creek Provincial Park:

While Fish Creek meanders through enough of Calgary that it basically cuts the city in half, it still manages to retain its reputation as one of the best preserved city parks in Canada. The park features 80 kilometres of trails, enough to tire out any hiker, and 30 kilometres of those trails are paved. The most used region is the Sikome Lake beach, so if you're looking for some solitude, it's best not to venture too near.

These are just a few examples of places you can go to in Calgary to get away from the daily drudgery. If you really want to get out there, it's worth your time to get some more explicit route details. Also, always bring a map, especially for any hike that takes place outside of the city limits. For more complete and explicit guide to the hikes in the region you can check out some resources like http://www.fitfrog.ca or http://www.corehike.org.

Jonathan Meier is the Marketing and Social Media Coordinator for O Hotel Suites, the premiere property manager for short term furnished apartment rentals and executive suites in Calgary, Alberta. When he's not at the Hotel dealing with the daily dose of craziness he's usually out in the mountains near his hometown of Canmore where he can be seen climbing, skiing, or doing anything at all that doesn't involve computers.

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