Calgary’s Best Walks #14 (sorta)

A number of factors, nagging injuries being one, have kept us in the city for some time now. Still, we get out and have fun. It really doesn’t take much to amuse us and we find adventure where ever we are. Lately, for the hiking end of things, we’ve been doing a number of routes seen in the book “Calgary’s Best Walks” by Lori Beattie. Here we follow #14. Well kind of – icy sidewalks (a bad problem right now) had us doing a number detours and lunch stop took us off the route for a time. Anyway, the author seems to encourage one to go their own way. So we did.

There’s lots to see in this adventure. Most of the time it follows quiet residential streets in neighbourhoods dating back to the 1910s-1950s period. Lots of fine old houses will be passed. For a time the route travels along one of the river pathways. If you are looking for some chow, 14th Street or North Hill Mall both offer up some possibilities. We chose the latter.

Park along 9th Avenue Northwest where it dead-ends, just east of 22nd Street. Head east into a green space taking the path that heads up and diagonally. Soon on hit 19th Street and continue east along 10th Avenue. Here we’re in the neighbourhood of Briar Hill/Hounsfield Heights. Dwellings here date mostly from the mid to late 1950s. Many old sidewalk stamps are seen along this section.

Turn left on 18a Street, right on 11th Avenue, left on 18th Street, right on 12th Avenue and then left on 17a Street. Confused yet? You’ll gain a bit of elevation here. Come to the LRT tracks, flank around to your left at the Lion’s Park Station and find a place to cross the tracks and right after 14th Avenue. If you have the munchies, and we did, enter North Hill Mall. Lots of places to eat here – yum Koryo Korean BBQ. Love the cold beans, a very un-fast food like choice. Enjoy.

Head to the east end of the mall and take in the recently closed Sears. Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Suspect with the loss of this anchor store, this end will eventually turn into a ghost town. North Hill Centre, as it’s officially called, dates back to the late 1950s and was once touted as Canada’s largest shopping centre. It’s considered modest in size now. In those early days, Sears was known as Simpson-Sears.

Exit to the south then head southwest towards a pedestrian walkway. Going up and over both road and LRT tracks, head south on 16a Street. Hit 11th Avenue, go left, then immediately right on 16th Street. It soon bends left, becoming 10th Avenue. Next, turn left on 15th Street. Head down steeply.

On bottoming out enter the community of Hillhurst, which dates back just over a century. Walk tree lined streets, a most pleasant experience, and take in many historic homes. Look, a snow ape! On coming to Kensington Road, turn left and then right on busy 14th Street. That heady smell is Chicken on the Way.

Intercept the pathway and head west. The Bow River’s all choked with ice. Over there’s the recently vacated CBC/Radio Canada Studios. They’re been there since I was a kid. Parallel Memorial Drive – it’s a bit noisy here, but you’ll get away from it soon enough. Take the pedestrian bridge on your right and enter the community of Westmount. Lots more old homes to view. So much character in these older communities.

Go north on 21st Street, right on Broadview Road and left on 20th Street. Cross Bowness Road, once an important thoroughfare, but today quiet and with minimal traffic. On coming to Kensington Road, turn right then on arriving at 19th Street, go left. We’re now in West Hillhurst/Upper Hillhurst, a neighbourhood full of World War Two era “Victory Homes”, built for soldiers returning from conflict and their families. They are characterized by their small size. Connie grew up in one here.

Go left on 5th Avenue. More itty-bitty homes, including one which must be a contender for the city’s smallest (we say this a lot). Come to Grand Trunk Park. At the one end is Grand Trunk Cottage School (circa 1910). There used to be several of these in Calgary (one other still stands), temporary faculties, used till a bigger more permanent school could be built in an area. When no longer needed, they’d be resold as homes. This one’s in good shape and was last used as clubhouse for a group, but appears empty today. We’re going to come back to this one.

Cross the park heading northeast, and on coming to 23rd Street continue directly north. Coming to 7th Avenue head right, then on 22nd Avenue left. Finally on hitting 9th Avenue turn right and shortly after come to your ride, a pleasant stroll at an end.

There’s more “Calgary’s Best Walks” outings in the pipeline. Still, I think they’ve run their course this season. Pretty soon we’ll be heading out into the woods for some wilderness adventures. Yeah! But we’ll probably do more from the book come next winter. They’re well thought out and a ton of fun, and great diversion when we can’t get out of the city.

Urban walks are great but spring has is thinking of the woods…
Mt Ware.
Rummel Lake.
Mount Mann.

If you wish more information about this trail, by all means contact us!

Date of adventure: January, 2018.
Location: Calgary, AB.
Distance: 8km loop.
Height gain maximum: 80m-ish.
Height gain cumulative: 100m-ish.
NOTE: all distances and heights are approximate.
Technical bits: Your Sears Card won’t work.

Starting out…

In the neighbourhood of Hounsfield Heights/Briar Hill.

Just strollin’ along.

Burns & Dutton stamp from 1959 – they’re called Burnco now.

We’ll have to cross the LRT tracks here at Lion’s Park Station.

Sears, once a retail juggernaut in Canada, is no more.

Up and over…

California Republic…

Small details…

In the community of Hillhurst, we find a new friend.

That’s one big snow ape.

On the Bow River Pathway.

The former CBC Studios.

The river’s choked with ice.

Busy Memorial Drive.

Crossing Bowness Road.

Putting the “block” in apartment block.

Along 19th Street Northwest.

Hi Neighbour!

Where Connie grew up.

The Christmas Elf.

Lots of modest sized “Victory Homes” in this community.

Another kitty.

At Grand Trunk Park.

The century old Grand Trunk Cottage School.

In West Hillhurst, centre, one tiny home.

Reminders of Christmas…

Back at the BIGDoer-mobile.

Saw many cats today.

Our take on Calgary’s Best Walks #14 – star=start, heart=chow time.