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Calgary Attractions

Elbow River Pathway

This paved City pathway follows the Elbow River from the Glenmore Dam to the confluence with the Bow at The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland. It's part of the Trans Canada Trail's route through Calgary, and people use it for bike commutes, weekend runs and family walks alike. At the dam end it connects with the pathway around the Glenmore Reservoir.

Operated by
City of Calgary Parks
Where
Along the Elbow River
Trail
Paved pathway
Type
Walking trail

What You'll Pass

Starting below the dam, the route winds past Eagle Ridge, Britannia and Elboya. Further downstream come Sandy Beach, River Park and the Riverdale Avenue footbridge, then Stanley Park. Closer to downtown, you pass Mission, Lindsay Park, Stampede Park and Community Park East, the Stampede's riverside park that used to be called ENMAX Park, before reaching Inglewood and the confluence.

Seasonal Notes

  • Spring and early summer: high water can close low-lying sections
  • Summer: weekends are busy, so ride at a courteous speed; the posted limit is 20 km/h unless signed otherwise
  • Winter: the City clears about 400 km of paved regional pathways, usually within 24 hours of a snowfall, and other stretches can stay icy

Nearby Roads and Communities

Glenmore Trail, Elbow Drive and Macleod Trail all cross or run near the route. It's a big part of everyday life in Elbow Park, Roxboro, Rideau Park, Mission and Ramsay, where the river is only a few blocks away.

Elbow River Pathway in pictures

Photographed on the ground by Kelly Baker.

Elbow River pathway through Stanley Park. Calgary.
Elbow River pathway through Stanley Park.
Elbow River pathway through J.H. Woods Park, a paved route into downtown with no road crossings. Calgary.
Elbow River pathway through J.H. Woods Park, a paved route into downtown with no road crossings.
Elbow River pathway below Britannia, part of the Trans Canada Trail. Calgary.
Elbow River pathway below Britannia, part of the Trans Canada Trail.
Elbow River Pathway at 33 Ave SW. Calgary.
Elbow River Pathway at 33 Ave SW.
Elbow River pathway, Elboya. Calgary.
Elbow River pathway, Elboya.
Elbow River Pathway entrance, Eagle Ridge. Calgary.
Elbow River Pathway entrance, Eagle Ridge.
Riverdale Avenue footbridge, a pedestrian bridge on the Elbow River pathway beside River Park and Sandy Beach. Calgary.
Riverdale Avenue footbridge, a pedestrian bridge on the Elbow River pathway beside River Park and Sandy Beach.
Wide pathway with benches, ENMAX Park. Calgary.
Wide pathway with benches, ENMAX Park.
Benches under the yellow trees, ENMAX Park. Calgary.
Benches under the yellow trees, ENMAX Park.
Benches along the pathway, ENMAX Park. Calgary.
Benches along the pathway, ENMAX Park.
Pathway bridge over the Elbow River, with downtown views, Inglewood. Calgary.
Pathway bridge over the Elbow River, with downtown views, Inglewood.
Footbridge over the Elbow River, with Scotsman's Hill behind, ENMAX Park. Calgary.
Footbridge over the Elbow River, with Scotsman's Hill behind, ENMAX Park.
Bridge over the Elbow River to Lindsay Park. Calgary.
Bridge over the Elbow River to Lindsay Park.
Elbow River lookout, Mission. Calgary.
Elbow River lookout, Mission.
Goose Park, on the Elbow River. Calgary.
Goose Park, on the Elbow River.
Trailhead from the street down to the Elbow River, Britannia. Calgary.
Trailhead from the street down to the Elbow River, Britannia.
Bench on the Elbow riverbank, Elboya. Calgary.
Bench on the Elbow riverbank, Elboya.

Parks on the Elbow River Pathway

Park pages along this trail.

Sandy Beach ParkRiver ParkStanley ParkFort Calgary (The Confluence)

Thinking about the area?

Call 403-464-6672 or send an email. I answer my own phone.

Contact Kelly