The best family-friendly hikes and walks in Ralph Klein Park

Man-made Sikome Lake is fed by three fresh-water wells, not the nearby Bow River. Although no lifeguards are on duty, both lake and beach tend to stay busy. You can walk around the lake itself, or dodge the crowds (and some cars) by walking a larger loop along the nearby roadway.

Generally considered an easy route, the trail covers roughly 13 kilometers in a loop near the community of Chaparral. As you explore, the path winds seamlessly around thriving wetlands and a local golf course, with a scenic section running right along the edge of the Bow River. The trail is mostly paved with a few packed dirt sections, making it highly accessible for a casual walk.

This specific section of the river is an ecological marvel; it borders a massive, engineered wetland designed to naturally filter stormwater before it returns to the main river system. As you walk the paved pathway, you will enjoy sweeping, wide-open views.

The short climb up Elgin Hill is rewarded with sweeping views over Inverness Pond and the rooftops of McKenzie Towne. Three stone arches stand at the summit, creating one of the area's most recognizable landmarks and a popular photo stop. Benches near the top make it easy to linger for a few minutes before heading back down to the pathways below. In winter, the hillside transforms into one of the neighbourhood's favourite tobogganing spots.

This large stormwater pond is edged by reeds and open grass, with broad views across the water from its banks. Pelicans, ducks and great blue herons can sometimes be spotted here, making it a worthwhile pause along the surrounding pathway. The pond was created for community drainage rather than recreation, so swimming, boating, skating and access to the water are prohibited. Benches around the perimeter provide places to stop and watch the birdlife.

This mostly level multi-use pathway follows the 2.37-kilometre perimeter of Inverness Storm Pond, with several connections into the surrounding neighbourhood. The wide surfaced route is suitable for walking, running and cycling, though it can become busy and is shared in both directions. Snow and ice are cleared during winter, making this a useful year-round route. Keep right and listen for cyclists approaching from behind.

The Mahogany Wetlands are a large constructed wetland system in southeast Calgary designed to filter stormwater while also providing habitat for birds, amphibians, and other wildlife. This area is a mix of marshes, ponds, grasslands, and shoreline vegetation that create an important ecological environment for plenty of waterfowl, especially ducks, Great Blue Herons and Red-winged Blackbirds. Though engineered for water management, this area feels surprisingly natural, with cattails, sedges, shrubs, and calm water creating a perfect, peaceful urban wetland oasis.

Mahogany Wetlands Trail is an easy, roughly 3½-kilometre walking loop that follows a paved pathway around the wetland, with bridges, several viewpoints, and shoreline access points. It winds through a mix of marsh edges, grasslands, and naturalized greenspace, with ample opportunities for birdwatching and wide views across the water. It's a great route for a relaxed walk through one of Calgary’s largest urban wetland systems, which feels quiet and peaceful despite being surrounded by neighbourhood development.