Summary:
- Calgary is full of incredible places to ride bikes and eBikes—including paved pathways and parks with dirt trails or off-roading areas.
- The list below includes a wide variety of bike trails, and also specifies the eBike types we recommend for each (eMTBs, commuter eBikes, fat tire eBikes, cruisers, and folding models) based on terrain type.
- You’ll also find a wide variety of trail lengths here—plus details on the type of scenery or wildlife you might encounter. Many of the trails represented below offer scenic views of the city’s skyline, and there are plenty of opportunities to see birds, deer, or other creatures.
People who have never spent serious time in Calgary might sometimes refer to it as a concrete jungle, but the rest of us know better. While Calgary certainly has a lot of roads, it’s also home to a network of bike paths and trails ready to take you through some of the city’s most scenic environs—from sprawling natural parks like Nose Hill to carefully cultivated urban areas like Prince’s Island.
We’ve spent our careers sourcing the best eBikes for Calgarians, so we know a thing or two about where to ride ‘em. Let us be your guides to 10 of the best bike paths you can find in Calgary below.
Nose Hill Park
Length: About 8 km loop
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 Parkway
Length: 11 km (one way, from Coventry Hills entrance)
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).
Glenmore Reservoir
Length: 15 km loop
Terrain Types: Paved pathways
Recommended eBikes: Cruiser eBikes, Commuter eBikes, Folding eBikes
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
Length: 7 km (one way, from the Bow River Pathway Bridge)
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 the historic Lawrey Gardens. Expect steep climbs and sharp turns once 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.
Eau Claire Bike Pathways
Length: Varies (as this is part of the larger network of Calgary bike paths)
Terrain Types: Paved pathways
Recommended eBikes: Commuter eBikes, Cruiser eBikes
Why We Love It: These paths take you through Calgary's vibrant downtown area, providing plenty of opportunities to explore the city up close. Start out from 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 Park
Length: 4.8 km loop
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, and a lagoon where you can watch paddlers in the summer. 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
Length: Up to 48 km (one way along the Bow River Pathway)
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, there’s practically no limit to the amount of cycling you enjoy.
Fish Creek Park
Length: Up to 30 km loop
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.
Prince’s Island Park
Length: Approximately 3 km loop
Terrain Types: Paved pathways
Recommended eBikes: Commuter eBikes, Folding eBikes
Why We Love It: This urban park is located on a small island in the middle of the Bow River, and is easy to reach from Eau Claire (see above). It’s also home to numerous festivals and events throughout the year, and a great spot to stop for a picnic on sunny days.
Confederation Park
Length: 4 km (one way, from park entrance)
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 these winding pathways through the Northwest between 14th Street and 30th Avenue.
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.