Fish Creek Park Western Trails

This icy cold day we visited Fish Creek Park in Calgary for a little hike. Keeping chill thanks to mother nature! We’ve come prepared, but still, it’s no picnic…wait it was a picnic. These low temps meant we had the place pretty much to ourselves and while usually busy, it’s not when the mercury reads -24c. No matter the weather or conditions, we always have a grand time, and that’s the case here.

Fish Creek Park is a expansive natural green space nestled in a valley at the south end of the city. The biggest park in town (a provincial park at that), it’s home to a huge network of hiking trails and we’ll explore a few this day. The described route passes through open meadows and wooded groves. The park is wild in places and at times it feels like being in the foothills and far removed from a busy city.

There are so many routes one can follow in the park, some official and some not. Most major intersections seem to have have maps, but not so for the lesser junctions. Venture off the main paths and it’d be easy to get spun around.

The adventure begins at Votier’s Flats and it’s at the very end of Elbow Drive. Most of the hike described is on main trails and these are plowed in the winter. Lesser trails are not maintained although they are often packed down and quite passable. We encountered no ice this trip, but if the weather warms, some sections could get slippery. It’s a guarantee in Calgary – chinook = icy buildup.

Once at the the parking spot, a big lot at the bottom of the hill on Elbow Drive, take to the paved trail at the south end and head right. The frigid temperatures made the snow crunch loudly underfoot and a check of the weather service reminded us we’re at about the limits of our tolerance for cold when hiking. Thank goodness, there’s little wind down here in the valley or it could have made conditions unbearable. Windchill is a devil.

Drop down and into the trees. There’s an occasional glimpse of houses on the valley rim above but otherwise the city is mostly out of sight and and out of mind. Pass storm water retention ponds, almost immediately cross frozen Fish Creek and plunge into the trees. These are spruce woods and they grow well down here in the sheltered valley. There are lots of side trails along the way and most hook back up with paved pathway you’re on.

Continue on through the woods, and after crossing the creek again (you’ll cross it often), turn right at the next major junction. Cross Fish Creek once more, pass more storm water ponds and come to Bebo Grove. It’s another access point to the Fish Creek Park, and includes a parking lot, biffies and picnic areas.

Old aerial photos show there were a number of farm buildings here. All are gone, but there is an old chimney in a grove of trees remaining from the house. The view to it was blocked by an excavator this day or we would have photographed it. They’re doing some work down here and replacing the bathroom buildings.

Back into the trees, there’s a pleasant section beside Fish Creek and along here it feels really far removed from the the urban jungle that surrounds Fish Creek Park. Are you sure we’re in Calgary?

Come to Shannon Terrace and this was once the site of Norman Willans’ “Beebow” Ranch, which operated here staring in the 1910s. An old barn connected to the ranch could be seen here up about ten years ago, but it’s gone now. It as almost a hundred years old and removed as it was becoming a hazard.

There’s a plaque speaking of the farm that once stood in that open meadow over there. Is the former ranch at similarly named Bebo Grove somehow connected to this one?

Pass a protected area on your left (the Snake Hibernaculum Preservation Zone) and parking lot on your right. Coming to a road, make hard left, pass the the Fish Creek Environmental Learning Centre and to it’s right, head back into the woods. Come to Fish Creek and bend left. A downed tree along here makes a good bench and this is where we stop for lunch. Break out that thermos of broth…I’m freezing! And all is good in the world.

People passing by (not many today) give us amusing looks as we sit near the trail. In these temps, who in the world goes on a picnic? We’re all wrapped up and doing OK, but they clearly think we’re a bit nuts.

Watching a couple younger folks across Fish Creek climb a steep and sparsely treed slope keeps us entertained (and worried). A lapse in reason there boys? But then again teenage me would have probably done the same thing…on a whim or dare. What could go wrong with soft snow, loose footing, near vertical drop-offs, and protruding boulders? One slip could set off series of events that would leave you at the bottom in a tangled mess and most likely with a bone fracture of some kind.

The fact that they reached the top — and it’s a long way up — is proof positive that guardian angels exist. This pair lost footing a couple times and we thought them done for, but somehow they recovered and made it up. You can only imagine our shock when they returned down in the same manner. Death wish?

This last section of trail is a bit of a loop and once back in motion and heading east now, reconnect with paved pathway used earlier. One could simply follow it back to the car, but this might be a good opportunity to explore parallel trails instead. Just past Bebo Grove and at the first stormwater pond, go right on the paved pathway that drops down into the trees. There’s a big gate here and it’s hard to miss.

This little diversion takes one past a beaver pond that flooded a section of forest and the site of another ranch here in the valley. The pond is obvious (dead trees from flooding are you’re give away) but of the other, not so much. There’s a meadow (to the right just past the pond) and it’s here where a large house and several outbuildings were located. If you poke around you can see remains of a fence line and a gate, but nothing else.

It was wiped away and you’d never know it was here.

Reconnecting with the main pathway, cross two bridges in quick succession, and after the second turn left into the woods. This little side trail parallels Fish Creek and in places there’s viewpoints to look up at Raven Rocks. It’s big cliffs of sandstone above the creek and quite impressive.

Back on the main trail again and before long the parking lot at Voiter’s comes into view. Jump in the car, leave Fish Creek Park behind and in moments we’re back in the city. It’s amazing how urban and natural places can all coexist so well in such close proximity.

There’s lot of wildlife in the park and in previous visits we’ve spotted deer, coyotes, eagles, owls, songbirds of every kind and porcupines. Nothing today and perhaps the cold was a contributing factor.

Some of the trails followed this day are shared with the Rotary and Mattamy Greenway which circles the city. There’s plenty of other side trails too and they call our name, but can’t answer everyone this trip. Maybe next time.

Fish Creek Park was founded in 1975 but in the old days, there were many ranches here in this valley. It covers almost 13.5 square kilometres and this makes it one of the largest urban parks in North America. It’s almost completely surround by by residential development and bisected by or in very close proximity to a couple major roads.

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

They’re saying…

”These two are amazing!! I love following their adventures and the photography is…jaw dropping. Enjoy your working vacation, Chris & Connie!!… Dayna Kent.

More like this…
Paskapoo Slopes Loop from Piita Rise.
Lethbridge Pathways: Under the Viaduct.
Red Deer Alberta: River Loop.

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

Date of adventure: February, 2025.
Location: Fish Creek Park, Calgary Alberta.
Distance: 10.5km total.
Height gain maximum: 60m.
Height gain cumulative: 80m.
NOTE: all distances and heights are approximate and may differ slightly from other trip reports (including our own).
Reference: AlbertaParks.ca

Fish Creek Park: Votier’s to Shannon Terrace and back.

A stark, colourless day due to fresh snow and overcast skies.

Stay clear during and after rainfall – or else!

-24c makes for a cold hike.

There’s maps at strategic locations along this route.

The park’s namesake creek.

It’s more fun to hike with a friend.

Side trails beg to be explored.

We’re inside Calgary city limits but you’d never know it.

Chickadees are fearless.

Site of the Willans’ Homestead.

Sometimes you can see the city (way in back), but mostly it’s hidden from view.

The Fish Creek Learning Centre is the turn around point.

See those two people on the slope? Read the post.

Piping hot broth keeps the chill away.

On the return leg now.

It was so cold, we mostly had the park to ourselves.

Ducks find a small patch of open water.

Fish Creek is crossed many times on bridges.

At the (frozen) beaver pond.

About to cross over again.

Raven Rocks – bands of sandstone are exposed at these cliffs.

Snowshoeing along the creek – see the cyclist?

There’s blue skies just as the hike ends.

Fish Creek Park West: fun winter or summer.