Urban hiking is an active way to experience our everyday environment. It can involve exploring parks and green spaces. Hikers navigate city streets, sidewalks, and other areas within the urban landscape.

Appreciating the spaces where we spend most of our time is important. It can contribute to a more positive mindset and improve mental health. Increasing intensity by incorporating elevation or challenging terrain from trails or other man-made structures like stairs can improve physical health.

Create an urban workout and connect with the community, its unique sights, heritage and culture.

The Best Place to Step Up an Urban Hike: Evamy Ridge and Glencoe Stairs

Step up your workout or add intensity to an urban hiking experience. Try the stairs on Evamy Ridge, accessible from the bottom at Cliff St. and 23 Ave. SW. or at the top of the ridge at Hillcrest Avenue and Earl Grey Crescent.

Follow the green space along the ridge. Add a second set of 156 stairs that lead down to the Glencoe Club. The loop is just over half a kilometre or 1.22 km round trip.

Urban Lookout: Evamy Ridge Park

Also known as Hillcrest Hill or Cliff Bungalow Escarpment, it borders the neighbourhoods of Cliff Bungalow and Mount Royal. It provides a picturesque view of downtown. Cliff Bungalow Park is inclusive for your furry friends. It is 1 of 157 public off-leash areas, totalling 1145 hectares. These are some of the most in North America. For another off-leash option, explore A Dog-Friendly Urban Hike.

This land was a gift to the City from CP Rail in 1920. The understanding at the time was that it would remain parkland. There was an effort to acquire the land in 2014. The Mount Royal Community Association deserves credit. They worked to ensure the city council left this parcel of land for public use.

Area of Interest: Historic Bungalow Schools on Cliff Street

At the bottom of the stairs in the park are two heritage schools built with a style unique to Calgary. Holy Angels School, built in 1919 and expanded in 1929, is a one-and-one-half-story, redbrick, Georgian Revival-style schoolhouse.

Cliff Bungalow School, built in 1920, is a one-and-one-half-storey, redbrick, Arts and Crafts style schoolhouse. It is distinctive for its rough-textured brick and low-scale form. Both schools are well-preserved examples of bungalow school designs that originated with the cottage school idea. The concept was conceived by Alberta Public Works in 1910.

Next Steps – Where to Go from Here

Benefits of Urban Hiking

1. Physical health benefits:
   • Cardiovascular fitness
   • Maintain a healthy weight and lose body fat.
   • Prevent or manage various conditions, including heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, cancer and type 2 diabetes.
   • Improve your balance and coordination.
   • Strengthen immune system
   • Strengthen your bones and muscles.
   • Improve muscle endurance
   • Increase energy levels
2. Mental health benefits: Hiking in an urban environment can help reduce stress and anxiety. It can also improve mood, cognition, memory, sleep, and overall well-being.
3. Exploring the city: Urban hiking lets you explore the city in a new and unique way. You can discover new neighbourhoods, parks, art, and landmarks.
4. Increased community engagement: Urban hiking can be a social activity. It provides opportunities to meet new people and engage with the community.
5. Convenient and environmentally friendly: Lower your carbon footprint. You are close to home and don’t have to waste time driving long distances to arrive at a destination. 
6. Cost-effective: Urban hiking doesn’t need special equipment or membership fees to stay active and explore the city.
7. Exposure to nature: Urban hiking provides a way to connect with nature and can help reduce stress, improving mental health.