Explore Fish Creek Park: Hiking Trails near Wolf Willow

Fish Creek Provincial Park is a tranquil escape into nature right in the heart of Calgary. As the largest urban park in Calgary, it spans over 1300 hectares with over 100km of trails, which offers the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the great outdoors. With its diverse landscapes, ranging from rugged, wooded paths in the southwest to leisurely, flat trails in the southeast, Fish Creek Park caters to a wide range of outdoor enthusiasts, including hikers, cyclists, runners, and nature lovers alike.

Wolf Willow is just steps away from the popular provincial park, with 6 direct access points planned from the community, providing a wealth of recreational activities and scenic beauty year-round. Whether you’re seeking a peaceful stroll through lush greenery, a scenic hike amidst towering trees, or a chance to spot local wildlife like deer, ducks, and beavers. Read on to see the different types of trails you’ll find while strolling through the park.

Paved Pathways

For those seeking a leisurely stroll through the park or along the Bow River, the paved pathways provide a safe route for all levels of difficulty. These trails are primarily used for hiking, walking, biking, on-leash dog walking, and running. They also accommodate the use of strollers and wheelchairs, providing accessibility for everyone to enjoy nature. Benches are strategically placed along the route, allowing you to rest as needed and enjoy the scenic views.

There are parking lots (including one in Wolf Willow) at most of the day use areas throughout the park, allowing you to try out new hikes and trails to keep the scenery fresh. With Wolf Willow’s proximity to Fish Creek, residents have a direct connection to the great outdoors, enhancing their quality of life and promoting an active, nature-centric lifestyle.

Single Track Trails

One of the most popular trail types in Fish Creek Park is the series of singletrack trails, typically the width of a mountain bike. These winding paths twist through the trees and brush, offering a thrilling hiking or biking experience with short, steep climbs that add an extra challenge and are a great workout. The singletrack trails provide the opportunity to immerse yourself in the park’s natural beauty, to extend your walks, all while enjoying a moderate level of difficulty.

Popular Trails Near Wolf Willow

Now that you know what to expect out on the trails, here are some popular trails close to Wolf Willow you can try next time you’re out for a stroll.

Lafarge Meadows Pathway & Sikome Lake

The Lafarge Meadows Pathway is the closest trail to Wolf Willow, starting at the parking lot in the community. This 6.6km trail is mostly paved, and it takes just over an hour and a half to complete. The trail takes you between the Bow River and the Lafarge Meadows wetlands, allowing ample opportunity to bird watch. The trail then loops around the Blue Devil Golf Course, taking you back to Wolf Willow through the nearby community Chaparral. The trail branches by the pedestrian bridge across the Bow, which we’ll cover next.

To up the challenge rating on this walk, you can extend your route up and around Sikome Lake, bringing the total distance to 10.5km! This would add an additional hour to your walk time.

Chinook Rotary Nature Park

Accessible by parking lot or the Lafarge Meadows Pathway, this path is on the shorter side at 3.7km, averaging under an hour to complete. This trail has a few steep (but short) sections to get your heart pumping. This trail winds along the Bow River and a pond, leading you up into the vistas by Cranston, with views overlooking the Bow River (and maybe you could even spot your house in Wolf Willow from here?) It’s a popular route for birdwatching enthusiasts.

Fish Creek Bow River South Loop

This 7.1km trail starts at the same place as the Chinook Rotary Nature Park Loop, but it takes you north and then back south along the Bow River, taking an average of an hour and a half to complete. This trail is popular for biking and running.

While the 201 highway is under construction, this trail might have partial closures and not loop properly. Before heading out, check here to see if the pedestrian bridge is open or closed. If so, you can still use this trail as an out and back.

Bow Valley Ranch Loop

This popular trail is on the shorter side, coming in at 1.8km. It’s an easy, paved trail that takes just over 20 minutes to complete. Starting at the Bow Valley Ranche, you’ll head south towards the ice caves, crossing Fish Creek. This is a very popular trail in the park, so you’ll encounter many other bikers, pedestrians, and dog walkers. It’s also a great trail to catch sight of wildlife like deer and porcupines! Don’t forget to stop at Annie’s Café either before or after your walk for coffee, ice cream, or other tasty snacks—you’ve earned it!

Bow Valley and Glennfield Loop

For those looking for a longer walk or bike ride, the Bow Valley and Glennfield Loop comes in at 5.3km. This path starts at the Bow Valley Ranche Restaurant and heads west into the more central area of Fish Creek Park. It takes an average of an hour and 15 minutes to complete and is very popular for walking, biking, and snowshoeing in the winter. This trail is flat and paved the entire way, making it accessible for everyone.

Even more trails in Fish Creek Park

Want to venture further from Wolf Willow into Fish Creek Park? Check out this list by All Trails, which maps out each trail’s difficulty, length, and location.

Fish Creek Provincial Park is a natural haven in Calgary, offering sanctuary for outdoor activities, wildlife appreciation, and rejuvenation amidst the city’s urban landscape. From the challenging singletrack trails to the accessible paved paths, visitors can tailor their adventures to suit their preferences and skill levels.

The Wolf Willow community, with its proximity to the park’s southern trails, presents a unique opportunity for residents to embrace a nature-centric lifestyle. If this sounds like the lifestyle you’ve been waiting for, you can explore the community here.