Two wheels, one delicious day: Calgary’s best family bike routes with built-in treats

Written by: Lori Beattie

Summer is the perfect time to explore Calgary by bike. The extensive pathway and cycle track network makes navigating the city a breeze whether you are keen to pedal uninterrupted along pathways or embark on a multi-tasking cycle tour. Grab your bike – here we go!

Check out the Google Map with the rides here: tinyurl.com/mtss347a

Fish Creek Park – Chaparral – Chinook Rotary Wetlands – Douglasdale

Starting from Bow Valley Ranche in Fish Creek Park, cycle south to Chaparral and Lafarge Meadows. Loop past Wolf Willow before crossing the Bow River to the Chinook Rotary Nature Park below Cranston. With 40 acres of wetlands that attract waterfowl and upland birds, this park is the perfect sanctuary for bird watching. Continue along the forested Bow River Pathway before climbing to Douglasdale, where the regional path along the escarpment is the perfect pelican viewing spot. Far-reaching views over Fish Creek Park and beyond to the Rockies continue until your descent into Mallard Point at the far east end of Fish Creek Park. The return pedal follows the paved pathway, or stick to the shale paths closer to the river to find a perfect picnic and bird watching spot. Fish Creek Provincial Park offers birds places to feed, nest, and raise young, but is also a resting spot for spring and fall migrants, as well as many year-round residents.

Start: Bow Valley Ranche, Fish Creek Park

LRT: Fish Creek Park Station (adds distance to the ride)

Facilities: Bathrooms at Fish Creek Park trailheads

Distance & Difficulty

Up to 30km with many shorter loops possible (few hills, paved and shale pathways)

Tasty destinations

Annie’s Cafe in Fish Creek Park, Bow Valley Ranche, Cornerstone Music Cafe in Deer Run and Crystie’s Coffee House and Bistro in Wolf Willow

Elbow to Bow

Wheels start to roll along the paved Elbow River Pathway past picnic areas, an impressive playground, and, in the summer, alongside rafters launching their boats and swimmers playing in the shallow Elbow River. The ride connects to Riverdale Avenue, where riders enjoy a picturesque pedal past stunning riverside homes before dropping back onto the paved pathway under Elbow Drive. The entire length of the Elbow River Pathway is a wonderful mix of nature and neighborhoods as you cycle past Stanley Park and through Rideau, where a stunning private garden stands out. Continue along quiet side streets into Roxboro before connecting to Erlton and Lindsay Park, past Stampede Park and up Scotsman’s Hill. The high point offers a bird’s-eye view of Stampede Park, where Calgary’s annual party takes place each July.

Start: Sandy Beach Park, 4500 14A Street SW (closed until mid-June) or Riverdale Park, end of Riverdale Avenue

LRT: Erlton Station

Facilities: Bathrooms at Sandy Beach Park and Stanley Park (May to October), Sport Centre in Lindsay Park.

Distance & Difficulty

Long route: 20km (few hills, paved pathways, neighborhood streets, cycle track)

Short route: 7.5km (few hills, paved pathways, neighborhood streets)

Tasty Destinations

Apprentice Cafe for house-made ice cream and delicious focaccia sandwiches: 1024 Bellevue Avenue SE; Cafe Rosso: Dominion Bridge, 803 - 24 Avenue SE; Maisie’s Eatery: SAM Centre, 632 - 13 Avenue SE

Nose Creek – Nose Hill Park – Bow River Loop

Experience Calgary’s world-class pathway network on this ride that is 41km of pure pathway-pedaling bliss. It all begins along the Bow River Pathway near Bridgeland, where you enjoy smooth riding past the Canadian Wilds enclosure at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo, which is visible from the main pathway. The pathway turns north and becomes the quieter Nose Creek Pathway, a pleasant strip of nature that runs parallel to Deerfoot Trail. The climbing is steady and gradual with steeper hills in Nose Hill Park. The welcome descent through Dalhousie and Varsity Ravine pathway leads you past Bowmont Park and onto the Bow River Pathway at Shouldice Park, where you continue east. At Edworthy Park, choose between the north or south side pathway. The south side is more of a wilderness immersion, while the north side has many coffee and ice cream options in Hillhurst and Kensington.

Start: Bottomlands Park, St. George’s Drive or anywhere in Bridgeland

LRT: Bridgeland or Zoo Stations

Facilities: Bathrooms at Nose Hill trailheads

Distance & Difficulty

Long route: 41km (hilly, paved pathways)

Tasty Destinations

Friends Cafe in Edgemont, Haven House Cafe in 

North Haven, Euphoria Cafe in Dalhousie, West Hillhurst: Pocket Coffee, Amato Gelato and Made by Marcus Ice Cream; Kensington has many tasty options; Bridgeland: Village Ice Cream, Made by Marcus Ice Cream and Bridgeland Market

Lori is the author of the NEW 3rd edition of Calgary’s Best Walks: 95 urban jaunts, nature strolls and tasty pit stops and the author of Calgary’s Best Bike Rides: 50 urban cycle tours and pathway pedals. She is the owner of Fit Frog Adventures, where she leads year-round urban walks and hikes. Connect with her, see upcoming book events and guided walks on Instagram @lorifitfrog and at fitfrog.ca.

See our related articles:

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