Garrison Woods to Glenmore: Two 7-km walks through Calgary's hidden history and river valley views
From military-history streets to wetland boardwalks, Lori Beattie's updated 'Calgary's Best Walks' traces the city's layers through two interconnected routes—with tasty pit stops along the way.
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Lori Beattie has walked every path in her book. Over the past year, she's been sharing walks from her updated "Calgary's Best Walks" — 95 urban jaunts, nature strolls, and tasty pit stops across the city. This month: two linked 7-kilometre routes through Garrison Woods and Glenmore that reveal Calgary's military past, evolving neighbourhoods, and the Elbow River valley below.
Garrison Woods: Streets Named After Battle Sites
Walk 63 starts at Flanders Park on Garrison Boulevard and winds through two neighbourhoods with deep roots. Garrison Woods and Currie sit where the Currie Army Barracks once stood — until the base closed in 1998 and the land was completely overhauled. Today, tidy original army houses share streets with brick row houses and larger single-family homes. The streets themselves carry the weight of history: Vimy Ridge, Passchendaele.
The Garrison Square Memorial Park at 201 Garrison Square anchors the military story, backed by the Garrison Woods Legacy Walk (an interpretive panel and route mounted on the Garrison Safeway) and The Military Museum of Calgary. The neighbourhood was designed with pedestrians in mind — promenades and cut-through pathways make the walk efficient and pleasant. If you're here in October, be warned: Garrison Woods is the epicentre of the Halloween haul. Densely packed with families, locals report investing a sizeable portion of their income in mini chocolate bars and chips come fall.
Into Altadore and Across the Dam
Continue through Altadore (part of the broader Marda Loop area) toward the Elbow River and Glenmore Dam. The paved escarpment path descends into the river valley, then splits into a series of haphazard trails below the dam. This is where things get wild: an off-leash dog area year-round and a swimming zone in summer, threaded through a treed trail system that feels like genuine nature immersion. Follow the river or wind through the trees before climbing back to the paved path — the river-valley views from the top reward the effort.
Walk 64 crosses the Glenmore Dam itself, where views of the Elbow River Valley and downtown core open up. Cross Glenmore Trail to connect to the Glenmore Reservoir pathway in North Glenmore Park. Skirt the Earl Grey Golf Club while taking in water views, then cut into the Aspen Trail — a series of interconnected wilderness paths between 66th Avenue and North Glenmore Park Road. Continue downhill for more nature before looping back through North Glenmore neighbourhood and crossing over Glenmore Trail again.
For those pushing farther, descend to the Weaselhead Natural Environment Park (which borders Tsuut'ina Nation). Its gravel trails and boardwalks follow the Elbow River's twists and turns before turning inland onto a marshy boardwalk trail over wetland. Bring binoculars — birdlife is abundant.
Pit Stops Worth the Detour
Both routes are packed with cafes and pubs. On Walk 64 through Lakeview, drop by Sierra Cafe — locally owned, everything made from scratch, and they have a dog-friendly patio. North Glenmore Park is home to Cafe Du Parc, right beside the big playground and parking lot L, featuring Butterblock pastries and specialty drinks. For something more substantial, detour to 34th Avenue S.W.: Le Comptoir by Francois serves pastries, quiches, sandwiches, and soups from a cosy patio with fireplace and heat lamps (dog-friendly). Neighbour Coffee sits tucked into Altadore for something quick. If you want a meal and a beer, loop through Marda Loop Brewing, Wild Rose Brewery, Veranda, or The Inn at Officers Garden in Currie.
Public washrooms are available in North Glenmore Park. Both walks are rated for nature, cafe culture, neighbourhoods, people-watching, shopping, history, and vistas.
What's Next
Beattie leads free Calgary Library Walks on November 8 and 16, and year-round walks through her company, Fit Frog Adventures. She's also written "Calgary's Best Bike Rides". These walks are part of a series HOC has been following since July, when we covered the Elbow River valley hike through inner-city neighbourhoods.
At a glance
How long are each of the two walks?
Each walk is 7 kilometres long.
What historical sites anchor the Garrison Woods route?
Garrison Square Memorial Park at 201 Garrison Square, the Garrison Woods Legacy Walk mounted on the Garrison Safeway, and The Military Museum of Calgary anchor the military history of the walk.
What three breweries or bars are mentioned as pit stops?
Marda Loop Brewing, Wild Rose Brewery, and Veranda are breweries and bars along the routes.
What natural features does the Weaselhead Natural Environment Park include?
Weaselhead Natural Environment Park features gravel trails, boardwalks along the Elbow River, and a marshy boardwalk trail over wetland, with abundant birdlife.
