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While walking here, you’ll enjoy the company of many birds, including warblers, sparrows, and raptors that frequent the park in the spring through fall, as well as the mountain bluebird, western meadowlark and the bald eagles that soar and nest along the Bow River. Many deer call the park home as do moose and sometimes elk. A walk in the wilds of Glenbow Ranch allows us to slow the pace, calm the mind and refresh the spirit.

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The Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park sports a number of trails. The ones along the river are flatter than those heading up into the hills.

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The Farmers’ Leaf Market & Cafe in Cochrane has soups and sweet treats, coffees, house-baked sourdough and roasted meats for their unique sandwiches like the Juniper Roasted Elk and Foothills Blueberry Bison. The market attached to the cafe is stocked with tasty local products and is a perfect spot to grab picnic supplies. Or stop by the micro roaster Vine Coffee or Cochrane Coffee Traders for a cup of fresh roasted coffee, house-made lunches and baked goods. If it is a hot day and you feel the need for some ice cream, join the crowds at MacKay’s ice cream shop.

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The Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park offers unspoiled views of the river valley, rolling hills and wildflowers. Photo, Lori Beattie

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What you’ll see: nature, river, vistas, birds, dogs

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Start: Walks 1-5: Glenbow Ranch: Glenbow Road, off Highway 1A, about four kilometres east of the town of Cochrane. Walk 5 option: Haskayne Park: off Highway 1A, 9000, 149th Street, N.W.

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Distance: Walks range from 4.5 km to 20 km

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Facilities: Glenbow Ranch: Bathrooms at the trailhead and along the trails. Visitor Centre on site. Haskayne Park: Bathrooms and picnic tables

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Learn more: Read more about Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park here https://grpf.ca/visitor-info/. They have brochures in Spanish, French, Punjabi, Arabic, Tagalog and English.  

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 Lori Beattie is the author of Calgary’s Best Walks: 95 urban jaunts, nature strolls and tasty pit stops and Calgary’s Best Bike Rides. Join Lori on a free Historic Calgary Week Walk on July 30 at 10 a.m. She leads year-round walks with her company, Fit Frog Adventures. Learn more at  www.fitfrog.ca & Instagram @lorifitfrog  

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