Summary:
- Nose Hill Park offers a mix of paved paths, gravel roads, and single-track dirt trails, making it one of Calgary’s most diverse urban cycling destinations.
- Routes range from short 1 km loops to the 26.8 km Dave Sullivan trail, with elevation gains up to 560 m.
- Fat tire eBikes and eMTBs are best for navigating unpaved sections, while commuter models can handle the perimeter loops.
- Wildlife sightings and city views are common throughout the park.
The Best Nose Hill Park Bike Trails
Nose Hill is one of the largest urban natural parks in North America. It stretches across Calgary’s Northwest, with trails that range from smooth paved loops to rugged single-track climbs.
Our team at eBikes Calgary knows this park inside and out. Below, you’ll find a list of our favourite routes, complete with trail lengths, terrain types, and tips for which eBikes to bring.
Note: Nose Hill’s network of trails is a mix of paved paths, gravel, and dirt trails. To avoid limiting yourself, we recommend using fat tire ebikes or eMTBs when visiting the park—so you can explore off the beaten path should the desire arise.
Edgemont to Brisebois
| Length | 4.4 km |
| Climb | 9 m |
| Descent | 101 m |
|
Average Time |
32 min |
Terrain Types: Mostly paved, some gravel
Why We Love It: Starting out from the Edgemont Boulevard parking lot lets you make your way around the Easternmost edge of the park, where you’ll find small groves of wild trees and maybe even spot a deer or two!
North Nose Hill Loop from Edgemont Boulevard
| Length | 16.7 km |
| Climb | 143 m |
| Descent | 148 m |
| Average Time | 1 hr 16 min |
Terrain Types: Paved pathways
Why We Love It: Starting from the same spot but generally considered an easier route than the one above, this path offers smooth and even paving but still takes you through some of the most rugged and beautiful spots in the park. Go at off-peak hours and you should be able to enjoy an hour or so of blissful solitude (just keep an eye out for coyotes).
Huntington Hills Tunnel
| Length | 3.1 km |
| Climb | 0 m |
| Descent | 91 m |
| Average Time | 11 min |
Terrain Types: Paved paths and dirt trails
Why We Love It: Start from just near the Berkley Gate parking lot and coast through a slightly spooky tunnel that looks a bit like an oversized storm drain beneath 14th street. This will bring you into the quiet neighbourhood of Huntington Hills, full of charming family homes in a pocket of the city that time seems to have nearly forgotten. Sure, it’s a bit “Stephen King”, but it’s also a wonderful opportunity to pick up some speed and enjoy an easy ride after the more dynamic routes on this list.
Surfing on a Rocket
| Length | 934 m |
| Climb | 0 m |
| Descent | 74 m |
| Average Time |
3 min |
Terrain Types: Paved pathways
Why We Love It: It’s short but sweet, just like the name implies. It’s also tons of fun to start at the Southeast end of the off leash area and blast down all the way to the parking lot off John Laurie Boulevard. Just look out for pedestrians and other cyclists—speed can get you in trouble if you’re not careful!
Gerry’s Trail
| Length | 1.1 km |
| Climb | 6 m |
| Descent | 9 m |
| Average Time | 5 min |
Terrain Types: Dirt trails
Why We Love It: Okay, we threw in a few popular ones—now it’s time for some truly deep cuts. To access this bumpy single-track dirt trail, start out from the Edgemont and Shaganappi parking lot, heading down towards Brisebois. Then, shortly after your first major curve, head South. You’ll also find an extension just before you cross into the Nose Hill Park Off-Leash area, which adds about 300 extra meters of joyriding.
MacEwan Hollow
| Length | 991 m |
| Climb | 40 m |
| Descent | 0 m |
| Average Time | 7 min |
Terrain Types: Dirt trails
Why We Love It: A short and easy trail that still offers off-grid excitement, this single-track dirt trail carves through trees and tall grass from the access point near MacEwan Park View NW via the Long North Road Approach. You’ll be surprised by how quickly you leave behind those suburban homes and find yourself immersed in the wilderness—just to come back out again at the North edge of the Off-Leash Area.
MacEwan DH
| Length | 1.3 km |
| Climb | 0 m |
| Descent | 50 m |
| Average Time | 5 min |
Terrain Types: Dirt trails
Why We Love It: Starting from the same point as MacEwan Hollow but in a Northwesterly direction, this downhill trail will take you practically all the way to the Edgemont and Shaganappi parking lot. Be warned, though—you’ll probably pick up speed pretty quickly, and there are usually more than a few dog-walkers on this route during peak hours, so consider going slowly or picking a less popular time if you want to joyride.
Dave Sullivan’s Nose Hill Single Track Loop
| Length | 26.8 km |
| Climb | 560 m |
| Descent | 568 m |
|
Average Time |
1 hr 24 min |
Terrain Types: Paved and dirt trails
Why We Love It: We don’t know Dave Sullivan personally, but we’re forever grateful to him for plotting out this grueling-but-rewarding route. You’ll climb over half a click over the course of this route, which is based on the #RideCMBA Nose Hill Long Loop but adds additional sections for maximum adventure. Be warned—this one’s not for beginners, but it is a great way to get your fill of the park on a single outing. There are plenty of access points for this one—find a map here to plan out how you’ll tackle it.
Adventure Awaits in the Heart of Calgary
Nose Hill Park offers a fresh sense of adventure to cyclists of all skill levels—whether you’re looking for a gentle ride down a quiet bike path or a challenge that will get you sweating as you blast through the dirt. Of course, to make the most of everything the park has to offer, you’ll want to make sure you’ve got a ride ready for whatever route you choose to take. Find your nearest eBike store here and make sure you’re ready for the ride.