The best hikes from bus stations around Rocky View County

Set on the slopes of Signal Hill, Battalion Park is home to one of Calgary’s most distinctive viewpoints. The hillside is marked by four large stone numerals, made up of 16,000 whitewashed rocks arranged to honour the battalions that trained here during the First World War. Trails and staircases climb to lookouts above the city and the Tsuut’ina Nation, making it a simple outing for anyone interested in great views and local history.

Circling the entire city, the Rotary/Mattamy Greenway links neighbourhoods, wetlands, parks, and open prairie into one long, easy to follow loop. The paved pathway rolls through more than a dozen green spaces, passing fitness parks, off‑leash areas, and quiet stretches of grassland as it connects over 50 communities throughout Calgary.

The 12 Mile Coulee trail system is a mix of paved and natural trails that meander on both sides of the creek. The trails are multi-use so expect to see hikers, runners, and mountain bikers while you're out on the trail. There are multiple creeks crossing and the trails often intersect, so it's easy to create your own loop or do a simple out and back.

This community garden is a place for members to grow their own annual vegetables and flowers, while perennial plants and invasive species are prohibited. It's a place for community members to socialize and show off their green thumbs.

12 Mile Coulee is a small park with trails through a mix of grasslands, trees, and wildflowers. The park got its name because the area is twelve miles from the historic post office that operated out of Fort Calgary. There's a sizeable area denoted on maps throughout the park that allows for off-leash dogs!

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.