This 8 km run or ride links two public art installations of General Wolfe, connecting Mount Royal to Inglewood
This guide highlights aspects of the city’s heritage, featuring art, architecture, and green spaces. It should take under 30 minutes by bike, but remember, this is not a race.
You will travel a mix of multi-use pathway and roadway. Please be aware of other users and proceed at your own risk. You are responsible for your own safety.
General James Wolfe
You begin and end this route at two bronze monuments of British Army General James Wolfe. The original sculpture, created by John Massey Rhind in 1898, was gifted to the city by Glenbow founder Eric Harvie.
The first monument was installed in Mount Royal in 2009. A second, inspired by the original, was placed in Inglewood in 2019—creating a unique pairing of public art across the city.
Wolfe is best known for leading British forces to victory over the French at the Battle of the Plains of Abraham in 1759, just outside Quebec City. Both Wolfe and French commander Marquis Louis-Joseph de Montcalm were mortally wounded during the battle.
The outcome led to British control of Quebec, and ultimately France’s cession of Canada in 1763 under the Treaty of Paris—shaping the foundation of modern Canada.
Mount Royal
You begin in Mount Royal, one of Calgary’s most historic and beautiful communities.
Originally conceived by the Canadian Pacific Railway as an elite residential district, the neighbourhood was designed to reflect prestige and permanence. Strict architectural controls ensured a high standard of design, and many of the homes built in the early 1900s still stand today. As you move through the area—especially along Prospect Avenue—you’ll see some of the finest historic residences in the city. Links to the Inventory of Historic Resources are included on the map at the end of this guide.
In its early years, the neighbourhood was known as American Hill, a nod to the U.S. entrepreneurs who built many of the first homes. It was renamed Mount Royal in 1910 after the Montreal district where CPR president William Van Horne lived—part of a broader effort by influential citizens, including future Prime Minister R.B. Bennett, to shape a more distinctly Canadian identity.
The plan for South Mount Royal was registered in 1911 and featured street names of prominent French Canadians. South Mount Royal Park is outlined by Wolfe Street, Quebec Avenue and Montcalm Crescent. A fitting place for a monument to General Wolfe.
As you continue, notice how the landscape begins to feel almost park-like. This was intentional. The community was influenced by the City Beautiful movement, which emphasized green space, thoughtful design, and quality of life. Streets follow the natural contours of the land, and homes are positioned to take advantage of views.
That vision is still visible today. Quebec, Montcalm, and Carlton Avenues are lined with green ash trees planted in 1929–30 by William Reader, Calgary’s most influential Parks Superintendent.
Nearby, Frontenac and Montreal Avenues feature mature American elms that form one of the most picturesque urban tree canopies in the city.
As you leave the community, you make your way to Evamy Ridge. From here, you get one of the best views of Calgary’s skyline—a reminder of how intentionally this community was designed around sightlines and elevation.
At the bottom of the park are two heritage schools built in a style unique to Calgary. Learn more at: Benefits of Urban Hiking | Evamy Ridge -Stepping it Up.
Safety Note: There is no sidewalk, so be mindful of vehicles. You will be traversing an active roadway until you reach Lindsay Park.
MIssion
Leaving Mount Royal, you head east toward your next urban lookout. It is located on Fourth Street in the Mission, Cliff Bungalow, and Beltline communities. The street is perhaps best known for hosting the Lilac Festival each spring, when thousands of Calgarians fill the street. Even on a quieter day, it’s a lively corridor worth slowing down or stopping for.
Here you will find Van Gogh Obverses in front of the Master’s Gallery at 2115 – 4th St. It employs a technique of illusionism known as “hollow face.” The portrait of Van Gogh is captivating as it appears to follow you with his gaze as you pass by on the street. We highly recommend stopping before heading off to your next stop in Mission. Learn more about this destination at Van Gogh Observes Fourth Street.
Before being annexed in 1907, the community of Mission was the French settlement of Rouleauville.
As Calgary expanded, the area was annexed by the city in 1907, but the legacy
As you continue, cross the Elbow River into Lindsay Park, the pace shifts. The energy of 4th Street gives way to a quieter, more natural setting, surrounded by mature trees and urban forest. Follow the pathway until you see an awkwardly placed steel girder bridge.
Its scale hints at its history as an integral part of the Canadian Northern Railway line. A key contributor to the early economic prosperity of the city.
The bridge was built in 1913 and converted into a pedestrian bridge by the City of Calgary in 1999. The stairs lead to the open deck and reveal rail tracks that connect multiple landmarks to the park. St. Mary’s Cathedral, Parish Hall and Sacred Heart Convent endure as part of the legacy of the original community and continue to shape the neighbourhood today.
Built in 1905, the St. Mary’s Parish Hall has served the area in many forms. It was the center of social and cultural life until it was purchased by the Canadian Northern Railway in 1911.
They transformed it into a passenger rail station that operated from 1914 to 1971. The Calgary City Ballet moved into the building in 1982, returning it to a community hub.
The hall exemplifies the sandstone construction that defined the architecture of the time. The material was abundant around Calgary and further embodies the settlement’s growing connection to the land. It became widely used after a fire in 1886 destroyed a significant amount of the wooden buildings.
Learn more and vote for your favourite building at Sandstone City Legacy.
Sacred Heart Convent is not far away. Constructed in 1884, it’s valuable to our city’s heritage for more than just its sandstone. It is also important due to its association with the Order of the Fideles Compagnes de Jésus. The Faithful Companions of Jesus established the first francophone and Catholic education systems in southern Alberta in 1885.
From here, stay on the pathway as it leads you under Macleod Trail and toward Stampede Park—where the next phase of the journey begins.
Reader Rock Garden
This next hidden gem can be a little tricky to get to, but it’s worth the effort. Get off the pathway before you head under the road. Head for the traffic lights in front of the entrance to Stampede Park. From there, you cross the street and then walk across the lawn to arrive at Reader Rock Garden.
Originally, this was just a bare hill on a prairie where many people thought little would grow. The site was instrumental in testing gardening principles and educating about the horticultural potential of this area.
This space transformed into an internationally praised garden and national historic site.
You can walk around the gardens and check out the replica home of William Roland Reader. He was the city’s most influential Parks Superintendent, serving from 1913 to 1942. He was internationally renowned, acquiring seeds and plants from around the world.
Through his passion and skill, he turned Calgary into what became known as the “garden city of the West.” Testing varieties of over 4,000 plant species to see what will survive in the harsh climate.
Throughout this guide, you can see his impact on the city, including many of the tree-lined streets in Mount Royal. Learn more about this space by exploring Urban Hike for Halloween | Reader Rock Garden.
Culture & Entertainment District
As you return to the pathway, follow the map that will take you along the Elbow River and around Stampede Park. You get a unique view of the agricultural barns and GMC Stadium. Continue along until you arrive at another public art installation, Tipi.
Explore along the Elbow River valley. Learn about our shared heritage, connections to the land and the future of Calgary Culture and Entertainment.
The semi-circle art installation was originally unveiled by the Victoria Park Station entrance in 2012. That was the Calgary Stampede centennial year, and it celebrated the relationship between First Nations families from Treaty 7 nations and the Stampede. It was relocated closer to Elbow River Camp in 2022.
From here, you have two paths for exploration:
OPTION 1 – The Future of Victoria Park
Follow the map and cross the Elbow River. From here, you can explore the plan to create a new Culture & Entertainment District. Anchored by the new $1.22 billion Scotia Place, it will transform Victoria Park. In this evolving landscape, the Saddledome appears destined for demolition. Learn more about this iconic venue at Evolution of Stampede Park | Saddledome.
Remember, this is an active construction site, so be aware of your surroundings. As you turn the corner, you will find the Rundle Ruins. These sandstone remains are what remain of Calgary’s Second General Hospital, built in 1899.
This is a chance to reflect on what parts of our built heritage are worth preserving. We believe Urban Exploring should look beyond abandoned ruins at the many elements that create great urban places. Learn more at Urban Exploration in Calgary: Beyond Abandoned Places | Rundle Ruins.
OPTION 2 – Shared Heritage Along the River. Stay on the path along the river in ENMAX Park. A 16-acre green space and home to the 650 metre-long Cenovus Legacy Trail. It features markers that tell the story of the land through the lenses of First Nations People, Calgary and the Stampede.
Both options will lead you to the underpass to Fort Calgary at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow Rivers. If you choose option 2, you might enjoy our guide: Biking Mohkinstsis | The Elbow River– Where Calgary Comes Together. This guide explores spaces where people have traditionally gathered and how cultures often develop through a connection to the land.
As you emerge into the open green space, turn right and cross the bridge. This will take you to the final leg of this journey in Inglewood.
Inglewood
Welcome to the community of Inglewood. This destination for culture and recreation is walkable and bike-friendly. This is an urban sanctuary, offering space that preserves our shared heritage and the environment. To learn more, check out Inglewood – An Urban and Nature Sanctuary.
When you go over the bridge and look to the right. You will find what might be mistaken for an old shed. It is actually the oldest building in the city, still in its original location. The Hunt House is a tiny log cabin built around 1876 and 1881. It is behind the more prominent Deane House.
It was constructed as a residence for employees at the Hudson’s Bay Post. The HBC moved to the Hudson Block on the west side of the river. They did this after the Canadian Pacific Railway arrived at its new station in 1883. This became part of the story Behind Stephen Avenue. Click the link to check out our guide.
Although the legacy of the HBC will live on, the company ceased operations in 2025. This may be a fitting moment to reflect on the impact the retailer had on the Canadian experience and Calgary’s landscape.
If you take 8th Avenue, you will see the New East Ward (Alexandra) School. Built in 1902, it was the second sandstone school constructed in the city. It shows the progression from the first one-room schoolhouse. Learn more at Old Schools.
If you would prefer to stay off roadways, the pathway along the river is open for 2026. It was closed for much of 2025 due to construction. This guide concludes at the southwest corner of the 12th Street Bridge. Both routes lead to the second public art installation – Wolfe and the Sparrows.
This cast bronze sculpture was created by Branden Vickers in 2019. It was inspired by the existing statue of General James Wolfe. In this version, the head is distorted by a flock of sparrows. We love that this statue was modelled after an existing piece in the public realm. This duo of public art is unique to Calgary, and visiting both is truly a great ride.
The Urban Explorer 