The best hikes from bus stations around Calgary

The Bow River flows east through Calgary and forms part of the eastern boundary of Fish Creek Provincial Park. In this area, paved pathways and multi-use trails follow its banks, offering scenic access to water views, wildlife, and connections to Calgary’s greater pathway system. The river and adjacent parklands are popular for walking, cycling, fishing and enjoying open-air river scenery within the city’s natural green corridor.

The Cranston Avenue Regional Pathway is a smooth, well-marked route that runs through the heart of Cranston, linking neighbourhood parks with escarpment viewpoints and the wider Bow River trail network. It’s ideal for walking, running, or cycling, and serves as a convenient connector to nearby highlights like the Cranston Escarpment View Point.

Cranston is a residential community perched above the Bow River valley, known for its easy access to parks, pathways, and escarpment viewpoints. The trail network weaves through quiet streets, open green spaces, and river overlooks, making it a convenient starting point or link-up for routes along the south edge of Calgary. It’s a practical base for reaching nearby viewpoints, including the Cranston Escarpment View Point.

The Cranston Escarpment View Point is a popular, easy-access lookout over the Bow River valley. It offers wide views across the water, nearby neighbourhoods, and the rolling foothills, making it an ideal spot for an evening walk. Well-maintained paths connect this viewpoint to the surrounding trail network, so it’s an easy and worthwhile addition to any route in the area.

The Bow River runs clear and cold from the Rocky Mountains through Banff and Calgary before joining the Oldman River to form the South Saskatchewan. In Calgary, it’s the heart of the city’s park and trail system, lined with forest, wetlands, and wide gravel paths that attract hikers year-round. The river’s turquoise colour comes from glacial meltwater, and its steady current creates a constant backdrop of movement and sound. Whether viewed from bridges, riverbanks, or high escarpments, the Bow remains one of Alberta’s most defining natural landmarks.

To get across to Bowness, go up to the 1 Ave SW junction, take a left then go straight all the way through to the Olympic park and you'll pop out at the overflow parking. From there go down into greenwood and make your way wherever from there

The Wood’s Douglas Fir Tree Sanctuary in Calgary protects one of the last stands of old-growth Douglas firs on the Canadian Prairies. Some of the trees here are estimated to be more than 500 years old, surviving from a time when the region’s climate was cooler and wetter. The sanctuary sits along the Bow River escarpment and provides vital habitat for birds and small wildlife. It’s a peaceful natural area within the city, offering a rare chance to experience a forest that has remained largely unchanged for centuries.

Pumphouse Park sits on the south bank of the Bow River, adjacent to the historic Bow River Pumphouse No. 2 ( or Pumphouse Theatre), built in 1913. This park offers picnic areas, benches, and stunning views of the Bow River, along with access to riverside trails.