Edgemont Ravine (NW Calgary)

It happens in Edgemont Ravine, Northwest Calgary, and the hike presented here a nice easy one through park and natural green spaces. You might be deep in the city but it often feels far removed from the usual hustle and bustle. Stop and breathe. To extend the fun one can continue on to neighbouring communities, as we did, but the best parts are the first couple clicks at the beginning.

It had snowed the morning of our visit and the with the thermometer reading minus a billion (extreme exaggeration alert: actually -20c-ish) it had us thinking an in-town plowed pathway was in cards. Fortunately, the city seems to attend to most walking paths promptly when a dump happens.

We’ve visited Edgemont Ravine every season, and in character it always differs, but for us it seems most special in winter. It’s so quiet, so still and belies the fact that it’s an urban hike in every sense, even the sprawl is often obscured from view.

The hike begin where Edgemont and Edgepark Boulevards meet in the neighbourhood of Edgemont. Right behind the fire station…and there’s parking for a few cars off Edgebyne Crescent here. Edge this and edge that – can’t they be more creative naming these places?

Intercept the pathway and head left. They had just started plowing this day, and the plowing not fully done, but by the time we finished, all was clear. Many streets in town are hit or miss, but pathways seem quickly attended to.

The ravine here is deep and while rimmed by houses, it’s not always apparent. At first it’s park, but later they kept it in a natural state. This island of green is home to many wild creatures and we’ve seen coyote, deer, bunnies (right beside “Rabbit Rise”, incidentally), eagles and porcupines, among others, but they’re always are camera shy. You ever notice – there’s a great nature shot and by the time you break out the camera, the moment has passed.

There’s benches, playgrounds and picnic areas along here, and side paths leading to various streets in the surrounding neighbourhood. Keep to the bottom and you’ll do fine. The ravine, and so the pathway as well, bends right and climbs a little.

This is Edgemont Ravine proper, and where most of our animal sightings have been. Look for prints in the snow and it’ll surprise you how much wild there can be in the city, even if it’s not always that obvious.

Just before Edgebrook Blvd, there’s some wetlands off your right and they’re home to many water and song birds when things are green. It’s pretty quiet in winter. This is the first street crossing since the hike started and many people turn around here, but never satisfied, we pressed on.

The ravine broadens and is gone. Those sports fields on the left, seen after crossing the road, double as a rainwater catch basin during deluges. It’s gotta go somewhere.

Duck under busy Shaganappi Trail using a tunnel and enter the community of MacEwan briefly. Then it’s under County Hills Boulevard (via another tunnel) and enter Hidden Valley. The pathway has snaked this way and that through a winding green belt and drops down a bit, then makes a hard right.

In a few moments, a side trail leads up to a little strip mall. This is the unceremonious ending for us and from here we’ll double back. But first a sickly-sweet hot beverage awaits at the Gas ‘n’ Gulp above. Reward one’s self for a hike well done…however stay clear of the peanut butter and jam latte. It sounded interesting in principle, and we thought it worth a shot, but in hindsight it’s perhaps one of the stupider decisions ever made.

We’re guilty in sampling it, out of a weird curiosity, but who green-lights this stuff?

Retrace your steps back to the beginning and for us there’s a little celebration at the end to warm the soul and be thankful for the day. And to get the taste of that earlier abomination out of our mouths. Darn near froze any exposed apendages off but made it back intact and alive.

Here’s to keeping active in adverse conditions and that’s reason enough to raise a toast.

Know more (new tab): Edgemont Ravine Northwest Calgary.

They’re saying…

“Love the variety and always look forward to seeing the places they visit.” Brian Brandon – River City Classics and Eamon’s Garage.

More like this…
Mirror Lake & Stoney Creek Loops Camrose.
Fish Creek Park West.
Three Sisters Pathway Canmore.

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

Date of adventure: February, 2023.
Location: Edgemont, NW Calgary Alberta.
Distance: 11km there and back.
Height gain maximum: 140m.
Height gain cumulative: 180m-ish
NOTE: all distances and heights are approximate and may differ slightly from other trip reports (including our own).

Welcome to Edgemont Ravine!

Cold, cold bunnies at Rabbit Rise.

We’ve hiked it every season, but it’s most special in winter.

Taking care of the dump from earlier that morning.

The ravine is rimmed by houses.

It was a cool -20c this day.

This section was left natural.

A fair bit of snow fell.

Sometimes it doesn’t feel like you’re in the city.

Coming to a road.

The ravine broadens here.

This sport’s field doubles as a rainwater catch basin.

A couple tunnels avoid the busier roads.

Snow makes the scene almost featureless.

In the community of Hidden Valley now.

A rather unceremonious ending & coffee time.

On the return leg and it’s just as cold as ever.

The shadows of winter.

Blues and white and all other colours muted.

It ends – mulled wine to warm the soul & celebrate the day.

Edgemont Ravine…and beyond.