Route: Calgary
Area: Alberta, Canada
Date of walk: 4th October 2024
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 2.5 miles
Ascent: 100 feet
Weather: Mostly sunny
Our time in British Columbia ended today with a flight from Vancouver to Calgary, Alberta. With several hours to spare before our connecting flight to Edinburgh there was sufficient time to squeeze in a final walk by visiting Calgary. Calgary owes its rapid growth to its status as the centre of Canada’s oil industry and has a population of about 1.3 million. From Calgary International Airport we caught the 300 bus, which runs every 15 minutes or so, and after a journey of about 40 minutes we alighted in Chinatown, Downtown Calgary. We didn’t have a fixed route planned, but I’d previously heard about the Bow River Pathway and we decided to explore that as far as we could, given the time constraints of having to get back to the airport in time for our flight to Edinburgh
From the bus stop we walked through part of Chinatown towards to Bow River, where we joined the Pathway. The Bow River Pathway follows both the banks of the Bow River and consists of pedestrian and bicycle paths connecting parks on both sides of the river. It is used for cycling, hiking, jogging, as well as rollerblading and skateboarding. The paths are connected with a system that extends along the Elbow River and other areas of the city. Our walk would only cover a small section of the entire 30 mile length
We turned left at Centre Street Bridge, guarded by four lion sculptures, and followed the Pathway for a short distance before crossing a footbridge onto Prince’s Island Park
We followed a circular track around a wildlife area before joining a path which took us across the island to a bridge at its western end. We crossed over here and joined the Bow River Pathway again, which we followed under Centre Street Bridge for a short distance before heading south into nearby Downtown Calgary. The soaring skyscrapers in the downtown area were a spectacular sight and we particularly enjoyed the ‘Wonderland’ bent wire structure in front of the Bow Building. We ended the walk near the Calgary Tower
I wish we’d had time to visit the top of the tower to enjoy the spectacular view, but we were nervous about missing our flight so we caught the nearby 300 bus back to the airport. This had been an unplanned walk following an improvised route, but I hope it will show a few of the highlights which Calgary has to offer
Farewell Canada. We’ve enjoyed fifteen fabulous walks here in as many days with a huge amount of variety, including snow clad mountains, azure lakes, pristine salmon rivers, grizzly bears and whales, ancient woodland, skyscrapers, parks and much more besides
Click on the icon below for the route map
Scroll down – or click on any photo to enlarge it and you can then view as a slideshow
The start of the walk as we alight from the bus at the edge of Chinatown
We walk towards Centre Street Bridge with its two lion guard statues and join the Bow River Pathway
As was the case in Vancouver, the pedestrian side is nearest the water and the other lane is reserved for cyclists
Downtown Calgary from Sien Lok Park
We cross the pedestrian bridge onto Princes Island Park
The park is a 20 hectare oasis in the middle of Calgary
We follow a circular boardwalk trail around a wetland area
Downtown Calgary reflected in the wetlands
Looking the other way across the Bow River. The Bow River Pathway (North) follows the riverbank and offer further walking opportunities
Downtown Calgary
We follow a path along the south side of the island...
We leave the park here and cross a narrow neck of land
Peace Bridge (which lies just beyond the island)
We join the Bow River Pathway (South) and walk back along the other side of the inlet
Skyscrapers of Calgary on our right
We arrive back at Centre Street Bridge, which completes the circuit. We decide we have sufficient time to extend the walk
Having walked under the bridge we continue along the Bow River Pathway for a short distance
We leave the pathway here to walk into Downtown Calgary
Chinatown
Calgary Tower in the heart of the city
The Wonderland structure in front of the Bow Building...
We walk along Centre Street South, with views along the streets which cross it...
Good light showing the architecture at its best
Calgary Tower again, I wish we had time to see the view from the top but we needed to be careful not to miss our flight to Edinburgh
We sought out the return bus to Calgary Airport
A final view of Calgary, time to pack the camera away and start the long journey back home. Farewell Canada
