While our seasons can be fickle, Calgary is home to the most extensive outdoor pathway and urban bike network in North America.

Get Rolling

Exploring the city on two wheels lets you meander through neighbourhoods, taking advantage of the pathways and bike lanes or following the banks of the Bow and Elbow Rivers. Grab a cruiser, hybrid or e-bike and get pedaling.

Bakeries and Bites

Re-energize with a cup of locally roasted coffee and munch on handmade croissants or scones at a number of bike-friendly bakeries, including Al Forno Bakery & Café, Sidewalk Citizen Bakery and Analog Coffee.

Calgary’s River Café is conveniently situated near the bike path on Prince’s Island, in the downtown core. Enjoy locally sourced entrees or pick up a picnic basket and enjoy on the fly.

The patio game is strong on 17 Avenue SW. Known as the “Red Mile” – a standard gathering spot for any Calgary sports-related celebration, 17 Avenue SW is one of Calgary’s top retail and entertainment districts. Restaurants, clothing boutiques and services line this multi-block stretch, with plenty of patios along the way.

Calgary is a relatively young city, but its roots in hospitality and sense of place run deep. Known in early days a the “Sandstone City” thanks to an ample supply of the natural stone from nearby quarries, Calgary’s Stephen Avenue block showcases facades from the early 1900s.

New Wonders

Just a few blocks away, the striking architecture of the new Calgary Central Library and Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre, showcase how the city continues to evolve from a design perspective. For many Calgarians, the Wonderland installation is a perfect spot for a selfie, while the bold, red Peace Bridge is known as one of the most photographed locations in the city.

Walkabout

Head out on a walking tour to explore the city’s history through its art and architecture – shedding light on the Indigenous roots of this place, through to the pioneers who made the city home and the modern-day thinkers who challenge the status quo with every new imagining.

Calgary is known as the Basecamp to Adventure, with very good reason. Head out of the city in any direction, and you’ll find experiences rich in culture and natural beauty. Here’s how you can explore north, east, west and south from Calgary:

North:

Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site is located on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River, and provides a glimpse into the history of Indigenous Peoples, explorers and fur trade posts. Learn how to make a traditional drum, lock eyes with a bison, and enjoy the natural beauty of the Rocky Mountain Foothills.

East:

Hoodoo? You do! The Canadian Badlands is where the world’s dinosaurs roamed, and today is home to the renowned Royal Tyrell Museum, geographical formations called hoodoos, fossils, history and natural beauty. This vast area is also home to some of the largest dark sky preserves, letting you see millions of stars and the chance of Northern Lights.

South:

Dubbed The Cowboy Trail, Highway 22 heads south of Calgary and winds through some of the most incredible ranchland anywhere in the world. Spend a few days working on a ranch, head out on horseback or watch the sun dip behind the Rocky Mountains for a breathtaking sunset. Criss-cross through small ranching towns, enjoy warm hospitality and take your foot off the gas pedal – You’re on cowboy time.

West:

Your eyes will inevitably widen as you head towards the Majestic Rocky Mountains, located just 40 minutes west of the city. With Kananaskis Country, Banff and Lake Louise all within a couple of hours in the city, your options for all-season fun are seemingly endless.

Calgary is home to the most extensive outdoor pathway and urban bike network in North America, with classic urban and suburban rides.

Where to go

Pedal to the city’s northwest and try your hand at disc golf at David Richardson Disc Golf Park, head to Fish Creek Park, a provincial park located within the city limits or pedal around the Glenmore Reservoir, with a stop at Heritage Park to see firsthand how Calgary used to look.

Pedal Power

The Barley Belt provides access to a number of microbreweries easily accessible by bike, and the Bow River pathway make a perfect afternoon for exploring coffee shops, parks, ice cream stands and attractions.