Fish Creek Park West

Mulled wine (most important): check. Spiky things for the shoes (not needed, as it turned out): check. Two shirts, a sweater and two jackets (layers are best): check. I guess we’re set! Today it’s an urban hike in an un-city like setting…oh, and the temperature outside is colder than your exes heart. Presenting an awesome little loop taking in a series of trails in the western reaches of Calgary’s Fish Creek Park.

Fish Creek is a provincial park and dates back to the mid-1970s. When founded it was at the southern fringes of the city, but today almost completely surrounded by residential sprawl. It’s a green oasis and given there’s an extensive network of trails, some wide and paved, some singletrack, means lots of options for those looking for an outdoor walking adventure. Our route had lots of variety and we think you’ll like it.

We parked at the Marshall Springs lot off Fish Creek Blvd SW (star on our map) and hit the trail. There’s a map at the start and others at important junctions too, so losing your way seems unlikely. We used to good at finding our way by instinct alone, but that ship has sailed – better download a copy just in case. Now head west on a mix of singletrack, condo-complex maintenance roads and paved pathway. Eventually a proper link is to be put in (so says the park), but for now it’s a mix of differing trails tied together as a work in progress.

Back on the permanent route, it runs along the top of an escarpment but only at the occasional break in the trees, is that obvious. Look down into the frozen valley and feel the chill (not applicable if you visit in July). Western Fish Creek Park is decidedly more wooded than the eastern sections.

If you lost your shades, we set them on a fence.

Drop down, sometimes very steeply to the park’s namesake at a bridge, Fish Creek. We worried it be slippery along here, but the snow was soft and gripped well.

Multi-lane Tsuut’ina Trail runs right to the west, but trees make a good sound wall, thank goodness. Land on the far side is part of the Tsuutʼina Nation Reserve, but otherwise the park is completely surrounded by city. Continuing on…soon after a hard right, come to Shannon Terrace, one of many auto entry points into the park. A little misreading of the map had us ducking behind the Environmental Learning Centre and the Snake Hibernaculum* Preservation Zone (snakes need love too), but we soon corrected our trajectory.

There used to be a ranch in this area back in the old days and sadly the old barn that was left standing, and visible from the trail, got demolished a few years back. You can see it here: Fish Creek Park Western Trails – we did a similar route that visit.

Just beyond Bebo Grove, another parking area, turn right at a major junction. That’s soon after you pass some storm water retention ponds and a picnic area to your left. Cross over Fish Creek (something you’ll do a lot today) turn hard left and at the next two major (so paved) junctions keep left and then right respectively. Along here we spot a Great Gray Owl (we think – we’re not birders) and this is a reminder that in spite of humans having a big presence in the park, it’s still very wild. There’s even been bear sightings from time to time. Lunch time – bench – warm spiced wine and a cheese selection – life is good!

After three bridges in quick succession, we come to a suitable turn around point and take a single track looping back in the woods. We hoped to do ten to twelve clicks this day and planned this as a good location to spin around. See, we think ahead…sometimes…well, rarely…but credit where credit is due, please.

Back at the dipping bridge, return to the paved pathway, but on the other side, take a single track paralleling Fish Creek for a bit, so you can have a look at Raven Rocks (another protected area). Where as most of the valley has moderate slopes, here’s it’s a little more rugged and cliff-like.

At a four way junction, take to the stairs on the far side, then keep to the right at the top and choose the trail that takes a diagonal across the escarpment. Now comes the best views of the day and stop once in a while to have a look-see. There’s frozen Fish Creek below, many wooded groves and a real wilderness-y vibe. On raising one’s head, however, the city comes into view and you can see the edge of the park is lined with homes (valuable ones at that, due to their proximity). The bubble bursts and comes the realization – we’re not out in the country!

Connie’s silly toque is still getting looks from passers-by and in these angry times seems to bring a smile to even the most sour face.

Join up with a trail that almost runs through people’s back yards. There’s one more diversion ahead, a nice west-facing viewpoint, then keeping that same “behind the houses” line, drop down steeply to what appears to be an old road. Turn left, then soon after come to a paved pathway, left again and climb up to the parking lot.

You’ve done the loop as presented here and enjoyed something pretty rare and special, a near-wildness experience in the city (certain sections excepted, of course). Western Fish Creek Park probably doesn’t look all that different today compared to the century or two ago and it’s still Mother Nature’s domain. We sure had a blast this frigid winter’s day and that’s not just that the Copper Moon Malbec talking.

*Hibernaculum (plural of Hibernacula) and a big word alert: an underground nest where snakes overwinter. We sound smart using it, eh?

Till the next we hit the trail, and that’ll be soon, good day…

Know more (new tab): Fish Creek Provincial Park History and Fish Creek Provincial Park Trails.

They’re saying…

”Just came across this page and thoroughly enjoyed the pictures and stories. Wonderful information on places to go see and visit!!” Kerrie Hamilton.

More like this…
Glenmore Reservoir Loop: The Last Time (NOT!).
Three Sisters Pathway Canmore.
Ice cold urban hiking.

If you wish more information about this route or if you love to chat don’t hesitate to contact us!

Date of adventure: January, 2022.
Location: Calgary, AB.
Distance: 12km if you follow our route.
Height gain maximum: 60m.
Height gain cumulative: 120m-ish.
NOTE: all distances and heights are approximate and may differ slightly from other trip reports (including our own).
Technical stuff and notes: can be icy in winter and is usually always busy.

Starting out…

At the top of a wooded escarpment.

Lost your shades?

Nice views into the valley.

A colourful hiker.

Brake check!

The park’s namesake.

Along the Rotary/Mattamy Greenway.

Past the Environmental Learning Centre.

The Preservation Zone.

Hard to believe we’re in the big city.

A chilly picnic awaits…but not here.

The trail switches sides.

Contractual detail shot.

A Great Gray?

Mulled wine is just the medicine needed.

Crossing over again.

Looping back.

It’s the dippy bridge.

At Raven Rocks.

They go up!

The frozen creek below.

Hugging the hillside.

Wilderness-y.

That silly toque…

Looking back from the high point.

Houses butt up against the park.

Awesome…

Pointing west.

One last look around…

Fish Creek Park – an oasis in the city.