Summary:
Calgary’s top bike trails include Nose Hill Park, Glenmore Reservoir, Fish Creek Park, and the Bow River Pathway, offering a mix of paved paths, gravel, and dirt trails. Most routes are well-suited to commuter and cruiser eBikes, while fat tire and eMTBs are ideal for parks with rougher terrain. Trail lengths range from 3 km to over 40 km, with highlights like city skyline views, riverbanks, wooded climbs, and wildlife sightings throughout the city’s extensive cycling network.
The Best Bike Trails in Calgary
Calgary’s roads are excellent for eBikes, but that’s not all—the city is also home to a sprawling network of bike paths and trails that criss-cross its urban pockets and ample greenspaces.
The team at eBikes Calgary spends all our time either working with eBikes or riding them around this fair city, so we put together this list of its best routes to help you explore.
Let us be your guides to 10 of the best bike paths you can find in Calgary below—and visit us first if you’re in need of a new ride, new parts, or accessories.
Dave Sullivan's Nose Hill Single Track Loop Nose Hill Park
| Length | 26.8 km |
| Climb | 560 m |
| Descent | 568 m |
| Average Time | 1 hr 24 min |
Terrain Types: Mostly paved pathways with some dirt trails
Recommended eBikes: eMTBs, Fat Tire eBikes
Why We Love It: Scenic Nose Hill offers a 360-degree view of the city and the Rocky Mountains. It’s also accessible from a number of different neighbourhoods in the city’s Northwest—and as a natural park with land that has largely been undisturbed by human activity, wildlife sightings are common.
Nose Creek Park Greenway
| Length | 6.5 km |
| Climb | 55 m |
| Descent | 31 m |
| Average Time | 22 min |
Terrain Types: Paved pathways
Recommended eBikes: Commuter eBikes, Cruiser eBikes
Why We Love It: This 73-hectare park in the city’s Northeast provides gorgeous vistas and plenty of room, while hosting a variety of different bird species. It's also quite peaceful (although there’s an off-leash section for dogs that you may want to be aware of when you’re riding through).
Fish Creek to Glenmore Reservoir
| Length | 6.3 km |
| Climb | 30 m |
| Descent | 32 m |
| Average Time | 15 min |
Terrain Types: Paved pathways
Recommended eBikes: Cruiser eBikes, Commuter eBikes, eMTBs for some stretches
Why We Love It: The Elbow river provides a scenic backdrop for your ride as it flows through the Weaselhead Natural Area and into the reservoir itself. South Glenmore Park and North Glenmore Park both border the water, and you’ll be able to ride through both of them if you loop around.
This is a great spot for riding a folding eBike as well, since it has so much available parking—if you don’t feel like riding out to the park itself, you can simply toss a bike like the Surface 604 Twist in your trunk and set it up once you arrive.
Edworthy Park to Inglewood
| Length | 13.4 km |
| Climb | 30 m |
| Descent | 42 m |
| Average Time | 25 m |
Terrain Types: Paved and gravel trails
Recommended eBikes: eMTBs, Fat Tire eBikes
Why We Love It: This stunning wooded park runs along the Bow River and features plenty of opportunities to veer into the woods for more spirited riding. Expect steep climbs and sharp turns if you leave the paved sections of the trail and start climbing—but you’ll get big rewards once you reach any of the lookout points in the park’s upper reaches! Pro tip: look out for hikers and pedestrians.
Bow River Trail from Edworthy to Fort Calgary
| Length | 9.3 km |
| Climb | 35 m |
| Descent | 11m |
| Average Time | 21 min |
Terrain Types: Paved pathways
Recommended eBikes: Commuter eBikes, Cruiser eBikes
Why We Love It: This path will take you through Calgary's vibrant downtown area, providing plenty of opportunities to explore the city up close. Start out from Edworthy once you're done the route above, then head towards historic Chinatown, pass through Eau Claire Market, and go all the way to Prince’s Island Park (which we’ve listed separately here)—or cruise out to Kensington and stop for coffee!
Bowness to Valley Ridge
| Length | 3.4 km |
| Climb | 14 m |
| Descent | 60 m |
| Average Time | 15 min |
Terrain Types: Paved and dirt trails
Recommended eBikes: Commuter eBikes, eMTBs, Fat Tire eBikes
Why We Love It: This serene park comes with terrific views of the river. While the terrain in Bowness is mild enough for most commuter eBikes to handle, we’ve also recommended this one for eMTBs and fat tire eBikes for the simple reason that you probably won’t be satisfied with sticking to the paved sections. Take advantage of the various dirt trails in the area and find your own little corner of the wilderness!
Bow River Pathway
| Length | 3.9 km |
| Climb | 1 m |
| Descent | 10 m |
| Average Time | 10 min |
Terrain Types: Paved pathways
Recommended eBikes: Commuter eBikes, Cruiser eBikes
Why We Love It: This trail offers riverside cycling with a wide variety of natural and urban scenery. Since the Bow runs right through the heart of Calgary and has bike paths along the majority of its length, you can also find plenty of other routes nearby once you've finished this one—there’s practically no limit to the amount of cycling you enjoy.
Fish Creek Loop
| Length | 15.9 km |
| Climb | 187 m |
| Descent | 186 m |
| Average Time | 1 hr 37 min |
Terrain Types: Paved and dirt trails
Recommended eBikes: Commuter eBikes, eMTBs, Fat Tire eBikes
Why We Love It: This is one of the largest parks within any North American city, with an insanely diverse amount of wildlife and vegetation. Like Bowness, you can get through most of it on a commuter eBike—but there are definitely areas where you may want to stray off the beaten path or ride in the sand around Sicome Lake.
Elbow River Pathway
| Length | 8.8 km |
| Climb | 55 m |
| Descent | 70 m |
| Average Time | 25 min |
Terrain Types: Paved pathways
Recommended eBikes: Commuter eBikes, Folding eBikes
Why We Love It: This route follows the scenic Elbow River from the Downtown East Village all the way to the city’s Southeastern suburbs. It’s a bit bendier than the Bow River trails listed above, too—so you’ll have plenty of opportunities for slightly more spirited riding.
Confederation Park
| Length | 2.9 km |
| Climb | 15 m |
| Descent | 17 m |
| Average Time | 10 min |
Terrain Types: Paved pathways
Recommended eBikes: Commuter eBikes, Cruiser eBikes
Why We Love It: With thriving wetlands, clear views of the city’s skyline, and a section that runs through the Confederation Golf Course, you’ll love the easy riding offered by this loop around one of the city’s best-maintained greenspaces.
Find Your Next Outdoor Adventure in Calgary
No matter where you are in Calgary or what kind of bike you ride, you’ll be able to find a perfect place to ride on the list above. If you’re in the market to upgrade your ride, check out our eBike collection here and then get ready to experience the city like never before.
Frequently Asked Questions about Calgary's Best Bike Trails
1. Are eBikes allowed on all Calgary bike trails?
Yes, Class 1 and Class 2 eBikes are allowed on most multi-use pathways, but eBikes must be 500W or less with a maximum speed of 32 km/h for pathway use—and you’ll have to keep your speed below 20 km/h. Learn more about eBike laws you should know when riding in Calgary to avoid fines or penalties.
2. What's the best time of year to ride Calgary's trails?
Late spring through early fall offers the best conditions. Many paved routes are maintained year-round, but off-road trails can be muddy or icy in winter. Learn how to prep your eBike for winter riding to stay safe in colder conditions.
3. Do any of these trails connect to one another?
Yes, many are part of Calgary’s larger pathway network. For example, riding through Eau Claire can connect you to both Prince’s Island Park and the Bow River Pathway.
4. Are there facilities like washrooms or water stations along these trails?
Parks like Fish Creek, Bowness, and the Glenmore Reservoir offer amenities such as washrooms, picnic areas, and water fountains.
5. Is parking available near these trailheads?
Most major parks listed offer free parking lots or nearby street parking—which is especially useful if transporting a folding eBike or mounting one to your car.