Calgary is a fast-growing city situated at the confluence of the Bow River and the Elbow River in the south of Alberta. It’s home to the second-highest number of corporate headquarters in Canada, with the oil and energy industries a major growth engine. Legendary Banff and Jasper National Parks are a couple of hours away by car. Running in Calgary is a treat — the city has among the the most extensive urban pathway and bikeway networks in North America.
The best places to run in Calgary center around its extensive river paths and parks. The signature runs in the downtown area are the Bow River & Elbow River Pathways. Just north of downtown are the hilly trails of Nose Hill Park — one of the most significant examples of the grassland ecosystem left on the Canadian prairies. Near the airport, there’s nice prairie terrain in Confluence Park. In northwest Calgary, we’ve put together a nice route combining Bowness Park, Bowmont Park, & Twelve Mile Coulee. Just south of downtown, we love running loops around Glenmore Reservoir, and the 80 km of trails at Fish Creek Provincial Park. For destination runs, head to Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park with its 3200 acres of ranch land, and Bragg Creek Provincial Park in the foothills of the Rockies. See also our running guides for the Canmore/Banff/Lake Louise area.
Notes: Calgary Transit provides public transportation services throughout the city with buses and a light rail (LRT). A car is needed to reach some of the wonderful running areas outside the city. Runners should also be aware that Calgary winters can be frigid. This interactive map shows which trails have been cleared of snow.
