Destination

Exploring An 802-Step Art Gallery | Calgary Tower

Posted by The Urban Explorer on

The 802 Challenge is back again every Tuesday in March 2025.

Lookout, 802 Challenge, exploring,
802 Challenge, urban, hiking, exploring, lookout,

Whether you’re looking for a unique activity or taking your fitness goals to another level. There is more to see than just the view from the observation deck of the Calgary Tower.

TALLEST ART GALLERY IN THE WEST

On the landings of the stairways are murals painted by young amateur artists. Invited as part of a project spearheaded by the Alberta Wilderness Association.

fitness, stairs, urban hiking, 802 Challenge, Alberta Wilderness Association
Stairs, urban hiking, 802 Challenge, explore, Alberta Wilderness Association
fitness, stairs, urban hiking, 802 Challenge, Alberta Wilderness Association
fitness, stairs, urban hiking, 802 Challenge, Alberta Wilderness Association
fitness, stairs, urban hiking, 802 Challenge, Alberta Wilderness Association
Stairs, urban hiking, 802 Challenge, Alberta Wilderness Association
Stairs, urban hiking, 802 Challenge, Alberta Wilderness Association

The plaques with each art installation point out this as the “Tallest Art Gallery in the West.“

It should take less than 20 minutes to reach the top and under 10 minutes to descend. Like most great hikes, it is worth it.

fitness, stairs, urban hiking, 802 Challenge
Fitness, stairs, urban hiking, 802 Challenge, Alberta Wilderness Association
fitness, stairs, urban hiking, 802 Challenge, Alberta Wilderness Association
Fitness, stairs, urban hiking, 802 Challenge, Alberta Wilderness Association

The stairways are open to the public as part of the 802 Challenge every Tuesday in March from 4pm-7pm. Admission is $10.

URBAN LOOKOUTs

From the top, you get a 360-degree view of the city. Looking down, you can see the railroad tracks alongside the former Husky Tower. A reminder, this was the site of the original Canadian Pacific Railway station. The CPR also built the historic Palliser Hotel next door. It was instrumental in facilitating the development of Calgary into a thriving urban centre. 

Urban, lookout, explore, tour, hiking
Urban, hiking, lookout, explore, tour

Across the street from the Palliser Hotel is a public art installation called Emergent. Its mirrored surfaces reflect the city’s evolution. From this urban lookout, you can see the city’s first skyscraper. As the city prospered, the inspiration for more impressive and taller structures grew with the buildings. The tallest building today towers 200 metres above it in the background.

NEXT STEPS – WHERE TO GO FROM HERE

Discover the story Behind Stephen Avenue. This National Historic District demonstrates the central role that retail streets play in the urban experience. Explore the city’s Sandstone Building Legacy and vote for your favourite building.

urban, hiking, tour, explore, Suncor Energy Centre, Brookfield Place, The Bow, Calgary
Urban art, urban lookout, urban hiking, explore, railroad, walk

Along Centre Street, success and growth are embodied in art and architecture. From another iconic public art installation – Wonderland, you see two of the tallest buildings in the city. Their construction had a significant impact on the skyline and urban landscape. Follow the link to learn more: Wonderland – Tallest Buildings

There are so many great places in Calgary to explore.

Pictured: At an official height of 95 metres (310 ft, 9 inches), the world’s tallest painted mural with the Calgary Tower, 190.8-metre (626 ft) in the background. The mural was painted by legendary German graffiti artist @mirkoreisser (DAIM) in collaboration with @yycbump.