Biking

With its huge network of paved pathways, Calgary is a great city to get around by bike. The options are almost endless. Here are a few popular routes to explore.

Helmet Law -- In Alberta, helmets are required by law for all cyclists under age 18, and recommended for all cyclists.

Family-Friendly Routes -- If you're traveling with young children, the pathways near Eau Claire and Prince's Island Park downtown feature easy terrain along with bathrooms and water stops. South of downtown, Carburn Park is a good bet for beginner cyclists. The paved path around the perimeter of the lagoon on 18th St. SE, south of Glenmore Trail, is an easy 3km (1.9-mile) loop. Or head for Pearce Estate, just off Blackfoot Trail at the north end of 17A Street and cycle to the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary at the east end of 19th Avenue. You'll find picnic areas and washrooms at both ends.

Cycling Tour 1: Bow River Parks

Start: Prince's Island Park

Finish: Prince's Island Park

Distance: About 40km (25 miles) if you follow the entire route; 3 to 4 hours

Best Time: Mid-morning, so you can take a picnic lunch to Bowness Park.

Worst Time: Morning and afternoon rush hours, when this route is well traveled by cycling commuters.

This loop follows the north bank of the Bow River from Prince's Island Park to the Stoney Trail bridge, west of downtown, and returns along the south side of the river. The tour largely follows the course of Calgary's annual Stampede Marathon, held in July. You'll cycle past the Kensington district and through Edworthy, Bowmont, and Bowness parks. While you'll need at least three hours for the whole tour, various bridges along the route make convenient turnaround points for shorter trips.

This tour starts at Prince's Island Park. If you're driving, park at Eau Claire on the south side of the Bow River and follow the pedestrian bridge to the north side. Or, park on the north side near the curling club on Memorial Drive and take the pedestrian overpass across Memorial Drive to the paved pathway. Cycle along the north bank of the river toward Kensington at 10th Street NW.

1. Pathway Hub -- At the corner of Memorial Drive and 10th Street, this is information central for Calgary's parks and pathways. You'll find a public information center and concession area on the main floor. The Calgary Area Outdoor Council is located on the 2nd floor. Continue cycling west past Crowchild Trail toward Edworthy Park, about 7km from Prince's Island Park.

2. Edworthy Park -- Here you'll find washrooms, a water fountain, and a coffee and ice cream stand. If you're ready to turn back, you can cross the footbridge here and return to Prince's Island Park along the south side of the river. Continue traveling along the westbound pathway.

3. Shouldice Athletic Park -- You're likely to find a baseball or soccer game in progress here. Named after southern Alberta rancher James Shouldice, the park is also a popular gathering spot for Canada geese. (Don't expect them to yield to cyclists -- they stand their ground assertively and get downright belligerent in the spring when they're parading around with flocks of goslings.)

When you reach Bowness Road, the path crosses under the John Hextall footbridge. When you emerge -- this is where you'll link up with the pathway on the return leg of the tour -- go left for one block. At 52nd Street, take a left and cycle to the top of the hill where you'll reconnect with the pathway (beside a church).

4. Bowmont Park -- The pathway climbs through a hilly stretch of poplars and open fields in Bowmont Park, a haven for wildlife. If you're ready to turn back, you can cross to the south side of the river (via two footbridges), and cycle along the pathway to Bow Crescent. See the directions below for the route between Bow Crescent and Prince's Island Park. Follow the pathway under 85th Street and through Baker Park, which is the site of a former sanatorium, and cross over to the south side of the river when you reach the Stoney Trail Bridge.

5. Bowness Park -- This is one of Calgary's most popular family picnic areas. With washrooms, water fountains, picnic tables, and a concession stand, it's an ideal spot to take a break. Leave the park through the main gates and follow 48th Ave. E to 79th Street, where you'll re-connect with the pathway.

6. Douglas Fir Trail -- Here, the pathway winds along the river bank at the base of the Douglas Fir Trail. You may be lucky enough to spot a coyote, beaver, or deer. This out-of-the-way stretch of riverfront is also a popular area for bird watching.

Continue traveling west, past the Crowchild Trail bridge. You'll pass the Pump Hill Theatre, Nat Christie Park (just east of 14th Street), and the Shaw Millennium Skateboard Park, on your right.

7. Eau Claire -- The pathway takes you back to Eau Claire, where you'll find cafes and pubs with inviting outdoor patios.

Cycling Tour 2: Fish Creek Provincial Park

Start: Mallard Point, at the northeast end of the park.

Finish: Shannon Terrace Environmental Education Centre, at the west end of the park.

Distance: 38km (24 miles); 3 to 4 hours.

Best Times: Any morning or afternoon when the weather is fine. Picnic areas are located throughout the park.

Worst Times: After 4pm, when the visitor center is closed. Note that Fish Creek Provincial Park is open only during the day. Closing times vary throughout the year, but generally coincide with darkness.

This tour follows mostly paved trails through Fish Creek Provincial Park, from east to west. If you're ambitious and have the time, the park is easy to reach by bicycle from virtually anywhere in the city. Or, you can drive or take public transit. If you're driving, you can access the north end of the park via Canyon Meadows Drive SE. Park at Mallard Point. By transit, take the C-Train to the Fish Creek/Lacombe station. Bikes are allowed on C-Trains at all times except morning and afternoon rush hours on weekdays.

1. Mallard Point -- The tour starts at Mallard Point, a picnic area in a stand of cottonwood trees at the northeast end of the park. This section of the park is popular with anglers.

Follow the paved pathway through a hay field to the picnic area at Burnsmead. Continuing on, you'll cross Bow Bottom Trail. To detour to Sikome Lake, turn left. This is the only public lake with a beach within 90 minutes of the city. Needless to say, it's packed on hot days. Otherwise, take the right branch and head west to the Bow Valley Ranche Visitor's Centre, located about 6km (3.7 miles) from Mallard Point.

2. Bow Valley Ranche Visitor's Centre -- This is the main visitor center for the park, and you can pick up trail maps and park information. You'll also find the Ranche restaurant, which specializes in contemporary Alberta cuisine. The small wooden house next door is Annie's Bakery Café, popular with cyclists and in-line skaters.

A 4km (2.5-mile) cycle through hay fields takes you to the Glenfield picnic area, which has lots of washrooms along with three picnic shelters equipped with wood stoves. Continue traveling west, under Macleod Trail, through cottonwood and spruce trees to Voltier's Flats. The paved pathway ends here -- it's gravel and shale to the west end of the park.

3. Shannon Terrace Environmental Education Centre -- This center, near the western edge of the park, is the turnaround point for this tour. Don't be surprised to meet a group of school kids investigating the spruce forest and wetlands near the center. Fish Creek is just a quick stroll to the south.

Follow the pathway past the footbridge and under the train bridge. You'll emerge on Crescent Rd. NW. Cycle along Crescent Road east to the John Hextall bridge, and return to Edworthy Park on the same stretch of pathway you traveled earlier. At Edworthy Park, take the foot bridge to the south side of the river and cycle through the park and across the train tracks. You'll find washrooms and water fountains in the park.

Cycling Tour 3: Glenmore Park and Weaselhead

Start: North Glenmore Park.

Finish: North Glenmore Park.

Distance: 16km (10 miles); about 1 to 2 hours.

Best Times: The Weaselhead Flats area is busy on summer weekends. To avoid crowds, visit on weekdays, especially early in the morning or in the evening.

Worst Times: Cloudy, overcast days -- you'll miss the views!

This tour circles the Glenmore Reservoir in southwest Calgary, which provides much of Calgary's water supply and is also popular for fishing, canoeing, and sailing. You'll cycle around the reservoir, through North and South Glenmore parks and the Weaselhead Flats natural area. North Glenmore Park, where the tour starts, is accessed from 37th St. SW. Park at the west end of North Glenmore Park, near 37th St. SW, and head for the paved pathway overlooking the reservoir.

1. Weaselhead Flats -- Traveling west, the path drops down a steep hill and into a wetlands area. This is Weaselhead Flats, a protected region that's home to white-tailed and mule deer, coyotes, beaver, and, of course, weasels.

About 1km (0.6 mile) from the parking lot, you'll cross a narrow pedestrian bridge over the Elbow River (and see a few beaver dams). Another footbridge is on the other side of the wetlands area, about 1km (0.6 mile) south.

2. South Glenmore Park -- You'll climb out of the valley and pass through stands of poplar adjacent to a grain field before arriving at South Glenmore Park (4km/2.5 miles). Check out the view of the reservoir.

At the 5km (3-mile) point, you'll reach the Glenmore Sailing Club. The path divides here, with runners and walkers taking the trail along the bluff and cyclists following the edge of the reservoir.

If you're ready for a break, stop at Glenmore Landing (7km/4.3 miles), where you'll find a Good Earth Café.

3. Rocky Mountain Views -- Back on the pathway, you'll cycle past Heritage Park, through a subdivision, and past the Rocky View Hospital (and be treated to an awesome view of the reservoir and the Rocky Mountains) before you cross Glenmore Trail and head over the Glenmore Dam. (This is where the bike path connects with the route into downtown: from here, it's 10.5km (6.5 miles) to the Bow River pathway at Fort Calgary.)

Pass the Lakeview Golf Course and follow the pedestrian overpass to cross Glenmore Trail again. Cycle by the Lakeview Community Centre, the Earl Grey Golf Course, and into North Glenmore Park (13.5km/8.3 miles). Follow the trail along the bluff back to 37th Street.